Scheduling my TT! - Hubert, NC

Here are a few pics of what I have. I'll get the tubes and stuff changed in a week.

I have 3 wonderful children. I was able to lose and tone up after I had my boys. Perhaps age and motivation were more on my side. After I had my daughter, I struggled with postpartum depression. I exclusively breastfed. Yeah--that helped no weight move off this body of mine! I began to research the tummy tuck procedure. Even considering this idea was insane to me, because all my children were birthed vaginally. I was petrified of being cut open. I mean, I had rather sneezed the babies out of my nose than to be cut open!

Financially, this was a hard sell to my husband. You know, men see the dollar signs, wear as we see us getting our groove back. No need for all that Victoria's secret lingerie collecting dust in my drawers to go to waste. I wanna rock that--and for my husband! Silly men. As it turned out, I never quite found a surgeon that I felt okay with. I mean, it's almost like going on a blind date. One surgeon told me to eat nothing but iceberg lettuce and chicken. Great advice. Next. Let's be reasonable. I'm all for hard work, but I'm also for educated behaviors.

After 6 years of my daughter being born, I finally decided it was time for myself. I found a great surgeon in the area and I knew it immediately. If you are anything like me, you need the tangible goal to really motivate you. This was do or die...well, not that extreme, but you get the point. I began on the ketogenic diet and lost a total of 16 lbs prior to my procedure. I had 1 liter of fat lipo'd from upper and lower flanks, mons, and upper abdomen. I also had my fascia tightened and approximately 3 lbs of skin/tissue removed.

I'm currently 3 days post op.

1st day post op I was in a lot of pain. I mean, abdominal muscles....pfft. What are those!? I couldn't even flop around like a dying giraffe if my life depended on it. I made myself comfortable on the couch by utilizing over sized European down pillows, along with my regular bed pillows. I was pretty comfortable as long as I didn't move. My pain meds and muscle relaxers have been very close friends to me during this tough time.

Day 3 has been a huge improvement. I've been eating digestive and healing friendly foods, such as yogurt, pineapples, and high protein Boosts. Of course, there have been other foods. I take a multivitamin just to give my body the extra boost. Oh yea---and water. The body rewards you in how you fuel it. Protein heals, remember that. Fiber helps move things along. *wink* I'm pretty bruised from the lipo. I like my results so far, but I haven't got to unwrap the present completely yet.

One of the most important tidbits I can share is to ambulate early (get up and walk). If you feel you can't, then do leg pumps and flex your feet. This will help prevent blood clots. Deep breathe when possible. Abdominal surgeries have a high risk of developing blood clots in the lower extremities.

That's all I have for now. You'll know your surgeon when you meet him or her. It will just click. Gl ladies and gents out there!

Thank you so much for inquiring about my progress! Well, the 2nd surgeon basically said the same thing. They want me to lose about 10 pounds, mainly b/c I'm not getting liposuction on my upper belly (or any other place) and they want me to get the best results. He feels that I will still bulge on top after a tummy tuck, b/c a tuck focuses more on the bottom more than the top. That makes sense. I'm not planning my tuck until this fall/winter time frame, so I have plenty of time.

As for choosing a surgeon..ugh, they both seem amazing & I like their demeanor and approach. I guess I have time to ask more questions and save up more cash (more cash = less on my credit!) At this point, I'm really waiting on the weight loss and then it's all GO TIME.

Weight loss is a slow process and I'm going to plan this by cutting out the soda and incorporating more clean eating/vegetarian aspects into my diet. Oh, yes, and working out!! I have a nice course I can jog in my neighborhood.

I will have to post my measurements & current chub self so I can share my progress in weight loss with everyone.

Anyhow, this time next year, I will be shopping for a sexy TWO-PIECE and getting my tan on at the beach!!

TT, here I come!