So I have gone back and forth on if I was going to put it all out there and tell you guys about this! But I look at you guys like family and close friends, and if you know me in real life you know I am an open book. What you see is what you get. I just don’t hold back, it’s not my style ha!
About three months ago Todd and I made the final, real decision that we were done having babies. We are both just so content with Taylor and Carson, and our lives just feel complete. It really was an easy decision and that’s how I knew it was the right one.
So that leads me to tell you what is about to happen (y’all my arm pits are sweating as I type this). I am getting a mini abdominoplasty. In plain English terms, this is a mini tummy tuck.
Standing up in my swimsuit I feel ok, but when I sit or lean over it’s all down hill, literally. The doctor was actually in shock when I sat down and he saw the amount of loose skin I had. He immediately told me I was actually a candidate for a full tummy tuck, and he wasn’t the first doctor to tell me this. I quickly explained I did not have 20 days to recover, nor did I care for a hip-to-hip scar, or my abs being repaired. So we nipped that in the bud and agreed on the mini. He explained it would be a lot better but not perfect. I am okay with that, nobody’s got time for perfect 😉
I know many of you remember my post on my Dirty Secret part one where I talked about my insecurities with my stretch marks. This surgery will also help with those, but again it won’t take them away completely or be perfect!
I really hope this doesn’t come across to you guys as me being vain. In the end, I just want to feel comfortable in my own skin. I work really hard to be healthy and stay in shape, but this is just something I can’t fix on my own. And if I am honest, I am really excited and totally terrified at the same time.
I go into surgery on Friday at 7:30 am, so if the blog seems a little off it’s not me it’s the pain killers 😉 Haha I kid….kinda.
When I stand up.
When I slightly bend over.
A full bend over.
Now who’s ready for breakfast ha!! In all seriousness I am pretty sure Todd has only seen me like this a hand full of times, so it took a lot for me to share these pictures. It makes me so insecure, but I wanted you guys all too see why I am having my surgery.
Good luck with your surgery! Can't wait to see the 'afters'! As always, thanks for being so real! xo
First of all you are brave! Brave for sharing and brave for going through surgery. I also think along with me people will respect you a lot for your bravery. We all have dirty little secrets! I'll be saying a prayer for you Friday morning for a quick easy procedure and an easy recovery! You work so hard for your body, I'm sure it is very frustrating not to be able to change things yourself!
Thank you so much for this post…I read your blog all the time and don't always comment, but love how you keep it real. I am still loosing some weight but have been thinking about a tummy tuck or something when I hit my goal weight. Even after one kid, my stomach was like that just extra skin when I bent over, now after three, forget it! Please blog about how everything goes and also if you are pleased with your results! I am so afraid of the tummy tuck because of the down and out time (we have no family nearby and my husband works crazy and long hours) and also the drains, but this mini tummy tuck definitely has me intrigued!!
Prayers and best wishes for your procedure and recovery! You totally deserve to feel great about yourself as you are already such a lovely lady!
Thank you so much! Girl I try, but this post may be as real as it gets, maybe too real ha!
Thank you so so much for this comment!! I will def keep you updated!! And omg the drain is freaking me out the worst too!!!
Thank you so much Linds!!! xoxo
It takes a lot of courage to write this post. Thank you for your honesty. I'll be praying for you during surgery and recovery. 🙂
Congrats girl! I know the feeling of having something that you can't correct on your own and feeling a lite selfconcious, there's no vanity in wanting to feel better in your skin. I hope your surgery goes well and wish you a speedy recovery!
LOVE your honesty & so happy for you! Best of luck in your surgery!
wordsaboutwaverly.blogspot.com
Will be thinking of you this week as you prepare for your surgery! I'm sure those two babies and Todd will make sure you're WELL taken care of during recovery. You already look amazing, but I definitely understand wanting to make everything look as best as possible. Bravo to you for your honesty, girl!
Good luck and sending prayers for a fast recovery!!! You're gorgeous no matter what but I completely understand doing what it takes to feel good in your own skin! Xo
Good luck with the surgery and recovery! I somehow did not even know a mini was an option! I have had two sets of twins, so I feel ya on the extra skin. Please keep us posted on the results and recovery. I am so interested to hear what you think about it!
