51 and Finally Taking Care of Me! TT and Liposuction

For 28 years, as a teacher I have taken care of hundreds of kids, raised 2 kids (looked in the mirror every day at the hideous C-section scars) and have hidden behind large tunics as my fashion statement. I have dreamed about getting the "Shelf" gone. Every year my Kindergartners as if I am having a baby even though my uterus has been gone for years. Menopause was not my friend. Hiding my depression from the death of my parents through food was the enemy I was sleeping with each and every day. I have never put me first. But that is going to change. In 36 days, I am going to walk into that office, terrified I am sure, and do something I have only dreamed about. After reading hundreds of reviews, researched tons of before and afters, I am now going to throw my story into the pile.

I started this journey last year when I tipped the scales at 190 on my 5'5 frame. NOT pretty! I found CIZE and exercised my butt off literally. I lost 31 pounds and now am hovering around 160 to 165. So even with eating right and exercising, the SHELF wont go. I met with my PS and he told me that my abs have separated and that he can bring those together. He will do a full TT with Liposuction on my back flanks. Of course he was very encouraging. And because I have a limited time off this summer being a teacher, I had to book. Ironically, I have my surgery on my 52 birthday. I hope that they wont mind my birthday crown as they roll me down the hall! I have gone through all the emotions that they say...fear, joy, terror, anxiety, tears, .....now I am just determined to get this done! I just bought large comfy recovery clothes that I can and will burn later! My husband is very supportive and thinks he is getting a new girlfriend ! HA.....only after about 4 weeks of living with Atilla the Hun! I just keep telling myself that I have always put everyone's needs before mine. Now it is time to love myself again. I can not look at my body and be repulsed every time anymore. Now it is in Dr. Z's hands and God's. Good thing I am a believer!

One doctor on here mentioned the many many emotions that one experiences in prep for a tummy tuck. I have less than a month to go before my big day. I am still trying to work out but then the little demon on my shoulder says 'why?' But I am trying to do 85 squats a day to help with all the leg strength I will need for recovery. I am still trying to get my workouts in but I know I can do better. I try to prep myself mentality for the recovery process. I have my comfy clothes for healing bought, my list of food to prep and freeze the week before, and next week I meet with my doctor again to get final details. One day I am confident, then excited, then terrified. This surgery is all I think about through out the day. My greatest concern is about being under anesthesia for so long. I cant believe the myriad of emotions that I have been feeling. Hoping that all this is normal.

Had my pre-op today with the surgeon. Payment is in ...gasp. I got my prescriptions and instructions for pre surgery and post. The doctor said that that 3/4 of his TT patients choose the pain pump after surgery. I really didnt want to pay more money for it but after some research, I hear it is worth its weight in gold. So I bit the bullet and ordered it to be apart of my recovery. I need to make sure this recovery goes smoothly as I am going to be chasing (not hardly) Kindergartners 5 weeks after this surgery!. My doctor said that he is looking forward to giving me an hour glass figure instead of the rectangle build that I have lived with forever. Me too!