Tummy Tuck Reviews
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3 months post op! Best thing I ever did!

Worth It
Spent: $7,500 in Anaheim, CA

Comments (250)

Updated 14 May 2012

Posted 1 Feb 2012

Hey everyone I thought I would share a little about myself and my reasons for deciding to get a tummy tuck. I'm a single mommy of 2 awesome kidos. I was blessed to have a boy and a girl. But as many of you women know pregnancy can take a major toll on our bodies. Already being the chubby child growing up I always had to work extra hard to keep slim. And even then my abs never looked the way I wish. With my first child I but on 60 + pounds. Very Depressing!!!!:( My son was just about 8 months old when I found out I was pregnant again this time with my girl.I was'nt able to really lose the baby weight till my daugther was about 6 mos old. And then I lost another 150 pounds. "My kids father" :)

Being over weight and losing my figure made me sad, depressed, and even bitter.Now that I have some what of my figure back I am now faced with sagging skin. Not Cute!!! I always new that at some point I would get a tummy tuck. My kids are older now and very self independent. It's mommy time now. I want my body back and some self esteem. I want to look in the mirror and be happy, not depressed. I want to feel on the outside like I feel in the inside. I want to feel confident in my clothes. I just want to feel attractive again. It's been such a long time since I've loved myself.

The unfourtunate part of this journey is I dont have a lot of supporters out there. Most in my family dont agree with me getting plastics. So I have choosen to not tell them when my surgery is. My bestfriend and mother will be with me. I'm less than 2 weeks away and already super nervous!!!! I will not let the negative people around me change my mind on this. I know that this is what I want. And I deserve it!!! I will keep posting updates and later post pictures of this whole process. Thank you to those who have read my blog. Johanna



Updated on 4 Feb 2012:
8 days left and I'm getting all I need my prescriptions filled, my multi vitamins, and last will be grocery shopping. I have no clue on what I should get. I don't know if I will even have an appetite after the surgery. Everytime I think of the surgery I get more and more nervous. And I can't believe its actually gonna happen. My next update will be the night before my surgery.

Updated on 12 Feb 2012:
Wow less than 24 hours left for me to go under the knife! I'm really scared, and very emotional. I can't believe its really happening. I've been cleaning my house like crazy. I got my recliner delivered yesterday. I've gonna grocery shopping. I got my wipes since according to my plastic surgeon I wont be able to shower. He said my drains will remain in for a week at least maybe longer. Man the thought of not showering. Ugh! And to make matters worse my monthly is due anytime now. I'm due at the surgery center at 7:30 am. My surgery is at 9:30 am. Wish me luck everyone!

Updated on 16 Feb 2012:
I have not updated for a few days now. I'm just now feeling the energy to write this. Well the first day was the hardest for me. The pain was bad. I was in recovery for more than 2 hours. They say it took me more than an hour to come out of the anesthesia. When I finally did man I was on tears with pain. The nurse gave me more meds. By the time I was ready to go home I was still in a lot of pain. The nurse said I had maxed out on the pain meds. She was able to give me oral vicodin. That helped alittle. Each day that goes by I am able to do alittle more. Just little things like getting up from the recliner on my own. Oh and the worse part I've been super constipated. Not fun! Oh and girls please stay hydrated apparently I was'nt drinking enough. Yesterday being day 3 po I had been having alot of heart palpitations. I got nervous and called my ps. He said it was to be expected. That because of my lack of appetite my body is in dehydration mood. I had my mom go the store and by me gatorade. As soon as I started chunging more liquids my heart slowed down. I will updated more tomorrow. Time for a nap.

Updated on 19 Feb 2012:
I'm now 6 days po. Today I've been almost pain free. I'm still hunched over and still no shower. Yuke! I have given myself bird baths but its not the same. I'm sick of the recliner. Don't get me wrong its a very comfortable recliner. I just miss my bed. My back is the only thing that hurts real bad. It's from being hunched over obviously. Can't wait to stand up straight. On day 4 po I had my follow up my ps took out one drain. Yaay! He said by Monday the following week I should be make to get the other removed. Im pretty excited about that. That's means shower time. I was also able to see my tummy for the first time. Man ol man is it flat. And I'm still swollen apparently. I have to admit I hadn't lost all the weight that I wanted. I've struggled with weight all my life. Always up and down. They funny thing is that even at my thinniest my stomach always looked the same. I'm a curvey girl. I love being curvey. My ps did such an awesome job. I have and hour glass waist. My waist is back! But now I have a flat stomach to go with it. I am actually smaller than I expected to be. Now my main goal now when I get back to the gym is to get mucsle tone. I have some now. Actually I have very strong legs but I still lack the definition. I'm excited today I guess I'm rambling. I have before and after pics. I will post them later today or tomorrow. I have an appt with my ps tomorrow. I hope the drain comes out. It's hasn't really bothered me to much compare to other people. I read other post and they just hate them. Not saying I like them but it downturn hurt, or pull on me. The only thing is not being able to shower. Well I will update after my appt tomorrow.

