10/8/12; Columbus Day. He Discovered a New World and So Did I - Scottsdale, AZ

Before: Lost 100 pounds from diet and exercise. Still needed to lose 40 to be at my goal weight, but hanging skin apron was making exercise more and more difficult and looking at it in the mirror everyday was affecting my motivation to keep working so hard when I still saw a fat girl in the mirror. Against my trainers recommendations, I decided to get a TT now instead of waiting for another 6-12 months. I began looking online and consulting with PS. I got a recommendation for Dr. Daiza from friends who had a mommy makeover from her 6 months ago and had a fantastic experience. She was one of the Dr's I consulted with and thankfully, I liked her the best in person too. Plus, her portfolio of before/after pics was far better for people in my current physical shape. She said I could wait if I wanted to, but even in my current condition, I would have fantastic results.

During: Surgery was on 10/8/12. Full TT, breast reduction/lift, and lipo of the flanks. (I stayed overnight at Greenbaum Surgical Hospital in Scottsdale and they are amazing!) Dr. Daiza removed 11.5 pounds of tissue from me during the nearly 8 hour procedure. I remember standing naked on a stool in the OR getting soaped up by the nurses and nothing again until I was in my private room, heavily sedated on morphine. My nurses were kind and compassionate, and NEVER late on my pain medication throughout the night. I had to get up once to walk during the night. PAINFUL to get in and out of the bed, but the walking wasn't terrible. Dr. Daiza was in at 6am the next morning to check on me. She said everything looked great! More pain medication. This level of pain was MUCH HIGHER than I was anticipating going into it. More walking the hall, catheter out. Can't go home till I can pee on my own. Boyfriend given drain emptying instructions, nearly passes out, homeward bound.

Week 1: Set up recliner in the living room. Prior to the surgery, I had anticipated 7-10 days off work. Thought I would spend a lot of time sitting in the recliner relaxing, reading a few books, catching up on my DVR, then back to work. Boy was I wrong! I spend nearly the first full week completely bound to that recliner, except for my mandatory walking and bathroom. I stayed heavily medicated on Vicodin and Valium and slept nearly the whole week. IT HURT SO MUCH. I have never been sick or injured before, this may have been why the pain level was unexpected, but this was unreal. All from TT/Lipo, almost no pain at all in breast area.

Week 2: Less sleeping, less drugs, still bound to the recliner. More walking. Get in a few car rides, just to get out of the house. First shower was amazing but wiped me out completely. Drains are cumbersome and painful where they are stitched to my skin. Mid-week is my follow-up appt. and drains come out. Still off work. I expected to be back by now. Taking pics of progress and changes. Flat, but fat. Hoping its just swollen. Back is in terrible pain from sleeping in the recliner.

Week 3: Back to work, ready or not. Desk job so I guess I can give it a shot. I'm so tired. I'm sore. If I stay sitting pain is less, when I have to get up its like all mobility is gone and I'm walking hunched over again. Made it to my own bed, lots of pillows. Can't get out of it by myself. Had to do it though, my back couldn't take the recliner another night. After a few nights, back is better. Pain is way less, no more narcs. Random feelings of pinching or like a rubber band snap in the ab muscles. Sneezing and coughing are a MF'er though. Nipples have been hurting lately. Like needles poking. First time I've felt pain in this area. Breast reduction/lift had previously caused no pain. Sitting causes some discomfort on TT incision from CB. Ordered new one today. Still very swollen (God, I hope its swollen and not still just fat) and depression setting in. Questioning decision. Lot of money and pain to just be a little less fat. Well, I was warned, but its at least flat. Muffin top area causing most concern, right above the incision line. Need to get back on track with my diet since exercise is out of the question. Depression causing some emotional eating, salty foods not good for swelling. I'm making my problems worse. Feeling super guilty for being still so helpless. Super-independent, clean freak. Boyfriend is not a nurturer and not a cleaner. I spend a lot of time watching my house get messier and messier and not being able to do anything about it. Very frustrated.

TBC...