Good for you !! I think it will look wonderful and can't wait to see the results 🙂 I will be saying a little prayer for you that all goes well.
big love and prayers for a speedy and safe recovery! xo
Thank you so much Tammy!! You are always so sweet to me!!
Good luck! I think it's great you've made this decision – it's your body and its so important for you to be happy with it!
Hey Beth!! I had no idea either and did a little research and I am very happy there is, mama could not take on a full 😉 I will def keep you guys updated!!
thanks for your support!
Good for you! Elective surgery is a very personal decision and as long as you and your hubby are comfortable, that's all that matters! Who cares what others may think–and this comes from experience. The most awkward text message convo I have ever had was explaining to my Dad my decision to get breast implants. I also felt I had to defend my decision to friends telling me I was "wasting money" getting them before having children. Best wishes to you for a speedy recovery and results you love!! xo
Wow! You are just amazing, that takes a lot to put that out there! We would have been none the wiser because in the photos you have posted in your bikinis you look fantastic! And so many bloggers portray just the "pretty"parts of life. Good luck with everything! Praying for a speedy recovery. 🙂
good luck and God Bless.. I think you are just darling! if it will make you feel better you should do it!!
wishing you a quick recovery! love the honesty. not gonna lie, i burst out laughing at "who's ready for breakfast?" especially bc i was in the middle of breakfast while reading this. 🙂 xo
I greatly appreciate this post, as a mother of twins I can relate to your tummy issues as my tummy looks similar. I was lucky enough to carry my babies to 38 weeks, they weighed in at 6.7 and 5.15… you can imagine what that can do to a girls tummy 😉 I have always been a fit and active girl and was able to return to my pre-pregnancy weight very quickly. But as I type this today, a year and half after I had my boys, my tummy is still a spot that I am unhappy with and insecure about. I would love to know more about your experience with this as I may be going ahead with something like this myself. Thank you so much for sharing as I know this is hard to do, I have yet to show anyone my tummy since having the boys. Best of luck and I hope it all turns out just perfect for you.
http://littlebabyandersonandfamily.blogspot.com
I am so glad you posted about this. I'd be happy to see the results and progress. I'm interested in this procedure but I can't seem to convince my husband 🙁
GOOD FOR YOU FRIEND!!!! I can't commend you enough for putting it out there and being honest…we all have so many insecurities about our body (especially after having babies) and I can't say I won't jump on the train to fill my once cute bobbs up with something else after we are all said and done. I will absolutely be praying for you sweetie…sending all sorts of well wishes and big hugs!
Sending you a lot of love and prayers for a quick recovery! You deserve this!! Xoxo
You look amazing!! But good for you! You have to do what you can for your body and to feel good about yourself. You are so teeny!! I hope I will look half as good as you do after having a couple babies !
Girl, your body looks amazing regardless of the stretch marks and a little loose skin! Good luck with your surgery!
Look at those abs though! I love reading your blog and appreciate your honesty with anxiety and body issues – I'm constantly struggling with the same things! Good luck and get ready for one hot bikini summer.
You go girl! You are beautiful on the inside and out and sometimes we all need a little extra help to feel good in our skin (or loose skin lol). I'll be thinking about you Friday and wishing you a speedy recovery. xxx
You are in great shape Caycee! You really work so hard and deserve to feel completely confident about your figure — no little bits of stretchmarks or whatever should hold you back. I hope everything goes smoothly and you recover quickly!
Good for you!! And best of luck on Friday!
Best of luck to you! There is nothing wrong with feeling good about yourself, don't feel guilty about that!!!! You are going to feel wonderful!
Good luck on your surgery. I would love to hear how the healing process goes and your thoughts on the whole thing after it's done.
Prayers for a smooth surgery and recovery!
I love your honesty and I can't wait to see your results! Prayers for minimal pain and a speedy recovery!
It's wild what babies can do to such an amazing body – and I'm not going to lie, quite a bit scary. You are in killer shape, but I totally understand that you want to look in the mirror and LIKE what you see. And you damn well should.
