36, Mom of 2, Need a TT to Get my Pre-stretched Body Back! - Folsom, CA

Have contemplated a Tummy Tuck since having my 1st child, but hoped I would get my body back close enough to before to not need to. I would say I was ok with mild stretch marks and a little wrinkled skin I was left with. After my second child was born, it got worse, and no matter what I do exercise wise, I can't get rid of the loose pooch. The skin just never really went back like before and I have diastasis recti. I am 5'5 and currently weigh 142 (thanks to 2 all inclusive vacations this summer), exercise regularly, and eat fairly healthy (I do like my wine occasionally).

Up until this last year, I was scared of getting a TT because I didn't want to spend all that money and not really like the results. At this point, I feel like I'm tired of slaving away to get minimal improvement in my mid section. Plus I don't want to be 50 and feel like I could have enjoyed the last 14 years feeling good in my body. My husband is supportive of me doing this but always tells me he loves me the way I am. I had a small Breast Augmentation 2 years before I had my kids and I would love to get my body back to that.

I have already meant with my plastic surgeon, Dr. Christa Clark, who I stumbled upon researching on the internet. She had amazing reviews and I loved the idea of a woman doing my Tummy Tuck vs. a man. I went to a different surgeon for my BA 11 years ago but I feel like I would rather have a female for body sculpting another female (is that weird?) that being said, I only went to her for a consult and I have no fears in my choice. She was very nice, confident, and her staff was awesome.

So here are my biggest fears...
1. My scar will be higher than I'm envisioning (I have a super low C section scar and she said she could do it low like that so fingers crossed)
2. I will have an ugly belly button (again she is known for awesome BB's but still nervous)
3. The drains are something that have been creeping me out a bit. Especially removal of them.
4. I don't want a flat but thick boxy shape. That's always been something I've noticed with some patients and to me it's obvious they've had a tummy tuck (but prob still much better than the overhang of loose skin)
5. That it will be much more painful than I am thinking. I had 2 c sections and they were painful but tolerable recovery wise.
6. I'm scared of my back killing from hunching.
7. I'm nervousness about ingrown hairs around the incision. I plan to get a good wax but still...

Anyway, I have been scouring stories and am hoping to get a good idea of what to expect as it gets closer. My goal up to the surgery is to get down to 130 lbs which is a really good lean weight for me when I'm doing a lot of weights.

Wow, the time is flying by!! I can't believe I'm this close. I was originally scheduled for 10/16 but had to push it back due to a trip to Vegas I was awarded at work the first week of Nov. I know these next few weeks are going to fly by and I'm excited but nervous.

My goal the last 2 months was to drop 15 lbs and as hard as I've been working at it, it's been SLOW!!!! I've lost 5 total. I'm hoping that maybe once I get the green light after surgery to exercise I will be that much more motivated to get the last few off for good!!! I'll update after my pre-op appointment next Thursday. My husband is coming to this one which is good because we haven't talked about the details of the surgery and I'm not sure he has the full idea of how the recovery will be. Hopefully it will give him the full picture. :-)

I just got finished with my pre-op appt. Can't believe next I go back will be the day of surgery. I'm less nervous than before and having the whole procedure paid feels makes it feel more real. Got to look through her past patients before and afters and I think it made me feel like "they've all gone through it I can too" . My husband came to the appt. with me and I am so glad he did. He got to voice some questions and get the answer straight from the source. He got to hear 1st hand what to expect. Still very happy and comfortable with my physician choice too. So far, I'm scheduled as the first surgery that day, which means I have to be there by 5am. This will mean driving up the night before as well as staying the night of surgery in a hotel since I live 1 1/2 hours away. Worth it in my opinion.

It was interesting to me because we talked about the belly button scar in the appt. and she said she hides most of it under a little hood. I told her I didn't want the perfect round button that has a circle scar all around. She agreed and said that's how they train you to do them in medical school and she said she realized early on that she wouldn't want her belly button to look like that either, so she learned a new technique to give it a more natural appearance. This is exactly why I am driving so far and going to a female surgeon. She will give me a result she would be happy with if it was her body. Amen!!