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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've read varying things from other women: that the tummy tuck pain is worse, that the cc pain is worse, etc. I think it really depends on the individual. But you have experience with abdominal surgery and pain, so you're ahead of the game there.
For additional feedback and support, you might want to consider posting your story in our review community where it will be seen by even more RealSelf users. Good luck and please let us know how you're feeling as the big day comes closer.
Differences...drains (a pain but needed) MR discomfort, inability to stand up straight, extreme swelling and some burning, easily exhausted, binder.
All in all, my experience was very much like the c-sections. I was back to work at 12 days post op. At 6 days post op the drains came out and then my 17 month old was put into the hospital for RSV. So I had to put the recovery on the back burner untill my baby was better and then it just all seems normal now. I was cleared to go to the gym at 6 days post op, treadmill, eliptical and bike. I am doing some leg and arm work but only if it doesn't cause ab strain. I also have lower back pain and scholiosis. My lower back pain hasn't flared up since the surgery. I hope the binder is helping the curve in my back, we will see.
My thoughts are the c-section pain is much worse,after all they cut into the muscle. That isn't what happens with a TT. Hope that helps
give in to them..for the first few weeeks at least..dont expect miracles..dont expect to look "perfect" as a result either...i have bulges nbow where i never had them before! exchanged one set of problems for asnother!!
As said before we all have different experiences, however thought I would share mine. I had 2 c-sections, the first was an emergency because my 9 lb 6oz baby's head was just not getting through my pelvis - the 2nd was elective and done via epidural. With both I was in hospital for 8 days, with a slow recovery.
The TT was a different story, I am only 4 days post op but the main difference is I went into the op extremely fit and healthy (not weighed down with 3 extra stone of baby etc prior to procedure), of course I am 20-25 years older (at 49) than last time, but my body strength must be making a vast difference.
I thought it would hurt to cough and sit up, walk etc, but have had no pain at all, and found movement quite easy. The only problem I am having is lower back ache, which I think is due to the tightness of the front, and I can't feel it at the moment lying in my recliner...
BMs have been easy from day 2 with the aid of prunes & greek yogurt for breakfast, and prune juice. I am going to lay off these tomorrow though as I went 4 times today, and that is excessive by anyones standards.
From day 2 I walked up and down my garden, today I walked to the local store and back (around .5km), tomorrow I will go to the park and walk about 2km.
Had my first shower today, wore my first bikini in 25 years (kept my binder on though) and sat out in the garden with friends for a couple of hours. My personal experience of TT with MR (no lipo) is therefore much easier than c-sections. Hope yours is the same :)
Wow I am so amazed that somebody else has almost the same physical problems as I do.! Scoliosis, weak abdominal muscles(can't even hold my torso up when standing without using my arms to push & a cane to walk!) And that damn umbilical hernia, I always had a beautiful inny belly button before ! For my back, my Dr. says I must fix the hernias and try to strengthen what I can, there's no fighting the scoliosis any other way. Since I was going to use a general surgeon originally and Ins. would have paid it all, do you think that Ins. will pay for the anesthesia, operating room costs and hosp stay and just NOT pay the surgeons fee because he's a plastic surgeon ? How is yours to be paid ?
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
Glad to hear you're doing so well and that you have a good support system around you!
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!
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.
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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