You'll rock out surgery just in time for bikini season. xo
Thank you for being so honest! I think now days so many people aren't really honest about what and who they are, including myself. Good for you!! I think if you want to have surgery then go for it! I will say a little prayer hat everything goes well!
prayers for a quick recovery!!! you look great but i know that this will make you feel even better!!! and thanks for being so honest and sharing with us! you are awesome!
Good for you! You're so brave to put yourself out there each day — thanks for keeping it real — I so enjoy your blog. Best wishes for a speedy and painless recovery! xoxo
Good for you! You work so hard to stay in shape and if this helps that, then by all means! GO FOR IT!
I do not say this lightly. I really admire you for this post. Like many feel inisde but do not admitt, you ave expressed insecurities in the past and to lay it all out like this is so honest, brave, and frankly refreshing. I firmly believe you should do whatever you want to make yourself happy. I think you are pretty amazing. Wishing you the best. You are gorgeous inside and out.
Just another great example of why you are so amazing. You do you girl! 🙂 And go Todd for being an awesome husband to you. Wishing you a speedy recovery!!!
My husband and I had the same talk not too long ago. We are finished having babies. As bad as I would love a 3rd child, we just know that 2 children is plenty for us and we really are content!!! I having been waiting pretty much since high school for a breast reduction and now after children a tummy tuck. I am waiting until the fall, only because of the recovery time and because of our summer activities. You are not vain, very brave for posting this!!! Prayers for you Friday and also during your recovery!
Best of luck with your surgery. Will be thinking about you and hope you're happy with the results! XO
First of all, yes it's a little vain but I don't think vanity (caring about your appearance) is a bad thing! I think you look pretty darn fab but I totally get it. I'm in my third pregnancy now and despite my best efforts to keep active and have a healthy weight gain I've ended up with vericose veins. There are just some things that happen to a pregnant woman's body we have no control over. You better believe I will be doing something about those veins!! I hope the surgery is quick and easy and your recovery is not too difficult. Good luck!!
You are so awesome to share this with all your readers! Will be thinking of you Friday and can't wait to hear all about how it went and your results 🙂
I wish you a speedy recovery and my best wishes!
Your honesty and bravery is beautiful. (As are you!!) You put so much into fitness and I can't imagine how hard it must be to feel stuck after all the hard work you put in. There is nothing wrong with wanting to look your best–when you look good, you feel good! You'll never know how many people you have just touched and inspired by sharing your story. Proud of you, Caycee!
Wow thank you Jen!! I just love you and all your sweet comments!! You are the best!!
and holy crap I just realized I never wrote you back…. I promise to get back to you next week while I am all laid up! xoxo
You are awesome Caycee! I love how honest you are with your readers, it's what makes me and so many others come to this space every day! Praying your surgery goes well, I'm sure it will!
Caycee, thanks for putting yourself out there! I am glad to know I'm not the only one….I keep doing cardio/abs and wondering why in the world I have loose skin! Keep us posted on your results!
Way to go!!!! Thank you thank you for posting this and making me feel normal. I am saving up my money for a tummy tuck. Will be thinking of you Friday!
You're the best for being so real and putting this out there. Let the haters hate. They're just jealous of your skinny tummy if they're hating. I didn't know it was so soon. I'll be thinking about you and checking in!!! Love ya!
Girl!! You have just a little bit on your plate, no worries! 😉 Rest up and get back to me when you can. Sending so much love and happiness your way on this exciting journey.
You are so brave for putting this out there!! You work so hard with eating well and working out that you can't feel bad about getting this procedure done- you need to do what helps you feel good and confident in your own skin! Will be thinking of you Friday and sending good vibes and prayers your way.
i will totally be doing this after babies too. i love that you posted these pictures. being brave is wonderful! you are wonderful! and so beautiful. I'm happy you will be happy 🙂
i hope you blog about the surgery and your recovery! good luck!
xxo
Speedy recovery my friend! Awesome girl for this post! Love it!