Updated on 23 Feb 2012:
10 days po op. And everyday I feel more and more like myself. Still can't stand straight tho. Yesterday I got my last drain pulled out. So I was thrilled to be able to shower finally. My ps also said I could buy a waistnipper. I didn't have to wear that dreadfulbinder. Yaay! That was music to my ears. He said to buy it a little big so I could wear it low on my thighs as well. So today I went to Macy's and bought a waistnipper by Flexees. I also went to get my haircut after. And that was it for today and it wiped me out. The waistnipper I got feels very tight and its long enough to fit my thighs and just under my bra. I feel nice and secure. I'm still swollen. I noticed that on my incision part its very hard. On top of my pubic area aswell. So naturally I googled that. Sounds like its normal and it should get better over time. I will still ask my ps next week when I see him. The weird thing about this healing process that when I take off my binder or now my shaped controller I feel naked without it. Almost like my tummy really isn't mine like its gonna gall off or something. I feel better with my binder but it still so irritating too. I nope that feeling gets better along with the numbness I still feel on my back, flanks and lower abs. The swelling is still there and bad. My thighs are bigger now then before. Lol. Can't wait for all to ne normal. By the way I took a long 30 min shower yesterday. It was the bomb! Haha. I will update next week. And maybe post more pics as o heal.

Updated on 27 Feb 2012:
2 weeks po. And I'm back at work. Some people went back to work just half days. Im full shift. But my boss was very nice in giving me light duty. Gotta say I'm beat. Everyone was excited to see the new me. Kinda cool. lol. But I only showed them with my binder on. And told them they would have to wait until Im healed for the final results. They say I look so skinny now. One thing with me is even if I lose 5 pounds my face gets more sucked in. I dont have a chubby face never have even when I was at my heaviest. Wierd huh. My only issue is my lower tummy its actually starting to hurt and be uncomfortable. I have my appt on wed. Hope I can hold out. I left a message for my ps to see if he thought I should be seen sooner. But no response just yet. He normally has surgery on mondays so I may get a call tomorrow.Other than that issue. I'm almost standing straight. I'm about 90% there. I'm thinking by next week I should be completely upright. I'm even getting a little antsy to get to the gym. One of the nurses I work with over heard me talking about buying a video to do at home and she scolled me and said to please take it easy and let my body heal. I just had major surgery and need to give myself time. I guess shes right but damn its hard. I love the gym and suana. Its my gettaway. haha. I will soon be posting more pics. Gotta get my fluid build up sucked out first.

Updated on 2 Mar 2012:
18 days post op now. This was my first week back to work and man I was just exhausted every single day. I wish I had enough vacation time to take another week off. Non the less I made it thru the week. I'm still pretty swollen in my flanks and low abdomin area. I have to keep reminding myself to have patience. Over all I have to say I dont have any regrets. Would I do this again. And well I have to say Hell Yeah!!! lol. The first week now is a faint memory. I saw my ps on wed and he is pleased with how I'm healing and how things are looking. I pointed out my pooch that Ive been complaining about almost daily and he said I was still swollen and I have to give it time. Another thing because I was still chubby before surgery I will most likely have a small pooch there anyways. Lipo might be in my future for that issue. But first I want to see how it looks after the swelling has gone down. My tummy was super flat the first week po. So Im hoping it goes back to that when the swelling as subsided. Cross your fingers for me. And if it does then no lipo there. My next focus will be my inner and outer thighs. hehe My coworkers ask me was it painful and I dont sugar coat anything. I tell them yes for me it was very painful from the minute I woke up to at least 2 days later. I was hoping I would'nt have that much pain. I had high hopes because reading other girls stories, them saying the pain was'nt as bad as they thought and some even saying that they did'nt have any pain at all. I have a pretty high tolerance for pain. Or so I thought!!! One thing is for sure everyones experience is very different. Same with healing. Today I did notice myself having pain in my incision by my pubic area. I think it had to do with the fact that I slept in my bed last night for the first time and I did sleep flat for the most part. Just to switch postions like to my side was a process. And I could feel the stretching. It's still sensitive to sleep on my sides. I wonder how long its going to be before I can be comfortable in my bed again. Ive been in the recliner for almost 3 weeks now. I miss my bed!!! Also my emotions are just crazy. when I think of the whole process I want to cry. Seems like everything makes me emotional. Thank god I have not suffered from any post surgery depression. I use to not fix myself up for work and now I do. I feel my confidence building, my self esteem is on a raise. I love how I look in my clothes and I'm still in swell hell. Things are looking up. I stepped on the scale on tuesday that being day 15 po and i was 15 pounds lighter then the day of my surgery. I stepped on the scale again today and I was down another pound. I'm being super careful with my diet. Since exercise if off limits for a few more weeks, I cant wait to get back to the gym tho. Again patience!!!!As soon as the site is back up and lets me post pictures I will. Till then happy healing to all the february tt'ers.

