New Year, New Me - Vancouver, WA

Thanks to this forum, I have realized I am normal!! Much like everyone posting on here, I want to return my body to pre-baby pre-weight gain body-with realistic expectations. I am 42, 5'2", 158lbs mom and wife. I have lost about 30 lbs in about a year and kept it off, and 20 lbs several years before that. I have an hour glass shape which I appreciate except now I have some problem areas that can't be undone with weight loss and age. I have always battled my weight, partly genetics and partly bad habits. My boys are now 14 and almost 16 and married for 20 years to my best friend. They have been supportive and ready to take care of mom.

I have been reading on this site for months, not really knowing in the beginning if I would do it but more like dreaming that I could one day do it. Well, I went to my first consult the day before thanksgiving after researching several doctors in my area online. And that was it! The PS I chose has all the proper credentials, hosts several events during the year for educating woman on services, procedures. He is also one of the doctors on this site as an advisor. The procedure is scheduled for 12/31, yes New Years Eve. But what better day to start out with a new body, albeit a very sore body.

I am having a breast augmentation and lift due to super saggy ta ta's, tummy tuck and lipo on saddle bags (hereditary). My weight loss has been amazing but left my body saggy all over. I feel so much better on the inside, more confident and realize my 40s are my best time of my life! Now I want my body to match this new found happiness.

My husband has been extremely supportive and tells me daily I am sexy but also knows how much the changes bother me. We are at a point in our lives with our careers that this is something we can afford and both will reap the benefits from. ;-)

After my consul, which I went to alone, I couldn't decide on size of implants. I have always had large D/DD breasts and with the helps of VS, maintain perky uplifted D/DDs now. Unfortunately, once the bra comes off, the boobs come down! I chose silicone and looking at the 400-500s. I have enough skin for it but PS says a lift will be necessary as mine are so saggy that it would not be good to just put in space fillers (my term). So, next week we (hubby and I) are going to try them on again. At 42, I am really ok with pole dancer boobs, but hubby says I may not feel that way afterwards. He's going to make sure I don't go overboard. LOL.

The biggest problem for me is my hips. I have disproportionate hips, literally a handful of cellulite on my hips. It makes finding clothing very difficult! Simple skirts and pants are a problem, if it fits in hips then the waist is to big. The lipo on the hips is probably the most exciting part for me. I have lived with it my whole life, but age/gravity and weight loss has accentuated it. All the women in my family have this problem, but I want to break the cycle!

All of these reviews talk about that pain for the TT, which honestly scares me! I had vaginal births so can't relate to abdominal pain. I am hoping that I will just be able to deal with a few days/weeks of pain and it will all end up good in the end!

I am not going to the extent of lift chairs, toilet seats, etc. But I think at 5'2", it wont be that big of an issue. I have taken lots of notes but in preparation, any additional tips would be GREATLY appreciated.

This last week my husband joined me for another visit with my PS. The first visit was this huge range of options with respect to size of implants and the lipo on my thighs. Strangely for me, when aging signs started and gravity kicked in, my weight settled in my hips and thighs. I don't have any cellulite anywhere but my hips/thighs. PS was thinking the saddlebags lipo will make such a positive change, it could make the area above my knees more pronounced. Again, loosing all of my weight was fabulous but the last bit has been really difficult to loose. Either saggy skin or hips that no matter how many lifts I do, they are still there.
So, we confirmed some additional small amount of lip above the knee, biggest change will be the hips. I don't really have a tummy, just excess skin. I probably could get away with no TT, but the hanging skin is pretty gross.
Future MM patients, my best piece of advice for deciding implants....Go with a bra that has the size you want to be and use it for the implants. I did that and it seriously worked well. It helped Dr. Workman see what I was wanting as well as using his knowledge to decide which size/shape implant. I have a wide chest wall which allows him to use a silicone implant that is wider. I tried various implants, ranging 400-500 cc. I liked the look of the 400cc in the bra and how it looked light colored tshirt (another recommendation from PS, try on with light or white tight tshirt when deciding). Final decision is 465cc implant which he believes has the right exterior dimensions for chest wall and will obtain the desired results of post-op.
This Tuesday is the pre-op with nurse, which I have some major changes to share!
Ok, part of my story that I didn't share is my secret-I WAS a smoker. Kind of a closet smoker. On and off my whole life I smoked. Quit when we decided to start our family, picked it back up when the boys were toddlers. Lost weight, smoked. Quit smoking, gained weight. Not significant amounts of weight changed related to smoking. That was all the military moves (hubby retired after 23yrs in 2011). Every time we moved it seemed like I gained weight and quit smoking then started again. Today-I am nicotine free. Having this MM was my personal motivation to quit forever, not gain any weight and become healthier. I had been on the patches knowing that I would finish those in the next few weeks. PS told me this last wednesday, I have to be nicotine free minimum of 14 days prior to surgery. That was it-I pulled it off and now can say I am happy that is done. I gave myself 21 days instead of the 14 to rid my body of the last bit! The only bad part of the timing is my cycle...I have been edgy all week, increase in appetite and all sorts of other PMS stuff. Now take the lack of nicotine, it either accentuated the PMS or got lost with all other hormonal issues. I literally put myself in a time out Friday, worked at the house and walked out of my office straight into the living room. I am hoping that was the worse of it! Of course I haven't actually started-so until that happens it will be a battle to keep myself in line. LOL!

Tomorrow morning at 6:30 am I am showing up at the doctors office for my MM! I am so thankful for all of the others posting their experiences on here. I have gone through the nervousness and 'what ifs' in the wee hours of the morning. Working my way through all of those concerns reminding myself that I am not alone nor am I the only one that has gone through this. I am now to the the point of impatience. I want to be done and and recovered. LOL!
I have accepted the 2 week imposed t-rex arm restrictions recommended by my PS and holding my upper body in a 'c' for just almost as long. I have all of my recovery goodies. Thanks so much to everyone that has posted on here! You all have helped me personally. Nerves might kick in tomorrow am, but looking to the goal will keep me centered.