Tummy Tuck: Stories

I am 47 yrs old, two adult children, and lots of belly flab and a smiley face belly button. Can't take it any more. Lost 35 lbs on WW last year and they say I need to lose 15 more but I have maintained this weight for a year no matter what I do so am accepting that this is it! I struggle every day with whether or not to do the TT. Glad to hear others say the same. I am scared of the recovery. Getting the pain pump so that should help a lot. What are your thoughts on stairs? I have a two story home and am concerned about getting up the stairs.

Only 4 more days to go and I am having second thoughts. I hear this normal and part of the process but it's giving me headaches and trouble sleeping! I thought it was the extra vitamins my PS is having me take but I think it's more anxiety than anything. Just wanted to vent! I have also gained 3. Lbs. since my pre-op appt.....yuck!

Well, tomorrow is my big day. I have gotten past the roller coaster emotions and am calm tonight. Hopefully tomorrow morning will be the same. I have to be there at 6:00 am which is perfect for me. Not a lot of time to think about it! I will update as soon as I can. Just can't imagine not having a double stomach!

Today is 1 week post op from my tummy tuck and lipo. Yesterday was a turn the corner day for me. The days before that were not so fun and I was not sure I had made the right decision. Now I feel like I am back to the land of the living and am happy with my results. I will see my PS today to get stitches out. Not sure if the drain will be removed or not. I am very mobile and doing on my own as long as I don't have to bend over for anything. I am getting good at squats so my legs should look pretty good by the time this recovery is over! Even with the drain and an incision and a healing belly button, this is the first time in more than 20 years I have looked in the mirror and not been disgusted. I still have thighs to shape up but I know I can do that at the gym so will not fret over that. I could not have made it through this week without my awesome husband. He has been the best!!! Of course, he said he sees a naked house cleaning day in the future! LOL I have never walked around naked but I said that after my tummy tuck I was going to be naked all the time. Guess he's holding me to that! :) Now if I can keep from being bored to death from limited activity, I will be doing much better!

I am now 12 days post op and I feel great. Down 10 lbs!! Trying to limit activity when feeling good is so difficult but I am following all of my surgeon's directions. For the first time in 25 years I don't feel disgusted when I look in the mirror. My waist went from a 39 to to a 33 so far!! I thought my hip measurement would be smaller without the big roll but not yet. Guess it's the swelling. I still wake up every few hours at night and change positions. Sleeping on my side and on my back propped with pillows. All else is great!

I am 2 weeks post op and still not sleeping! I am waking up every 2 hours. No apparent reason that I can put my finger on. Maybe a little uncomfortable. I do get hot in this garment at night so maybe that has something to do with it. I will be trying a Tylenol PM tonight!
Otherwise, I am doing well and very happy. Saw my PS yesterday. He is happy with my progress and said that I could do whatever is comfortable that doesn't engage my abs. I am just happy to know I can do a little exercise like walking or the bike. Still have a lot swelling but it goes down every day. Just have to be patient.
No regrets!

I was finally able to sleep much better last night. I got up a couple of times but was able to go right back to sleep. My only problem right now is that my tummy skin is so overly sensitive for some reason. Feels like it's sunburned and I can feel something moving around in my tummy. Not sure what that's about. Maybe just the healing process. Or maybe I have gas! LOL I see the PS again on Monday so we'll see what he says. I am down 10 lbs. and a clothing size so far. That's with the garment and swelling so hoping for more as time passes. Going to the beach the later part of April so I am really hoping to be able to wear a bathing suit by then. Good luck to everyone. While this is a long journey, I have no regrets!

I will be one month post op in two days. Today I went shopping and bought a size 10 and a size 8 in jeans! I haven't been in single digits since high school! I started in 12s and 14s before surgery. My bra band size has gone done from a 38 to a 36. Very excited! I know it will only get better as more swelling goes down. Still sore and my skin is hypersensitive to the nerve endings coming back to life but all else is well!

I was hoping to get to Memorial Day before having to buy clothes but it's not happening. A week or so ago I went to Goodwill and bought two pair of designer jeans for $10. Well, as of last night one pair is too big! I put on every pair of dress pants I had for work and they are top big! Every dress shirt is too big...even bras! While I am very excited the swelling is going down and my Weight Watchers efforts are paying off, how in the world will I afford to buy a new wardrobe! LOL. I still have swelling below the incision line and on my hips but things are going well. I feel great and will go back to the gym next week.

Finally adding some pre and post op pictures

Not sure why some of the pictures turned sideways but you get the message of how it looks. I am feeling much better. Still have numbness and swelling but that's to be expected. Can't wait for summer to see how it looks! Definitely an emotional recovery more than a painful recovery. Your mind will play tricks on you often! I am still glad I did it though!

Feeling much better at 3 months out from surgery. I have been cleared for all activity other than sit ups and push ups. Saw the doctor this week and he said we may need to do something with the belly button if the redness doesn't subside. Other than that, I am very happy with the outcome!

I am still happy with my results but having some trouble with pain to the left of my belly button. Not sure what's going on but it feels like something is tearing whenever I move certain ways, especially rolling over in bed. I hope it's just nerve pain and still healing.
I am still activity limited but only because of the pain! All else is wonderful and I was finally comfortable in a bathing suit at the beach! Yay!