POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS
Mummy of 4... Finally Tucked!!! *2 month update with NEW PICS... Hello bikini!*
ORIGINAL POST
Hello! I'm a 30 year old mum to 4 little girls...
WORTH IT$150
Hello! I'm a 30 year old mum to 4 little girls aged 7, 6, 3 & 9 months.
I was always slim & healthy before I had kids. But I got the shock of my life after I gave birth to my eldest, almost 8 years ago. I gained an enormous 24kg (53lb) during my pregnancy & ended up COVERED with stretch marks, with separated abdominal muscles & a saggy "apron". I decided back then that I would look into abdominoplasty once I'd finished having babies.
My second daughter arrived 19 months after my first. After she was born I worked my butt off & was the thinnest I'd ever been - an Australian size 8, which is healthy for my petite 159cm (5ft 2 1/2) frame. But despite being so thin, my belly homestly looked like a flopped souffle.
Unfortunately, the weight piled back on during my third pregnancy. After my daughter was born, I got a referral to se Dr Julie Lawrence. I was completely overwhelmed when she told me that due to the amount of excess skin I had & the damage to my ab's, I was eligible to have a TT with muscle repair for NO out of pocket expense as a public patient!!!!! The wait was around a year, which I was happy with, because I wanted to lose more weight.
Fast forward 11 months & I get "the call" to book my pre-surgery consult, except... I'm pregnant AGAIN, hahaha!
So I had my beautiful (& very planned) last baby & was devastated: I was the most overweight I'd ever been... 28.8kg (63 1/2 lb) more than I was after my second baby. When she was 6 months old though, somethjng just clicked & I felt ready to look & feel like me again. So I joined Weight Watchers online & started doing zumba, high impact group personal training & running.
I called my surgeon's office not long after & was shocked & excited to find out I didn't need to wait another year for surgery & I could book in whenever I was ready!!! I made my appointment for February 27th 2014 & my surgery will be around 8 weeks after that. I wanted to allow enough time for me to breastfeed my baby until she's 12 months or so & her birthday is March 27th, so I'm hoping it all works out well :)
So here I am, with 2 months until my pre-op consult. So far I've lost 14.1kg (31lb) in 13 weeks & I'm feeling incredible! I can't believe that in 4-ish months I'll have the flat tummy I've been dreaming of for 8 years!
** I'll add some pics soon of my weight loss progress & also me at my goal weight - I can't do it from my phone :-/ **
I was always slim & healthy before I had kids. But I got the shock of my life after I gave birth to my eldest, almost 8 years ago. I gained an enormous 24kg (53lb) during my pregnancy & ended up COVERED with stretch marks, with separated abdominal muscles & a saggy "apron". I decided back then that I would look into abdominoplasty once I'd finished having babies.
My second daughter arrived 19 months after my first. After she was born I worked my butt off & was the thinnest I'd ever been - an Australian size 8, which is healthy for my petite 159cm (5ft 2 1/2) frame. But despite being so thin, my belly homestly looked like a flopped souffle.
Unfortunately, the weight piled back on during my third pregnancy. After my daughter was born, I got a referral to se Dr Julie Lawrence. I was completely overwhelmed when she told me that due to the amount of excess skin I had & the damage to my ab's, I was eligible to have a TT with muscle repair for NO out of pocket expense as a public patient!!!!! The wait was around a year, which I was happy with, because I wanted to lose more weight.
Fast forward 11 months & I get "the call" to book my pre-surgery consult, except... I'm pregnant AGAIN, hahaha!
So I had my beautiful (& very planned) last baby & was devastated: I was the most overweight I'd ever been... 28.8kg (63 1/2 lb) more than I was after my second baby. When she was 6 months old though, somethjng just clicked & I felt ready to look & feel like me again. So I joined Weight Watchers online & started doing zumba, high impact group personal training & running.
I called my surgeon's office not long after & was shocked & excited to find out I didn't need to wait another year for surgery & I could book in whenever I was ready!!! I made my appointment for February 27th 2014 & my surgery will be around 8 weeks after that. I wanted to allow enough time for me to breastfeed my baby until she's 12 months or so & her birthday is March 27th, so I'm hoping it all works out well :)
So here I am, with 2 months until my pre-op consult. So far I've lost 14.1kg (31lb) in 13 weeks & I'm feeling incredible! I can't believe that in 4-ish months I'll have the flat tummy I've been dreaming of for 8 years!
** I'll add some pics soon of my weight loss progress & also me at my goal weight - I can't do it from my phone :-/ **
MumOf4Princesses's provider
UPDATED FROM MumOf4Princesses
5 months pre
Photos added... Shrinking, shrinking, shrinking!
I thought I'd add some progress pics of my weight loss & also of me at my goal weight.
