I'm on the flat side now! 5 YEARS POST OP- New Pics!!!

Okay, so I am starting this journey. Well actually, I started it a while ago, stopped, and now I'm ready to do it for real this time. So many of you have gone through this and it is so encouraging to see all of y'alls transformations! I'm seeing my PS on Monday to set a surgery date and I'm feeling the "I'm really excited, but nervous as crud but it really doesn't seem real yet" feeling. You know what I mean?

So, a little background on me. I'm 34, a mom of two precious kids ages 12 and 4, cancer survivor, and 2 years post-hysterectomy. I'm 5'8" and 180. I wear a size 16 pant. Before kids i was a toothpick, weighing in at 114, and a size 0 pant. (Don't worry, I don't want to go back there again!) About a year ago, I was up to 215, my largest. So diet and a little exercise has rewarded me with 35lbs of weight loss, which is nice. But I realize, I HATE doing cardio because my stomach skin jiggles so much, it makes my stomach hurt! Lol! Also, it's very disheartening to lose 35 pounds and still hate your body, and know that even if you lost 35 more, you'd still hate it because no matter how much you lose, or how many situps you do, you are still going to look pregnant. I have spent 12 years with people asking me when I'm due. At first it was embarrassing, but I got used to it. SAD!

So I'm taking control, and doing this for me. My hubby is so supportive, he's the BEST guy in the whole world, and he's happy as long as I'm happy. But he has no idea what I'm going through, and that's where you guys come in! I'll keep you guys in the loop with what's going on in my life, and you guys let me know what to expect, okay? :-)

Getting excited, I'll update on Monday (9/16) after my appointment!

Okay, now it's a little more real. I met with my PS this morning, and he said I am an excellent candidate for the TT, and he expects really good results for me. I have three main areas that will be addressed. My "mommy apron", my muscle separation, and my love handles. He's going to avoid lipo as much as possible and instead he said he "cuts out wedges" (as he put it). He said it gives him greater control and it results in less swelling and bruising. Anyone ever heard of that before? I guess that's the only thing that makes me hesitate using him. He's a wonderful surgeon, Board Certified, 21 years doing this, great bedside manner, price is right where I want it to be, surgery date fits perfectly into my schedule, etc. I guess it doesn't really matter to me, as long as he fixes the muscle and I don't look prego anymore!

So surgery is scheduled for October 15th. Gotta pay for everything next week. My pre-op is on the 7th at 8:00am. I'm planning on renting a hospital bed for at least the first two weeks, if not a month. (I'm a big baby if I don't get proper sleep!) Anyone else rent one? How long did you need it for? What other things do you suggest I plan on getting to help me along the way?

Okay, since I got up this morning at 6:30 to shower and shave to go stand naked in front of a man I barely know, I guess my humiliation couldn't be much worse, so I'll post some pics so you guys can see my before. I hope to get my measurements soon too so I can post them for you guys.

Well, just paid in full. WOW that takes a chunk out of your savings, doesn't it? I see where lots of you guys say that paying makes it more real. I'm still waiting. I think it's my body's coping mechanism to the waiting game. My body for some reason doesn't treat "excitement adrenaline" any different than "fear adrenaline" and when I get excited for something, I end up with a panic attack. So my brain takes on a Scarlett O'Hara approach (as in, "I'll think about that tomorrow"). It's annoying to me because I'd really like to get excited about this but instead it just makes me more nervous. So, I guess it won't feel real until my pre-op?

I've started cleaning my house like a crazy person. Rearranging furniture and everything. Gotta start making freezer meals and stocking up on frozen pizzas for my family! Anyone have a great freezer meal recipe? Or crockpot recipe?