37 and the new me! - AB, Canada

Thank you so much. I actually have a friend who's a medical rep and gets to sit in on lots of surgeries. She said he was good. I wanted to go with Dr. Toy but his wait list is longer than Dr. Ladak. I waited for Dr. Ladak for over 6 months. Lol. I'm excited...will see what happens. Good luck with yours! What are you aiming for, for weight loss?

It's great you have first hand knowledge from your friend! I want to lose about 25 more pounds. And I'm working with a trainer right now to strengthen my core muscles. From what I hear on this site, having strong leg and back muscles is very helpful during the recovery part since you tend to be hunched over for a bit. Hopefully that will help some. I know we are in for a heck of a healing process, it's no picnic, but I'm sure with all the research we get done on RS, we will be prepared for it!;) Fingers crossed!

LOL. I've been trolling on here for years….especially after I got divorced and was feeling down on myself. Slow and steady will get you to your goal:) You can totally do it:) I am working out as usual:) I think when you're healthier, you tend to recover a little better:) Fingers crossed, anyways:)

Yes, you're right! I want the weight off quickly, but of course it didn't come on quickly so I have to be patient... :-/ looking forward to following your progress!

I'll be following you as well! I'm very nervous but super excited!

How are you doing with consults and such? did you book a date? Post some pics? keep me updated!

How's it going? How's the weight loss journal going?

Not yet, but soon! I'm going for my second consult in two weeks and booking a date! I can't believe that I'm actually doing this! I will try to post a pic right away.

Hi! Awesome:) I feel like we have a similar story, too:) You look great!! I CANNOT wait to have a new body. I feel like I've worked so hard and this is the last thing that needs to go. I've been working out like mad the last little while, since I posted the pics. PS said I don't need lipo, so that has made me feel like I've improved a bit from the physical side:) I picked 235cc. I'm not a boob girl, LOL. I am fixated on building my bum. LOL. You look really great and you're active. I've been told that the more active you are, the better your recovery? I don't know. I haven't done much to prepare. I just meal prepped a lot and have been buying things so that I don't need to worry about making food from scratch for my kids. I've been busy working and trying to get all the stuff I need to do around the house done so I won't be stressed after the surgery. Please keep me updated. I totally want to know what you're up to and how your surgery goes!! We are so close for dates!

You and me both.. I've been dreaming of this for 8 years since I lost the 98lbs and it's down to 6 more days!! This is definately the cherry on the top for all the hard work and time we put in exercising and maintaining. It's so much work. I also heard the recover is much quicker for active people and I hope that's true. I will ask him tomorrow at the pre-op about the lipo he didn't mention it at the consultation so I'm not sure. I want quick recovery so if I can do without that's better. Not sewing my stomach muscles either. I will be a week before you, so you can see!! I will decide on the boob size tomorrow too. I want them nice and plump but I don't want them in the way of running and working out. I'm getting everything ready too. It's like I'm nesting right before having a baby. I don't know where I'm getting all this energy!!Cleaning and prepping as much as I can. This surgery is going to force me to relax!! You look great as well. This is really going to make us feel better about our hard work when we look in the mirror. I'm so happy for us!

Why did you decide not to sew the muscles together? You look really tiny from the pics I saw…so maybe you don't:) I am getting mine sewn. They're far enough apart that as my abs build…you can't see that middle line at all. LOL. You can only see obliques and some horizontal lines…but no middle line…I want that line! LOL I'm so concerned about my recovery though. I'm only taking 10 days and then I'm back at work. I'd like to be anyways. How long are you taking? 2 weeks still? I know what you mean…I am definitely in nesting mode. I just want as much done as possible…especially since school is starting up with the kids soon. I'm keeping an eye on you!! I can't wait to see your results and tell me about recovery!

The Dr said my abs don't need it they came back together less than and inch apart. And the recovery take longer so I said ok without. I'm also taking only 10 days. Surgery on Tuesday and back to work the second Friday 8-23, I may just work a couple of hours that day. We will see how I feel. I'm really depending on being healthy and healing fast. With all my c sections I was up cooking and cleaning by the third day. It was sore and I was hunched over but not so bad where I couldn't do things. School here starts 9-2 as well so I gt all the clothes and supplies already. I don't want to be in that mall until I'm going for a new bra!! I can already see your abs in your photo. Your stomach will be flat as a board when they sew them.. I will tell you all the details for sure :) I'll be watching you too right after me!