I'm actually another 4.2kg (9 1/4 lb) lighter now, so I'll try and get a more recent one soon. I was sucking in so much (don't we all!) Once I'm closer to my surgery, I'll share a photo of what my jelly-belly looks like under my clothes. Oh also, I don't usually wear a headband & legwarmers... it was an 80s theme night at Zumba, hahaha!
I was going to hide my face, but I'm too lazy to edit the pics, lol, so this is me!
My surgeon would happily operate at my weight now, but I want to be at my goal weight, or as close as possible, to get the best results. She agreed that the less body fat I have, the more loose skin she'd be able to remove
One more random thing - I caught my 6 year old skipping & singing a little tune the other day, she was so proud of herself:
"Pizza dough, pizza dough
My mummy's belly is like pizza dough.
Squish the dough & bake the bread,
Mummy's belly is pizza dough."
"Did you hear my song mummy? Its because your belly feels just like dough!"
NOT FOR LONG!!!!!!!
I'm actually another 4.2kg (9 1/4 lb) lighter now, so I'll try and get a more recent one soon. I was sucking in so much (don't we all!) Once I'm closer to my surgery, I'll share a photo of what my jelly-belly looks like under my clothes. Oh also, I don't usually wear a headband & legwarmers... it was an 80s theme night at Zumba, hahaha!
I was going to hide my face, but I'm too lazy to edit the pics, lol, so this is me!
My surgeon would happily operate at my weight now, but I want to be at my goal weight, or as close as possible, to get the best results. She agreed that the less body fat I have, the more loose skin she'd be able to remove
One more random thing - I caught my 6 year old skipping & singing a little tune the other day, she was so proud of herself:
"Pizza dough, pizza dough
My mummy's belly is like pizza dough.
Squish the dough & bake the bread,
Mummy's belly is pizza dough."
"Did you hear my song mummy? Its because your belly feels just like dough!"
NOT FOR LONG!!!!!!!
Replies (14)
January 2, 2014
i'm post op 2 1/2 weeks, she was my surgeon, very happy with the results so far! first week is hell, after that you'll be thrilled! she has a great reputation and knows what she is doing, i was in theatre and out out of recovery in my room after 2 hours, and her nurses are lovely.
January 2, 2014
That's so good to hear! She definitely has a brilliant reputation.
My friend was really happy with her too.
January 2, 2014
Also, where did you have your op done? I'll be south, at noarlunga hospital
January 2, 2014
Oh wow, my Aunty and Uncle live in Morphett Vale which isn't that far from Noarlunga!
January 2, 2014
yes that is where i had mine, noaralunga, i'm originally from melb, its a gorgeous hospital, like a country hospital but it has everything, i had a private room which was lovely although first couple of days all shame is lost anyway, i had my bum hanging out of my hospital gown but could not have cared less, carrying my drips and drains to the toilet left little room for watching my backside thank goodness for others sake i had a private room! so soon after i'm still swollen and far from the end result, but i can't wait for next summer, i'm going to the beach for the first time in 10 years, my confidence is already so much better, i should have done this when i was 20 and not wasted so many years of my life... the pain is very tolerable, i took pain meds for the first 8 days, then i did not need them, i was doing the hans heysen artist cedars walk at 13 days (very slowly) now im walking everywhere carefully (tripping is my biggest fear) the swelling (if you have had children i'm sure you are more familiar with this than me) is much worse than any pain i experienced, but i had a heatwave right after which didnt help, you just get a little over it more than anything and frustrated you can't do everything right away, but the improvement you make everyday is phenomenal, make sure you are occupied so you don't get down, and you have a good support network which it sounds like you have! good luck and congratulations! my friends' boyfriend has also worked with her as a medical student/surgeon and has nothing but respect for her work and he was very happy i got her. She is one of the best and teaches everyone else how to do it in the state.
January 2, 2014
oh and i cant recommend the spanx ultra super controlling underwear enough! it helps support your back, i had a little back pain from being hunched for a for a week, and if you are a sewer i recommend adding some press studs to the crotch as they are hell to take on and off over your incisions constantly to go to the toilet.
January 2, 2014
Thanks so much! My daughter & husband have both had surgeries at Noarlunga, its a nice little hospital.
I doubt I'll have a chance to get too bored... my house is very busy, but I'm worried about feeling frustrated at not being able to be super-mum while I'm recovering. I'm glad I'll have my husband home, plus my mum is a post-surgical nurse & lives around the corner.
It sounds like you're recovering really well. Did you have muscle repair too?
Thanks for the tip about the Spanx... its on my list of questions to ask Dr Lawrence when I see her for my appointment next month (NEXT month!!!!) My GP spoke really highly of her when he referred me as well, I haven't heard any negative things about her or her work.
