“Full TT with muscle repair NOW with BEFORE pic at 214”

5 2.5"
Now 137 - highest around 215
goal for surgery 130

I've lost 80 plus pounds on my own and decided to be a figure competitor! I competed once with the bad belly at 131 not so cute. But I was proud to go up there. Now I am doing this! Will post more and add pictures later on tonight.

Updated on 13 Jun 2011:
Ok pictures posted. I hope I can find someone with a similar before so I can get an idea of what the after will be!

Updated on 14 Jun 2011:
22 days! I look at other ladies with flat stomachs and can't believe that will be me soon. Even sitting! I don't even know what that will be like!

Updated on 15 Jun 2011:
Just paid for surgery! AHHHH

Updated on 21 Jun 2011:
Okay eating is a bit better today for sure. Getting there. I have 15 days now!!Not counting day of surgery. I don't want to go in bloated and chub!!

I just bought Bio-Oil for scars after. Read great reviews on it.

Updated on 24 Jun 2011:
So not counting today or day of surgery 11 days! LOL

Going hard core on the diet. I've been dieting on and off my entire life I can certainly do this hard core for 11 days. I will feel much better if I drop 5 lbs!

Updated on 25 Jun 2011:
Ok dieting better not 100% but better... I can't believe it's around the corner!

Updated on 27 Jun 2011:
9 days out from Surgery. I still can't stop obsessing on this forum. I guess it can't be helped it's such a life changing surgery you want to see how others are doing!

It will be really hard for me to stay away from the gym for so long (weights) but worth it. I'm also getting a scar revision on my breast lift I had over a year ago. He said he can make it thinner and since he isn't charging me since I'll already be under, I figured hey why not! It's kinda like getting another small lift. He will cut the entire scar off and restitch.

Woo-hoo to 9 days!!!

Updated on 29 Jun 2011:
Hot damn! Next week at this time I hope to be in surgery. I am waiting to hear from the scheduling team to know what time my surgery is. I hope to hear today! This is all so surreal!

Updated on 30 Jun 2011:
ahhh today was my last day at the gym until approved from dr! I wake up at 3:45 am to go so I need to get some much needed sleep before sugery. I just can't believe it's happening in less than a week! Boo-ya!

Updated on 1 Jul 2011:
And this is that last friday I will have a water bed belly!! yeah!!

Updated on 1 Jul 2011:
I added a few more close up pictures from tonight. UGH!!!

Updated on 5 Jul 2011:
OMG! Just got my time. I need to be there at 8:45 tomorrow AM!!!

Updated on 7 Jul 2011:
Day after surgery, surprised how uncomfortable I am. Funny I read everyone's responses post surgery and now I understand the regret! I have hang in there but it's a lot of pain for sure.

Updated on 8 Jul 2011:
Boy did i underestimate this recovery...will write more when more coherent :((

Updated on 9 Jul 2011:
3dpo, yesterday was brutal, a lot worse than I imagined. I'm still a bit drugged so excuse typos etc...my lower back is oiling me from laying around and trying to walk. Boy do i hope this is worth it in then end. My drain keeps getting clogged so I have to milk it often, total pain! I have some 3dpo pics I'll post soon.

Updated on 11 Jul 2011:
Day 5 post op, very swollen and super hard to tell what's going on. I do know the scar is very low and clean and it was long enough to even give me a thigh lift. Which is great... After reading a lot of reviews it seems day 8 and on is when you really turn the corner and start to feel better. Hoping that's the case for me too!

Updated on 13 Jul 2011:
7 days post op...

wow, talk about ups and downs. I experienced everything that was discussed here from elation to depression. I decided to go off all pain meds today because I wasn't able to think clearly and I really don't like having such a lack of control.

I had my first post op yesterday, Dr. T is very pleased with how I am healing and if I can get my draining down a little more in the next day I can have it removed. That thing is such a pain for sure. I did a lot yesterday, went out to dinner, walked around Target, I swear it was exhausting but nice to get out, I was starting to go a little crazy.