Also I work in a very slow paced office job as a planner so I will be sitting most of the day. We have to be careful for swelling and those blood seroma. The skin is detached from the muscle And most of the healing process is the re attachment. If we do to much and bleed inside of there they will have to drain it. I don't want to be driving to Vancouver 45 minutes away everyday for draining that so do as little as we can for those 10 days!!!

I plan on sitting around for ten days. lol. So lucky you don't have to sew. I have to. mine is more than an inch. Sucks. lol. I'm happy year I don't need to do lipo though...I hear that it can also lengthen your recovery time and there's more bruising. I'm drinking water like crazy, more than usual. With my second section I was a little stopped up so definitely don't want to be there. It was so painful! with my sections, I was up and about in less than 24 hrs and just taking Tylenol. ..so I am hoping it will be comparable. I just remember my stomach itching as I healed. lol. The recovery scares me a bit because I'm choosing this, this time. ..but u also have a goal in mind and I really do not want all this stuff hanging around. lol. You are totally right though...we definitely don't want any swelling! ! I've decided you're my surgery buddy. lol. Too much in common and our dates are so similar! lol

Deal!! We are in this together. Ill be sitting around too. Today I will start increasing my water as well great idea. I bought some Smooth Move Tea I was told its the best with the stool softeners they prescribe us and that it will make you go the day after. YES I remember that itching as well. That was the worst from. I bought an Arnica Salve to rub on it along with the Bio Oil once it closes up. I agree about the lipo but I have ready some stories on here where the girls developed some dog ears from the sides. I don't have much fat on my sides but I don't want that ear thing. I will ask him today and see what he says. If the scar will wrap to my hips I might not be able to avoid it. Realistically I see the scar only in the front where my C-Section. I don't want that hip bone to hip bone scar. Im so happy I met you on here. I'm Super excited for both of us to go through this together and be able to share it :) Hope you have a beautiful day. you have 13 days to go!!

HAHA…I didn't even know how many days I had to go…but it's so close! I have so much to do:) What is Arnica Salve? Does it help with the itching? Did you get any binders or compression garments? How did those girls get the dog ears? I'm so excited and scared at the same time:) LOL. I've had the sections, but I hear it's worse. How are you feeling?? Next week already!!!

Goodmorning :) I did buy a CG from Target its like a Spakx body suit to hold everything into place. the Dr will give us the binder in the hospital along with the surgical bra. They told me yesterday to buy a couple of cottom zip front sports bra's for the second to third week after the SX. Arnica Salve is a natural way to help with pain, swelling and bruising and muscle soreness. It comes in a salve, cream, gel and a pill and because its a salve Itll probably help with itching too.. I may buy some of the pills today to. I saw my PS yesterday and chose my boobs! 550cc Sientra Gummy Bear. Sounds big but they are low profile. They wont look massive on me because one of my breast measure 9 inches wide. He assured me It will just fill in the skin and look natural. the dog ears are the extra skin on the sides. PS said I will be find without the lipo. Basically its for larger patients that have a roll right there. You and I don't have to worry about that!! I feel really good this morning. Im getting more nervous and excited everyday. Also the nurse that was there had a C-Section and said she was walking around 2 day after and also had a TT and said the C-Section was harder. With a C-section they cut deep through all the muscle and into the uterus, she said if we could handle the C-Section and be up doing things quickly we will most likely be able to handle the TT easier.. How was your day yesterday? I didn't get online since I was so busy with everything. I feel like Im running out of time!! sorry I wrote you a book!

I'm going to buy some zip up sports bras, too. Great idea:) Yeah, mine are 235cc mid profile. I think it's pretty much what you want to look like and where you start from. I've never been a boob girl, so I did't really want anything. LOL. I really only got them because my bff told me I'd probably want them after the TT, so I might as well do it all at once. LOL. I'm also not really wanting to buy new clothes. haha. I'm actually pretty happy with my progress now and my brain is finally catching up the weight loss. Really, I'm afraid to date and get intimate because I do not feel confident at all when it comes to my tummy. The skin has bothered me for years, and it just keeps getting wrinklier and saggy as I lose body fat. I've head that sections are easier and from some, sections were harder. I don't have a clue! My bff is most worried about my recovery. She says I'm so stubborn and always want to do too much. She says she might have to strap me in the bed so I will actually rest. LOL. For both my sections (one emergency after 24hrs of labour, one planned), I was up and bathing my babies, shopping, etc, in less than 24 hrs. Mostly out of necessity because I didn't really have a lot of help. I got a few hrs everyday of help…but that was it. I was on extra strength Tylenol after one day…that being said….I'm still so nervous. I'm also older now. LOL How was your day? Do you think you'll be able to pull the bodysuit on OK by yourself? There's so many differing opinions! LOL I feel like you, running out of time…and I write books to you, too:) All good! I really appreciate having someone like you to talk to.

