37, 3 Kids, Ready for the Flat Side!!

I've been reading posts here for the past year and am scheduled for tummy tuck with muscle repair in less than 2 days time eeek! I'm not one for posting but as I've read so many reviews that helped me make my decision I've decided to pay it back! Pics tomorrow as typing this in bed now as I can't sleep. I'm especially worried about vomiting post GA as I've vomited before after an anaesthetic and I'm scared in case I burst sutures! I'm 5' 6" and 142 lbs currently, I've found it impossibly to lose that 14lbs since my last 10lb 3 ounce baby! But I'm ok with the rest of my body apart from my tummy area. It kills me to have half my wardrobe with more fitted tops in it that I can't wear and I've been congratulated a few times on being pregnant (!) which has really dented my confidence. So embarrassing. So looking forward mostly to being able to properly fit into my skinny jeans and not having to wear baggy shapeless tops all the time! My kids are aged 7,5 and 3 and my husband is taking off the week after surgery so hopefully that will be enough. My mum lives close by to help also. I'm so worried about the children especially the youngest, she's very much a mommy's girl, but I think now she's 3, she has a better understanding..... It's hard though.... I'm staying overnight in hospital and I'm 1.5 hours drive so at least I'll have that extra bit of support for the first night. I'm nervous of the anesthetic and also I guess the pain afterwards, exparel is not an option in this country. Also I'm having a drain in which comes out on the day after surgery, so I don't know if anyone else has had that, most seem to have drains in for a week or more or else drain less??? I'll post some pics tomorrow.

I had my surgery about 9am this morning, all went to plan, repair of up to 5cm of a diastasis in areas, no wonder I looked 5 months pregnant! I had been concerned re vomiting so the consultant anaesthesiologist was excellent and tailored my "cocktail" to reduce the risk and I'm nausea free. No pain, feels like I did about 1000 sit ups but not too bad, on OxyContin 10 and paracetamol only at present so not too drugged up. I guess I do have a fairly high pain threshold ( had all drug free labours with all 3 10lb + babies!, I don't think any pain measures up to that, I'm hoping anyway! )Staying overnight, I have two drains in and a catheter but getting those out in the morning. Saw my stomach it's sooo flat as my surgeon was in and checked on it. So at least when I get the dreaded swelling I can remember what I have to look forward too. Trying to drink lots of water, very thirsty, usually I struggle to drink enough water lol. All in all very very happy so far. I attach some photos I took last night. As regards liposuction my surgeon didn't do any lipo on flanks, I'm fine about that, as although I have fat there at present when I lose 10 lbs or so it disappears. I couldn't get down to that weight before surgery as I've had ongoing back problems ( herniated discs) so exercise has been out for the past 9 months. Need to get back doing Jillian Michaels. Hopefully the tightening of my core muscles fascia will help with the back pain, my surgeon is pretty confident that it will. All in all I'm very happy for now, even had my best friend in for a chat with my hubby there. He was totally grossed out with the drains lol???? Not looking my best obv but I'm sure the two of them have seen me looking worse before! Sorry I'm waffling on a bit now, must be the mess, I'm usually more restrained and less chatty ...... hhhmmm????

And I'm not even bloated in these photos so my tummy is not as distended as it can sometimes be.....