Tummy Tuck - Long Beach, CA

I always knew I was going to need a tummy after having children. In my case having child. I've had one, just one and she is wonderful, but pregnancy is something that I am perfectly fine never experiencing again. The stretchmarks came on so fast and furious they actually burned and were tender and severely itchy. I had to cover by pregnant belly with Calamine lotion to make it barely tolerable. I was so uncomfortably pregnant that after my daughter was taken via c-section due to her breech position I actually felt better, despite having been cut open and sewn back together. I have always been self conscious about my my body and especially my stomach, its just now I can't even remember what it looked like pre-pregnancy. Of course, my story goes deeper, much deeper, as I'm sure it does for most of us. And moving forward with this surgery represents so much more than just removing some extra skin. I am actually at a point of self acceptance and self love like I have never known before. In a way, I am sad to let go of this part of my body especially my c-section scar which my daughter asks to see every so often when I tell her the story of how she was born. But the opportunity has presented itself at a time in which I know it is now or never. After a 7 year marriage, my ex-husband left me when my daughter was 6 months old. Now 6 years later, I have completely rebuilt myself and my life. It's time for the final step.

I'm 5'5" and weigh 135. My boobs are a 36C and my stomach sticks out farther than my chest. I wear size 31 in jeans. Yes I can get on a 30 or even a 29, but refuse to have spill over. My tummy is seen by some as "not that bad" or problematic. I've been told that all I have to do to look good in a tight dress is wear a SPANX. But I would rather look like I'm smuggling a huge doughnut (this is how I see my belly) under my dress than wear those god awful constricting "undergarments". They suck! And now, after I have my TT in August, I will be living in SPANX 24/7 for 6 months, this is the part I fear most! I'm just envisioning myself sweltering in the late summer/early fall months in my oh so enticing girdles. Ugh! But the thought of being able to throw on a cute tight jersey dress without the SPANX next summer is the light at the end of the tunnel.

Pre-op appointment tomorrow. Gotta fork over the $ for the surgery. Two weeks away. This is crazy. Still doesn't seem like it is really going to happen. Also, my #1 crush is in town. Trying to fit in a rendezvous as it will be a LOOONG while before I will be seeing any action post surgery. :P Really, ladies that have been through this, how long before you actually feel like you can get *it* on?