I know exactly how you feel. I haven't let anyone see my body besides the PS for 7 years and I have been single for what seems like forever, only dated once since I left my childrens father. He turned out to be a dud alcoholic so I figure its best I stay single and focus on me and the kids. I don't even have the desire to date or look at people in the eyes right now because I want to have this done first. I think this is going to make me feel more confident. I wont have to worry about nothing falling out when I bed over or some flabby boobs being seen when Victoria Secret makes then look so great. I was the same way with all my C-Sections I had no help so I was up the next day cooking cleaning taking care of toddlers and breast feeding a newborn. We don't have time for recovery LOL. But for this YES we are older I agree and we need to take it light and easy so we don't swell or get any clots. AND the less swelling we have the faster the drains will come out. My PS said no shower until the drains are out even though I have seen women on here showering in 3-4 days. He said its extremely dangerous to be in the water with the would not sealed. GIRL You look FAB you are skinny mini! I have been working out like a maniac because of you for the past 3 days and have dropped 3 lbs. this AM I was 146. Feels good to loose. I only have 3 days left. I am getting nervous!! I don't know about the body suit yet I will probably just stick to that binder they put on for as long as I can. Make it easy

OMG! Awesome job on losing some weight! I'm happy! keep at it. Every little bit helps. that's my theory. People always ask me how I lost all that weight and I always tell them it's mental more than physical. just tell yourself that five minutes exercising is better than none and to not beat yourself up because you ate bad one day or missed the gym. You are gonna look so awesome. You deserve this! My ex wasn't physically abusive towards me...towards my oldest and he was mentally abusive to me and the kids. I left early on. Never looking back. I am very scared of being too swollen, so you're right. ..we have to rest! Because of you, I finally ordered a couple of bras and a high waisted compression panty for a couple weeks later. I'm not a bodysuit girl...so I decided not to go that way. How are you feeling? are you getting excited? Nervous? You are going to look so good...I cannot wait to hear about your recovery and how your procedure goes. time is totally flying by!!!

I feel energized like crazy and scatter brained all I can think of if there anything Im forgetting and if there is anything I can do in advance. I cut all the veggies in ziplock backs, shreaded cheese, cleaned and washed all the laundry. Have everything ready for my mom but still Im like what am I not doing!!! I want to be completely peaceful and not worry for a thing. My mom said Ill be sleeping a lot if I take the Soma and the percoset. I really prefer not to be out of it or feel anything so I hope I will only need those meds for a day or two. Im one of those people against medical and going to the Dr. Pure nature girl Not hugging any trees but you know what I mean hahaha. Im excited as ever. Good job on getting the bras. I bought a couple more today and some cotton panties because I don't own a single pair! Thongs are not going to work for this case. Glad you got out of that situation with your ex. I hung in for 14 years... I haven't looked back either. it was the best decision of my life for the kids and I. And only a good man deserves me. Same goes for you... ((hugs))) I will post as soon as I can. I will be going back to the Dr. the day after to return the compression device for my legs I believe. Not sure if they will open me up and check things out but I cant wait to have some boobs!

Hey Girl!!! I'm thinking of you!! Sorry I've been a little MIA. Had a wedding to go to this weekend. How are you feeling? I cannot wait for your post-op! I am feeling like you did a week ago. I'm scrambling and thinking about all the things I still need to do. LOL. Funny thing is, it never all gets done and really, the world goes on and people around us figure it out, don't they? I'm praying for you and for your surgery…that everything goes well and that you recover well:) Hugs!

Hey you!! I know it's 3am and I cannot sleep at all!! It's at 930am I'll post as soon as I can. I feel so scared and nervous but then I just read shutterbugs last post and realize this is all worth it. The battle of weigh loss to get where I finally am at 146lbs and then to maintain it for years is deserving of this!!! This is what I wanted.. I can't wait to have this saggy skin gone and boobs!! Recovery is temporary. (((Hugs)))) I'll write as soon as a i can! I love weddings. I've never been married. Maybe someday....thnk u for thinking of me

You are going to be great! ! You definitely deserve this! I doubt I'll be able to sleep, too!!! you are going to look so great...just a little recovery ...We've done this before. ..you've got this.

