Tummy Tuck: Stories

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Getting Excited and Nervous - Birmingham, MI

  • posted 5 months ago
  • updated 1 month ago
  • PO
  • So gross!
  • Leaving the hospital
  • Laying down Post Op day 3
  • Ignore the huge breasts that clearly need a reduction
  • Po day 5
  • PO day 13
  • The pink shirt from PO fitting much better
  • 6 weeks PO
  • Belly button at 3 months.

I am a 38 year old mom of 3. Ages 8,9 and 16. I...

  • 15 Jan 2013
  • 2 days pre

I am a 38 year old mom of 3. Ages 8,9 and 16. I have never had a flat tummy even at my smallest I always had a little pooch I always wore high waisted bathing suit bottoms. I am 5'4 and 170lbs. I run an exercise daily. I have lost 50 pounds in the last year from everywhere but my tummy and breast. I have a hernia that is causing pain upon abdominal exercise so since I need to get that fixed I figured I would take the plunge and have a TT as well. If all goes well I will follow up with a breast reduction and lift hopefully in the next year. Can't wait to share my experience and hear about everyone else's journey!

Starting to really get nervous...Surgery is...

  • 17 Jan 2013
  • 1 day pre
Starting to really get nervous...Surgery is tomorrow and I have 2 of my 3 kids sick. I am trying to take care of them without getting sick myself and get my house in order. I cant wait for this to be over and start my recovery. Our friend loaned us an electric hospital bed so hopefully it will make gettting up and down and sleeping comfortable for me.

I have poured over everyones stories and bought all the items people suggested. I think i am as ready as I can be. I am sure I have forgotten something but at least my husband took the next week off so he can hopefully help me through the worst. Dont we all just wish we could flash forward to summer with our new bikini bodies!

Good luck to everyone and I will be sure to post pictures of my progress. See you on the flat side :)

Post op day 5. Still needing pain meds every 5...

  • 23 Jan 2013
  • 5 days post
Post op day 5. Still needing pain meds every 5 hours. Still pretty sore. Lots of swelling but I can see how I may look this summer and I like it. I have my first post op appointment this afternoon. I'm having a hard time sleeping at night. It's hard to get comfortable. I put some pics from today and you can see the swelling. It still looks good though.

PO day 12 here. Kids have a snow day and hubby...

  • 28 Jan 2013
  • 10 days post
PO day 12 here. Kids have a snow day and hubby back to work so my relaxing day is a distant memory. I do have a 16 year old that I am going to make get up and help. I went to an event for my daughter yesterday. I wore jeans and a fitted shirt I was never able to wear before surgery. I kept getting asked how I lost so much weight!! It was nice. I only stayed about 2 hours as I just needed to lay down after that but it was nice to be out and about with make up on. I still have my drain but have ample enough chest that I was able to hide it in my cleavage!!! Can you imagine! But hey it worked like a charm and wasn't to uncomfortable. Lets hope today can be a relaxing day and I can stay out of swell hell. Severely limiting my sodium is helping I think.

PO day 13. My drain came out today!!! Didn't hurt...

  • 31 Jan 2013
  • 13 days post
PO day 13. My drain came out today!!! Didn't hurt at all. Just felt weird. My mom took it out ( PS said it was fine as moms a nurse) I am hoping I don't swell up to bad now that it is out. It's an exciting day because I am kicking the narcotics and taking Advil for an discomfort. I'm going to go out to lunch tomorrow and wear my real clothes YAY!

3 weeks PO I have gotten a horrible cold this...

  • 7 Feb 2013
  • 20 days post
3 weeks PO
I have gotten a horrible cold this week and with it a dreaded cough! I told my mom I'm afraid ill get pneumonia because I'm so afraid to cough and can't clear out my chest.
Other than that I'm feeling good. Tried to run some errands today (mom drove) was out about 2 hours and came home exhausted. Getting ready for my daughters 1st of 2 birthday parties this weekend. I think I have everything set and I have friends to set everything up so hopefully I just will have to stand around and take pictures :) I'm off all meds except Advil. I seem to need that every 6-7 hours. Tummy feels almost like when I was pregnant having contractions. Also I'm still dealing with swell hell but trying not to let that get me down. Going to look into some supplements for that and for muscle repair and nerve healing. I'll let you know what I end up with.

4 weeks PO pics

  • 14 Feb 2013
  • 27 days post
4 weeks PO pics

Just shy of 6 weeks PO. Finally turned a corner...

