Tummy tuck with MR, and a little lipo... worth it!! - Melbourne, AU

It started when someone asked when I was due. At first I laughed it off but then it happened again and again and again. I would go home and cry for 2 days and think of what I should have said if I'd had my wits about me at the time and not been so shocked that someone could be so rude. I am 45 years old and the thought of being pregnant at my age horrifies me - I've been told I look 10 years younger so maybe that's why I get asked all the time. My 'children' are 20 and nearly 17. I've always been a fairly constant weight, around 67kgs (147lbs) and I'm 163cm. I'm a bit of a health nut but fate has not been kind to me. I've had chronic lower back pain for 20 years, 3 years ago I was diagnosed with coeliac disease, then told I had the bone density of a 90yo. Then diagnosed with TMJ pain, ice pick headaches, IBS and arthritis in my sacroiliiac joint (psoriatic arthritis). When I went on a GF diet I thought great, now my belly will disappear. It didn't. Then I cut out all packaged food from my diet. Still had the belly. Then I joined a clinical pilates gym. Still had the belly and the back pain was worse. Last year I got so sick of myself being sick (still working FT and hardly ever taking sick leave) and the constant rude people asking if I'm pregnant I ended up on anti-depressants. We go to Thailand every year and I think I joked to my husband maybe I should get a TT one year. He suggested I look into it. I actually mentioned this to my GP and I thought he would freak out. He surprised me when he said that he believes most plastic surgeon's charge a ridiculous amount of money. But he suggested referring me to a local PS just to discuss the procedure and weigh up my options. So along I went in February 2013 and I would say at the time I was about 50/50 as to whether I might go ahead or not. Well I walked out of there feeling fantastic and felt really strongly I should go ahead. In the space of a fairly short consultation I was told I was a really good candidate for this surgery. I think his words were "you're not overweight, you're healthy". I was told I had about a 2inch gap in my abdo muscles (why had no-one ever suggested this before?!) And the PS said that the surgery would very likely help with my back pain and IBS symptoms (as the abdo muscles would be better able to do what they need to do). So the funny thing was I went in there just thinking about the physical appearance and left with this overwhelming sense of wow! it doesn't matter how much I exercise or diet I won't ever get rid of this pouch. It was like a massive weight off my shoulders. I really liked the PS from the start. Very laid back, friendly and confident. I didn't even bother shopping around. Well that's my story so far. When I first found this site and read a few review I freaked - it was a bit confronting and I thought I won't be able to go through with this if I keep reading, but then after a few days thinking about I figured it's best to be as informed as possible to aid in my recovery. So I came back and been addicted ever since. I will post some before pics in the next few days and discuss my preparations for surgery.

So I decided in January 2013 that a TT with MR was right for me but there was only one problem. My PS only operates out of the private hospital and not the public hospital in my city. He said "Those bureaucrats in the public system make it too hard for me" - I replied, "I work for those bureaucrats" lol. My problem was that my basic health insurance only covered me in a public hospital so I would need to upgrade my cover and wait out the 12 month waiting period before going ahead. Even though I first considered having the TT done in Thailand, once I met my PS there was no doubt in my mind - he put me totally at ease. And for an extra $1000 - $2000 I could have it done in my hometown. Besides the thought of wearing a CG in the Thailand humidity - arrgggh! So I upgraded my health cover and mid last year I came up with a plan that seemed perfect.
In January 2014 I became eligible for long service leave with my employer but I had no job security beyond June 2014 so it was a case of now or never. So I spoke with my boss about taking a month off as long service leave in February. My time to get myself and my house in order, ready for surgery. Have my surgery on March 26 - this is exactly 12 months and 1 day after upgrading my cover. This then left me with 6 weeks to recover before heading overseas on a holiday we had already booked. My manager approved of the plan, and even suggested I might need 6 weeks and that was fine as I have plenty of sick leave. It is better for me to break up the absence from work rather than one long stint as there are things I do that no-one else can do. And now it looks like our funding will be continued so I will still have a job after June. But to be honest I haven't really focused on this uncertainty, my focus has been on my upcoming TT and whatever happens beyond that is fine by me. I am excited more than nervous!
So I have just had one month off work in which I cleaned out my house which had become somewhat depressingly cluttered. We did a renovation 5 years ago and all the kids toys just got stuffed into a spare room and there it stayed, but now my kids aren't kids anymore! I have been through nearly every cupboard and drawer in the house during the past 4 weeks and it feels great! The thing is I am one of those people who just can't sit still if there is something to be done so I figure I needed to do this so I could really just relax and recover post surgery. It was also my time to get myself in as good shape as possible, lose a bit of weight and gain some strength. Unfortunately I have had major issues with plantar fasciitis and achilles tendonitis (my arthritis tends to attack these areas) and walking has been really painful. But I have been eating really well and having fresh juice every day - I am having 3 BM's a day right now so I will keep this up after surgery, for sure!
I have told a few of my work colleagues that I am having an abdominal wall reconstruction, but omitting the TT part. I want them to know it's about restoring function moreso than vanity - which it is. I work in an all-female health care environment where everyone is very supportive and empathetic - though they are a little jealous that I am having so much time off I feel it is well-deserved.
I have put up with so much for so long - not just the unwelcome comments from colleagues who should know better (not those I work directly with but staff from other departments) I have spent countless $ over the years on chiro, physio, remedial massage, naturopaths etc just trying to improve my health and overcome the chronic back pain, muscle tightness, headaches and gut issues. What I have spent would easily have paid for my TT! It is only fairly recently I came across a wonderful remedial massage therapist who believes that all my health issues stem from the back muscles overcompensating for the laxity in my core. This tightens the soas (?) muscle, just inside the bony point near the hip, this in turn tightens the IT band, the glutes, the quads and hammies, the calves and in turn affecting the achilles. This also means that when I walk I am using the wrong muscle groups, so my muscles fatigue really quickly and this leads to more issues. I am starting to realise he is right. I never had all these issues before I had kids! My back was just never the same since my two pregnancies.
The support I am getting on here is wonderful and hopefully my story can inspire and inform others. Thank you all so much and I will get around to posting my pics soon!