Updated on 3 Mar 2012:
I have added my 2 weeks po pictures. I appeciate any honest opinions. Thank you. If you look close you can see my pooch that I've been complaining about.

Updated on 8 Mar 2012:
24 Days PO:

Well Let's see I hav'nt updated in awhile. This week has been very interesting. My swelling decided to kick it up a couple notches. Ugh!!! It's quite uncomfortable to say the least. Although I'm healing great the swelling takes from that. Also my back has been very achy. I dont know why either. I have been more busy at work then last week. Or maybe the fact that I'm still slightly hunched. I've always had a great posture. I've been having some palpitations when I do to much. It calms down when I slow down. The funny thing is last week I felt great other than being exhausted and this week I feel like I've taken a few steps back. My monthly is do next week so I can't help but think that the reason I feel so shitty this week is because of that. I normally have symptoms the week before. Anyways I don't want to keep complaining.
On the more positive note the last 3 nights I've been sleeping in my bed. Yaay me! And every night it gets better. I still can't toss n turn like I use too. It's like a process. I have to be careful. I still feel the stretching in my abdomin. It will be nice when I dont wake up just to switch positions. And even better when I can sleep on my tummy.
So I weighed myself a couple days ago and I'm still dropping weight. I got a little nervous cause since my surgery I'm almost down 20 lbs. Not that I mind. But I get nervous that I might alter my ps hard work here. But I asked that question and quit a few ps responded with that it was actually normal. That I'm simply losing water weight. I did have lipo so my body seems to be getting rid of that fluid they inject in you when they do the lipo. So I cant wait to see what my final weight will be when all the water weight, and swelling is over with. I did on the other hand want to lose anywhere between 15-20 more pounds after surgery. But not in my tummy. I have a lot of work on my legs. I'm gonna do my darndest to shape these legs up. Ive always had inner thigh chubbies. So we'll see. I may need lipo to help me shape them up. Now with my new tummy my legs just look more horrible. So now just writing that bit about my thighs I think I will start saving for lipo.
So I took some photos this morming when I'm least swollen. I have a T scar right above my pubis area. That is the scar that actually looks the worst. It's actually all scabbed up. I'm hoping it will look like my thighs scar. I have to admit I'm pretty happy with how low my incision is. An the reason I have the T scar is because I had two belly button piercings. The first time I got my piercing I lost my jewel. I dont even know how it came loose. But it did and I was still in the process of healing. So it closed up very quickly. I then some months later got repierced. And that did'nt go well at all. It kept getting infected. So i took it out. Well it never healed. My ps said that when he did the incision the piercing was'nt even in the right place it was above my belly button. And it was infected. So he had to cut it and clean it out. Yuke! So theres the story on why I have a T scar. And that area is hard and it sticks out a little. I think thats why that part of my tummy to me is such a problem. Well again I appeciate any opinions on my pictures. Over all I think I look awesome compared to my before pictures. Yikes! Until next time my tt friends. xoxo

Updated on 13 Mar 2012:
1 month po.

I can't believe its been a month already. Time is flying by so fast. I have to admit I knew just how bad I wanted my tt. But one thing I was not prepared for was the emotional roller coaster that comes with this. And even the physical recovery has been crazy. I'm a very active, healthy person. And I had this mind frame that I would be that except that recovers quickly, bounces back fast. I couldn't understand how anyone would have depression. I think that this week I hit my emotional cry. I've been emotional but something is different this week. I look in the mirror and I see myself as fat. I know I'm crazy but I just can't shake these feelings. It's really bringing me down. Ive been pretty pleased with my results and today I'm not so pleased. I've been so swollen and I have noticed when I don't do anything just how flat my tummy looks and I get excited. But not even an hour into the day and I'm swollen as heck. I thought that at 1 month I would start to get some relief. I'm so ready to see my final results. I'm being so inpatient. That I know. And no matter how bad I want it. My body will do it at its own speed. Working out is my escape its my stress reliever. I felt so good about myself after a good workout or getting my ass handed to me in turbo kick class. Lol. I miss that so much. I don't see my ps for another week or so. And he forbid me doing any exercising. I have started walking for 30 min. Not fast and not enough to make my heart rate go up. I have on the other hand broken some perspiration. But very little. I use to drench my shirts and pants in sweat. I hope I get past this depressive feeling. I don't like it.

On a good note I have been completely upright for about 5 days now. It's wierd when I take off my waistnipper I feel I lose my posture and am hunched over slightly. My ps said I didn't need to wear my garment anymore. But it was up to me and how I feel without it. I went one day without it at work and well I haven't done that again. I'm still wearing it. For bed I'm not. Especially now since my swelling has been so bad. Maybe another week or so and I will start to wing myself off it. I will post more updated pictures next week when I'm not so down on myself. I also believe my mood will improve when I'm done with my period and can get cleared for some kind of cardio.

I have realized that I have not told my story about the day of my surgery. I will do so in a few days. I wonder if anyone goes thru this phase at 1 month po. To all the girls that have had there tt happy healing and good luck to all that are going this month and next.

