A whole new me!

After having my 2 sons (2009 and 2014) I couldn't lose weight. I got depressed and felt awful about myself... unattractive and spent. My highest weight/ lowest point was the summer of 2017 when I reached my highest weight- 215lbs (my height is only 5'2"). I met the criteria for my insurance to cover gastric sleeve surgery in October of 2017. I have been gradually loosing weight since then. By 2019, my weight had stabilized to around 140lbs... but the skin stayed. I have been wanting this procedure for as long as I can remember me had my surgeon picked out 4 years ago. Had my mommy makeover done on 10/19/20. My final results are still pending, but I'm seeing massive improvements as the days go on. As I explain to others, "I felt like a fully restored car with the original ratty interior." when they inquire about my reasons for going forward with my procedure. I lost 60-70lbs and my skin was too big for my body. I saw my potential when I pulled my skin taught- and decided just to go for it. I was nervous as anything leading up to the surgery- and it's way more painful than I had expected. I was getting frustrated during the first few weeks because I kept draining too much- so my drain had to stay in an extra week than typical. It was starting to really wear on me mentally and physically. When my last drain was removed, I could have done backflips with happiness. I'm glad I have the winter to heal, as I'll emerge next summer as a whole different woman that can finally wear a string bikini in public

Swelling has mostly resolved ... scar is starting to lighten. My skin (specifically where the lipo was in my back and flanks) is sill tight and sore (like sunburn). I massage and moisturize my skin nightly to help - along with stretching during the day. I’m not used to performing this level of self-care...I’m kinda more on the “10 minutes to get ready” scale of womanhood... lol.. I normally neglect myself to care or others- but now I’m really loving how I look (and seeing my potential) and I want to take care of and preserve (if not improve) all of it. Harder recovery than I imagined, but worth it - simply by the mental health boost I got.

Hitting the gym 2-3xs a week and I’m so glad I can physically see the results. Toying with the idea of getting into bodybuilding/bikini competition… not mentally ready right now.. enjoying my Cadbury mini eggs too much
Definitely will be wearing a bikini this summer- kept my scar covered all last summer and been moisturizing and massaging it every day