I thought about you all yesterday and wondering if you made out OK. I can't believe that in a week I'll be where you are now. Are you in lots of meds? are you getting up and moving around? my mind is all over the place thinking about everything I still need to do. Do you have drains? talk to you soon hopefully.

Goodmorning!! Yes everything went well. Total surgery time 2.5 hours. I have taken the Oxycodone for pain and an antibiotic. But I'll probably cut them in half. I'm not in too much pain just discomfort. I do gt up every hour and walk about 60 steps including stairs. And yes there's drains. Every 4hours I empty them out. There's about 15-20ml of blood. I dnt have much of an appetite. I ate 1 jello a couple of crackers and a protein shake.. They had me drink of magnesium citrate before the SX and I had to just sit in the toilet. I think I'll try to eat something today . I'm just scared of constipation . I KNOW you are right behind me! It's simple they tell u that u will be sleepy then out! Before I knew it I was up and heading home. The boobs feel like they did when they were engorged frm breast feeding and my tummy feels tight and sore.. And my back is a little sore frm walking hunched. Have u got your medications yet?

Hey! Just took all my before pics today and got my meds. I'm hoping my recovery goes like yours. You seem to tolerate it just fine. I asked again about the lipo today but he took one one more look and said there's nothing to lipo. lol. Guess my attitude now is that if I'm going to lay there, I might as well get everything done so I can look nice! haha. He even said that patients like me are fun to operate on because you can contour better and the results are always really nice. I can't wait! I read this one review and this girl didn't have to have any drains! How lucky is that! I'm in total nesting mode like you were. I can't stop cleaning and prepping everything. lol. When do you get to shower and stuff? Do you feel like you'll be ready after ten days? My PS looked at me disapprovingly when I only said ten days. He wants me to have four weeks. lol. I said I promised to ask for more if I couldn't handle it. lol. I'm praying I'm like you. haha.

Same here they said no shower for 10-14 days.. I bought a big pack of baby wipes to wash myself the best I can . And my moms going to wash my hair later :)

Yeah. ...I have a bunch of wipes ready to go. I actually think that's the part that grosses me out. lol. I enjoy being clean. lol.

So do I. If I don't shower everyday I feel like a bum! But I haven't really done much to gt dirty just sitting in this recliner. That's a good thing you don't need the lipo I didn't need it either. Your body figure is very slim. You will look amazing. And u only have 5 days!! I'm super excited for u woman!!

Omg…you have no idea how excited I am:) Actually, you do! LOL.. Your recovery is going so well:) How's the whole, sitting and not doing too much going? Is it hard? How does it feel compared to the c-sections? Was the secretary right? The one you had talked to? I'm hoping the results will be good. I actually never feel slim. I'm hoping this satisfies my need for perfection. LOL. The skin is what drives me nuts, and I'm looking forward to getting rid of that more than anything else. When do you get to see yourself?

Thanks so much:) This surgery is icing on the cake for me:) My bff said to me that I was such a perfectionist and I just had to get everything fixed. LOL. I just said, " And how would that be different from anything else I do?" LOL. I just have to go full tilt. You look great:) You have worked really hard yourself! Awesome job!!

Lol you BFF sounds like mine! I too am a perfectionist & she came to look after me for 2 weeks & she constantly reminded me to slow it down & it will all come together! This to is the best thing to happen to me, I've been planning on this for over 12 years! No more baggage , all gone , just the person who I knew I was!

I know right?! This is the smallest I have ever been in my life. I'm just ready to start feeling better about this last bit of myself. What size did you decide on?

You look like you recovered well! I hope I will too.

You will to just remember it's all about what you do with your recovery! What u eat, prepare & meds etc. remember to drink lots of water before & after surgery!

I had a breast lift so I'm hoping it goes from a D to C , the ps wasn't sure as I have been lifting weights heavily prior to surgery & he wasn't sure b/c of this! Have you finally decided what ur going to do?

I'm going to get 235cc mid profiles. not a book girl buy I'd like to not have them flat. lol. how's the recovery going? Can you tell what size your boobs are going to be yet?

Yes:) Thanks:):) You look great:)

Thank you cant wait too keep shrinking

Haha. ..I think we always want to shrink some more. ..lol. you're doing awesome!

Lol thats right. One can never have a too small a waist lol

Isn't that the truth! HAHA. I'm completely focused these days on my body fat. LOL.