Tummy Tuck: Stories

I've wanted this for past 2 yrs but more than ever after birth of my 8 month old son (baby #5) family & friends totally agaisnt it i finally set up appt and surgery cancelled due to high blood pressure now on pills to control from PCP and will try it again this time not discussing with many doing this for me can't worry about other opinions im nervous stressing and can't wait to get it over with!

6 more days & boy I'm about to lose my mind all kinds of thoughts I find myself constantly in the mirror this can be very stressful then my PCP dr trying to convince me not to do it I just want it over so many obstacles!

1 day po was in a lot of pain thinking what in the world did i do 2 myself glad its over ready to heal

Day 3 PO feeling a lot better still taking pain meds around the clock a little sore when I walk around able to sit straight up & almost stand all the way up heating pad is awesome for back pain I took a peak yesterday & I'm impressed with results my stretch marks less visible extra skin gone I'm excited & happier now I can now say the pain is worth it but I wouldn't do it a 2nd time I'm very independent so resting is kinda hard

PO day 3 feeling and looking great no pain today!

Couldn't get comfortable last night had a major crying spell much better today! 6 days PO.

POD 7 no pains so why can't I sleep I guess bcuz I'm sleeping throughout the day I'm lying on my sides now very easily swelling present not too bad drains still in not draining much hopefully removed tomorrow at dr appt walking completely straight hopefully can wean myself off meds soon binder causes itching can't wait to wear regular CG.

POD 8 home alone with my 8 month old is draining he's so busy got his leg stuck under treadmill i had to lift one side to free him not feeling pain or sore just praying i didn't ruin anything it's so hard to be on complete bed rest when you have other priorities shouldve taken him to sitter didn't think one day would be so tiring i love him though he keeps me busy :) going to dr shortly hopefully he'll remove drains im so ready for them to go im moving around really quick these few days if wasn't for drains u wouldn't no i had surgery 8 days ago feeling great the flat side with no extra skin or strech marks is awesome!

Been walking completely straight since POD 3 or 4.
POD 10 was a wonderful day for me went grocery shopping and to lunch with huby hadn't taken any meds since 2 a.m. trying to wean myself off got a lil tired in the grocery store but still wanted to try a big meal since surgery havent had an appetite or room for food it felt like while sitting at the table started to feel a lil discomfort took my demerol and was fine i find i feel better without my binder able to lie completely down getting up without help also no issues with sex which scared huby to death today was a good day :)!!!

POD 11 Feb 18, 2013 swelling has went some been eating pineapples as suggested by fellow tt. Feeling ok going to have 1 drain removed today can't wait til both are gone im told i should see an improvement at week 6 im patiently waiting for my final results. Can't wait to run i so miss training for 1/2 marathon and working out

POD 12 one drain removed POD 11 my dr showed me a pic of skin removed and it was and entire belly looks like gross! Was impressed all the stretch marks on that skin feeling ok today sides a lil sore from sleeping on them miss sleeping on my belly dr says i may not need to use silicone sheets so ill hold off on purchasing anything else until time comes i think im ready to return to work getting bored miss working out :( on to the next!

POD 14 feeling great returning to work 1 week early because I'm doing so well still sleeping in back sides & using recliner laid on stomach yesterday no problem just didn't want to pull stitches swelling still present eating pineapples & icepacks helps a lot. Last drain removed tomorrow.

POD 15 right last drain removed the nurse couldnt remove it at first and dr was in surgery she finally got it to come out and thank God cuz i didnt want to be put under local ant. just for this i feel much better with both drains out started feeling muscle spasms yesterday i think feels like a mixture of menstural cramps and water cramps nurse says no additional meds needed also said im healing very well quickly will be returning to work on monday can't wait sick of sitting at home

POD 18 1st day back at work not too bad. Sitting comfortably and standing straight doesn't seem like I had surgery. Miss my afternoon naps though :)

POD 19 second day at work not so bad I was tired by the end of the night last night went to bed really early will readjust soon but then again I have 5 kids so I had to cook, clean etc. before lying down finally removed steri tape and showered without it usually shower with it on i also added neosporin to belly button and one spot on tummy and around drain wounds dr said ok as long as not inside wound didn't mention bb so I hope it's fine it looks awesome Im loving the new me I look 18 by the belly :)!!! I hope this is not a midlife crisis lol! I think I want a belly piercing....stay tuned

Adding pod 19 picture still swollen

POD 21 finally 3 weeks never thought this time would arrive now can't wait til 6 weeks so I can workout again! I guess I'm experiencing swell hell the bottom portion of my belly is really swollen don't waste money on girdles because it makes it worse going back to my binder just can't depart from it :( don't think pineapples and bromelain working for me either sick of this.

