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Tummy Tuck Pain conpaired to C-Section? TT with Hernia Repair?

By shortmommyof2 on 02 Apr 2011

Hello everyone. I have been reading the posts on this site and I just wanted to say it has helped ease my anxiety. I am 33 years old, 5'2 and about 130 pounds at the moment (usually 124 but I am up a bit, trying to get back down before TT). I have 2 boys who were both 9 pounds at birth, both C sections, and my short, small body did not do well with it. I worked long and hard after my last baby to loose the weight - only to find that I have a large seperation in my abdominal muscles, an umbilical hernia and a pudgy belly that just wont go away. When I eat it gets even worse. My belly button pokes out and I look 5 months preg. My TT with hernia repair is scheduled for May 5th and I am getting nervous. I am going to my Mom's home post op and staying there for about 9 days. She is a nurse and will also be caring for my 2 and 6 year olds. I don't think I will be alone caring for the kids until around day 11. My husband can't take time off work and unless I get a friend to come over, I will have the kids most of the day. I am nervous that I won't be ready or that it is going to be much worse than I think. I have read stories about people not being able to be active for months. At the very least I will need to be able to prepare food for my kids and change some diapers. Any feedback or advice you can give would be wonderful. I'm already thinking of all the things I need to complete around the house before I am down and out after surgery. I'm not sure I can get it all done in less than 5 weeks. But, I also feel like at my age, if I can just make it through recovery, this will be so worth it. I'm tired of people thinking I am pregnant again. I also have scholiosis and I've been told that my weak abdominal muscles could be part of the reason my back hurts worse. I really do want to get it all fixed but I'm stressing about the recovery time. I've been through 2 c-sections so I know what that pain is like (getting up and walking and all that). Wondering how the TT pain compairs?? Thanks so much for your input. :)

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I'm PO day 13.. I guess the real question is how bad do you want this surgery! It is a very major surgery and the reality is that each persons recovery is inpredictable, I have wanted this surgery for 27 yrs but I wasn't at a pt in my life where I could manage the recovery time with too many demands. At PO day 13.. I can't stand for more then 5 min unless I take pain killers, I can't. grocery shop, cook, clean, or run errands. There's plenty of other women that can do more at this pt.. and some less. Some that have complications , and others not . BUT.. if you really want this you can get thru it... just as you would if you had a medically needed surgery. I explained to my dh that I felt very scarred and disfigured from the stretch marks and if I was scarred from an accident I'd repair it ., so why not from pregnancy! If you reslly want it.. you can do it.. just time it best you can and get creative
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Hi! I am 33 years old, with a 19 month and 5 year old boys. I had a breast lift with augmentation and tummy tuck 8 days ago, and I am already thrilled with the results. I had my mom stay to help with my kids for the first 7 days and that was perfect. The recovery from the breast lift was a breeze, the tummy tuck was definately rough, but worth it! It's just really important to spend the first week resting and keeping hydrated. I was most worried about my kids, I'm not one to ask for help but you will really need the help more than anything just because you will be sooooo exhausted! I can't believe how good I feel 8 days later, today was my first trip to the grocery store!!! Stay positive and you will be so happy you did it!
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Hi. Just to update, my TT was about a year and a half ago. I've not really had any trouble. All left over numbness has been gone for a long time. Scar looks pretty good to me. My abs and belly look great and tight and I'm very satisfied. I would do it again in a minute. Getting the drain out was the worst part. Ouch! I did go back several months after surgery to have 'dog ears' clipped at the ends of my scars. It has been a great thing for me. I feel like I have my body again. Hope that helps.
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Thanks for all the words of wisdom. Going for my consults very soon. Worried about pain from tummy tuck, since I've never had any abdominal surgeries!
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Good to read all your reports on here. Going for consults this month!~ A little scared..
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Hi shortmommyof2, i have been wondering if you still have numbness on your belly as you mentioned it in a post of yours? That´s the most scary thing for me about a TT to lose the feeling over there. Thank you :-)
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Ok. I'll be really honest with you. To me, the surgery was not bad. Was better than I expected. But I've had two c sections. So I think that prepared me. I had one drain and it was in for about 2 weeks or so. I have to admit, I was not expecting how bad it hurt when it was removed. It took my breath away. But, on the bright side it was quick and then over. It ached for a couple minutes and then it was done. I'd say the pain was like a 8 for me but it was quick. I wanted to slap my doctor, and he is a friend of mine. :) It was all worth it for me. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I am about 3 months post op and my tummy is awesome. My scare is getting better and better looking. And I've been in a bikini all summer.
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Hi I am 36 years old and thinking about getting a TT within the next few weeks. I took the first step yesterday when I went for a consultation; I am extremely nervous and starting to freak out. I am scaring my self because I can’t stop thinking about the pain during recovery. I have only 1 child and it’s been many years since I gave birth. I don’t have a high tolerance for pain and I just keep thinking that I will not be able to do this. What scares me the most is thinking about the drainage tubes being removed, does it hurt when they are removed? How bad is the pain on a scare from 1 – 10 ?
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Hi I am 36 years old and thinking about getting a TT within the next few weeks. I took the first step yesterday when I went for a consultation; I am extremely nervous and starting to freak out. I am scaring my self because I can’t stop thinking about the pain during recovery. I have only 1 child and it’s been many years since I gave birth. I don’t have a high tolerance for pain and I just keep thinking that I will not be able to do this. What scares me the most is thinking about the drainage tubes being removed, does it hurt when they are removed? How bad is the pain on a scare from 1 – 10 ?
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Here's a great site i saw with some posts http://www.puertoprincesahotels.org/
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Awesome!
cute sites here
http://www.atthefulton.org/
http://www.dan-roberts.net
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http://www.tumpunya.com/smf117/index.php?action=profile;u=82771
http://alterego.hu/vektor/vektorvilaga/contact/forum/member.php?u=118032
http://www.articole.net/index.php?page=article&article_id=49371
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Hi there,
My C section was a breeze compared to the tummy tuck. I was however up and about, soon after the tummy tuck. Rest for a good two weeks after that it gets better. Hope all goes well. x x x
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Could someone please tell me how to post photos on here?????
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Hello everyone -- and thank you shortmommyo for starting this thread. My TT is scheduled for May 24th and I'm feeling very nervous about the whole thing. I kept going online to read reviews about the procedure and keep getting all the bad stuff -- making my anxiety worse!