Posting 6dpo pics. I seem to really stay swollen so I am like a balloon but hope it's not like this for 6 months. I literally will have no clothing! ugh

Updated on 14 Jul 2011:
I think I overdid it the past two days, Really swollen and feeling pretty bad. I need to stay away from all salt no excuses. By the end of the day I feel like I'm about to explode. I bet I'm holding 10 lbs of water easy! Posting a few pics 8 days post op...

Updated on 14 Jul 2011:
Depression won today, I spent most of the day crying and feeling ridiculous for doing this to myself. Ruining my summer, spending the days alone watching horrible tv with horrible back pain. I feel so stupid and shallow, all this money and pain for what will I be happier? Or will I just find something else I hate about myself to pick apart.

sorry, just really on the downswing today.

Updated on 15 Jul 2011:
Thank you everyone foer the encouraging words. Imwound up having a fever all day ending with major bathroom troubles lol. Called my surgeon, he predicted mild colitis. Getting new med today also. I think once the drain is out and I can shower, wear a binder that doesn't ride up every 6 seconds I'll be in better spirits.

Funny I've had foot surgery, gallbladder out, cervical fusion (neck) and lower back surgery and full lift so I'm no stranger to this. For some reason this surgery I really underestimated.plus I was pretty much alone all day from day 2, my boyfriend spends every night with me but he doesn't have the kind of job to take off easily. But still doing most on my own likely didn't help.

Wish me luck today! Bye bye drain.

Updated on 16 Jul 2011:
Yesterday was a good day.

Drain is out, showered like a real person and wearing spanx. I was exhausted bymhe end of the day but feel way more human again. That binder and drain and lack of showering was really keeping my spirits down.

One thing I hate about the swelling is that I now appear so damn wide. I know it will eventually go down but my clothes fit awful. I realize I'm not even two weeks post op yet but I'm impatient! I don't want to look wide... Blah

Updated on 17 Jul 2011:
11 days now, feeling better and better. I'm not a fan of the swelling of course and not standing up totally straight is annoying. I do get nervous that the swelling will go away and I will still feel wide.

Updated on 18 Jul 2011:
12 dpo
doing well but having trouble with back pain and taking in deep breaths. I have been sleeping in the bed pretty flat, I wonder if this is the culprit.

added some pics in clothes.

Updated on 19 Jul 2011:
Two weeks post op
The only bothersome things are the tightness of the binder and breathing and not standing up straight, really the combo of both makes your back hurt a lot.at least for me it does.

I can't wait to get back to the gym,also wondering how long I'll have to wear this binder 24/7.

Updated on 21 Jul 2011:
15 dpo
biggest complaint is not standing straight and lack of sleep. I hate sleeping on my back and it's impossible to get comfortable. While it's annoying to wear a binder 24/7 it's not the worst part of this at this point.

Posting new pics and one of scar revision. You can barely tell in a swimsuit even so new. I swear I feel so puffy makes me nervous I hope it's a lot of swelling still currently weigh around 133.

Updated on 22 Jul 2011:
16 dpo
Still fighting a bit of the blues, I can't seem to shake it, very upsetting, I want to shake it off and be happy.

Had a follow up appointment today, at 3 weeks I'm allowed to start with the treadmill again, then slowly move back into doing weights again. I should be happy UGH!

Updated on 25 Jul 2011:
19 dpo

Still a lot of swelling but tomorrow I return to the office. I am happy to say all my normal work clothes fit me as is so I don't have to buy new clothes. I am looking forward to being able to return to the gym in a few weeks. It's made me a little nutty not to.

I went binder free for 5 hours on Saturday and while i was swollen I wanted to sit by the pool for a bit. Updated pic

Updated on 25 Jul 2011:
uploading a picture of the spanx that I love.

Updated on 26 Jul 2011:
20 dpo
first day back at work full time. Hope this goes ok!