January 3, 2014
i believe i just had fat removal and skin around 1.5 kgs, yes you should have every faith in her! unfortunately you can't be super mum for the first couple of weeks, you'll have to let your husband, mother and daughter help you out, you deserve it after years of caring for them! you really don't want to push yourself the first couple of weeks, you need to rest to let your body heal, i really believe that in combination with a healthy balanced food intake, (lots of protein, fresh fruit & vegs, and lots of fibre, eat as much as you can, no time to diet or watch your intake while healing) and my zinc and vitamin c supplements, and gently doing what i could to get circulation going and prevent back pain by very slowly walking around, and possibly my age (28) where big contributers to my fast healing, (and spanx for swelling! there are a couple of habits i have that are also very unhealthy, i'm vegetarian and can easily get my diet very unbalanced and become aenemic, so i was very conscious i was eating all my food groups, i gave up cigarettes and alcohol, but did smoke pure cannabis, and a lot of mochas which i'm sure did not help, barring pain relief, and sleeping, i do not recommend this, i am an idiot) your body needs to reserve itself for healing and you don't want to jeopardise anything, you will be back on your feet before you know it, its such a small time to sacrifice for something that with proper precautions should last you your lifetime! i'm dying to start weight training and pole fitness again, but i know it's not smart for quite some time yet, i wouldn't feel comfortable doing it quite yet. you will know when you are ready to do certain things but don't push it, especialy if you are getting your abdominal wall tightened
January 3, 2014
Thanks for your wisdom! Wow, 1.5 just of skin & fat, it must have made a huge difference.
I'm completely prepared to be totally out of action for a while. I've been waitiń for this for so long, so I want to gue my body the best chance ever to recover. I'm overall pretty healthy, but I'll look into taking some extra supplements too.
I'm going to miss working out so much though!
January 2, 2014
Hahahaha, love the pizza dough song! That sounds like what one of my kids would do.
My four year old drew a picture of our family at playgroup last year and my tummy was very 'big and round' in the picture. My mother who was with him at the time decided it was not a picture that I'd like to see!
January 2, 2014
Haha, that's so funny!
She was so proud of herself too. Kids are hilarious, my life is never boring!
UPDATED FROM MumOf4Princesses
5 months pre
Change Dr Details?
Hey girls. Thanks so much for your encouragement so far :)
Quick question: do you know if I can change my Dr details? I'm not too concerned if I can't, but there's another review on here that links to her actual profile "Julie Lawrence, FRACS" So I thought it would be nice to have her details listed correctly on mine.
7 1/2 weeks until my pre-op appointment, where I'll book my date, YAY! I'm starting to write a list of questions to ask.
Also (I totally forgot to write it initially,) I'm also possibly having a breast lift with Dr Lawrence too! I enquired at the end of my last appointment & she gave me the info & said we'd discuss it at my pre-op. I was a 12DD prior to having kids & ended up an enormous 12G when I was pregs/breastfeeding, I'm probably a deflated 12DD/E now & I'm still feeding, so I'll go down a whole lot more once I wean my bubba in a couple of months. She mentioned a BR as well as a lift, but I'm so deflated after losing weight & breastfeeding 4 kids for close to a year each, that I don't think I'd have much left to reduce once I stop BF, bahaha! I still have a decent sized bust, but not a decent amount of volume anymore (just a decent amount of SKIN!) ;)
She said that I could actually get a lift under the public healthcare system too, providing that I met a few criteria... the age of my kids (can't remember when the cut off was) & whether my nipples had sagged lower than the fold line under my boobies (um, unfortunately yes). I'm not getting my hopes up though. It would be incredible to have the full mummy makeover, but I'll just be so thankful to finally have my tummy back, after 8 years of waiting!
Quick question: do you know if I can change my Dr details? I'm not too concerned if I can't, but there's another review on here that links to her actual profile "Julie Lawrence, FRACS" So I thought it would be nice to have her details listed correctly on mine.
7 1/2 weeks until my pre-op appointment, where I'll book my date, YAY! I'm starting to write a list of questions to ask.
Also (I totally forgot to write it initially,) I'm also possibly having a breast lift with Dr Lawrence too! I enquired at the end of my last appointment & she gave me the info & said we'd discuss it at my pre-op. I was a 12DD prior to having kids & ended up an enormous 12G when I was pregs/breastfeeding, I'm probably a deflated 12DD/E now & I'm still feeding, so I'll go down a whole lot more once I wean my bubba in a couple of months. She mentioned a BR as well as a lift, but I'm so deflated after losing weight & breastfeeding 4 kids for close to a year each, that I don't think I'd have much left to reduce once I stop BF, bahaha! I still have a decent sized bust, but not a decent amount of volume anymore (just a decent amount of SKIN!) ;)
She said that I could actually get a lift under the public healthcare system too, providing that I met a few criteria... the age of my kids (can't remember when the cut off was) & whether my nipples had sagged lower than the fold line under my boobies (um, unfortunately yes). I'm not getting my hopes up though. It would be incredible to have the full mummy makeover, but I'll just be so thankful to finally have my tummy back, after 8 years of waiting!
Replies (8)