Updated on 15 Mar 2012:
1 month 3 days po.

This week was such a tough one. Emotionally that is. I'm so glad to say I'm back on track. Today I had my coworkers cracking up. And yes it still hurts a little to laugh your ass off. In fact I still can't cough or sneeze without it hurting my tummy. I wonder how long that's gonna last. I called my ps today and asked about the stretching feeling I get in the mornings when I wake up. He said its muscle spasms. And not to worry I was'nt gonna damage my muscle repair. I had asked him before at my last appt about sneezing if that would damage anything he laughed at me and said its virtually impossible to break the suturing. Today I choose to not wear my waistnipper and man I look oh about 5 months along. Lol. No kicking yet! Haha j/k. At this point in the swelling all I can do is find humor in it. If u think about it its amazing how are bodies heal how they react when tampered with. I haven't taken any updated pictures cause really nothing has changed. I still look the same as the last ones I put up. This morning when I woke up I was flatter then I've been since this whole process. I was so amazed. I asked my tummy why can't you just stay this way already. Haha. Yea well within the hour I already started to swell. Tomorrow I'm taking my kiddies to seaworld. They don't know yet its a surprise. So shhh girls. Hehe. So I also called my ps to make sure it was ok to do all that walking and even get on there rides. He said all was ok. The only thing is my swelling will most likely be really bad. But that's ok. Anything for my babies. I haven't mentioned them to much on here.

A little bit about my personal life. My son Jacob is 11 years old. Last year he was diagnosed with ADD. He takes 1 medication for it. It's only while he's in school. It helps him with the attention deficit. But to be honest he's my Jacob I wouldn't have it any other way. It's what makes him. He such a handsome boy. He's already girl crazy. Lord help me. My daughter Aaliyah is 10 yrs old. Shes mini me. Omg! Haha. We have such a special bond. She already showing her motherly instincts. She's bossy and mouthy, has a smart ass attitude, but she's also soo loving, smart, and beautiful, she looks out for me and her big brother. I was blessed big time with these two kids. Gods Good! And they both have been very understanding while I have been healing. So that's while I wanted to surprise them tomorrow. The've never been there. So I'm giddy with excitement.

So yesterday I chose to buy mederma to start applying to my scar. So we'll see how that works. I looked for silicone strips at Walmart but they said I would have to purchase those online. I've heard nothing but good stuff about them. I'm gonna try other stores first before I go online to purchase. My healing process has been pretty smooth. Other then swelling my scar is super low and thin. I have nice curves now. I tried on one of my corsets that I bought from Fredricks of Hollywood. And I looked sexy. Wow, a month ago those words would not have come out of my mouth.

I still have a lot of numbness in my tummy and the areas I had lipo. But I've pretty much gotten use to it. Sometimes I feel tingling in my back and from what I've read its normal it my nerves. I actually look forward to those tingling feelings cause to me its a sign that the feeling there is coming back. I'm still not cleared to do any exercise. But hopefully at the next appt he will release me to cardio. I will just continue to put my feet up and chillax and watch my fav shows friends, cold case, and criminal minds. :) ok well I will post later on how a day at the theme park went. Wish me luck with the swelling. Lol

Updated on 18 Mar 2012:
A mini update

Went to seaworld with my kidos and best friend. So much fun. But man was I uncomfortable the whole day. Because I knew I was gonna swell big time I wore my bigger jeans. There still a size down than what I use to wear. Although they were not tight on me the swelling was so bad I felt extremely tight the whole day. I knew this would happen. So Saturday I chose to lay very low. But I've been feeling so guilty lately. I haven't been eating to healthy. Starting Sunday its back to salads and slimfast. I lost 20 lbs during this whole process and I am not about to put it back on. I did get on the Atlantis ride that seaworld has and I did get the ok by my ps but I have to admit I was a little nervous getting on a fast ride. I wasn't sure how my tummy was gonna feel. And well yea it didn't feel to good. It didn't hurt. But I felt myself tense up a lot and I would feel weird in my tummy. My daughter wanted to get on again but I had to pass this time. I did promise to go on it again with her next time we go. Hope everyone is having a great weekend. Xoxo