Updated on 27 Jul 2011:
3 weeks post op
Time has really flown by, Day 2 working in the office and I know that by the time I get home I'll be super swollen and tired. So I'm more prepared for that now. I have to say I hate how my body looks. Not standing up totally straight and not going to the gym is making everything look horrible. It's putting me in an awful mood when I look in the mirror. I am starting cardio at 4 weeks post op and light weights at 6 weeks but it just doesn't seem soon enough. And I hate this dang swelling! UGH!!

Updated on 28 Jul 2011:
Wearing a new binder... it's to tight my legs are swelling up. UGH I can't win!

Updated on 29 Jul 2011:
I may be defiant and not wear the binder all the time. Hating it so much... all of them. I have several and they all suck after a while. Posted a pic that is 3 weeks 2 days PO.

Updated on 30 Jul 2011:
So I have a new binder that is way too tight and I've noticed that my legs start to swell, calves/feet by the end of the day. I take the binder off more too. Plus it's over 100 here in MD and eating too much salt. It just freaks me out. The only variable change is the new binder. It's so tight that is leaves bright red indentations on my skin and it lasts for hours even after I take it off. So that is being tossed for sure. Haven't put it on today but do feel some tightness in legs and feet. UGH... all I do is worry about things.

Updated on 1 Aug 2011:
Well Wednesday is 4 weeks. Which means I can start cardio and in 2 more weeks start back with some weight. Way light than I am use to but I don't care.

I am standing straight to the normal eye but I still can't hold my shoulders totally back like my normal posture. I'm a little hunchy.

But I can say I finally feel almost like normal. The sleeping is still a problem and the posture. I can handle the swelling now. While I don't like it I am adjusting to it. Not a fan of looking puffy but I just need patience. My scar rules though! Posting more pics and will start scar treatment this week.

Updated on 2 Aug 2011:
I have to wonder if some people have a tendency to swell more than others. All I feel and see is bloat and swelling, my hips look distorted like the scar is a rubber band around them and I am puffy above and below. I just look at some people 4 weeks post op and think they look so much better than me!

Updated on 3 Aug 2011:
4 weeks post op

weigh in 135 ( been eating terrible )
25 minutes on the treadmill this AM, all I could handle, felt like I was swelling. But better than nothing.

Still swollen, very swollen but I guess its both early and some people swell more than others, so I'll deal. Getting back to a more normal life.

Updated on 5 Aug 2011:
I tried to lay on my stomach last night, laying flat is not an option yet, I felt like I was being ripped in half!

Updated on 8 Aug 2011:
Almost 5 weeks post op (2 days shy)
So all of a sudden I feel almost normal again. I still have swelling and no way can I lay on my stomach but getting SO much better. It's amazing what a week can do!

Few more pics posted.

Updated on 10 Aug 2011:
5 weeks post op

able to do an hour of cardio in the AM, wearing a light spanx like binder during the day and only sometimes at night. Standing almost 100% good posture still a bit tight. I can not sleep on stomach but I do sleep on my sides. Really amazing what a few weeks can do. Just a few weeks ago I was miserable!

Updated on 12 Aug 2011:
adding a full body with face pic, this is pre tummy tuck. I am a master of sucking it in! LOL

Updated on 15 Aug 2011:
Ok almost 6 weeks post op now and back to the gym. Still some things that I have to do a lot of pulling are a problem but ok with pretty much all cardio and other machines. Looking forward to squatting and deadlifts again. Its amazing how you now notice all the flaws on the rest of your body! Can't say I really like that.

Working on losing about 10 lbs now to see how things look!

Oh still can't sleep on stomach which sucks.

Updated on 16 Aug 2011:
Today is one of my worst swelling days I've had in a while. I contribute it to my pre-workout supplement I take at 4AM and it has creatine in it which well none to add several lbs of water weight. Not happy about this at all, I'll be going off this until I can say I have no more swelling!

