Tummy Tuck: Stories

Hi daniela326! The procedure is a bit of a rollercoaster. When I wrote that I was feeling very low and felt that I shouldn’t have been so lazy and should have just exercised and gotten into shape that way. It is painful and at about 5 days after, you really question “why did I do this to myself”, not too mention you now have a permanent scar. I do however, feel much better about the procedure & process. I didn’t have any major complications and I am healing well. I think what really helped was that I kept a ‘picture diary’. I took many pictures to track the changes and that helped me a lot, because I could visually see the changes and feel good about the decision. The scar therapy has done wonders as well. I don’t want to scare you because I think it was 100% worth it! I’m feeling positive and just thinking about how I will fit into new clothes is exciting. I think it’s normal too question your decision and too go through moments of doubt and sadness. I hope you have a good support system and help lined up :-)

Good luck too you! I know everything will go well. I’ll check out your page in a few days to see how you are doing :-)

Thank you for your response! :) Not to worry about scaring me, I'm scared either way lol. I've already had this mental fight with myself where I keep asking myself --- "why on earth have you signed up for this?" Then I look at my gut and can't be ready enough to be rid of it - it's disgusting!

I'm sure that I'll wonder what on earth I've gotten myself into just like everyone else, and then as the weeks go by - I'll be so happy that I did it (just like everyone else lol)

Any tips on things that make recovery easier? Did you have c sections? If so, which was harder to recover from? I've convinced myself I'll be fine b/c I had c sections and they weren't that bad to recover from.

Thanks again! :)

LOL…you are too funny. No, I had a natural birth. The pain is manageable because the meds are hardcore narcotics…lol… You just have to make sure to keep up with the dose. Which is easy because you’re body will remind you. I took the pain meds for 5 days and then switched to extra strength Tylenol because I heard about all of the horrible bowel movement stories and got scared. But it wasn’t bad, I took the stool softener, ate high fiber fruit and drank water and it passed easily enough on day 6. I went back to work on day 10 and felt pretty good at that point.

I wish I had had a better bed situation. I use a body pillow, which I sleep with under my legs. But goodness I wish I did have one of those rented hospital beds. It was so difficult getting out of bed. You don’t realize how much stomach muscles go into raising yourself up. Sometimes, I would roll around that bed trying to get myself up for minutes on end… If you have a comfortable couch - that might be the best place to sleep for the first few days.

Thank you so much. I feel better as well. Almost 5 weeks later and I definitely think I made the right choice :-)

Thank you so much! Good luck for your surgery, make sure you have enough supplies & groceries so that you can take it easy afterwards :-) I'm so glad, I've taken pictures throughout the whole process. You can feel really down and second guess yourself...but then when you look at the pictures over time, there is no denying the results. YOU are going to look amazing :-)

Thanks so much! Yeah, I agree...the binder just became a part of my life...lol..Happy Healing to you as well! :-)

Thank you so much!

Thanks for asking, I appreciate it :-) It's been rough but the physical pain has subsided for the most part. I'm still fighting with the binder...lol...but my doc says I only have to wear it for 3 weeks. I posted 2 pics...and will post more in a few days.

Thank you for posting. Your great and your belly button is so cute. At least it hasnt been that hot outside for the binder. Im probably going to sweating my bum of wearing that binder on june! lol

Thank you so much. I'm feeling better now and trying to take it easy :-)

Thank you! And congrats to you as well!! I'm feeling a bit better now. I was in alot of pain for the past 2 days but its subsiding. How are you holding up?

Yeah, try to stay ahead of the pain it ain't no joke! I am
good now that I finally had a bm! Lol! Now I am just having pain at the incision site. I am trying not to take
pain meds but whooooo I think the garment is the cause of that!