29, 100 Lb Weight Loss, and Three Kids Later, Finally Living my Dream :-) - Novi, MI

I'm going to keep this short and sweet, because the last time I tried to post before my surgery last week, my long introduction just disappeared before posting. :-(

Anyways, my name is Natalie and Im 29. I have three kids ages 9, 6, and 2. Ten years ago I lost over 100 lbs through diet and exercise,and have managed to keep it off, not including the pregnancy gains and losses. Before surgery I plateaued at 155 (my highest weight ever was around 255) and have remained there for about a year now. It had left me with a lot of loose skin, and a lower skin apron that just hung there and showed through all my clothes.

Last year I started looking into a tummy tuck, and Dr. Reisin was recommended by a family member. When I went for a consult, he told me I had so much loose skin, that I would see much better results with a circumferential body lift. I wasn't expecting that news, especially since it was practically double the cost of the regular tuck. However, that became my new aim, and for the next year I researched and saved money and began preparing.

Fast forward to today, I am 3 days post op. I had the circumferential belt lipectomy, and liposuction of the medial thighs. I kept hearing from the nurses that I wasn't going to be without pain, even with meds, and boy were they right. This has been the most painful thing I've been through. When I sit still, I'm okay. But then my butt goes numb. I get up to walk every two hours or so, and it feels sometimes like my skin is ripping on the inside, the burning feeling is excruciating. But it goes away once I stop moving. I'm am very swollen, and it feels like I'm going to burst out of my binder. As long as I stay on top of my meds I'm okay. Just waiting to get through this week. It's the hardest part.

Unfortunately I didn't take before pics, but I have after pics. I will try and find some Regular clothed photos of myself later on. But for general purposes, I'm 5'2 and pre op weight 155. I wore a size 10 in pants. The doctor told me he removed 12 lbs of excess skin. I couldn't believe it.

I will update as time goes on. Just hoping I don't have to rely on the pain meds so much very soon. I'm still hurting quite bad. :-(

Finally starting to feel a little better and a bit more normal. My inner thighs are very sore and swollen, and I'm itching like crazy, but compared to a few days ago, pain wise I feel great. I'm still so very swollen. I'm trying not to get discouraged because I understand swelling is to be expected. I have my one week post op appointment on Tuesday, and I'm looking forward to seeing how I'm doing. I'm posting a pic I took yesterday, post op day 3. Hoping my belly button shrinks a bit as the swelling subsides, but so far I am very happy with my results.

Had first BM this morning and let's just say it was stuck and had no plans on moving. Me being a nurse, I already knew the extreme measures I had to take to remove it, so I had no choice. Now I feel a whole heck of a lot better. I was so backed up and constipated. Thank god that ordeal is over. I've never been constipated in my life and I never want to be ever again. Last night I had some new pics taken. I'm really feeling a lot better. Less pain, able to stand up more straight. My stomach and back is numb but every once in a while I get these weird electric shocks and tingles where the incision lines are. I guess that's my nerves trying to form new connections. My inner thighs are very sore and bruised from the lipo, and feel kind of lumpy. The doctor didn't send me home with a compression garment for my legs. I hope that doesn't interfere with the end result. However I'm pleased with how fast and well I'm healing. I'm still quite swollen, but slowly but surely I'm making it. Still drowsy from pain meds though, so will update later.