Non-Mommy Mommy Make Over - Raleigh, NC

In 2008 after a lifetime of being obese, over a year of infertility treatments with tons of hormones and heartbreak I tipped the scales at over 355 pounds. I made the decision to have Gastric Bypass losing and maintained a 120 pound weight loss for over 6 years. Still not happy with my size and total health in 2014 I made a choice to REALLY make better choices and work on ME! This was also the year I turned 40. I made the decision to have plastic surgery because I would never be my true size with the huge abdominal panniculus, that I had and was truly unhappy with my body after all the hard work I was putting into losing weight and getting fit.

By working out and really watching what I ate I lost an additional 40 pounds. At 5’11” and 195lbs I decided to have Abdominoplasty (Full Tummy Tuck) and a mastopexy (breast lift with implants), also the mons (pubic area) will be reduced and the bra roll area with be included in the lift. My transformation will begin in just a few hours after writing this post and I am so excited.

In my before pics I am wearing a bikini the bottoms are a size 8-10 as a reference to how small I am under the large abdominal panniculus. I don’t know if I will ever be able to wear it in public but I am excited to see the after pics wearing the same bikini. It has been estimate that I will have 6 pounds of skin removed during surgery. I still should have about 25 pounds to lose to reach my ultimate goal. With the Large abdominal panniculus I have limitations in exercise and everyday life. An example of my issues is not being able to run or if I do run up a flight of steps I applaud myself because my belly slaps against my thighs. I have cyst issues under my belly but luckily have avoided the yeast and rash problems other have with similar pannus because I have been very diligent about treating the skin under my belly and just been fortunate in this area.

In a few hours I will start the next chapter of my flatter life!! Wish me Luck!

I had around 6 hours of surgery. Pain is real but not that bad sitting or walking. But act of sitting down or standing up there is significant discomfort. The pain meds are doing their job although they are making me a little bit narcoleptic. I Fall asleep mid-text or even midsentence while talking. Dr. Lyle and his staff at Raleigh Plastic Surgey were amazing.

Today is day three after surgery the pain is manageable and is more like soreness and discomfort than pain. Friday night about 2:30 am was my worst moment. I am sleeping/living in the recliner downstairs because that is the best place for me to be. The Dr. wants me to be in a V position. My two nurses (husband and Mom) were both asleep upstairs. My pain was at its most intense and I began to panic. I did not want to have to wake my husband after about 30 minutes of suffering I called his phone and he came running to the rescue. I took half a pain pill and was able to get through until the next scheduled dosage for pain meds. My prescription is for one pill every 4 to 6 hours. When Dr. Lyle's nurse called on Friday to check on me she said I could have 2 pills if I was in a lot of pain these first few days. I HATE to take narcotics but trust me I am grateful to have them!!!

When Dr Lyle's nurse, called to check on me she was so positive and acted like she had all the time in the world to talk to me and answer any questions or address any concerns that I had. Everyone at Raleigh Plastic Surgery has been amazing and so caring. They told me that they wanted me to leave my compression garment and support bra on until I go back for my one week appointment. To me this sounds disgusting but they are the experts and I am really not ready to see my body and all of the incisions and the places where the drains enter my body. Haha. My greatest fear is that I will look deformed or like the Bride of Frankenstein after having the surgery.

Saturday was a better day less pain lots of gas no bowel movement.

Today: Sunday morning woke up feeling great my Husband washed my hair in the kitchen sink I got a sponge bath, I felt like a new woman! My bowels started working. My period has also started which is challenging because I can't wear panties luckily my period is light and I can just put a cloth down. Unfortunately the extra activity and leaning forward caused extra swelling, my compression garment was extremely tight and uncomfortable. Pain was less today I was able to stretch the pain med time to every 5 hours. I am getting "cabin fever" I have to get up and move often and today I was able to stand and sit without assistance a few times. Still unable to stand straight and I am still walking hunched over, which is causing significant back pain. Coughing is extremely painful so is blowing my nose. Sinuses are dry from surgery saline nasal spray helps some. My compression garment rest on my lower mons area and my labia is extremely swollen.

I hope tomorrow is even better!