Overweight Tummy Tuck - Little Rock, AR

I have been considering a tummy tuck for 10 years. I have always had a lower "pooch" even before kids. All the women in my family do. But after my youngest son was born it hangs over and very full.
I am 5'3 and 168lbs. After my son I weight 213 and lost 50lbs and maintained for 7 years, but two years ago I started gaining. First came boobs, from a B to a D in a couple of months, YAY! Then came everything else, BOO! From Dec 2011 to March 2012 I gained 30 lbs while working with a trainer. After gaining 6 lbs in one week she made me go to my doctor. Best news ever... it was my thyroid! After trying to fix it naturally I gained 10 more lbs and finally gave in to Armour medication in August of 2012. I have lost 30 lbs. I still should lose 30 more to be ideal for the TT but, I have been told that losing any weight with my condition is a feat so I may be at my "new normal".

I have chosen Dr. Shewmake. He was recommended by two friends in the plastic surgery world. I met him and felt very comfortable and set up the surgery that day. My surgery is July 29th.

I am nervous to say the least! He didn't recommend any other procedures, but I keep reading about people doing lipo on their flanks. What's a flank?

I will post pictures soon and update as I go!

Here are my before photo's: My family keeps saying, "You look so good and have done so well with your weight. Are you sure you need this?" So I will be sending them these photo's cause spanx holds in a lot!
My oh so sweet, Southern Belle of a grandmother said. "your tummy looks fine, is this going to do anything for your butt?" lol
I have been very blessed in the rear area, and my husband likes it, so it will be staying!

Yesterday was my preop appointment. I was so excited, until I received a call asking to reschedule because they didn't have my vitamins in stocks. Unfortunately, my schedule is so busy preparing to be off work for several weeks, that I couldn't find another time to come in. At first I was a little put off when they mentioned that I could come in and they could mail my vitamins to me, but I would have to pay for the extra postage. Not really a big deal, but it's still bad business. It's not my fault they didn't calculate their stock correctly. (Sorry, I own a business and it's hard to stop thinking like that! lol) I was also disappointed that my PS wasn't going to be there, because I had questions that I thought only he could answer.

So I went in and meet with Amy. She was amazing!! Made me feel very comfortable and was able to answer almost all my questions, the only one she couldn't answer was about my thyroid medication but she had my answer by the end of the day!

When it was time to take the dreaded before picture, with my who hoo uncovered, I just lifted my dress over my head like I was a little kid!! HAHA she told me to "face this way" and I had to say, "which way, I had my eyes closed!"

She was so encouraging and really pumped me up to get this over with!!!

She did say that I should keep the compression garment on for one week solid. Yuck! They will provide me a roll of tape that will help the scar heal, so that's helpful.

She give me all the info about the hotel I will be staying at as well. They take of everything and give us our room key when we check in for surgery!

YAY YAY YAY 13 days and counting down!!