POD 22 belly button & last tummy tuck stiches removed a little discomfort from bb all tape removed except for little piece covering front can use vitamin E oil now dr says everything looks well still seeing him weekly.

POD 23 having a little depression over scar tape removed a day ago so its in my face each bathroom break its not keloiding just getting darker I knew what to expect this is my trade off I still feel it was worth it wouldn't go back I guess it's one of those days

POD 24 I justed realized i perfer the recliner way more than the bed i get sore after laying on sides too long laying on back with pillows under knees doesn't last long went shopping today for more swimsuits etc planning cruise in may did a lot of walking didnt get tired think im almost ready to workout waiting on dr's release was tired and ready to lay down by time i got home swelling not too bad finally purchased arnica already had bromelain find that bio oil works better than vitamin e. Think dr will allow me to use maderma 4 weeks post op.

POD 28 four weeks later im still a little sore sleeping on sides slept in bed 2 nights in a row without switching to recliner it surely came in handy lost 3 lbs since surgery wasn't expecting a whole lot since ps only removed 2lbs of fat otherwise feeling great 2nd week at work fine doing way more than i probably should can't wait til i can say 1 year post op this will all be a memory :)

POD 30 feeling great you wouldn't know I had a tt if i didn't tell you woke up to a flat belly for the 1st time since surgery was so happy! Able to lay flat on back without pillows supporting my legs and on belly with no pain. Im so ready to workout patiently waiting. Drain sites are all healed and so is incision bb looks great also i had an outtie b4 surgery wanted an inny but its ok loving my new belly no regrets!!

POD 31 woke up 2 days in a row to a flat belly just praying that swell hell stays away! Feeling great sleeping fine now haven't slept in recliner in almost a week think i'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel :)

4 1/2 weeks post op appt today with ps no more tapes needed although I notice wearing them this long has made the scar lay really flat. I may continue to wear them based on suggestions from doctors on this site I no longer have to wear my cg but I will until I feel comfortable I'm used to it now ps says I must wait 3 more weeks before running but I can start walking 1 mile a day and work myself up still disappointed in the ugly square left around my bb that surgical tape left very upset spent all this money for this imperfection to be left from freaking surgical tape!!! They really should advise patients and give them a choice on using it or not I've seen others just use a cotton ball very pissed it's getting darker! PS suggested $75 bleaching cream that could take months to fade!!!! I also asked about skin grafting to behind and ps suggested squats and lunges no fat to take from other parts why didn't I think of this during tt sugery on top of this hasn't had any sleep up all night with 9 month old who has a stomach virus get to work late then receive a call from daughter's school she's catching the virus today is not a good day!!!!! :(

post op week five using hydroquinone on tape burn that formed around bb starting to lighten up already be careful on the surgical tapes/bandages used ladies not to cause you this issue totally unexpected! Dr gave me cream for free. I really appreciated his concern and listening. He's been the best thus far!

So I'm still swollen I thought from eating sushi last friday but beginning to think it may be swell hell it's still here (monday) 5 weeks 4 days po pubic area really swollen as well. I see new stretch marks starting to form also. Drinking lots of water, icing etc. Went down a little but still here!

I'll be 6 weeks post op tomorrow and ive been going through hell the last few days with swelling along with flu like symptoms it still hurts to cough and im coughing a whole lot so my muscles are very sore i was very happy in the beginning this swelling is ridiculous im staying away from salt wonder if cough meds have sodium i want to get off this freaking emotional roller coaster!!!

post op 6 weeks been using hydroquinone cream for 2 weeks and already see an improvement in the dark tape burn that was around the belly button area

6 weeks post op finally slept without binder woke up a little swollen when I'm normally flat every morning so I won't do that again I find I need the support. Wore cg to work today and last friday, no problem with swelling. Trying to only wear binder at night. Gots to wean myself off heard it could intefere with healing if worn after 6-8 weeks and I don't want any issues! Doctor said i didn't need it after 5 weeks so I have to listen.

Went to the doctor today didn't have an appt. was supposed to return in 1 week that's one thing I like about my doctor's office if you call with an issue they see you the same day but anyways after reading another person issue with their belly button I noticed I'm having same issue it's really red and look like small blisters which I was told it's normal still healing continue to use neosporin and clean 3 times per day he also gave me an antibiotic also gave me shots on areas of incision says the skin was hard in some areas. I didn't even notice it. Not too much pain as area is still numb. Will be glad when I can say I'm 1 year post op! Other than this everything else going nicely. Oh he says I can wear my binder as long as I can tolerate it so not throwing it out just yet! :) I guess different doctors feel differently.

