A Little Scared, but Excited Too... 12 Days and Counting. I AM ON THE FLAT SIDE NOW!!! - Houston, TX

Hi All,

I have been lurking and reading all these amazing stories for a few weeks, and today, I actually scheduled my procedures. 12 days from now! YIKES! I hope to communicate with some of you all for support and to exchange information. Please join me as I count down, then post progress after my big day!!!!! November 19th here I come!

I am having a full TT and also implant replacement. Mine are over 20 yrs old and have capsular contractures and are probably ruptured, according to my doctor. I am super excited about the TT. Can not wait to be joining you all on the flat side, as I have learned it is called! Also looking to have non-contracted, perkier and slightly smaller breasts at the end of all of this.

A little about me: I am 51 years old, and am a recent widow. My only marriage lasted 20 yrs, and I have not been on a date for over 22 yrs. I am moderately active, but definitely not a jock. My weight fluctuates between 135 and 140. I want to look and feel my best. I do a lot of ab work, but sill have a gut/pooch. I have loose jiggly dimply skin and fat rolls, especially bad when I sit down, and I am so excited for them to be gone gone gone! I am thin and in shape enough to wear a bikini, but would not with this skin and jiggling. But soon I will be able to .......

I will figure out how to post my before pics tomorrow.

Let me clarify my cost: 5K paid by ins to remove implants. 10,900 out of pocket for replacement with new implants, plus full TT. This includes PS, anesthesia, and hospital (Including one overnight stay).

Any tips on the best things I can do to best prepare? Best prepare my body? My bedroom? Supplies and convenience items to go get ahead of time? My bedroom is on the third floor of my town home. Will I be able to do the stairs? I have heard some talk of a recliner. IS one needed? I have also heard talk of protein shakes. Please explain?

So I am nervous about the recovery, getting the blues, and the possible complications. I've read a few very frightening accounts on here of ladies and their complications/infections etc. I hope I am learning form each story I read, and from some of your replies. Thanks in advance for joining me on this exciting journey!!!

Saw my PS today, and he had a lot to share. He says the two procedures combined will take about 6 hours, and maybe 7. WOW. I had no idea it would be that long. Lots to process, as that long under anesthesia will take its toll, in addition to the actual TT and implant & capsule removal/ replacement.

I have so far chosen to keep most of this private. My family and a few close friends know that my implants are a mess and need to come out, and that I will be having an abdominal hernia repair. But that's as far as I've gone with them. I feel I want this to be about me, for me, and only known to me. But I am not sure if I am making a mistake. I know I am entitled to privacy, but is it practical?

Can anyone who has already completed a TT tell me if it is realistic for me to think this can remain private among those who will be helping me out a little after I get home? Or am I setting myself and them up for an embarrassing and awkward time? My two older teenage boys will be helpful with anything I ask of them, but will otherwise leave me to rest and will be pretty oblivious to details. They will not hover AT ALL.

My mother will stay with me for about a week post op, and she is also pretty oblivious (haha) as well as being a big respecter of the privacy of others. They will not have a clue that I have more drains or bandages than just the breast/hernia procedures warrant. I will be sore and drugged, etc and that is what they will expect.

BUT....Will it be inevitable that someone or maybe even more than one person will have to see the giant abdominal scar? Will they need to help me get in shower? Or by the time that is allowed, are you pretty much able to manage behind closed doors? What is your experience?

Thanks to all for any opinions you may have about my ability to keep this to myself. Just ot let you know, I feel really great about this, and I don't need a pep talk about loving myself, or telling me real friends won't judge, that my family loves me no matter what, etc. Me and my boys have been through a lot these past 24 months. It is simply my preference that the purely cosmetic parts of this remain under my hat, but only if it is realistic. I don't want egg on my face after the fact. :))

I am sure I will have a couple that my PS takes Pre Op, but this is where I am starting out. I am 137 pounds, and am 5 foot 6 inches. I know I am not huge, but my stomach pooches out despite regular exercises, abs work each and every day, and a relatively clean and healthy diet. I am looking forward to getting rid of extra skin, fat rolls, and the clearly visible hardened implant stuck up high while my old lady boobs hand down below the implants. :))