I Did It! No Regrets...

My tummy journey started off as a joke between my husband and I. I had been working out and eating clean(ish) for months and would lose weight but never any significant inches in the belly. So when my husband got a big bonus at work, I jokingly told him that he could sign the check over to me to get a tummy tuck and/or lipo...to my surprise, he said "OK". I have had two BIG babies via c-section...9.5lbs (13 years) & 8.8lbs (9 years) and I'm only 4'11, there will be no more buns in this oven, so I wanted to be a MILF again...

I drug my feet on scheduling a consultation just because I wasn't sure I wanted to undertake the downtime required to recuperate...the timing was just never right...my in-laws aren't at their healthiest and I didn't want to be another burden to my husband. Finally, he threatened to spend the bonus on something else, so I started making my plans. :)

In October, I decided to schedule two consultations...a few days apart. I was debating whether I needed just lipo or a TT. I also had fatty underarms, so I needed that to go too. The first was with Dr. Dillon. The offices were clean, the office coordinator was well decorated (it's remote in the burbs in kinda a strip mall of businesses), but the doctor was not available when I visited. Instead, the coordinator, Elizabeth walked me through everything, and said I would benefit from a mini tummy tuck with lipo 360 (no MR)they would throw in the underarms for free. The procedure would be under local anesthesia and they have a surgical/recovery room in the back of the office. It looked clean and state of the art. They have associations with the local hospital in case of emergency. The total quote was ~9,500. A few things stuck out to me...1) I never spoke directly with the doctor, although we tried to skype upon my request...this was a red flag for me...I need to speak to the person operating not his assistant. 2) I didn't like the fact that the surgical room was in the office, perhaps it's a best practice, but seemed kinda weird. 3) there was no one else in the office when I went, just me and Elizabeth. Maybe I went on a slow day but where the hell are your other patients??? It's a no for me, dog.

So I moved on to Dr. Schierle. Now he's affiliated with my primary doctor network/hospital and I know his work...he removed some breast tissue from my underarms a few years back and the scars healed nicely. I recalled that he was super smart and his bed side manner was very comforting and he listened to my opinion. Like Dr. Dillon's, the office is nicely decorated, but this one is inside of Northwestern hospital. Dr. Schierle came in, greeted me with familiarity as if he remembered me and began listening to my wants. He recommended a full tummy tuck with/MR and lipo of the flanks...whew that sounded like a lot, but I'll take his word for it. The procedure would be under general anesthesia and would be performed in a luxury surgical center down the street. Dr. Schierle is up-to-date on the latest techniques such as SMART Lipo and performs drainless TT (score!). His quote was 10,968...a bit more expensive but more work and easier recovery. I asked for a repeat customer discount and they were kind enough to take off $500 bringing my total to 10,468. They would throw in the underarms for free...SOLD, where do I sign.

I put down my deposit and my surgery was scheduled for 12/6/19. This is a time at work where things started slowing down, so I could work from home as needed during recovery and my kids would be out of school so they could help me and I wouldn't have to worry about getting them to/from school. I was cautiously optimistic...

My surgery was schedule for 2pm on 12/6/20 at 900 N Michigan Surgical Center. The facility is state of the art. My husband and I checked in around 12:30 and paid my surgical balance. The doc gets $6500 which I paid separately a week prior, so I had to cough up $3968. IMPORTANT: You MUST have someone to drive you home after, this is actually a requirement. Shortly after, I was called back to undress and take a pregnancy test (HINT: it was negative), then they let my husband come back to hang out. They were running behind a bit, so we waited for about 30-45 mins…considering that I hadn’t eaten since 11pm the night before, I was eager to get started so my stomach could stop growling. The nurse came in and started an IV, shortly after, I met the anesthesiologist, she was nice although I can’t remember her name. Lastly, Dr. Schierle came in along with his assistant, we chatted a bit, he even talked to my kids on Skype to introduce himself and let them know he’d take good care of me. Then he started with the markings. We talked about a TT with drains and without. I wanted without and he said he does them all the time, so that wasn’t an issue. He did warn that there is an increased risk of a seroma, in which case, he would have to remove with a needle…sounds scary but I was willing to take that chance, I REALLY didn’t want drains after reading the feedback on this site. We also talked about belly button sizing, I didn’t want a slit belly button, I asked him for more realistic sizing. Shortly after, the anesthesiologist returned and hooked me up with the good stuff, I remember telling my husband I love him and they were rolling me out of the room.
Next thing I remember is waking up ~2hrs later and sitting on the couch to get dressed. I was already in my binder for my belly and wrapped across my chest to compress my underarms. The nurse gave me some cookies and apple juice, my husband helped me with my pants, jacket & shoes. I was shivering pretty aggressively which the nurse says is normal as the anesthesia is wearing off…it stopped after 30 mins. I sat in a wheelchair and the nurse pushed me to the car, my husband drove and fell asleep.
When I got home, my husband helped me out of the car, I wasn’t in pain but things were TIGHT, so obviously I couldn’t stand up straight. I immediately got in the bed, my husband went to get my NORCO prescription and food, but I wasn’t hungry anymore…I guess my stomach got tired of growling and gave up. My hubby was afraid of rolling over on me during the night, so he slept on the couch, my daughter slept in the bed (she’s 9) with me, set the clock for 4am so I could take my meds and woke up in the middle of the night to help me to the bathroom…she’s quite the little nurse. I quickly realized that the bed was not for me, and I retreated to the chaise in my room…it is there I would remain for the next 2 weeks.

I pretty much pee’d every hour on the hour. The nurse at the surgical center told me to drink lots of water to help with swelling…roger that! I love water anyways, so I was drinking 1/2 - 1 gallon a day. I still wasn’t super hungry but had to force myself to take a few bites…BEST DIET EVER. Drinking so much water alleviated the constipation. I had zero problems.

Since I didn’t have drains, I was able to shower 24 hours post op. When I removed my binder I was super excited, the gut was GONE, y’all! Who’s that sexy thang in the mirror…that’s me! The tummy was flat…but super swollen which was hard to wrap my head around. I stepped on the scale and I was +3lbs and I measured my waist as +4 inches from my original measurements. It’s OK, I know its temporary. My scar had steri-strips which I did not remove until after 2 weeks. My belly button was suspect, but I’ll wait to heal before I pass judgement. All of my stretch marks are now just right below my belly button. YASSS.

Now the areas where he did lipo (flanks and underarms)…honey chile, they were black, blue and purple. I don’t usually bruise easily so I know Dr. Schierle must have put some muscle into it. I looked like I got into a fight and lost…bad. These areas are super sore to touch and hard. The incision itself isn’t sore though. Every few hours, my son holds my hands and we do a lap around the kitchen island to keep the blood flowing. Can't wait until I see the full results.