POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS
Considering a TT, but Really Nervous - Birmingham, AL
ORIGINAL POST
I'm a 33 y/o who has an almost 5 y/o and a 16...
6526anonJune 4, 2010
WORTH IT$10,000
I'm a 33 y/o who has an almost 5 y/o and a 16 mo. old. I've lost almost 60 lbs. since my pregnancy. I've always had a flabby belly, but it definitely got worse, worse, worse with the pregnancies. I'm 5'2" and weigh about 150, but I wear a size 10 (sometimes an 8!), so I don't feel just grossly obese. . .
I went for a consultation a week ago hoping to be a candidate for SlimLipo, but both the nurse and doctor thought there was too much skin and recommended a TT with lipo of the "bra fat." I guess I'd never really thought of myself as a "weight loss" person, but I suppose I am. . . I had c-sections with both babies and recovered quite nicely from both of them. I've never had general anesthesia, so that terrifies me. I guess I've watched too much TV - I think of waking during surgery and not being able to communicate - or even not waking at all. Elective surgery is a big decision, but I'm so tired of having a belly in my lap. I wasn't super impressed with the bedside manner of the doc (big deal to me) so since we're thinking TT, I'm seeing a different doc who several of my friends used and loved for their breast reductions. I'll go for that consult on Monday. It's hard to know who to ask about TT docs - I don't want anyone to know I'm doing this - and I'm sure others feel the same way! Suggestions? Comments? I appreciate any feedback!
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UPDATED FROM 6526anon
Okay - I'm scheduled for surgery on July 8....
6526anonJune 12, 2010
Okay - I'm scheduled for surgery on July 8. Now I have LOTS of questions - especially after reading the posts of others. . . 1. How does recovery from a normal TT w/lipo compare to recovery from c-section? 2. When can I return to wearing my current pants w/buttons, zippers, etc? Will I need to buy a new wardrobe? I'll return to work about 4 wks. after surgery. (I'm a teacher.) 3. How soon prior to surgery should I give up my beloved diet cokes? I know they'll NOT help with gas pains, bloating, etc. 4. How long (REALLY!) will I need help with my children (ages 17 mos. and almost 5)? 5. I'm really concerned about walking hunched over. I was very motivated to stand upright ASAP after my c-sections. My dr says 2-3 days, but others on this site seem to be taking a LONG time to stand upright. Really, what should I expect? 6. Support hose - I think I'll be wearing them to prevent blood clots? How long?? I'm sure there will be more questions later! :-) THANKS THANKS THANKS!
Replies (1)
July 18, 2017
I had a TT with extensive lip and in my personal experience the lip areas hurt way worse than the abdominal incision. I am 10 weeks post op and my hips and flanks are still sore to the touch. I was able to stand up right after surgery but admittinglu is took me 4-5 days to actually do it without being afraid I was going to rip open. Give up carbonated beverages and foods that tend to give you gas or bloating at lest 3 days before and a long time after. The bloating was the worst. It took me 5-7 weeks to be able to really have a meal without being miserable from swelling and bloating.
I am still not able to wear extremely tight fitting pants or things with waist buttons.
Support hose should be worn for 2-3 weeks or until you are able to independently get up and walk every hour and position yourself in bed.
Expect 2 weeks on needing help with Your kids. You'll recover faster in my opinion if you actually rest, sleep and do as bare minimum as possible the first 2 weeks. For me @3 weeks I was able to stand up long enough to cook dinner and fold laundry!! Good luck
I am still not able to wear extremely tight fitting pants or things with waist buttons.
Support hose should be worn for 2-3 weeks or until you are able to independently get up and walk every hour and position yourself in bed.
Expect 2 weeks on needing help with Your kids. You'll recover faster in my opinion if you actually rest, sleep and do as bare minimum as possible the first 2 weeks. For me @3 weeks I was able to stand up long enough to cook dinner and fold laundry!! Good luck
UPDATED FROM 6526anon
Questions: 1. How similar (REALLY!) is the...
6526anonJune 13, 2010
Questions: 1. How similar (REALLY!) is the recovery from a c-section to that of a TT? 2. How long will I walk hunched over? I was standing upright by day 2-3 with both c-sections. .. 3. Do I need to buy a new wardrobe? I've seen so many people say they can't wear button pants. .. that's scary .. . and expensive seeming. 4. Swelling - so are you BIGGER than pre-tuck, or just different? Can someone elaborate? 5. Legitimately, when could I go out in public again?
