Always Wanted to Do This! I'm Ready - Jacksonville, FL

This is my first post and my TT is tomorrow (Oct 1). I am 42 years old and I have two kids. I also have a very ugly stomach. The pictures that I am posting do not do my ugly stomach justice. I mean, it is still ugly in the pictures, but in real life it is so much more prominent: flabby, drooping skin, jiggly, sticks out way far when relaxed (looks like I am pregnant), etc. My PS showed me with his hand that my muscle is separated about 2 inches (I think that is about the length.) When he showed me, I was like Wow! I have had to hold my stomach in when walking around, which isn't the most comfortable thing to do. This was the case after my kids, and even more so I think being that I gained so much wait over the last three years. When I first went to see my Plastic Surgeon he told me I had to lose at least 20 pounds, but that was the least amount. I scheduled the surgery for 11 weeks later.. He wanted the best outcome, and the closer a person is to there ideal weight then the better the outcome. Those eleven weeks are over and I lost 26 pounds. I still have 14 to lose, to get to a weight of 130 pounds (my goal.) I have been stuck at a weight plateau for 2 weeks now. They have come and go over the last 11 weeks. I had lipo years ago (botched by the way), and that doctor in Arkansas took to much of my hips (I think.) After the TT is completed I am going to get a breast lift and re-do my implants that I got in 2006. The years have not been kind.

I want to thank everyone who has posted here. It has been very helpful to read and see your stories. What I have to look forward to (after the worst of it is over) will hopefully be a great reward like so many of you.

I will post the after pictures when I can.

First I will recommend Dr. Nezami to everyone. He is a perfectionist and a wonderful Plastic Surgeon. Not only did he do a great job on my tummy tuck, but he really cares about his patients.
He spends a lot of time with you to answer all your questions and to make you comfortable with everything. Even after the procedure (while I was in the hospital) the next day, he came to check on me and discharge me. I got up to go to the bathroom and he helped the nurse get me to the bathroom door. She had one arm and he had the other. He is a very kind doctor. He is not too proud to treat you as a person, not just a patient. He will even clean up after visits. I went for a post op visit and he had the utensils that were used on the counter, he cleaned up before he left the room. Not just expecting his assistants to do it. He is so humble and so kind! His assistants are also very nice and treat you with respect and friendliness. I am so pleased with my decision to choose Dr. Nezami and his staff for my Plastic Surgery decisions.

I will try and post some pictures this evening.

It would not have been so hard on me if it had not of been for the muscle repair. It was discovered during surgery that my muscles were 3 inches apart. To anyone getting just the Tummy Tuck without muscle repair, it would be a piece of cake. I barely noticed any pain with the incision for the skin removal. I only noticed the pain of the muscle repair. With muscle repair it is much more painful, put worth every second. The most intense pain is the first 48 hours (for me.) I also think that the smaller the separation of muscle, the less pain you will have.

I am still swollen a good bit, but I am healing at a good pace :) And as doctor Nezami said "welcome to the world of a beautiful belly button" :) The incision looks great also. Pretty much perfect!