Updated on 22 Mar 2012:
5 weeks 3 days,

So I had my follow up appt today. Over all It went well. I brought up a concern that I ve had this week. Actually i noticed this since my first post op appt. On my rt side of abdomin there is a crease like fat is there. I started obsessing over it. When I swell its more noticable. I'm posting two pictures of it. My left side is nice and smooth and you can see my curve. My ps said it was an easy fix. He can lipo that area in his own office. I'm assuming no charge. I did ask about how much but he said they would do it right there in the office so I would'nt have to worry about fee's. My friend said he most likely would'nt charge since It's an area I'm unhappy with. And I did bring that issue up before. Oh and I also have brought up my lower pooch in the past appt. He had mentioned lipo there too but I'm unsure if that part is also done in the office and free of charge. I mean I would expect it to be that way cause I'm paying all this money to not be 100% happy. Uh I dont think so!! Over all I have to admit he did do an awesome job on me. I mean compare my before pictures to my after and it's a huge transformation. My ps showed me my before pictures and how I had more fat deposits on my rt side then left, he said he was'nt sure why I had more fat on one side than the other. But you could clearly see it and even more on my back side. Also I did'nt have lipo of my abdomin so there you go. But now I have to wait till I'm more healed before he does lipo. I have my next follow up in a month. So I'm crossing my fingers he will do lipo then. You can see my curves but its just not as defined on my rt like it is on my left. Again this is where patience comes in. And I might add I'm not a very patient person. lol. And more swelling and recovery. Man the price we pay for beauty.haha Still I'm super excited about my new tummy. I've finally been released to cardio. He said at 6 wks I can go back to the gym. But to please listen to my body. I'm not at the 6 wk mark just yet so for right now I'm aloud to walk and break some sweat. Yaaay. Man I am just excited to start toning myself up. SOOOOO Pumped. Needless to say I walked out of the office so happy. I will have that part of my tummy fixed. It's not like a super big flaw or anything but it's noticable. I'm just glad its a quick fix. And I have I mentioned the office staff. Sooo so pretty and nice. More like knock out babes and total sweethearts. I will def have other work done with him. Like lipo of my thighs. But thats in the future.

So today I notice when I woke up in the morning I was super itchy along my incision. I just rub it and it helps a little. Just means I'm still healing. :) I still feel stretching of my abdomin and soreness of my muscle repair. but not enough for me to take even tylenol. All is well my energy is about 80% back. I think once I get back to the swing of things at the gym my energy levels will sky rocket. Ive maintained my weight now. I have'nt put any on, thank god! I would on the other hand like to lose another 15 lbs or so maybe 20. We will see. I'm pretty confident I will lose it.

Ive also noticed that when I'm out an about I get stared at a lot. lol. Uh awkward!! But it feels good to turn heads once again. Maybe now with this new found confidence I will find Mr right. Ok ladies I'm post some new pictures. xoxo. Till the next update. Hope all are well.

Updated on 28 Mar 2012:
6 wks 2 days,

The weeks are passing and things keep improving. Monday I woke up to a super flat tummy. It was even caved in. Wow! I was totally digging that. But as usual by mid day I looked about 3-4 months along. lol I'm happy to say my lower pooch as really gone down a lot. I noticed it at work. Funny thing, I'm constantly checking my tummy out. Especially when in front of a mirror. It's like an obsession. haha.
So I started working out this week. And boy am I paying for it. Yes my swelling has gotten better but my ps warned me that when i started working out I was gonna swell up even more. And he was right. But I dont care. Im finally working out. Now if only I can control my appetite. Ugh! I swear I have no willpower to yummy food. Luckely my weight has been stable I fluctuate between 1-2 pounds, not bad I think. I just need to constantly remind myself what hell I just put my body thru. I'm not eating terrible but not super healthy either. Now I'm on a mission to drop 10 pounds. Maybe more but for now lets start with ten.
I have not yet gone shopping really. I bought a dress today for my sisters church ceremony on saturday. I was a size 16 ladies. Thats right a freaken 16. Now I'm a 12. Yaaaay. And my goal is to get to a size 10. I think I can achieve that. I did try on a tight fitted racerback dress. And man it was curves galore!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was awesome. I just stared at myself in disbelief. But I did notice one thing and that was my pubic area is still pooching out. It's were the incision is that still pooching out. The dress was fairly tight tho. And unless your staring at my vajaja you would'nt even notice it. I do cause well lets face it we notice everything about our bodies. But I do wonder how long until that area goes down. Anyway I have not yet gone shopping because I would like to drop a few more pounds. But also I'm expecting extra money in a few weeks and plan on shopping with that. I have yet to go thru my closet. I will do that after I have done some shopping. So excited tho. It was nice to put on a dress and there was no tummy there making it look awful. I will post pictures of me all dolled up this weekend. Till then Happy healing to all. xoxo

Updated on 3 Apr 2012:
7 wks 1 day

Things are pretty much starting to stablize. On a normal day with normal activity my swelling is not as intense as before. But my body does have its way of telling me when I've consumed to much food. lol Man my stomach feels so tight and it's soooo uncomfortable. My sister had toca man on saturday and I lovvvveeee taco man. I ate 4 tacos and rice. And I consumed alcohol for the first time in months. I just wanted to enjoy myself and not let things get in the way. But man when I got home my body was literatly yelling at me. I came to work yesterday expecting to be at least a few pounds heavier and to my pleasant surprise I did'nt but a pound on. man I dodged a big one there. lol.