7 weeks post op and I'm feeling good swell hell is hopefully a thing of the past I still swell though not that bad I've been working out (no abs yet til 12 weeks or running) but doing everything else and I feel like my normal self again. I can't wear any of my old pants but scared to go shopping for fear of gaining the weight back I hear all the time you are getting skinny and I just nod and smile if this is skinny I like it! :) I could just kiss my doctor but my huby may object! :)

So I went to a sports bar on friday today is monday and I'm still swollen had salted fries, fried shrimp and margaritas. I had fun but I honestly think it's not worth all this swelling and discomfort I've also been feeling pulling/pain around bb area the swelling is causing this. I will not be having this type of fun for a while it's not worth it ladies! I look 3 months preggo!!! Please don't do this if you have to go somewhere the next day.

Ran 3.63 miles almost 8 weeks post op felt great can't wait til I can start my abs workout at 12 weeks post op. I won't be satisfied until I get that 6 pack!!!

Haven't posted any pics from 7-8 weeks bcuz I feel I look the same purchased the golds gym waist trimmer belt from walmart $5 wearing it during workouts it sheds water weight helps with swelling ive lost 6 lbs since surgery doesn't seem like alot but I cant wear any of my old clothes size 7/8 now using olive oil on my scar along with coco butter bio oil vitamin e oil & maderma so something alt to work fade cream worked well for discoloration not too happy with bb will discuss scaring with ps next week maybe I can get kenelog shots still dont have figure 8 shape I want but will continue diet & exercise.

8 1/2 weeks post op feeling great can't work on abs yet (12 weeks) so I'm focusing on arms and legs I think my arms are coming along nicely!

So i didn't post any pics at 8 weeks becuz I didn't notice a difference but I do notice a difference at 9 weeks my abs are becoming more defined I've been working out since 5 weeks but not my abs cant wait til I can at 12 weeks feeling great no regrets!

I'll be 10 weeks post op this thursday and my doctor says I can now run on the treadmill but wait til 12 weeks for outside (I've already cheated :) went to appt today and was told to start using silicone sheets to flatten scar more it doesn't appear raised to me also given more kenalog injections in scar area to help with this also in lipo area he says everything looks well still wants me to wait 12 weeks before I start abs workouts suggested fade cream to change scar color. Doctor visits are now 1 month apart. I'm so glad everything turned out well and finally starting to enjoy my new belly. Less swelling in the mornings I'm still sleeping in my binder and wearing cg during the day. Tried yoga this past weekend and kick class and felt fine. Ate chinese food on saturday and didn't swell hooray! I'm starting to see the light! :) Hang in there tt sisters!

Post op 10 weeks today no real difference I'm waking up flat if I don't eat foods high in salt the night before didn't take bromelain today I was taking them as a precaution trying to wean myself off all the pills still taking vitamin c & e twice daily and will do so for 1 year since it takes that long to heal. Just started using silicone sheets a few days ago and I can see a difference already it really does make the scar lay flat the color appears to be changing as well. I'm really happy with my decision to have a tt would recommend it to anyone not happy with their belly. Do it for you! My ps said "you can't get a waist any smaller than this" and this I must agree with I love it!

So I'll be 11 weeks this thursday and I've been working abs (supposed to wait 1 more week) and doing all the things (running, gym, zumba, yoga etc.) I did before the surgery and I feel fine. No soreness in abs even when I do planks I love it! Still wearing my binder at night and still using silicone strips for scar which is really causing it to lay flatter and darken up (which I wanted).

So I'll be 12 weeks this Thursday and my daughter told me yesterday morning "Mom you have a six pack" yall just don't know she has filled my head all the way up! lol I'm working on it! Just posted pics of silicone sheets they appear to be working really well. I'm so exicted I'm already planning my Fabulous & 40 birthday party this year! :)

I'm 14 weeks no changes for the most part I wake up flat and go to bed flat unless I just really eat something high in sodium. They say you'll see your results 12 weeks to 1 year not true i saw my results day #2 and it has pretty much been the same less the swelling. The only thing that's changing now is the six packs I'm trying hard to obtain. Feeling great no pains coughing sneezing etc. it's like I never had anything done until you see the scar which is very thin and doesn't bother me. I'm still using the silicone sheets and vitamin E oil daily. Hopefully it will continue to fade if not tramp stamp tattoo I will be getting all the way around! :)

These are my before pictures the day of surgery. My camera didn't show all of this. Many said I look good before I beg to differ pictures do not lie! I'm in love with my new body! :) Thank you Dr. Colgrove!!!

Just purchased scar zone spray silicone and Palmer's oil therapy for my scar at 14 weeks trying so many products to make it less visible no issues or problems still sleeping in binder.