Age 30, Tummy Tuck After Having 2 Kids and Losing a Large Amount of Weight (W/video) - Swansea,IL

Well after being chubby my whole life and having two kids at 19 and 20, I lost a large amount of weight when I was 22 and knew that I needed a tummy tuck. I am 30 now and finally can afford to have it done.

The doctor is charging me 10k, which I thought was on the expensive side since I do not want lipo, but he came very highly recommended. I am a nurse, and I asked his nurse to level with me and let me know if he was worth it, she said she'd been with him for ten years and he does some really great work and he has an excellent bedside manner. Coming from another nurse, I was definitely set at ease.

My TT is scheduled for march 29, and I am so excited that I could cry~I cant wait to have a belly button that isn't puckered up and all the p90X ab ripper workouts I do will hopefully be visible afterward! I guess my question is what should I do in the weeks before my operation? I have upped my h20 and started iron to build my blood, and I work out 6 days a week. I feel like I am in primo shape, but would love to hear any advice> Thanks, and will update soon!

I am now less than three weeks away from my procedure. I have scoured the internet to the very end for tips and such, and I am comfortable with the things I am doing to prepare. I have stepped up my push ups and pull ups, so my arms and back are getting really phenominal. I am going to miss working out during recovery. Maybe after the first week I will see if I can at least resume bicep curls (Probably wishful thinking)

I have stocked up on vitamins, baby wipes, bought a robe as suggested, and my husband has downloaded a bazillion movies to watch. The kids are going to spend spring break with their bio dad for 5 days and dear hubby will be home with me for a week. I have purchased a compression garment similar to the one my doc has described I needed so I can have one and an extra for when its in the wash. have bought pillows left and right and we are still considering a recliner, though I am not sure we can really afford it.(My husband is about to pcs to Korea in the air force and we are spending frugally for a bit). I will make it work either way....I am hardy like that.

My preop appointment is set for the 15th and I am so excited.

So, yesterday I had my pre-op appointment o finalize everything. My surgery is going to be at 1300 on March 29. Dr. B gave me my post-op prescriptions and took my "before" photos :)

My husband came with me and Dr. B also educated him on how to empty drains and basic stuff to help make me comfortable. I was also put on a three day bowel prep that I will start on the 26th, which will undoubtedly test my will. On the first of the three day prep, I will swill a gallon jug of Golytely, which, having been a gastroenterology nurse in my career, I know is a sinister concoction that will have me pooping sideways all day. I will also be on clear liquids with the exception of protein shakes those three days. Doc doesn't want anything in my intestines when I get there on the 29th.

One hour before I go into surgery, I am to take a clonodine, which is a blood pressure medication to relax my sympathetic nervous system. I will also take a medication called reglan, which is an anti-emetic (to keep the anesthesia from making me barf) and pepcid to reduce stomach acid. That morning I will also start a broad-spectrum (kills a lot of bugs) antibiotic called cephalexin to ward off infection.

After the surgery is complete, I will have excellent pain management. I will not have a pain pump, as many have, but I was pleased. I will have three medications-flexeril, a muscle relaxant, vicodin 5/500, a common narcotic pain reliever for moderate pain, and Stadol nasal spray, which is pretty much the big mama of "make me feel better and drive me to la-la land".....The only other time I have had stadol was when I was in labor with my youngest son, and that was wicked awesome.

Although I am in good shape, healthwise, and have no risks for a clot, I was also prescribed a pair of TED stockings. I was measured and got a pair. Those things were thirty bucks! They asked me what color I wanted and I was hoping for that, I could at least get some punk-rock red and black striped ones, but I settled for beige. At the appointment, I was also measured and fitted for a compression garment. After the appointment, it was off to Sam's Club and walmart to buy pillows, a robe, baby wipes, purell, body pillows, regular pillows and a new blankie to cover myself up with on my loveseat (Which will be alot like a recliner).

All-in-all, I am super pleased with my doctor and his staff. His nurse is a doll, remembered my face when I came in, and gave me her cell number if I had questions. My husband, who up to that point had not met Dr. B, was impressed with the way he informed him on the procedure. The doc practically talked to him the entire visit! I have to admit, I was really impressed with that. Hubby is gonna be taking care of me, and its great the doctor and his staff take that seriously. I'm so excited to begin this new chapter of my life!

I am long winded on this update, but gosh, I am super excited about this. I am more and more sure that this experience is going to be hard, but rewarding.