So yesterday I started my diet I would like to lose 10 pounds by the end of the month. I've been able to lose 13 pounds in 2 wks so I know I can do it. Exercise wise I'm still pretty limited. I've done some lite jogging and at work I started walking during my lunch. I also have added in arm exercises I have 5lbs weights so I've done that. I have chubby arms and would like to tone them up. Today I hope to start my Zumba videos. Ive been on the fence about doing them. I may call my ps to make sure it's ok.

Ok so tummy wise I still feel a lot of strtching and pulling especially when I'm super swollen. The incisios dont hurt at all but I do feel burning sensations at time. The spasms in my tummy in the mornings is not as bad anymore but still there. And I'm still numb in the areas that I had lipo. Ive been using Mederma for scar treatment even tho my ps said I really didn't need it. My T incision is actually getting better and lighter. I'm actually gonna try silicone scar cream this week. I hope that will work better then the mederma. Along my incision I still have what seems like a knotted rope inside me. I do meassge the area a lot. I hope it gets better soon,I know it will take some time tho. Ugh. I do notice the incision changes color. At time it looks like my skin color and other slight purplish, and sometime pink/redish. Wierd!!!! But I did read a ps say that the incision would change colors thru out the first few months.

Energy levels!!!! Still very from day to day. I feel like myself but my mind is way ahead of my body. Over all this has been a tough but very rewarding experience for me. If anyone if on the fence about doing this for themselves then stop and and think about how happy your gonna be. There is nothing selfish about wanting to make yourself happy. Everyone says you have to be happy within yourself before making someone else happy. We will have people that will not agree with the reasons why your doing it. And everyone is entitled to there own opinion. I knew how a lot of my family members felt about me doing this and even came up with there conculsions as to why I did this. And even after I've explained my reasons it seemed as if they made up there mind and no matter what I said they had already formed there opinion. And to be honest I'm just to damn happy now to care. Thats my honest opinion. haha!!! Till the next update. xoxo

Updated on 3 Apr 2012:
p.s sorry for all my typos thru out my blog. lmao!!! I really need to look at my updates before pushing submit. I got so many errors in there. OMG. ok but you girls get me. haha.

Updated on 8 Apr 2012:
Happy Easter to all my tt amigas! Just a day shy of my 8 wk po. Went shopping on saturday with my best friend and sister. One purpose, bikini shopping and I was so stoked that VS had bikinis in the store. I found one perfect one. I put up some pictures of my old one and my new one. I'm definitely more excited about summer now. I feel so sexy. hehe!!! My incision is soo low but It's long on one side of the hip than the other and because its so low I have to wear my bottoms really low. You can actually see my scar on the sides on the pic were I'm sitting. I pulled the sides up a little. But non the less to me it's not something that bothers me as much as the belly on my lap. We all know we are gonna be left with scars. I'm healing very well so I'm pretty confident by summer it will be much lighter. So nothing really new with me stillb all the same as the last update. I said it before in other updates and I'll say it again. SOOOO WORTH IT!!!!!!!!

Updated on 19 Apr 2012:
9 wks 3 days

UGH!!! REALLY!!!!

So had my ps appt today. And looks like I'm gonna be having a small revision done. But not till I'm about 6 mos post op. I have a hard lump at the end of my T scar. I message it daily and it wont give. So my ps said it was scar tissue due to the T scar. He said it may go down some, but most likely he will have to remove it surgically. GREAT!!!!! And I'm having small lipo on my rt side in a month along with some lipo to my lower abdomen. That I expected tho. I'm glad he has agreed to do it free of charge. But the revision I know I'm gonna have to pay facility fee and anesthesia. MAN!!! Not to mention my BB is now having some issues. At the botton of the BB it looks like I have a small keloid. But its not, apparently I have a small stitch working it's way out. He said it would either dissolve itself or my body would push it out. But he also mention that if my BB doesnt get better we may have to do some injections. But the best part of today was my car decided to start having major electrical issue. I went to get gas just before my appt and it just wouldn't start. It's been having some minor issues and my brother in law has been trying to figure out how to fix it without me blowing all this money. But now the issue has gotten bigger. Even after it started, again after my ps appt it did it again. So now my brother in law is looking into how much it's going to cost me to replace the electrical part that needs to be fixed. I'm so close to paying my car off. Man I'm just so irratated. My car is only 7 yrs old. Ive had it for 5. UGH!!! Ok I'm done venting!!! For Now!!

