Tummy Tuck and Lipo with Hernia Repair

So here we go...
I am booked for a tummy tuck with repair of umbilical and epigastric hernias. I'm 5'4 and around 143lbs, a regular exerciser and generally healthy.
Date of surgery is 16th September so I have done my before pics to look back at and hopefully be able to feel really glad about my new tummy when I look back in a few months.
I have had two children by c section, so I have diastasis recti and some excess skin.
I have the typical c section tuck that shows in tight dresses or jeans, and my tummy comes out to make me look 4 months pregnant the moment I eat or drink anything. I am hoping to have a fully flat tummy after this and go back to wearing nice skirts or high waisted jeans with a nice top tucked in, rather than having to wear floaty tops that make me look bigger than I am.
I work out constantly and eat pretty well, but nothing brings the tummy in!
I have been watching lots of YouTube and reading reviews here, and a preliminary list I have put together of stocks to get early are:
- cbd oil
- paracetamol
- faja (?)
- Spanx, lots of Spanx
- bio oil
- ready made protein shakes
- book a wax!
- book covid test
- isolate 3 days before surgery :cry:
Things I am worried about:
- swollen lady parts.. is this a common thing?? It looks HORRENDOUS
- Seroma, because I find it hard to sit still, even after c section I was up and about loads, but I will take this seriously and not overdo it... netflix here I come
- Pain, although I'm told I have a high pain threshold, but I'd rather expect the worst and be pleasantly surprised if it's more like a 7 out of 10 than a 10!
- Support. Every review says you need a lot of help, I don't really have that but I'm trying to put in place someone to sort out my kids in the morning before school, even if that means having a temporary nanny. The rest of the daytime I will be on my own, so I hope I can troop on through this like I have with both my previous c sections!! I'm a bit like a cat anyway and would rather be left alone to die in a bush than to be pestered, but I hope I'm not 100% useless and laying stuck in a bed desperately waiting for someone to come home!
I will add my before pics now and update closer to my surgery date in 4 weeks time.

My surgery date is coming up and today I am feeling more anxious. I just want it to be worth it, and ridiculously painful! I don't want to be totally useless and that is playing on my mind as I am still sorting out who will help with the day to day stuff with the kids! I am feeling quite terrified now, I won't watch any more surgery videos because they make the process seem extensive, and really I'm just praying this will be worth it while not putting my family through too difficult a time! I hate being a burden and because this surgery is all about me, I am finding it even harder to justify being such a burden.

On the practical stuff:
My surgeon is providing a binder and a garment after surgery, and recommends Kelocote for a scar gel. I think I will also order some silicone strips as I've seen them recommended a lot. I'm also going to get my usual protein powder supplies as a lit of reviews I've seen showed people finding solid food difficult to eat, so at least having protein shakes will keep energy levels up.
I just can't believe how soon I am going in!

So here I am pre op. I've measured my waist at 30", I was always 26-27" before pregnancy so I'm really hoping to get back to that and having a tiny waist! I am doing this to get my curves back and be able to wear anything I want. No more frumpy tops to cover my tummy sticking out.. especially after food and drink! Bring back figure hugging dresses, skirts and tops!
It will be a bigger scar, but hopefully flat rather than the tucked under bit I currently have.

I am looking calm on the outside, and generally feel calm inside but little irritations also feel like big ones so I don't think I'm actually feeling that calm! I just wish I could fast forward to them knocking me out!
I've been taking each day at a time. Today will probably be the hardest, but from tomorrow it will get easier and easier.

Here we go....