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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS

36 Year Old Widow with a 9-yr Old in Need of a New Start - Albuquerque, NM

ORIGINAL POST

I am new to the site and not sure how all this...

nmmama
$7,000
I am new to the site and not sure how all this works, but I'm excited to be involved. I get on here for all my surgery research and decided to look to you all for support. I moved to New Mexico from the East Coast 3 years ago where I now live alone with my 9-year old son. I am 36 and a widow, my husband died 2 years ago of gallbladder cancer, which broke my heart and devastated me. I decided to turn grief into positive changes. I continue to work full time as an Outpatient Psychiatric Registered Nurse, I enrolled in graduate school online part-time, and I lost 60lbs. I went from a size 18/20 to a size 10! I am excited and proud of myself but exhausted :0) The weight loss has been great but left my body a little icky :0(
For my birthday in April I decided to get an arm lift to get rid of my "bye-bye fat" that surgery went well and I am healed. Now I am looking forward to a tummy tuck on Friday, December 5. My first day back at work will be Monday, December 22. I did it that way because I work Monday-Friday and we are off Christmas Eve and Day and the same for New Years Eve and New Years Day. That will give me a chance to ease back into work "part time" without using more of my time off.
I'm excited but very nervous since I am alone with my 9-yr old son. My family is on the East Coast and may not be able to come here to help me. I have no real support but I do have a neighbor who will check in on me. I have not told anyone that I will have a tummy tuck since everyone will ask me why would I do that and tell me that I'm beautiful already. I know that but I think this will help me feel better. I don't want to be judged and i don't need opinions so i'm not sharing and then no one will have the opportunity to give an opinion lol. I keep telling myself that I deserve this and I should do it. I'm just nervous I guess. It is difficult to work so hard to lose 60lbs and then see skin and random fat hanging out all over.
I am sooooo looking forward to having my tummy tuck, I have already begun preparing for it. I am also trying to lose another 15lbs before surgery. I have watched the procedure on youtube twice. I have begun buying things I need for my recovery little by little. I will take my son on a little trip for Thanksgiving to get in some bonding time. I am planning to put up my Christmas tree in November and have already begun Christmas shopping a little at a time. I'm on my way. Any advice or support is greatly appreciated!

nmmama's provider

Aaron J. Mayberry, MD, FACS

Aaron J. Mayberry, MD, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Replies (1)

October 12, 2014
Welcome to the community.  Wow you have had quite a lot going on in your life.  I am happy you found RealSelf and know you will find endless support here in the community.  Please let me know if you need anything at all.  
UPDATED FROM nmmama
2 months pre

Change horses midstream

nmmama
I called to schedule my pre-op apt and was told that they do not have a definite location for my surgery at this time. It is a little over a month away and they are still working on a location. I was shocked and upset. I eventually cancelled my surgery date and may go with Dr. Hopkins.

Replies (1)

January 11, 2022
Well, I know it's years late but how did it go?