  • 27 Feb 2013
  • 1 month post
Just shy of 6 weeks PO. Finally turned a corner this week. I have basically not done anything for ) weeks. 80% I my time has been in bed. I have not driven. I have gotten on the treadmill 3x and had major nerve pain after. That said I have had no problem with my incision. My surgeon was surprised at how well it was healing. It is so thin and flat I am pleased as well. I'm down 12 pounds from PO but I am fearful it's all muscle. I am thrilled with my results and feel like I have a new lease on life. Even though I'm very swollen I am still way smaller than before. My advise is plan on doing NOTHING at all for 6 weeks to get the best results. I am going to slowly ease back into life in the next couple weeks but I won't go back to the gym till April I think.

9 weeks and 1 day! Can't believe the improvement...

  • 23 Mar 2013
  • 2 months post
9 weeks and 1 day! Can't believe the improvement in the last 2 weeks! I have started back running mostly walking with little intervals of running. I'm a little sore but no pain. I am feeling almost normal with the exception of my crazy swelling. I keep thinking maybe I'm not swollen maybe I am just fat from laying around! The scale was down 15 lbs but is slowly creeping up! So I am back to eating right and exercise so I am on track :)

17 weeks

  • 19 May 2013
  • 4 months post
Whew times flies! Feeling fantastic stated back to the gym 2 weeks ago and found yogalates and kickboxing and fitball classes so I have done those and a lot of AB work. Abs are sore but no pain. Wore a bikini for the first time in 10 years last week! I'm really really happy! The swelling comes and goes but is not as bad as it was so I assume it will be a memory soon. All of my clothes are to big and that's a great feeling. I'm just very comfortable in my skin and so very happy I decided to have this done :)

Great review?

Ellen A. Janetzke, MD

My Doctor: Ellen A. Janetzke, MD

My rating:

Doctor's Bedside Manner
Answered My Questions
After Care Follow-Up
Time Spent With Me
Phone or Email Responsiveness
Staff Professionalism & Courtesy
Payment Process
Wait Times

I was referred to her by the general surgeon doing my hernia repair.

Comments (49)

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Oh and my dermatologist prescribed Cordran tape for my incision and the insurance paid for it because it was prescribed by her and it has really flattened my scar out. I am very pleased.
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You look awesome.. Not gonna lie, wish I had your boobs! :) Great seeing all the before and after pics! Gives us pre-TTer's hope! :)
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I agree with Lacey3!!! :-)
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Thank you for sharing your story. You are looking good even though your recovery has been slow. I will be watching out for your updates and hoping you feel strong soon.
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Oh I stopped wearing my binder this week as well because it was causing some of my pain I think. Since it has been off I feel much better.
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Wow fantastic. Swelling looks like its going down. You have a waist too. I am now looking forward to mine.
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Your looking great! Are you still wearing a cg or binder?
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Yes I'm wearing a binder. I don't think they will be able to get it away from me! Lol
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Your looking good! Is it easier to move without the drain?
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It's nice to be drain free especially wearing clothes and taking showers. I'm just itching to WALK but it's snowy and icy everywhere unless I walk in the street. I'm thinking of attempting the treadmill next week.
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I know how you feel! After my tt I really wanted to move, move, and move some more. I asked my PS when I could start riding my bike or walking on my treadmill again. He really stressed how important it is to allow my body to heal from the surgery so as I would not have complications in the future. I think I was 4 weeks PO when he said I could start back slowly, as long as I wore the CG during any form of exercise. I know being without the drain is great. I couldn't take a shower until the drains were out so I was ready for that shower! Take care and take it slow! Be careful on that ice.
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Oh girl. You look great. Glad you are feeling better. :)
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looking amazing
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Looking good!
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Amazing results...looks great!!
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Thank You. I'm really pleased (when I'm not in swell hell) a super low sodium diet has really helped.
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I will have to remember that! Mine is soon...getting a case of the nerves, but I am sure that is very normal. :-)
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When is yours? Oh the whole week before I kept wanting to cancel! So glad I didn't :)
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Looking good lady.
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THANK YOU!!! Feeling pretty good too!
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You are just looking fabulous. :) Been reading your posts. Hang in there, the fun stuff is just around the corner. Just wait til you get to try in clothes. I can't wait to get mine done and overwith so I can start healing and do that fun part. :)
  • Reply
You look great. I'm 16 dpo and I just, as of 2 days ago, am able yo lay on my side. I started by shifting to my sides little by little then eventually I was able to lay on my side. Recovery is a process, one day at a time. You're looking good.
  • Reply
looking good! Sleeping is hard at first. I'm now able to sleep on my side a litte bit w/a pillow between my knees and that helps. I'm 4 weeks out tomorrow and let me tell you it does get better day by day. Keep up the great outlook, that helps.
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Thank You, I'm having a rough day and just needed some encouragement.
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Wow you look great!
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