extremely excited 29 year old getting a TT SOON! - Boston, MA

Today I met with Dr. Christopher Davidson for a consultation about changing my body through plastic surgery. I used to be 215lbs, and through diet and exercise I arrived at 140, but then unfortunately bounced back to 165.
I’m 29 years old, and my body hasn’t been responding to my excessive exercise the way it used to when I initially lost the weight just four years ago. I eat healthy and exercise regularly, so what gives? I also have loose skin around my tummy from the weight loss which no amount of exercise can reduce, so with the support of my boyfriend (as pushy as that support may have seemed at times lol) I decided to consult a plastic surgeon.
After lots of research Dr. Davidson was at the top of my list, and we apparently have a lot to choose from in Boston. I was so nervous entering his office on the day of my consultation, but I had no reason to be. He and his staff are amazingly nice and incredibly patient and knowledgeable. I had a list of probably 30 questions walking into his exam room, but after talking to me about what I was interested in getting and what my results would be with those surgeries, he conducted a speech that seemed so genuine and thoughtful, and it hit nearly all of my questions on the list! He was extremely patient, present, and attentive when I asked the few questions he did not cover, even the ones my boyfriend sprinkled in.
Talking about something so private and being naked for part of the exam could have been horribly embarrassing, but it wasn’t at all! Dr. Davidson has an amazing bedside manner, and used non doctor terms that I could understand (lol.) He also has an appropriate amount of humor to remind you he’s very genuine and sincere, and also human. No robotic doctors here! This may seem unimportant to some people, but given how intimate this procedure Is going to be and the amount of follow up work that will be incorporated into my healing process I want a doctor I can be completely candid with, and someone I want to return to see during my checkups and not feel like I’m wasting his time with my trivial questions or like I’m an inconvenience.
Something that really surprised me was when I told Dr. Davidson my concerns about my butt being disproportionate to my stomach after the operation he said he was hesitant of lipo-ing my butt because the results don’t tend to last and you get a saggy butt early in life. I asked how about a Brazillian butt lift? He said I don’t really need that, and it’s such a big procedure for something I don’t really need.
He also advised me I don’t really need much lipo-ing of my upper arms, that there isn’t that much there to take. But my boyfriend quickly chimed in that I won’t wear sleeveless dresses because of what is there, and that even if he (my boyfriend) doesn’t notice post op I will, and that is enough of a reason to get it done (so I feel good) if it is safe to do so. So I will be getting the upper arms lipo-ed but leaving my butt alone under Dr. Davidson’s advice, which I truly appreciated. I could easily see another plastic surgeon taking advantage of me and doing a procedure that was unnecessary just to increase the total price. But Dr. Davidson said it wasn’t necessary, and I wouldn’t be happy with the results even if I did do it, which I greatly appreciate.
After the consultation while I was getting dressed my boyfriend and I spoke, sharing our impressions and thoughts. We both felt very comfortable with Dr. Davidson and believe he is the right doctor for my realistic expectations. It was very important my boyfriend approved because I always value a second opinion, especially from someone who doesn’t have anything to personally gain from this doctor winning him over through charm. After all, it’s not my boyfriend’s money he’s taking (lol!)
I scheduled my appointment for Oct. 21st and I will be updating my account here on Real Self with entries as I go. In total I will be receiving a tummy tuck, lipo of the flanks, inner thighs, and upper arms. I have read many entries from other patients and they have truly helped me. If I can help just one person with documenting my experience, then awesome! If not, at least I’ll have a running account about my experience to look back upon during those recovery days when I need a pick me up, because from what I’ve read on here there will be those days occasionally where I’ll be feeling quite cruddy or down in the dumps as my body heals slower than I’d like. I’m so excited for this experience and the positive changes it will bring to my life!

Technically in a few hours it will be three weeks, but I'm very excited nonetheless! Here are some before pictures I was a bit reluctant to share, but if they help others out there then awesome! :)

As the days get closer to my surgery date the more anxious I become. Anxious in a good way, because I can’t wait to start healing and have how I look on the outside match how I feel on the inside. But also anxious in a bad way, because I am getting more and more frustrated when I try something on that used to fit and it doesn’t anymore. Having been at 140lbs and ballooning back up to 170 (still far away from my max at 215) makes me feel like a complete and utter failure. Weight came off so much easier when I was younger, even though I’m only 29 now. I am so upset I let a speedbump in my life get me down enough to put on those extra 30lbs. I should have seen it as it was happening, but I didn’t. But I need to stop living in the past with the “what ifs” and “I should haves” and start living for the “I’m going to succeed!” and “I’m fortunate enough to have this opportunity so I’m going to rock it!”

Now that I see there might be another way of living for me, on the flat side, I am so frustrated that I am heavy. I have spent too much of my life living this way, and I currently spend way too much energy thinking about it and letting it get me down. It also makes me want the results RIGHT NOW, which has made me more than a little cranky around my extremely loving, fortunately understanding, and thankfully patient boyfriend. Really, he is too good for me and my recently mopey butt. I appreciate him for putting up with me, and I know some of the days following surgery aren’t going to be all sunshine and rainbows (but hopefully most will!) I am trying to prepare him mentally as much as possible, and I am constantly sharing things you brave ladies have gone through and have documented on this site during your darker days, to show him it’s perfectly normal and to please not drop me off at the local loony bin. Especially when I freak out about swelling, can’t get stubborn tape marks off my tummy, cry over my temporarily funky looking belly button, or when I go stir crazy from being confined to the recliner and can’t sleep in our comfy bed, it’s all perfectly normal honey, I promise!

I also think the closer the date gets the more I think I can’t go to the flat side. I’ve seen such wonderful results on this website, but I can’t imagine my body every looking as nice as what you ladies have posted. Even at my lightest I had an overhang of extra skin making me feel disgusting and ugly. To think my body could be transformed into something so beautiful boggles my mind. I can’t wrap my head around it. No, I’m not expecting a Barbie doll body, my expectations are realistic, but even those seems so unobtainable. I think I’m scared to get my hopes up because it will hurt too much for them to be let down. It’s nothing against my Plastic Surgeon, I know he’s one of the best on the Eastern seaboard. I have every confidence in him to successfully complete this surgery and make his patients look like rock stars! I’ve seen his extraordinary and beautiful results time and time again. It’s just for some reason I don’t feel like I can shed my ugly duckling exterior. However, if anyone can help me do it, it’s Dr. Davidson.