39, 5 Kids, TT+Lipo+BBL & Hoping for Breast Augm. - Dominican Republic, DO

My first post, finally! So forgive me if it's a bit long and rambling...but here goes!

So I had my first child at 19, after getting pregnant my freshman year of college. And ever since, I have felt trapped in my body. 4 more children (and a much better 2nd husband) later, I finally realized this past year it may actually be a real possibility to DO SOMETHING about it after reading about going abroad for cosmetic surgery on this website. Before then, it seemed it would be financially impossible. And before doing the research, the prospect of going overseas for surgical procedures sounded extremely risky. I now realize there are extremely talented and very well respected doctors abroad that do the same work that is done here, and not only for far less money, but in some cases, better! Like anything, you just have to do your research. Same goes for medical procedures in the states.

Aside from surgery, I always knew there were things I could do on my own as far as weight loss, exercise, etc. - and I did manage to lose weight as I've needed to over the years, for the most part, and maintain it - at least until the birth of my last child 8 months ago. Still, no matter how I looked with my clothes on, I felt so sad and depressed about the body I saw naked in the mirror. I have truly felt trapped in this physical space. It made me think of a melted candle. Another reviewer I read recently said the same thing, and I thought then that I thought I was the only one who saw that. But I know there are lots of us out there! And I am happy to find this site and be able to learn so much.

So I've decided on the Dominican Republic, of course! They seem to know how to work with my natural shape. I have always been somewhat hourglass/pear shaped. My boobs are not all that big, but I had a smaller waist and nice big hips with a nice, healthy ass! It looks pretty decent in clothes, but naked, it's a damn mess. All of it is! So I mostly want to return to my natural shape, even if is trying to go back 20 years! It is a horrible cliche, but it's true - we have but this one life to live. I want to be happy. I want to feel my body is the temple that my soul tells me it is. I KNOW it will not be perfect, but I can do better, and I know I can feel better. And as much as people will say it's only physical - yeah, I know that. But the physical is a pretty significant part of who and what we are. I do love myself, I just want to fall in love with my body again.

So I am pretty much set so far on Dra. Almonte. Pictures of her work, her reviews, and my research make me feel pretty comfortable with that decision. The quote is $5100 for TT+Liposculpture of full back, flanks, and waist, + BBL. If I want a breast lift with implants, it is $1300 more and all depends on my hemo/etc. levels, as far as being able to do the breast augmentation at the same time as the other procedures. I know it's a lot - I get that. And I won't, and I know Dra. Almonte won't, do more than my body can withstand. However, I've made it through some pretty excrutiating child births. I have a pretty decent pain threshold, and I trust my mental strength. So long as the end result is positive in terms of my health and my happiness with that naked lady staring back at me from that mirror in my bathroom, I am willing to withstand the temporary pain and discomfort. I just plan to put the rest in the hands of God/The Universe/The Greater Power that I know guides me.

2 of my children are in college, and I have 2 in middle school. The baby, as I mentioned, is 8 months. And I. AM. DONE.! I thought I was done before. My older children are from my first marriage, and I was enjoying traveling and spending time with my 2nd husband, who had no children of his own. Then came this little miss! She is so beautiful, and I am so grateful that she came into our lives, and that I was able to give my husband a little angel of his own. He adores her - it's amazing to see. But hand to God, I am done! And I'm about to turn 40. I'm ready. I am just so, so ready.

I am concerned about taking the time off. I just started a new job in July of this year - 2015. So I won't have 10 days vacation until July 2016. So I am planning to schedule my surgery date at that time. However, even considering I will technically have the vacation time, I work in a small department and I have some concerns about my boss possibly being a bit prodding about me requesting to take my full two weeks all at once, as soon as I reach my 1 year mark. Plus, I work in a medical environment, so it's not like I can just give random excuses about medical procedures. It's no one's business at all! But I am a bit nervous about getting the time off. At this point, it feels so close and so real and so possible - I'll do whatever to make it work.

Basically, I am just totally obsessed with the fact that all this could really become....my reality. The prospect that I don't have to stay trapped in this melting candle body, making sure my robe covers my backside when I lean over the sink in the morning to brush my teeth in case my husband walks in...always trying to hide my tummy from him...being constantly conscious of what I am showing...never getting the satisfaction of walking around in just a tshirt and panties because I know how horrendous my backside looks...never walking around naked period! I just want to be free.

So in the event I go back for a R2 for the tittays, who in DR does them best? For my other work, I'm mostly settled on Almonte but also keeping an open mind for Robles as well as Leon. Thoughts?

While we're at it, teeth whitening? Who's done it there or has info?

And while we're talking about fulfilling our lifelong wishes of physical self improvement, I'm also considering a nose job at some point. Mostly for tip refinement - I've always been deeply self conscious about my nose. But I don't want to take any chances with that and I also don't want some one-fits-all ski slope nose. I don't mind my bump all that much. Anyway, just thinking and wondering if any of you have any experience with any of this as well.