40 Year Old, 2 Kids, BR, TT, Hernia Repair - West Orange, NJ

I'm having a breast reduction from 32DDDD (Chantelle bra size) to C, abdominoplasty, flankplasty, diastasis recti repair, ventral hernia repair, and hip lipo on Wednesday. I keep meaning to post about but the time keeps slipping away!

I have been wanting a breast reduction since I was 22 because my breasts were always too large for me. I Kat weight after I had my kids (breastfed for a very long time and I'm one of those people who lose a lot of weight breastfeeding) and after the pregnancies, my breasts are less full but they are just as big. In comparison to many others', my breasts are not that big and I'm not going down that much (so insurance won't cover it) but I feel confident that my new size will be good for me.

I'm also getting the tummy tuck because I've always had a belly but it got worse after my pregnancies. Little did I know, my abs separated big time. My surgeon said it's pretty significant. And I have a ventral hernia.

I feel ok when I'm naked but very self conscious in clothes because nothing fits well. The things that fit my chest are stretchy in the torso and make me look pregnant. I've had a very hard time finding dresses too. With this surgery, I will have a true hourglass figure and be able to find clothes that flatter my entire body.

I am taking three weeks off from work, using state short term disability and vacation time along with FMLA (so I don't lose my job).

I am single (divorced for 4.5 years) so I don't have anyone at home to help me out 24/7 in recovery but my dad is going to pick me up from the hospital for the first 24 hours and then a friend is going to stay with me for a few days. Afterwards I'm not sure what help I'll need or have. My mother will be out of town for the first week. And my ex is keeping our kids (6 and 10) at his house for two weeks. I'm worried about them mission me but I've asked for them to be able to visit me.

I'm really not sure of what to expect from recovery. My surgeon said it's not too bad, and one woman I know who had it said she was walking her dogs a few days afterwards, but I've also heard it's brutal and that I will want 24/7 help for two weeks, a month off from work, and to sleep in a recliner.

The surgery is in four days so I'm in the home stretch. My to-dos this weekend are: I bought a raised toilet seat and I will be pre-cooking a bunch of lean proteins to eat the first week. I made a list of things I want to do while in bed: TV shows to binge on, professional enrichment (webinars), and personal enrichment (practicing my Spanish), but I'm ok if I don't get that all done. (I'm sure I will do the TV part :)

The first two days were excruciating but only for the tummy tuck, not gbr breasts. The incision along my hips burned like a mutha and was the worst. It's easier now but that pain is still very bad.

I have absolutely no appetite which is bad because my surgeon wants me to eat 100 grams of protein a day and s lot of fiber. On the recommendation of a coworker who is a fit bodybuilder competitor, I bought Dymatix (I think that's the brand) so I'll try to drink a bunch of those shake today.

I definitely needed around the clock help for these days at home following a two night hospital stay. My friend is leaving today and I need someone else to stay with me to feed me.

I have some itchiness along the incision lines and all around my back and sides.

I see the doctor tomorrow for my first post-hospital post-op.