Tummy tuck; BL/BA and Rhinoplasty with Dr Hochstein -Miami, FL

Let me preface by saying that I NEVER imagined in a million year I would ever get a TT. I have been extremely athletic my whole life and in good shape. After my second child the skin on my stomach became a little loose, but the weirdest thing was this bulge, that no matter what I did never went away. My assistant went for lipo on her stomach recently and after seeing her results I thought, it's time for me to do something! BTW, I live in the tropics and would love to wear a cute bikini with my hubby on the boat. So I went to 3 consults for lipo and boobies and rhinoplasty. To my utter surprise all 3 ps said the exact same thing in regard to my stomach. Lipo is not going to do a thing for you. You have no fat there, a little loose skin and the bulge is from about a 3 inch diastastis. WTH is that I said?? After further explanations and educating myself this made so much sense I decided to sign up. So as I stand right now I am scheduled 8/27/13 for the works! I am beside myself with excitement about getting a better looking nose (always hated the sucker) and cute boobs. The TT on the other hand is terrifying me !!!!
I have spent countless hours on the internet and forums to get as prepared as I can and I'm wondering if all the info is causing the panic. The emotional roller coaster that many go through for months to come, doesn't sound like a walk in the park at all. I am very upbeat and look at the glass being half full and I just can't imagine going through weeks of feeling odd and weepy. The other thing that concerns me greatly is all the back pain everyone talks about.
When I was 18 I was severely injured. As a result, at 47, I have some back pain that I manage by doing tons of yoga and inversion on a yoga swing. My job is very active and I need to stay in tip top shape. I deal with the pain very well, but I am so worried that all this hunching over is going and the fact that I will not be able to do any inversions for a loooooong time will to cause irreversible damage. I am hoping that going into this surgery in a good shape should make the recovery a little easier. In the meantime I can hardly wait!!!!

So today marks the 25 days pre op. My mind is completely overloaded with information. My surgeries have been booked since March and I have read everything that is possibly available online. The recovery intensity and length seems to vary greatly from one person to the other. Some are able to walk straight after 10 days, others it takes months. Same with the pain I read on some blog the pain was very tolerable but then someone would write it's excruciating! All I am hoping for is for and easy one.

My husband thinks I do not need any work and consequently hasn't been that supportive. Everyday he asks if I would please cancel everything. Not chance! I have 2 girls 11 and 8 and I have decided to not burden the family with the first week of my recovery. I will spend one night at the surgery center and then I will move to a hotel near my PS for a week. A visiting nurse will come daily to make sure everything is OK. This decision of not coming home has lifted a huge weight off my shoulder as I prefer to suffer without making feel everyone bad around me.

Not only have I tried to prepare myself emotionally as much as possible I have also stepped up my workouts considerably. I have been athletic my whole life doing a variety of physical activities, but for the past 6 weeks I have increased my workouts considerably. I do 90 minutes of cardio 6 days a week combined with plyometrics or some weight every other day. I also do yoga and and core work out 3 times a week. I am hoping that being physically will help my recovery stamina and strength. Time will tell.
I will be filling my prescriptions next week along with all my supplies. I have bought a rolling style laptop tray to keep everything within reach, as well as a wedge foam set to keep comfortable while trying to rest. My PS highly recommend a walker to make to lessen the pressure on my lower back. I will be getting that as well. That's all for today.

I wake up every day one step closer to getting completely transformed. And despite My hubby becoming more of a pain everyday implying that I am being selfish to put our family through this, my excitement has reached incredible height! A little support from him would be nice, but I understand he's freaking miserable at the though of anything going wrong. Buddy lighten up!
I have been wanting to put my list of positive thoughts together. Here it goes:)

1. Although I understand the healing process might be lengthy and trying, I will stay positive and opt out of the emotional roller coaster
2. During my recovery I will meditate/visualize a happy mind and a healthy body
3. I will continue to have faith in my surgeon and remember that I chose him for his amazing skills
4. I will follow post op care instruction and not work out until I am cleared. This is a tough one for me!
5. My diet will remain high in protein, low in carb with plenty of H20
6. I will refrain to weigh myself until 3 week post op
7. I will remember that not everyone is supportive of my journey and I am at peace with that.
8. I am doing this for myself and will enjoy the process
9. I will be patient and kind with myself and remain calm
10. I will continue to share my journey with others as I found reading everyone's post so helpful