Ok for the good news. My swelling has gone down so much. I still swell more in my lower belly but that is expected. My hips have gone down. And the reason I say that is because my smaller size scrub pants that I wear for work use to be tight at the hips and now it's not. I wake up super flat and now remain that way for most of the day. But yes towards the evening I swell but not so much. I'll take this swelling over the swell hell I was in weeks 3-5. I'm loving my new bod. Other then the minor issues that will be fixed soon enough. I still feel the stretching and tightness in my belly. I've asked before if others still feel it, and they do, so I'm guessing it's normal. It doesn't hurt tho. Ive been exercising and focusing on my lower body a lot. I bought the Brazilian Butt Lift Videos to help with shaping my ass and inner thighs. And those videos are NO JOKE! Man OUCH!!! lol. No new pictures to post just yet. Maybe next update. But till then xoxo

Updated on 25 Apr 2012:
10weeks and some days,

I tell ya I'm starting to lose track of the weeks. Ok so I caved, I started back at the gym today. And man did it feel good. I pretty much did everything I normally did before the surgery. Except for cardio I did 35 min instead of my regular 45-50min. And the resistance was only at level 8 instead of level 10. But I did'nt want to force myself to do more and end up hurting myself. I wanted to stick to the new videos I bought a few weeks ago but I have been dieting and have not lost 1 single pound. I'm getting very frustrated with that. So pretty much I figured it has to be my lack of cardio. I no longer need to lose weight in the tummy area so I'm also thinking that now it's only gonna get that much harder for me to lose 10 freaken pounds. Since where I want to lose weight now is all in my thighs. I did do ab workout today but I took it very slow and it was fine. Felt so nice to workout my upper body. Ive been focusing on my lower body for the last few weeks. The only thing now is I need to buy new workout clothes. Darn!!! lol
I went out dancing with friends last weekend and I was able to finally wear my smallest pair of jeans. I loved how I looked. I dont want to sound conceded but the attention I got that night was crazy. And I felt so confident. I had men approaching me telling me how beautiful I was. Just sooo crazy. I had fun and dancing was not an issue. I was moving all over the place and my tummy didn't bother me one bit. And I did'nt even swell that much. Infact I dont swell that bad at all any more. Thank god!! But I am getting touch up lipo in a few weeks so. I'll be swelling once again. But my ps said it would'nt be as bad as before. I dont even need a binder so yaay!!!
Ok so again no new pictures. Nothing has changed really. I will try to take some new ones tho this weekend. Till next time!!!! xoxo

Updated on 11 May 2012:
Wow I have not updated in like forever it seems. Lets see I'm 3 months post op on the 13 th. I cant believe how fast time flies. On Monday I will be having my lipo done on my rt side and lower pooch. I'm a little nervous! But anxious to get it done and over with. My tummy still swells and still have stretching and some pulling. But other than that I feel awesome. I workout about 3-4 times a week. My weight has been very stable. It's been actually more challenging now after the tummy tuck to drop weight. It's irritating! I still watch what i eat for the most part. I have had my weak moments and eat junk food galore! But even after that I step on the scale and not one ounce was gained. Kinda wired though cause I've always been the type of person that puts on weight very easily. Anyway I'm still loving my results. Best thing I ever did for myself. I will be hopefully posting pictures this weekend. And then post some after my lipo. Oh I forgot to mention my scar! It's still the same as in the pictures I already have posted. My BB is still struggling to heal. I have noticed very slight improvement. I'm going to Vegas in about a month and I'm a little nervous about my BB. I'm going to a beach party. Not sure how I'm gonna cover up my BB. Does anyone have any suggestions? Ok I hope everyone is doing well! Xoxo

Updated on 11 May 2012:
* weird* not wired. Damn so called smart phone. Lol

Updated on 14 May 2012:
Ok so I got my touch up lipo today. My palms were so sweaty and my whole body was tense. I was sooo scared. But I did it. The worse part was the numbing of the fat. The sounds though... Damn!!! We spoke of were exactly he was doing lipo and he did tell me some disappointing news, and that was that the creases I have on my rt would not go away. :(. And that he also thought that I would need lipo of my whole abdomen. :( So he did not do touch lipo in my lower pooch. I felt as though he says one thing one visit and the next he tells me different. IDK!!! I really dont think I need lipo of my entire abdomen. What do you ladies think? I mean I look so much better than before. I knew that I still had weight to lose but I'm happy with what I see. We did discuss my thunder thighs. lol.And he agreed I need lipo there and my inner thighs. So I got a quote for that. An Im looking at 2800.00 for everything. But I wont be doing that till sometime next yr. Gotta save up first. I do love my thighs but they do need some help. So I posted some updated pics. I just took them this morning. I will post in a few weeks the area that got lipo. Hopefully we can see a difference. So I really need your honest opinions on if you think I need lipo in my adbomen? I appeciate it very much.
xoxoxo

This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.

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Comments (250)

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Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 3 Feb 2012

Welcome to RealSelf!

You have come to the right place for support and information.  The ladies here will show you the love and help you through this process.

You most definitely should do this for yourself and never feel bad about it.  There is nothing wrong with wanting to look and feel good about yourself.  So for now tune out the haters and stick with us:)

Keep the posts coming!