I have had 2 babies -- both C-sections and the same ages as your kids. I will be 40 years old in a few weeks -- so I guess this is my birthday present to myself. I have managed to lose most of my baby weight everyone else but my awful belly! It just hangs there and looks horrid. Also, makes running and exercising for me harder -- I feel like it adds weight or something.

I recovered from my c-sections pretty well -- my doctor thought I was a fast healer and said I did amazing. Was back to my regular stuff after a few days and even with my yucky belly - the incision itself is pretty much invisible or hard to see - doctor said I have good genes. I'm hoping the TT is similar since I've been through a c-section twice. I would love to check back on this message board to see how you are recovering and get any tips from anyone. Thanks all!
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If you are anything like me, you will do great. I was so nervous. But it went really well and now I am doing great. I'm about 11 days post op and taking care of my kids with no problems. I just can't pick up anything heavy and I get tired really easy and have to sit down. But I get stronger each day. My drain is still in but it should come out by Wednesday. As far as pain, my c sections caused more pain. As I said in another post, the pain meds after my TT did a number on me. I think they made me feel worse. Within 48 hours after surgery I was on tylenol only, tylenol pm to help me sleep. I'm standing up nice and straight now, still some swelling by the end of each day. The skin on my belly had been numb after surgery but now the feeling is starting to come back in places and its kind of like pins and needles when your foot goes to sleep. Its not too bad. The mid line of my tummy is still numb. I just started using the ScarAway silicone strips, they say they really help, so we will see. They feel good on my incision. I bet you will do great. Check back, I plan to try to get some pics on here later.
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So great to hear from you and thank you for the reply. I'm happy to hear you are on your road to a good recovery.

Do you think your diet is helping you as well? I went to see my doctor and she wanted me to meet with the nutritionist on staff to help me through the recovery -- they said eating the right foods could totally help with my healing and avoid excessive swelling. I guess that would make sense -- was wondering what you are doing.

Meds did a number on me too after my C-section. I stopped taking those meds the day after I got home from the hospital and did the same as you -- Tylenol only and felt much better. Good suggestion about Tylenol PM. I already have some in my cabinet on hand.

Part of my lower belly now has lots its sensation -- so not having that will not be anything new. I have a lot of hanging skin from my belly area -- even if I were to get rid of just that one piece I would be more than happy! :)

I have 5 days to go before my surgery -- getting excited, scared and still very anxious about the whole thing. But, I keep looking at my enormous belly and know this is the right thing to do for me.
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The first 4 or 5 days after, I really did not have any appetite anyway. I ate the activia yogurt everyday to help with constipation. Other than that I drank protein drink and stuff just in order to have something on my stomach with my medicine. Since my appetite came back, I've been trying to watch what a eat. Cutting back on calories because I would still like to loose 8 pounds. Other than that, I've not done anything special, diet wise. I worked in the yard some today, and I feel pretty good. I think I'm doing really well. My drain came out yesterday. Good Luck!!!
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Glad to hear you're doing so well and that you have a good support system around you!

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Hi. I had my TT yesterday morning. I think I'm doing pretty well. They said the surgery went great now I am resting at my parents house (they are watching my kids because my husband has to go back to work Sunday). I am in Meridian, MS and my procedure was done at a outpatient Plastic Surgery Center. I don't know yet how this well effect my scoliosis but I'll have to wait and see. I'll post some pics later on when I feel up to it. The pain has not been bad for me. My two c sections were worse pain. There is soreness and a general ache but not bad pain. The worst part for me has been nausea, dizziness, and a general all over feeling of weakness. My blood pressure has dropped a few times when I try to get up to go to the bathroom and I've almost blacked out. I think the pain meds are causing my nausea so I am backing off of them some. I have one drain and some swelling but I don't think it is that bad.
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Hi Shortmommy, great that you have started your recovery - hope everything is going well for you.
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Hey Shortmommy ! This Thurs ! That's wonderful! I'm sure everything will go well and you'll wake up so relieved that it's over.
That same day I'll be having my first consult appt., so I'll be thinking about you !! What state , city, or hosp. are you having this done ? My appt is at Lenox Hill in Manhatten, and I have another consult. at No. Cen. Bx hosp. later in May.
I'm only just starting this journey. Please post and let us know how you do, and I'll be especially curious how your scoliosis does in the future (I'm hoping mine slows progression with increased abdomen strength!)
Good Luck, Karen
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