My pants are making marks on me today really bad. Sitting at work all day is also the worst on my stomach. Weekends never as bad!

Updated on 18 Aug 2011:
6 weeks 1 day PO

Having a lot of swelling this week. I always swell a lot when I sit at work all day and this week it's been gym every morning too, plus a supplement that makes me retain water for a few days in a row. I hate it! My pants are super tight and I feel horrible again. Ugh!! Go away swell hell.

Updated on 19 Aug 2011:
Ok you guys are right, cutting way back on the gym time and allowing myself to just heal! I posted a pic of myself today in clothes.

Updated on 24 Aug 2011:
7 weeks post op. I slept on my stomach for a bit last night which is pretty awesome. I'm up a few lbs nothing major but I'm not happy about that. Just started working out a little more lately and next week I plan to push a little harder. I'm still wearing my binder during the day, it makes me feel safer with it on. Few new pics uploaded.

Updated on 31 Aug 2011:
8 weeks post op today

Went on vacation and ate a lot so no pics right now. I have to say I still have a lot of swelling and tightness at night. Specifically around the belly button and lower, it's annoying and wish it would just settle down. I guess patience is something I need more of.

Updated on 15 Sep 2011:
10 weeks post op

I had a bit of a weight gain around 5/6 lbs, I did it to myself no excuses but I'm still mad. It went right to my hip area which causes a side muffin top again. UGH!! Now tracking food and going to take it off. That being said, My stomach does still feel tight but I feel most of the swelling is gone now. What I have it what I have. I am attaching a side view from the gym today. My hips are shoved in those pants! LOL

Updated on 27 Sep 2011:
I'm fat.

I've been in a bad place and gained 5-7 lbs, It went to my sides and I have a muffin top. In turn I eat more due to be depressed about this. My pants are tight and I feel horrible...

:(((

Updated on 28 Sep 2011:
Well I am up about 10 lbs from surgery. I faced it... The worst part it's all fat for sure. I had skin removed so now it's ALL fat. Yes I can lose it but I need to sulk for a minute.

I'm a stress eater, I realized that the results of my surgery, swelling the binder the tight pants stressed me the heck out. So I ate and started gaining making it all much worse. What's swelling what's fat. 95% fat now. I think most of my swelling is gone honestly. I've learned that I really underestimated how emotional this surgery really is. You expect to look better right away. You don't, sure skin is gone and it's somewhat better but you have swelling and start to notice other things wrong that the skin was hiding before. Taking this minute by minute and dealing with the mirror and the scale. I hope at 13 weeks PO I can report I've pulled it together and not sitting around feeling like sh*t.

Updated on 27 Oct 2011:
18 weeks post op

I am finally getting my eating under control, I wound up less than 10 lbs up from surgery so I am now really working on getting it off. No more complaining and moaning about it. I actually met someone who gained 80 lbs post tummy tuck! Yes 80 and lost it all and shocked to say she had NO skin issues. Now I am not recommending this LOL but It made me feel better about the 10!

At 18 weeks I do have some swelling at night, specifically due to what I am eating as well. I am going on a vacation in 10 weeks and I plan to shed this 10 and wear a 2 piece! I'll post more pics as soon as I am down a few more lbs. Still worth it ladies!

Updated on 15 Dec 2011:
So I am finally on track to lose the few lbs I gained. I am competing in a few bodybuilding shows next yr so I need to get moving... 20 too go. I am happy with my decision, it was hard, harder emotionally and physically than I imagined but worth it. My scar is awesome, low and straight and no complications, I am very lucky.

Updated on 7 Jan 2012:
Here are some new pics... Just got back from a cruise, very happy with my results so far.

Updated on 18 Jan 2012:
I don't swell anymore for sure. I am very happy with my decision so for anyone nervous it is worth it in the end, Just choose a trusted surgeon this is not something you want to bargain shop for!

Updated on 20 Apr 2012:
In the process of getting a rib cage tattoo so I'm posting a pic!