“37, divorced mom of one ready for low rise shorts after tummy tuck”

First of all, I have yet to have any regrets about this surgery. I am very happy that I did it and would make the same decision again. I am just coming up on two weeks post-op and I look and feel great.

I am 37-years old and divorced with one child who is 11 years old. I had a difficult pregnancy ending in a c-section that left me with a less than beautiful tummy for many years. I have spent the last year working very hard to get into excellent shape prior to my surgery.

I lost 15 lbs. and got a lot more toned than before so I felt pretty good going into the surgery at 5'4" and 143 lbs. Not that it matters, but I attribute a lot of my "extra" weight to my breasts, which are quite large due to genetics, not surgery.

Anyway, my primary reason for the surgery is that I wanted to feel really great about myself again physically and have the courage to get out there and find a new life. I also really, really, really wanted to wear a bikini again for the first time in 25 years. I was very nervous going into the procedure, but had a great staff at my clinic and felt that I was in good hands.

When I first woke up I was in some pain, but it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. The doctor explained that he had some good news. After the skin and fat removal they decided not to tighten my abdominal muscles because they were already in really good shape. I was hoping this was the case as I've been working on them forever myself and I only had one child. The nurse gave me some painkillers and knocked me out a few more hours.

I got up for the first time that evening (about 8 hours post-op) to use the toilet and managed ok. I continued getting up about every 3-4 hours after until I checked out the next day at noon. The first few days at home weren't great and I was alone. My daughter was away for a week for a school trip. I had several friends checking on me though just in case. I took the prescription painkillers for about two days. After that I was able to get by with just some over-the-counter paracetemol. I'm pretty sure that my pain was lower because they didn't work on my muscles and so I felt lucky for that.

I had some leg pain in both legs for a few days, but it passed. After about 4 days I was feeling pretty good and able to do some light housework again without much problem, but was still resting a lot. At one week post-op I went back to the clinic to have my tubes taken out. I wanted them out so badly, but was also terrified that it would be very painful.

I didn't have the traditional tubes with bottles to measure fluid like I've read about. Mine were flat tubes with a small drainage opening that stuck out from openings in my tummy about 1 inch and just drained into cotton pads that I taped to my abdomen. The worst pain was some small pins the doctor inserted on the outer corners of my incision to prevent it from opening further.

A nurse first looked over my inicision and then ripped off the surgical tape without telling me. Not that it hurt so much, but it freaked me out because I had this feeling that the tape was holding me together! Anyway, good news, my guts didn't fall out. The tape removal was painless and maybe it was better that someone else did it for me. Then she pulled out the 'pins' and this was a little uncomfortable. After she finally took out the tubes and I didn't even feel it. Whew! So glad to have that over.

I have slept much better the last week even though I'm still sleeping on my back with my feet elevated, which is kind of a drag, but it's getting easier. My incision is completely closed and my bandages have been clean and dry for the last few days so I'm ready to stop wearing them. I'm scabbed over and the tube openings have closed.

It has taken two full weeks to be able to stand upright. My skin was super tight and it still needs to stretch a bit. That made walking a little difficult, but it is going better now. At the moment I still feel some twinges of pain from the incision area on occasion. It feels about the same as when I had my c-section. Not so bad. I know there are some good and some bad stories on here, so I'm considering myself lucky for my current outcome.

I'm going shopping in another month when I'm back in the US to visit my family. I'm excited to buy some smaller clothes and not be so worried about a muffin top or tucking my skin into my jeans. I really want to wear some low cut jeans and a normal fitted t-shirt and feel sexy!

I've posted my before and after photos. If anyone has any questions, I am happy to answer them.

Updated on Jun 27, 2009:

Updated on Jul 4, 2009:

Updated on Jul 16, 2009:

Just a short update as I just reached 4 weeks post-op.  I guess it is only fair that I had one complication in all this!  At about 3 1/2 weeks in I developed a small infection on the incision line.  Apparently, I had two stitches there that should have dissolved like the others, but for some reason, they didn't.  I first noticed the redness after waking up a few days back.  The next day I had some yellow discharge coming from the incision at this area and started to have a lot of pain.  I called my doctor immediately and made an appointment because I was starting to be very concerned.  I was taking ibuprofen for the pain and had to re-bandage my incision up in this area to avoid any friction from my support garment.  When I got to the clinic, she took one look at it and told me that those stitches had to come out or the area would not heal and the infection would spread.  She proceeded to start poking around the incision with a sharp pair of tweezers and I thought I would pass out.  She pushed in and got ahold of the end of it and started pulling it out and it was like torture.  It must have lasted all of 10 seconds, but it hurt really bad.  She pulled out about 2 inches of stitch.  Then unfortunately, she had to do the other one.  It was all over quickly, and it was necessary.  After the pain subsided (about a half hour after), I felt much better. Now just 2 days after, I have found that the wounds have completely healed and the infection is gone.

I have stopped wearing my support garment as from yesterday except for during exercise.  But, I think I may continue wearing it at night for a few more weeks.  The only issue I have is that I feel a heaviness or fullness in the abdominal area and it seems more noticeable without the support.  I know this normal so I'm just waiting it out.

I was worried about my belly button for a bit, but it is healing up nicely.  It's not completely open, but I may try the marble trick after a few more weeks. 

All in all, still happy with procedure and still no regrets!

The day before surgery my tummy is a mess!

The day before surgery leaning over slightly to see excess skin.

The day before surgery side profile.

One week post-op still with tape and tubes, but no extra fat or skin!

One week post-op side view.

Two week post-op front view (no more tubes!)

Two weeks post-op side view

Two weeks post-op side view closeup

Three weeks post-op

Three weeks post-op