29 Year-Old Single Mom, Ready to Get My Life Back! - Grand Rapids, MI

So, my first consultation was with Dr. Leppink at the Centre for Plastic Surgery in Grand Rapids, MI. I knew immediately when I left that he was "the one". I can't believe I got so lucky like that! I did go to two other consultations, however, because a second opinion is always necessary. After I saw the other surgeons, I called Dr. Leppink's office and immediately scheduled a surgery date and put down a deposit. I did that so I DID NOT chicken out! I have wanted this for years and I know myself well enough that if I don't MAKE it happen, I will chicken out before surgery and regret it later.

My surgery date is March 17! Happy St. Patty's Day for me! :) I am getting a full Tummy Tuck with lipo on the flanks and maybe thighs. I had my first consult on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 and I weighed 218 lbs. ( I am 5'9) I told him that I WILL lose 40LBS prior to surgery and he said he believed in me. Today is January 12th and I weighed in at 204.2 this morning. I am right on track with the weight loss. I want to lose as much weight possible before so that I can get the best results from the surgery. I contemplated a breast augmentation and/or lift but honestly (and he agreed) the top isn't THAT bad and I can easily wear a push-up bra (I am a 36-D).

SOOOO now I am in full-out information overload and preparation for this thing! I will be renting a hospital bed for the first week at home and I have arranged a helper and a sitter for my kids. This divorce was BRUTAL and my husband constantly told me I was fat. Well, this is me taking MY life back, not for him or anyone else (I'm happily single) but for ME. This is MY year. :)

I am mostly scared of dying during the surgery!! LOL. I have had surgery before but I don't know...it's still crazy! I saw Dr. Leppink yesterday for another check-up and he was thrilled that I had lost 20lbs in a month! I have another 25lbs to lose in the 6 weeks before surgery, but I know that I can do it! I will be 15-20lbs from my ultimate goal weight at the time of surgery and he said that that weight loss won't effect my results at all.

Has anyone else been terrified about the actual surgery itself?? I will be out for three hours, I decided to add liposuction to my lower back as well, he will be doing that first, suctioning my back and hips. He said my thighs were fine and that is easily achieved with running and weight loss but the back fat is very hard to lose, so he recommended adding that if anything. He does lipo on tummy and flanks as part of every tummy tuck, so that will also be done as well, which makes sense, and there is also the muscle repair he will be doing.

I started buying items I know I will need for the surgery like silicone strips and scar cream. I also rented a hospital bed for a month post-surgery. Still need to get a walker and a shower seat though. I am having my nanny come and stay with me fora week because I don't really have any other options, as my mom is out of town at that time. I'm worried about pain but not increidibly worried- I have had c-sections and he said he gives a LOT of pain meds and other stuff, so I will be pretty drugged up for a week straight, which is fine, someone is watching my kids.

Is it weird that I am honestly looking forward to no work, no kids, and Netflix and chill for 10 straight days? It's like a mommy vacation...except a crap ton of pain! :) (I am a single, full-time working mom of 2 by the way).

I am getting a tummy tuck on March 17th which I can afford and is paid for. I cannot afford the extra $2000 for liposuction on my back though that my surgeon recommended. They do lipo on flanks and stomach which is included.. I have pics posted of my back and I do have a lot of excess fat on my upper hip area. I can pay a little extra to do the EXTENDED tummy tuck but not sure about that either? The scars seem a little extensive.

I am desperate for advice!! I have pre surgical visit in a week and I am now thinking of rescheduling the entire thing in order to save up for the lipo on the back...

Does ANYONE have any experience with Tummy Tuck with and without back lipo?? It's a LOT of money and I do not want to be unhappy with the results. Thank yoU!!