38 Years, 5'6" 144 Lbs with 4 Kids, Ready to Do Something Just for Me. - Salt Lake City, UT

Hi! I'm 38 years old, and a stay-at home mom with 4 kids. I was scheduled for my MMO on Aug 7. I had complications from lipo 5 years ago that put me in the hospital, so I've been super nervous to have this done, but have also wanted it for ages. I had an unrelated health scare recently that convinced me not to wait, that life is uncertain, and not to put off what I want. My MMO consists of a full TT, muscle repair flank lipo and breast lift, taking out some breast tissue in one, and fat transfer to both to get me back to the current size of the large breast. (They're a full size different. I wear a 36 D, sometimes DD, and pad one side so I look balanced.) I think along with that, I had lipo on my thighs, as a donor site. I had it all done at the same time, so I was a little nervous about the length of the surgery, but I came through it okay!! Feeling like it's not real. But super excited to finally have a waist!

Surgery was yesterday! In the days leading up to it, I kept busy. I had a whole list of things that needed to be done before hand, and a ton of things that weren't necessary to get done, but would be nice. Like organizing projects. I think that helped me from thinking too much.
I also loved reading about people's experiences so I'd know what to expect and how to prepare.

My surgery was scheduled to start around 7:30, and last 6 hours. I can still remember 7:45, after they placed an IV, and the stickers that connected to a heart monitor. Then I was waking up next to my doctor, a nurse, and my husband, who has nearly passed out!

My husband didn't stay in the surgical center the whole time, he got a haircut and went to lunch with a friend, which I think was great to get his mind off all the things that could go wrong. But as he was driving back, he was doing the math for how long it had lasted, and kept thinking, oh no, something has gone wrong. The doctor had said she would call when she finished, and when she called she asked him if he were in a place he could talk, (he's thinking, oh No!). When he told her that he was driving, she said she'd to talk to him whence got there. So he's still freaking out when he get to the recovery room, and I've got nurses all around me, and looking so pale. So the doctor started getting into a few other details of the surgery, and my husband is like, I'm going to pass out! So he lies down on the cold tile floor until he feels a bit better. But he never could stand to hear anything, so I think I'll have to wait until my post op to get any details. Lol!

The first night after (last night) was hard to sleep. I have a recliner, which is good when I want to use my iPad or watch tv, but I've been sleeping in my bed. My doctor used progressive tension stitching (aka quilted) so I have no drains, and I'm already walking completely upright, so stretching out in bed is good. Most of the time I feel it in my tummy, but sometimes the lipo pain comes to the forefront, and sometimes I feel twinges in my breasts. But the most pain is getting up from lying down, and getting back down. My husband has been such a help, pulling me up, and lying me down. I try to make sure my pain pills are topped off before I get up. Once I am up, I can get to the toilet fine. A toilet riser hasn't been something I've needed.

My doctor said this was the worst day, so I'm totally staying as immobile as I can, except for moving my ankles and arms to avoid blood clots. I've been told to take 10 deep breaths every hour, to keep my lungs clear. I can tell I have a bit of congestion in my lungs from the anesthesia. It does hurt a bit, but if it'll prevent any complications, I'm all for it.

I haven't been eating much, but my staples so far are crackers, squeeze applesauce, coconut water and cranberry juice.

I did make it up the stairs with hubby's and teenage son's help, but nearly passed out at the top. They got me a chair, until I came back around. I've always had pretty low blood pressure, but anesthesia makes it so low. I needed help moving at all yesterday.

At the surgical center, they put me directly in a compression garment, that goes down mid thigh. I also have the hospital bra that hooks up the front. To and from the surgery I wore really comfy pajamas with a front button top. They're a stretchy jersey material. They're very typical of what I wear to bed, or when I feel sick. Super glad I didn't go for a frumpy zip front house coat!

So today is the second day after my surgery. I've been able to get into and out of bed occasionally by myself. That is when I feel the most pain. I'm still not eating tons. My parents did come over this morning to watch me while my husband took the kids to church. My dad made me an egg scramble with zucchini and sausage and pine nuts. Very gourmet. And it didn't make me feel sick. I'm very quick to take the zofran when I start to feel iffy.

How have you all explained your surgery ? I have legit stomach problems, so I told my kids I was getting my stomach fixed. I explained more to my teenage daughter, that they were also taking care of some extra skin, and giving my boobies a lift. At church some of our friends asked about where I was, and my husband told them I was getting a little clean up after having the 4 kids. They didn't delve deeper, but I have the feeling that their wives will be asking for details. :). I think I'm just going to play it straight. I've told my parents and they were so supportive (even though I was nervous they would judge harshly.). My sisters were also super supportive. I was talking to one of them about how nervous I was about telling people, and she told me that most women who've had children or lost a bunch of weight, want one, but not everyone is brave enough to go through with it. That thought eased my mind about telling people.