Tummy Tuck

Scheduled my procedure for April 23 2019.
I’m super nervous, but also excited. I really did a lot of research. There are a ton of doctor here. I chose Dr. Hochstwin because of a few reason.
His scar is soooooo low. You would be about to wear a bikini (which I have never literally never been able to wear). The scar is amazing. He has pictures of different ethnicities to verify that. A lot of ethnic women scar differently. So when you see someone who only has one type of ethnicity in their pictures and that is not yours. How will the scar look for me or people who have similar skin tones?
The location of the scar, and belly button.
The belly buttons look small and cute. I have seen other doctors where the belly button looks large, odd, scarring really bad around the belly button is bad due to poor suture technique. Dr. Hochstein scars and belly button look so good because of his technique.
Really his work speaks wonders.
Honestly why I was seeking a doctor out of state. I have a bunch of friends who have had this procedure done here in Texas and the results were well...without pointing the finger I would just say that I would not want those results for my body. Hence why I looked for other options.
He was polite, professional, honest, and very informative. You would think all of those factors would be a given in the Plastic Surgery industry but they are not. I have had doctors who refused to speak to me for a consult and had their staff call. Generally their office staff is non-medical. So when asking specific questions they won’t be able to answer them.
Dr Hochstein took the time to personally speak with me. Not once but twice. It had been a 2 years since the original consult and he took the time to speak with me again. I am a RN and work Surgery so I do have more questions than most. He was patient and was not irritated, or short. He aswered all questions completely and didn’t give me the whole “it might be above my understanding to grasp” type speech. Which again you would think that would be a given. However I have had a LOT of consults locally and that was not the case.
Honesty. When asking all my questions the initial consult he did ask about my goals/expectations. At the time I was 40lbs heavier. Due to some medical issues I had gain weight. I was struggling with my weight. He said that for what I was looking for it was in my best interest to work on lowering my weight because I would have a better outcome. He didn’t tell me I was too fat or try and sell me some add on procedure. He was just kindly address the issue that with a lower weight he would be able to remove more stretch markers since that was a primary concern. I have stretch marks high. They start slightly above by belly button. He didn’t say I was too larger, he didn’t demand I lose weight. He just said if that is your concern than you would have a better outcome if you were able to get to a more normal weigh.
Since then I lost 35lbs. I really want a better outcome so I am continuing to work at the weight issue. I’m not where I would like to be but finally my BMI is with in normal limits (WNL). Yes on the high of normal. However I’m not considered overweight or obese by BMI now. Which is super tough because at 5’1. You have to be 132 or less to be WNL.
The staff is kind and informative. His office staff Amanda is very kind. She responds quickly via email. I don’t prefer calls. So she responds quick via email, and a call if it is needed. She proved me with information for out of town pts, garments, just a lot of different things. She was very polite.
His staff is understanding. I actually was scheduled for surgery in 2017. However I live in Houston and Hurricane Harvey decimated the city. My hospital I worked at flooded out, and my house flooded. I ended up having to relocate to Austin with family. I had no home to go back to and nor job. I had to look for another job because my Hospital flooded. They didn’t charge a fee for cancellation. Now I don’t know if that is always the case. However due to the drastic circumstances they were understanding. Some people would be like oh to bad so sad. Pay me for the cancelation. However him and his staff kindly understood.
I mean really I have nothing but positive experience with him and his staff.
Lastly their was this women on IG that made a whole page for her sugery. Before, during well not the actual surgery, but the process, and the after. It was good to see. Like I was very apprehensive about the pain and recovery portion. Though I know everyone experiences things differently. She was very realistic on her experience. Plus she was small also and had a lot of excess skin due to pregnancy and her results were amazing. Seen her progress post op. What really to expect. Like i mean people can tell you but when you see it day to day it makes a difference. The realness of it all. She is a positive person but it wasn’t like a oh I’m gonna smile and be fake the whole time. No she was very candid about her recovery. That really was nice to follow and watch. Even as time passed. To see the scar, to see when she was able to wear a bikini and go to beach.
I have been debating about making one myself. However I’m not so keen on showing my face. So I’m again still debating. I’m am a decently attractive women. So my stomach has really been something I kinda hide. Like I have always felt shame from it. Most people will say except yourself. Well I can’t. I hate my stretch marks and it causes me self-esteem issues. If people can love themselves the way they are and not be bothered. I think that is wonderful. However I can’t. It has caused me problems in relationships and reluctance to date or have sex. I feel like oh i look pretty with clothes on but if I take them off...then there is my whole gross stomach. So I should say this is for me. Not anyone else. I want to be able to look in the mirror and not feel like I’m hiding a horrible secret. I want to not feel self conscious when I’m with a partner. I just want it to not be something I even think about. Just be able to exist. Lol.
In closing I have really high hopes in everything. Wish me luck. ????????????

After a long self debate. I have finally decided to have my tummy tuck.
I waited so long because I am fairly young 35, but was on the fence about having more children. I knew I needed to wait till a time that I was done.
I am fairly miserable with my body. I have stretch marks all the way till above my belly button and excess skin. The more weight you lose the worse it looks. The skin just gets worse. My daughter is 18 years old. So there is no amount of diet, exercise, creams, lotion and I did use Retin A. None of it helped.
I found Dr Hochenstein. He does the lowest tummy tuck scars. Here's hoping for the best.
I go in there with realist expectations. Unfortunately there is no way possible to remove all the stretch marks since they are all the way up to above my belly button. But most will be gone, and the ones left will be relocated to my lower stomach. I might even be able to were a 2 piece bikini. Who knows. At least it will get rid of the hanging skin and give me a normal belly button again.
Stats 5'1 and 149lbs
I have lost 16 lbs so far, and working to lose ideally another minimum 15lbs before the surgery.
I know the weight lose will improve my results.
I have 4 months to go so I think that's a realistic time frame.
I'm a bit concerned with going back to work. I have 2 weeks off, and then have to go back. I might ask for 3 weeks. I am still debating. My job is not one where I do desk work. Though I just honestly can't stand the thought of sitting at home for that long. I'm one of those people who is a busy body and have to be constantly doing things. My work might be crazy at times but gives really gives me great satisfaction and keeps me occupied. I'm that person that volunteers to work extra and pick up more all.
So we will see how this recovery goes. I look at other people's recovery and it seems quiet painful and rough. I'm sure I will manage though. I had a breast aug and was up after surgery that same day vacuuming my living room. Since I'm a nurse I know sitting around negatively effects your recovery. Not saying you have to over do it but laying in bed days at a time can give you blood clots, is bad for circulation. I'm not sure how I will do bent over or how long it takes to stand up strait. Seems different people very. I guess given the degree of skin taken off or if its personal pain tolerance or a combination?
I'm also thinking of doing that Halo laser to my face. I have seen such good reviews on it. Maybe I will have some fillers too while I am there. I am over due for them. It's been about two years since the last time I had the nasal labia lines filled. I have kinda wanted to try getting my lips done as well.