Jess2523 13 Feb 2012
Hope everything went well today. Can't wait to see the new you!
khgfdsdrfegrthjklkjhgfd 13 Feb 2012
thinking of ya!! Hope everything went well today!
Bejewelme 16 Feb 2012
How is it going? Are you feeling better???
Sweetness7932 16 Feb 2012
Hi yes I'm just barely feeling better. I haven't had much energy to even keep you guys updated. The pain is slowly subsiding. I go see my ps today and get to see my tummy. So I'm excited about that. I can't wait to he able to post pix. I will keep u guys posted more now that I'm feeling the energy come back.
Bejewelme 16 Feb 2012
Hey hun I read your update another thing for dehydration get some coconut water it has lots of potassium and electrolytes to balance your levels and help get all the meds and anesthesia out of your system! The gatorade has a lot of added sugar which can make swelling worse, so maybe try that, get the unsweetned kind it has natural sugar but no added stuff!
Sweetness7932 16 Feb 2012
Thank you Bejewelme, I will be getting that. God only knows I don't need any more swelling and dehydration.
Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 16 Feb 2012

Yes please keep up on the fluids.  And also you need to be taking the Milk of Magnesia.  Constipation is horrible so please try to turn that around quickly.  The pain meds will back you up like concrete in your guts.

Sweetness7932 16 Feb 2012
Thank you kimmer I'm send my mom out to buy that for me.
Bejewelme 17 Feb 2012
Hey hun I know it is early where you are, just got to work and was thinking about ya! Hope you can go potty soon, LOL it is so horrible, another thing I wanted to tell you, fiber from food helps, prunes, prune juice, all bran cereal, kale, black beans--asparagus is a good diuretic for the swelling, I believe in helping yourself naturally as well, this is such an issue I might post a big chart about fiber on my profile for people! Anyways get some good fiber in you, drink up, tons of water, to push it through and hopefully you can go!
waitedenough 19 Feb 2012
wow...you look great! Your binder looks like mine...3 straps with super velcro?
Sweetness7932 20 Feb 2012
Waitedenough, mine is a 2 strap binder with super velcro. It's not a bad binder. I'm just soo freaken itchy. Driving me crazy! I had lipo did you? If so are you still numb?
waitedenough 20 Feb 2012
I do like the bindder...very supportive. I did have lipo of my flanks. They are partially numb, and I am numb closest to the center of my stomach...from top to bottom. My PS said that the numbness generally receeds about 1 inch ever month, from the outside toward the center.
swsmss 19 Feb 2012
Glad you are doing better. I had mine done on wed the 15th, I have 2 drains in and my PS told me I could shower if I felt like it, so I have twice. I am just like you, i havent went potty #2 since the day before surgery. I drink alot of water or lemonade all day long, but I just cant eat, i get sick to my stomach. And I dont want to throw up, that will hurt. Keep us posted on how you are doing and I hope you have a fast recovery.
Sweetness7932 20 Feb 2012
Swsmss, get milk of magnesium. I went bm on day 5. It's was one of the hardest things I had to do during this recovery. At least the first 5 days I had like zero appetite. I ate pure soup and even then that was a struggle. I think that helped my bm situation. Lol I do hope u are getting better. We are one day apart from eachother how cool.
Bejewelme 20 Feb 2012
You are looking good man that has to be a great feeling to look down and see the flatness of your new tummy, sounds like you are better from it all, now keep drinking lots of water to help the potty and the swelling!
Sweetness7932 20 Feb 2012
Bejewelme, lol I have been a good girl in keeping up on my liquids. My body tells me ASAP when I'm getting dehydrated. I never had this issue before, I think its wierd. Your surgery is right around the corner and you will join the rest of us on the flat side. And yes it feels great to look down and no belly in the way. Just boobs now lol.
Bejewelme 20 Feb 2012
Oh I know I want my saggy boobs hacked so bad, they will be in the way of my flat tummy, LOL I just want it to be over now!
mintymom 20 Feb 2012
You look great! Hope your feeling good!
Bejewelme 21 Feb 2012
Hey hun, checking in on you today!! Hope you are starting to feel better!
Sweetness7932 21 Feb 2012
Hey Bejewelme, I'm doin great. Ive been off my meds for 3 days now. yay! I have noticed a little more swelling in my abdomin area. But I'm very mobile here now so I'm guessing its from that. I'm kinda going crazy just sitting around. My mind wants to get up and go but my body is like yea not happenning. Cant wait for it to be your turn. Its worth it girly.
Bejewelme 22 Feb 2012
I know I want to be there, I am sure the sitting is hard I cant even sit to watch a movie, I cant imagine days of sitting,ughghgh, but i am going to do it I want to get back to work quickly so I am going o behave and do as he says!
mommy73 23 Feb 2012
You look great! Isn't it weird how your stomach feels like it could fall off. I felt the same way. It gets better, not normal yet but better.
Sweetness7932 23 Feb 2012
Mommy73, did u feel like ur tummy got puffy on the bottem towards the pubic area. It was flat for me and now I notice it pouches out. Ps it was swelling. Just wondering if anyone is or has had that issue?
mommy73 23 Feb 2012
Right under my incision at top of pubic area was swollen & puffy feeling until about 2wksPO but now its gone & the 1st week-10 days right in the middle of scar right above it I have like 3 stretch marks that pooched out that really worried me but they assured me this was swelling & it's gone now so I guess it was.

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