36 Years Old, 3 Kids - Finally Tummy Tuck & Lipo for Stubborn Spots

I have 3 kids (youngest is almost 2) and I've breastfed them all. I'm 5'7" 126lbs., very active and healthy. I workout every day mixing in both cardio and weights. After what felt like forever debating what I wanted my own mommy makeover to look like, I finally made my decision and had a tummy tuck and lipo of the flanks and outer saddlebags 8 days ago. I'm relieved to finally have it over. Since I'm still in the middle of swelling and resting I'm not feeling as excited as I know I will at 2 months out. I'm trying to be patient with my body and rest.

I seriously considered getting a BA too and just couldn't get over the risks involved - namely what if my body rejected them or I got capsular contracture or just didn't like the way they looked on me and then had to pay another huge sum to get them removed and then have even worse breasts than when I started? That's just too risky for me. Then I thought about fat transfer to the breasts. I really, really thought hard about this one and saw a couple surgeons about it. But because I'm thin, both surgeons estimated getting at the most 75cc into each breast (with as low as 50% retention) and they both said they didn't think it would be worth it to me but that they would do it if I wanted them to. But the thought of perhaps aggressively lipo-ing my legs and risking a part of my body that I like for a potentially unnoticeable increase in my breasts was also too risky for me. Also Dr. Emily Williams who I went with is a fantastic breast reconstruction surgeon and has seen it all in terms of breast cancer and she warned me that there could be some cancer risks involved (although none proven).

So I decided to narrow it down to tummy tuck and lipo to the flanks. At the pre-op appointment Dr. Williams took photos and showed me how my saddlebags are out of proportion and recommended I have her lipo those a tiny bit too. I agreed when she told me that it definitely would not make my butt droop and that it would be a very, very small amount. And then on the morning of my surgery, with my IV in arm, I reminded her to take just a tiny bit out of my saddlebags and no butt droop. I was really anxious about getting a drooping butt!

Being as active as I am, and because I had 3 kids, I really expected to bounce back super quick. The first week was really rough. Everything was swollen - including my hands, feet, face, everything! My PS did a lot of muscle plication and had to pull muscles over my previous hernia repair so I was in a lot of pain recovering. I took oxycodone the first 48 hours and then switched to ibuprofen and tylenol as directed. I didn't like the way the heavy meds made me groggy and slowed my bowels. :( So I was glad to be done with those. I was up walking around really hunched over the whole first week, and not until today (day 9 PO) could I stand up straight enough to leave the house without someone wondering what happened to me. I get tired of walking upright and need to take breaks often. I had a lot of help from my husband the first 48 hours, and then after that he really just focused on the kids and I could take care of myself. I took care of my own drains after I was off heavy meds. I have been taking arnica montana 30X (my PS approved it) and I believe it has helped with the swelling. The only thing that is still swollen are my surgery sites. I still can't squeeze into my pre-op jeans but I think I tried too soon. I will try again at 3 or 4 weeks. I am thrilled that my tummy is without extra skin - it's still very swollen but I can envision how great it will feel in a month or so.

I was back to work from my laptop at 3 days PO. Yesterday my PS gave me the green light to walk outside so I went on a long leisurely stroll for 45 minutes. It was fantastic to be out and walking.

I'm trying to eat really healthy (lots of fruits, veggies, and water) so I don't gain weight during recovery.

It's been difficult to not play with or lift my almost 2 year-old. Now my little one knows something is up and doesn't ask for me to hold him often. :( When I want to spend time with the kids I sit on the couch with them and read with them. Even my little one will sit next to me and let me read like that and that makes it much better.

I can't wait to get back into non-yoga pants!

Swollen and bruised but no extra skin. Yay! PS said belly button is swollen and it will (should?) heal as an innie with a hood.