42 And Something New! TT with MR & Lipo - Tampa, FL

Good day to all Selfies! I have been stalking this site for about a month & I feel it's my turn, & responsibility, to share my journey with the hope that it will help others. In 9 days I will have a tummy tuck with muscle repair & lipo on my sides & flanks. I'm 42 years old, 5'5", 113lbs, eat well & exercise moderately. I have one child who is 22... I have tried for years (unsuccessfully) to blame him for the state of my current body, however his whole 9lbs didn't make me gain 60lbs during pregnancy. Young, thoughtless of what happens to a body....needless to say I have more stretch marks - everywhere - than all the ladies combined on this site...! For most of my adult years I averaged a weight of 150-160ish wearing size 10-12. 18 months ago I changed my way of eating & lost 45lbs ending at a size 2/4...which has left me completely deflated & saggy (sad). I have been in maintenance mode for about 8 months, but nothing will get rid of this crazy skin/flab/rolls/beefcakes. I've always had a pooch gut (like all the girls in our family...), now I have that plus too much ruination! Lol. I try to power walk (jogging some of it) 2.5 miles each day, some days I get rained out... I have hated my pooch even as a teen...a tummy tuck is a life-long dream. It's not in an effort to lose weight or to take care of something that I could fix without surgery. I would just once in my lifetime (while I still care...) like to NOT have this gut lurking under my shirt, waiting to expose itself cruelly to the public at the slightest raise of my arms...
My husband is my greatest champion, so supportive and & encouraging & will be taking care of me. Poor man...
I had 3 consults before selecting Dr. Bruce Landon. I liked speaking to his office team the best of all the appointments I made, & the individual I spoke to was extremely generous with her knowledge of what to look/ask for when I told her I was also consulting with others. I actually paid a little less than the $8,900 due to my size (less expected OR time & anesthesia) plus I got a 3% discount for paying in cash. Yay! Dr. Landon came across as very realistic with outcome & expectation, he did not feed me whatever I wanted to hear. I feel he will try to give me exactly what I want, but will make the best decisions to give me the most desirable outcome possible. He also seems to have a very gently touch, & though normally I could care less about that....I think I will appreciate it greatly post surgery.
As strange as it may sound, my belly button is what I worry about above all things. I have seen some very bad jobs out there, & quite frankly I don't want an anus for a belly button.. Very scared about that. I like to think I have reasonable outcome expectations, but then I catch myself dayworring about whether the scar will show above my bikini or not. Whaaaat? Wearing a bikini was never the goal...so I must remind myself occasionally that my expectation is to have a flatter - monster free - tummy...I cannot attain a supermodel figure. I'm not sure how the stretch marks will come into play, my skin is very damaged so I don't know how it all comes back together...guess I'll find out!
I had my pre op visit on Monday, 3 weeks prior to surgery. We basically did an ekg, had a Stretch Mark Barbie photo session in the most unflattering paper saggy panties on the planet (bletch) & went over post care instructions. She told me to start Arnica, gave me my "special" soap for night before & morning of, I got all of my scripts filled ($150-ouch!)....aaannnndddddd off we go!
P.s. the red/yellow blotchy on my tummy is the remnants of well thought out tattoo at the age of 18. Hopefully he can get at least part of that thing cut off.... ! A bonus!!

Wow, I'll attempt to be a little less winded than my first entry.... Nine days to go!! wooo! I'm in "I'm scared so I won't even think about it" mode. Lol! I've already experienced buyers remorse, selfishness, excitement, determination & glee. My entire family has been extremely supportive & are happy for me to be happy.
This last week & next week I have been doing all I can to eat well, maintain exercise & gather the items I think I will need. I'm trying not to go completely overboard with buying things I may not need (n.o.t. easy). I already had to buy a couple of dresses (ick) & nightgowns just in case. Thankfully with the weight loss I have about 6 sizes of clothing stored in the house, so I should be able to find something to wear to return to work.
The nurse told me to wear something comfortable that buttons up the front to surgery. I'll admit.....I'm at a complete loss. The only items I own, or have seen, are blouses or collared oxford-style button up shirts, not comfy. And nobody can expect me to ride around town in a muumuu......ever. Lol.

Believe it or not these pants fit perfectly everywhere....except the gut, which in turn makes my beefcakes also hang over the back.