Replies (11)
June 27, 2010
I thought I would give my opinion on some of your questions on this lovely Sunday. For me it was very similar to the c section, however the drains made it much worse. For me the drains were hell and by far the worst part.I was standing straight in the first week. I have an easy to deal with 3 year old and I was on my own after a week. I balled for the first few days because it was very hard. I am so used to just being able to pick her up whenever and you can't.The other thing is the bending over and how easily tired you get. I wish that I would have had help until the drains were out and in the final compression garment. As far as clothing I had a great deal of fat and skin removed and I am seeing now that nothing is fitting. I have almost lost 10 inches. It's a different result for everyone. My fat was super dense, so I believe I lost more than most. For the first week at least sweat pants and pajamas were the best. I would not say that I was bigger right after but have anything tight near the drains was painful. I did not want to go in public because of my drains they grossed me out. I am 3 weeks along. If you have any questions let know I will be happy to answer anything.
June 29, 2010
Thank you so much for your helpful information. I am just so nervous. I'm a total control freak, and the thought of not being in charge of myself during surgery really freaks me out. :) I have stocked up on a few very loose cotton knit summer dresses and some knit shorts, pants, etc. Hooray for summer. (I'm a teacher, so at least I don't have to rush right back to work. I hope you continue to enjoy the results. Sounds like they're good so far!!
June 30, 2010
I totally get the control thing. I am diabetic and have given myself insulin for 20 years so the thought of them having to give me my meds and check my sugar was terrifying. The good thing is that as soon as they put the needle in it's no longer a worry. It is hard when you come out of it though because you want to do so much and you can't. You have to let yourself be helped and its hard. You will do fine though and be happy that you pampered yourself.
July 7, 2010
Surgery is tomorrow - I'm wavering behind excitement about my new look and fear that this is the last day I'll spend with my kids. . . If you are a prayerful person, I'd appreciate one today. Thanks...
July 12, 2010
I prayed each time I wrote you. It is such a big thing. The night before I went I wrote a goodbye letter to my daughter and then felt selfish. I cried like a baby. I wish I could have written this to u that night. I am so happy you are well. It looks amazing!!! I pulled a muscle from my neck to my tummy and was set back a little. But again so so happy for you!!
July 12, 2010
Thanks so much! I certainly appreciate your thoughts and prayers. I almost wrote to my children, too, but decided it would only add to the emotional roller coaster. I think I overdid it yesterday. By bedtime I was feeling really bad. I feel very puffy and I can "pinch an inch" where I couldn't on Friday. I am hoping it's just from the swelling. I'm sooooo sorry about your pulled muscle. I can definitely feel how that'd be easy to do, and I can only imagine that it's causing a lot of pain for you. You'll be in my prayers, too. Thanks so much for your encoragement!
July 13, 2010
Yea it was a bit much writing her lol. The swelling comes and goes. As soon ds the drains come out you bloat a lot. The pulled muscle killed me but its so much better. I actually went swimming to day and felt amazing. I bought my first bikini ever!!! Thank you for the prayers so much.
July 14, 2010
Just wondering how your muscle is doing. . . thinking of you and am so thankful to have had your encouragement. . .going to check your page now. :-)
July 14, 2010
I itch EVERYWHERE lol... I get in the shower and use the cheese grater side of the foot file anywhere that is not too tender, not anywhere the belly of coarse. Thank god my skin is tough please don't try it but goodness it feels great. The pulled muscle is all better. I have to be super careful on the left side, that is where I injected insulin for 20 years and where they had to remove the most tissue. The Dr did a lot of muscle repair there. It's hard because being just instinctivly comes first and picked my baby up. When do the drains come out ? It's so exciting for them to be gone. L
January 24, 2015
For me, not similar at all. I am almost 3 weeks post op and still struggling. I had twins with my csection and I think that was so much easier than this.
May 16, 2015
I'm about to go in for surgery in less than two weeks. I'm so terrified. I feel horribly selfish about having an elective surgery with two young children at home. It breaks my heart to think of how it would crush them if anything happened to me.
Replies (6)