32 Yrs Old 4 Kiddos and I So Desperately Want to Be Happy with my Body!!

Good luck with your journey. Will be following you!

Congratulations on your decision to proceed with mommy makeover surgery. Although I am not able to provide you with specific advice, some general advice I provide to my patients prior to surgery may be helpful to you ( you are considering a major operation which often involves a significant physical and emotional recovery, often underestimated by surgeons and patients alike): 1. Make sure you are doing the procedure for the right reasons (for yourself) and that you have realistic expectations. Be aware that an improvement in the “problem area” may not translate to an overall improvement in your life situation. You are bound to be disappointed with results of the procedure if your motivation for doing the surgery is not internally driven.
2. Time your surgery carefully; generally, it is not a good idea to have surgery done during or immediately after a stressful period in life (for example divorce or death of a loved one). The additional stress of surgery will undoubtedly be more challenging to deal with if a patient's emotional reserves our already exhausted. Remember, that an improvement in your physical appearance will not translate to an improvement in your life situation.
3. If possible speak to patients who have undergone similar procedures and query them about the toughest times of their recovery period. Any practical hints previous patients can provide may be very helpful.
4. Make sure you are aware of potential complications that may arise how to reach your surgeon if necessary. 5. Make sure you have a strong and patient support system (several people if possible) in place who have time/patience to take care of you. Arrange for professional nursing if any doubt exists regarding the availability and/or stamina of your caretakers.
6. Be patient with the healing process, understanding that it will take several weeks to months to feel “normal” again. It may also take many months/year to see the end results of your surgery.
7. Be prepared to distract your mind with things of interest such as books, magazines, and movies.
8. Expect less of yourself; do not go back to work, school or chores too early and let others take care of you (for a change).
9. Pick your surgeon carefully (a well experienced board-certified plastic surgeon) and trust in his/her advice. Keep in close communication with your surgeon and do not hesitate to communicate questions/concerns and the emotional swings that you may experience.
10. Resume all medications that you were using preoperatively when cleared by your plastic surgeon and stop the use of narcotics and sedatives as soon as feasible after surgery.
11. Keep in mind the end results as you go through the tougher emotional times after your surgery. I hope this helps.

I'm excited for you! I hope your husband can come to grips with this and realize that you are doing this for yourself and not to land some new guy.

Please keep us posted on your journey!

I am not sure how old your kids are but make sure you have an over abundance of help around the house especially with them. See if grandma or dad can take them on an adventure for the first 2-3 day you are home so they don't see you in a compromised state ( leaving an additional caretaker at home with you too.) an for help at least 3 + weeks at home with cooking, cleaning & driving & entertaining them.