Wanted This Forever. - New York, NY

I'm 54, 5'1 and 129 lbs. Have 2 teenagers. Was always a good weight until I had my kids in my mid 30s. Gained 35 pounds with my kids and finally got it off last year. Needless to say I have the worst blubber belly. I always fantasized about doing something like this, but was afraid. Thought it was shallow, or that I should spend my money on something else. And then I realized that I'm running out of time, so it's now or never. I made the appointment in January, but wasn't excited about it because I felt it was being selfish or something. Was sort of approaching it with dread -- which is ironic because every time I look at my belly I want to gag and it CUT OFF. lol So I went on Wed and was kind of anxious about the whole thing. Was not smiling at all.

Today is the day. I'm not excited at all. I'm thinking morbid thoughts like I'm going to die on the table from plastic surgery. I went to the Gramercy Surgical Center on 22nd and 2nd in Manhattan. What a professional, clean, organized place this is . I love Dr. Karlinsky -- very professional, warm and down to earth. The surgery is over in 2 hours and out I go. I'm very uncomfortable. Hurting really. Can't stand straight and dopey from the anesthesia. I drove myself in, and my brother picked me up with my car. OMG, the pain from coughing and sneezing. I get home and practically crawl up the steps. I have one drain and feel very constricted by my CG. Felt better in the afternoon after a nap, and realized when I got up how stiff I became. I'm determined to walk every hour. I have a ghetto recliner (summer lounge chair) that I rigged up in my bedroom and spend the day on that. Either sitting or leaning back. My belly feels very tight. I'm afraid to touch anything. I have to pee a lot also. No appetite, and when I do start eating, I'm going to make sure to stay away from salt because of all the stories I've read hear about swelling. I have no idea if that has anything to do with salt, but I figure it's a good time to try and cut it out of my diet.

I slept good. Today I'm pretty uncomfortable. I realize I'm using muscles I've never used before. I started my antibiotics. I'm used to the drain and it really isn't such a big deal. I'm just horrified that it's hanging out of my body. Getting a little used to the CG. I don't think I really need my pain medication, but I take it anyway. I'm walking every hour. If I skip and hour, I can tell the difference in my stiffness. I'm also amazed at how I really seem to feel better hour by hour. Still not feeling good and I'm not standing straight. My back is starting to bother me a lot and those unused muscles in my arms and legs are starting to scream in pain. lol Snow storm today, so I'll be going to the doctor tomorrow. I'm really not eating anything other than water and bread. Still peeing like a racehorse. What's with that??