Tired of Looking Pregnant and Old; TT, BL, Lipo, fat transfer to breasts

I’ve always been a thin woman, but after 2 kids my body just never came back. I had a pretty severe diastis after baby 2 was born in 2010. Six months after she was born I still looked 6 months pregnant. My wardrobe changed to clothing designed to hide my belly, and I lost my posture as I started walking hunched over to disguise my midsection. I researched and researched, and finally signed up for a clinic on repairing diastis with exercise . I did the Tuppler technique religiously (binding and exercises) and it got better, but didn’t still didn’t go away. Now I looked 4 months pregnant. If I focused and sucked in, I looked more like 3 months along. When my daughter weaned, my breasts flattened and dropped, and looked good only in a bra. I figured that was as good as it was going to get. Since hubby and I were debating a #3, I shelved the issue. I promised myself that when I turned 40 I would consider surgery.

Fast forward 8 years and I’m in the same spot. No #3. 40 came and went. I didn’t have the courage to go under the knife. But I still looked pregnant, and my wardrobe centered on hiding my midsection. I decided it was time to “put on my big girl panties” and go under the knife.

I had positive referrals to ReGenesis in Grand Junction, so I called a booked a consult with Dr. P. The next day I called and switched my consult to Dr. S. After reviewing everything I could find online, I just felt he was a better fit for me, and he carries more certifications.

Consult was great. I felt confident about my tuck, but wasn’t sure on my breasts. I was right on the edge of needing a lift. Dr. S recommended choosing a lift or augmentation. I didn’t like the thought of scars on my breasts, and the thought of cutting around my nipple made me shiver, so I nixed a lift. We discussed augmentation. I was indecisive, so just booked the tuck with liposuction. After days viewing a million photos, and hours on this site, I decided on augmentation and called to add that to my package.

I was still struggling with the decision to augment. I didn’t want to revisit the issue down the road, and the potential complications didn’t feel worth the risk. I scheduled a sizing appointment, and left unsure if I really wanted bigger boobs. Cue more hours online and staring into the mirror. I realized that I wanted a lift more, even though the scars made me nervous. I scheduled another appointment with Dr. S to discuss a lift. We decided on a lift with some fat transfer to give me that fullness I desired.

My surgery was scheduled for July 18. I still felt nervous about the procedure, recovery and scars, but my decision sat right with me and I was ready to do it. I told my family about my decision, and started mentally preparing.

Once I made the decision to move ahead, I started to get everything ready. I arranged rides for my children to their various activities, and blocked time on my husband’s work calendar so that he would be around to help me recover. My mom also great to come help for a few days.

I have my preop appointment on July 15, I was very surprised when they told me they did not have a compression garment for me to wear after surgery. I have been told they would have one and I would not have to worry about getting one. Although flustered by this development, I ordered a fancy one online and picked up a few inexpensive ones at Walmart. I wish they told me a little bit earlier than four days before my surgery, as it would’ve given me more time to prepare and select something.

The morning of the surgery everything was as ready as I could make it. Dr. S came in the room and drew on me, and we discussed any last minute issues about the procedure. Due to my skin and body shape I’d have to have a vertical part to my tummy tuck to get good results. I knew this going in so it wasn’t a surprise, but it is nice that he made sure he understood what was going to happen. Everyone at the surgical center was very kind, and they allowed me to listen to my music because we went into surgery and I went under and aesthetic, and again as I was coming out of aesthetic.

Surgery itself wasn’t too bad, and the anesthetic kept me pretty comfortable on my way home. I was completely wiped out and slept most of the day one and into day 2. Finally, at the start of day three I felt up to taking a shower and got my first look at my new shape.