The Mom “Bod”

The Mom “Bod” The Mom “Bod”

By Hattie Foote

ell, this is it. This may be where I finally cross the line. If you have read this column before, you know I tend to overshare. I don’t know why I’m like this and I’m sure there are times when my family/ friends wish I would zip it, but I am who I am! Laughing about uncomfortable things is my specialty, and today’s topic is no exception. So please join me, or don’t, as I take you on the journey of a Mommy Makeover.

The phrase alone makes me cringe and seems slightly problematic, but for those of you that are not familiar, a Mommy Makeover is a series of procedures to repair your body from pregnancy/breastfeeding. I was self-conscious from years of ill-fitting bathing suit tops, dresses, bras and not to mention I was physically uncomfortable. Having children made them even more cumbersome, so when I was done having babies my dream was to have a breast reduction. I finally felt I was at a stage in my life where I was ready to do it.

Now for as much as I preach about supporting local businesses, I could not bring myself to use a doctor in Coronado. This probably sounds dramatic but the thought of running into them at Vons while I was buying milk and bread panicked me. So, I started doing my research, and started scheduling consultations off island. My first appointment was a

Whot mess. I was literally so hot and sweaty as I stood naked in front of a doctor my age discussing how he was going to slice and dice me. I finally was able to get dressed and then was given a rundown of the price, which brought my perspiration to a whole new level. I had a ballpark in mind, and this was double. This is not the time to bargain shop, but I could not in good conscious spend the amount of money I was quoted. The doctor and staff were nice enough, but it was not the right fit. Thank you, next! Another doctor and his team came highly recommended, so I was hopeful going into the initial Zoom call with him. Within 5 minutes, I knew he was my guy. He was knowledgeable and patient with my questions, gave great advice, and most importantly wasn’t pushy which I appreciated. We decided on a game plan of a breast reduction and a mini abdominoplasty with liposuction. I was so excited I could hardly stand it; I wasn’t the slightest bit nervous. The week before, I went into the office in La Jolla for my pre-op and met with my nurse and the doctor. I got all my medication and info and prepared all week for the big day. The night before it hit me, I couldn’t believe I was actually going through with it. I had been so excited about the results that I had kind of forgot about the actual

anesthesia/surgery part. I took the prescribed night before valium and relaxed into a good night’s sleep.

My angel mom took charge of the kids and Chris took me to the hospital. We went to the operating room and as my anesthesiologist put me to sleep, all I remember is I kept talking about how much I love Nicky Rottens, which is weird because I haven’t eaten there in years.

Then lights out. Next thing I know I’m waking up and have no idea where I am or what is going on. I asked my nurse if I was at the beach and then she explained that we were all done! I told her to take a picture of me because I was going to write my next article about the surgery and wanted to use that exact photo. I remember laying there confidently thinking “wow I look gooooooood. This is going to be some groundbreaking work!”

In hindsight, don’t do a photoshoot 10 minutes out of anesthesia.

The recovery was tough the first week. Chris was up in the middle of the night giving me pain pills and helping me to the bathroom, my mom was washing my Spanx I had to wear and cooking for the family. It was a group effort.

Now that I have had time to process what I’ve been through, I was a little hesitant to share my experience, because I believe there can still be a stigma around plastic surgery. My goal was never to erase the markings of motherhood, I still have my stretch marks and diastasis recti (separated stomach muscles) and I don’t aspire to look like the next Real Housewife of Coronado (but even if I did, honestly who cares)? I love my mom bod, I’m proud of my mom bod, I just wanted to feel like myself. I do not think there is any shame in wanting to look and feel your best, whether it be eating a vegan diet, coloring your hair, taking daily naps, or getting vampire facials (yes, that’s a thing). A huge lesson I learned throughout this was after years of putting everyone before myself, it is so important to do things for yourself.

My 100-year-old Grannie was thrilled for me, but she did warn me not to “put your boobs on The Facebook.” (Don’t tell her I flashed the finished products to my friends in a dark corner of Stake.)

If you are still reading and wondering when this lady will stop talking about her breasts, I promise you will never have to read another word about them, I just had to get that off my chest (ha-ha!).