Time for my update and experience as of 09/28/14. I am going to share my whole story for those that care and are considering a similar cosmetic/life changing medical enhancement procedure : Abdominoplasty aka the "tummy tuck". That's exactly what I underwent and I couldn't be more pleased with the results even in this early stage of healing. It has been a mere 6 days since my procedure was performed at the skilled expertise hands of Dr. Chad Deal of Southern Surgical Arts located in Calhoun, GA. (They have a second medical building in Chattanooga, Tennessee as well.) Okay, now let me share the reason why I choose this route. 16 years ago yesterday, -I had my first and only child and my abdominal wall was naturally stretched out. Now, in most cases, the abdominal wall snaps back with proper exercise, care, etc. - but I was one of those that unfortunately dismissed exercise at that time and just settled with the bit of hanging skin that was left behind. Skip ahead to 2009. That is when I realized exercise was quite beneficial and not only lost many many pounds, - but got in great shape by mid 2010 and looked pretty good with my clothes ON. Fact. Well, during this time I even was doing 3 sets of 500 crunches 3x a day. A little tighter stomach but still the extra skin and not close to a bikini body. Jump ahead to this year. In April I joined X3 Sports in Inman Park after packing a good 25 pounds back on (slowly) over this past 16 months or so. And I even went with a personal trainer, the whole works. -At one time I had a record of hitting X3 Sports 89, -yes EIGHTY NINE days in a row. Still the sagging loose skin. -rest of my body showed great improvement. Enter abdominoplasty consultations : 4 of them. The first one (located in Midtown) told me I could get it almost right away and would be good to go in a week for a reunion in California I was hoping to attend. WRONG. UNREALISTIC. ***INTERUPTION! I actually have my follow up appt shortly in Calhoun so I have to continue this when I return. Hopefully getting my tubes out today. Oh, and it turns out that NO amount of exercise would have EVER given me these much-to-be desired (early) results. My abdominis rectus was over 5 1/2 cm separated and unattached. Thank You, Dr. Deal. I love this talented, warm, realistic, personable Doctor. So, the bottom line is that if anyone is SERIOUSLY interested, -message me and I can even send You the "before and after" pics, - what was cut off and sucked out, -me still on the operating table after the procedure, - and me today, -8 days later. (I don't know how well those pics would be received if I post them here, lol..) Anyway, I made the best decision EVER. This procedure goes hand in hand with self esteem, happiness, quality of life, and more. -And I am almost 44 years old. I so deserved this! Dr. Chad Deal @ SOUTHERN SURGICAL ARTS = AMAZINGLY CRAZY GOOD RESULTS. :)