Thanks for sharing! Good luck and I look forward to seeing your results. You are beautiful inside and out and I know how hard you work out. I think it's great you are doing this for yourself. 🙂
Good luck on Friday and we'll all be thinking of you! Thank you for being honest, I can't imagine how hard it was, we all appreciate it!!
I want one:) Didn't know that was an option. Good luck!
I call it my old lady butt- on my stomach! Didn't know a "mini" was an option either. Prayers on Friday!
We have the same mommy belly. Love my kids, not the sagging skin pregnancy left behind. Best wishes to you on Friday, I'll be thinking of you and praying for a speedy recovery! Keep us posted!
Wow, how exciting! Prayers for you on Friday! Can't wait to see the finished product. My tummy looks very similar to yours, I may one day do the same thing. You are a brave and beautiful woman and there is nothing wrong with having this surgery. Good luck and I'm sure your babies will be in good hands! 🙂
Good for you Caycee!! It's important to feel good about yourself and take care of you too! Good luck Friday!! xoxoxox
What a brave woman you are! Thank you for sharing what so many of us moms are dealing with. The best of luck to you and keep us posted on how you're doing.
Caycee, I wish you all the best with wonderful results and quick healing! BIG kisses and hugs! I want you to feel like the beautiful woman you are! 🙂
Good luck Caycee! As always, I love how real you are. I know there are a lot of moms out there who are going through the same thing. You are inspiration! I hope everything goes well.
Caycee! You are probably the most beautiful woman I've seen! (I'm secretly lesbian obsessed with Jessica Simpson and you resemble her, need I see more? hahaha not creepy at all right?) Good luck and I hope everything goes perfect! Keep us posted! xoxo
Caycee! You are beautiful and do not need plastic surgery! Before you make any final decisions please take a look at Tracy Anderson Method 30 Day Work-Out, Mat Workout and Metamorphosis DVD's her workouts are completely different than anything you have every done. Her method targets and strengthens smaller muscle groups so that those muscles pull in larger muscle groups. It basically pulls the skin into the muscles to give you a long lean look. Her method is not easy, but give it 30 days and I swear you may reconsider getting surgery! Her Arm and standing Ab workouts are tough, but effective. I used her program and lost 13lbs in 6 weeks, 5 inches off my waist and 2 inches off my arms. I would start with reading her book Tracy Anderson 30 Day Method its about $10 and comes with a workout DVD. It really explains her entire method and why it works. I would also purchase her Mat DVD and use it in conjunction with the 30 day method. In her book, she actually details that she had clients that had lost 100+ lbs and had really excessive hanging skin. This client was unable to afford plastic surgery and with Tracys Method was able to get the hanging skin pulled back to the muscles. Please look into it before making any drastic decisions! It may save you a ton of money too.
Best of luck to you, Caycee!!! Hope it all goes well!! I think it's awesome that you are so brave to share your true self. Such an inspiration.
God bless you sweetie! I just stood up to check my tummy…. You never know who the stretch marks are going to strike and you are so sweet to share with us what you've been feeling. I will be praying for a perfect recovery. You are in my prayers! XOXOXO
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Caycee,
I know I am super late commenting on this. I wanted to thank you for sharing it all. I know especially after having babies all of our bodies change. You obviously work a lot on being healthy and are already active so there is no shame in getting help on something that will make you happier and that you can't change yourself. My best friend has the same exact thing and she is so frustrated with it. She is tiny too and I know she finds it so frustrating and embarrassing enough that she won't wear a bikini. Thanks again for sharing and keepin' it real. I adore you even more! Good luck tomorrow!
xo Annie
New follower, but I just read this post, and I think it's wonderful to do this for yourself! My best friend had triplets (carried to 36 weeks) five years ago (she is s size 2 at best) and it pretty much destroyed her stomach. It was a tough decision for her, but she elected to get a tummy tuck after the 12 inches of skin was more than she could handle. Her doctor told her that the most she would "naturally" lose was 4 inches, so at 25 she would have to deal with 8 inches of extra skin. Anyway – the surgery went well (the drains were pretty gross, but you will get used to them and they're not in there for a really long time) – but WOW – it was worth it! Her tummy looks better than it did before the babies! God bless and good luck girl!