Tummy Tuck: Stories

In less than a week I am having a full tummy tuck, lipo contouring, breast lift and lipo on my legs. It's a lot to do in one surgery which makes me very nervous. I think I'm more nervous about the pain but after reading other posts I am feeling much better. My friend had the same procedures by Dr. Platis and so far he has been amazing.

It's been 3 years since my last baby and 3 years of trying to get my body back without success. Oddly all my mommy friends and I mean ALL, lost their baby weight, have flat tummies and look amazing with very little effort. While I really don't compare myself to them, I am only 41 and don't think I should go the rest of my life having to wear a tankini to hide my flabby stomach.

I've always told my husband that there would be the possibility that I would want/need a TT after we were done having kids. It was kind of a joke but after 3 months of killing myself in the gym and being diligent about my diet and no changes, I was fed up. It took him awhile to come on board but he's slowly being more supportive.

It's very expensive and I do feel guilty spending this much money on myself but my body is limiting my life. There are many times when I will avoid being with friends and going out in public because I can't fit into my clothes and I refuse to buy bigger sizes. I'm only 5'2 and while I don't weigh too much, it's the blob of fat around my middle that drives me crazy. When you can't button your pants and they fit everywhere else, it's depressing!!

My 'skinny" friends think I'm crazy, but until you walk in someone's shoes, try not to judge. Yes I look normal in clothing but naked not so much.

Finding this website and reading everyone's stories and seeing photos has really made me so excited. I think deep down my nervousness is coming from having complications. I've had knee surgery twice and breast augmentation in my 20's before I had kids and was never this scared. Having a husband and kids really puts things into perspective. I would never forgive myself if there were complications from PS that affected my family in a negative way.

I pray everything goes as well for me as it has for everyone else. Today I am putting together a pos-op shopping list. If anyone has any tips for me please let me know.

5 days and counting!!

Wow! I can't believe in less than 2 days I will be headed in for my mommy makeover. Today I went in for my pre op appointment with Dr. Platis and took the before photos. I am truly excited, still nervous but all I keep thinking is get this blob off around my belly.

He says I don't have much skin to pull down but the full TT is needed because the area under my breasts is loose. Fine by me, but my old belly button hole will not be below my panty line. The good news is my c-section scar will be gone.

The past few days I have been consistent taking pharmaceutical grade iron, Emergen - C, Vitamin D, Natural Calm (magnesium) and tonight I took an Epson salt bath then showered washing with Antibacterial soap. All tips from other women and my doctor. Tomorrow I will take another bath followed by shower with Hibiclens (another antiseptic antimicrobial skin cleanser possessing bactericidal properties).

Finished up all my Christmas shopping today so feeling less stressed about the holidays. My recliner is a ready and tomorrow I'll be buying all my post-op supplies (food, prescriptions, etc).

Thanks to this website and so many other women sharing their stories, I am much more excited and less nervous than I was 5 days ago. Just ready to get this over with!

Tomorrow is the big day! I'm so tired I don't have the energy to be nervous. I've been running around all day prepping to be off work for several weeks and out of commission at home. So any last words of encouragement or advice? Off to bed soon and hopefully I can sleep.

See you on the flat side!

Wow! I'm not going to lie but this is painful. I am answering the question - Was it worth it? Not sure. I haven't seen anything yet so I can't say how I feel about the outcome.

Today is day 2 post surgery and yesterday was the worst. Thursday immediately after the surgery wasn't so bad but once the anesthesia wore off, holy moly! Because my surgery was so long (5 hours), I had to stay overnight. This was the best decision because that night was rough. I was prescribed The doctor had prescribed percocet and unfortunately it took an hour to kick in, wore off in 3hrs and made my mind race. I basically didn't sleep the entire first night.

The nurses at the surgical center was amazing! Staying overnight it totally worth it because they are up all night to help you get up and move around, plus I had a catheter so didn't need to worry about going to the bathroom. If I had been home my husband would have been up with me and would have been a mess on day 2. It worked out great because he was rested and was able to handle the worst day.

By the time Dr. Platis showed up the following morning at 8 am I had determined we needed to switch my pain meds to Norco which I took after my c-sections and I needed ambien.

I was all set to use a recliner when I got home but that didn't work out so much. Could not get comfortable to save my life.Finally switched to my Tempur-Pedic bed using my kid's step stool to get in and out of. My back is killing me but the heating pad has really helped.

I just took a pain pill and feel a little loopy. Will update again later. Thanks so much for all the kind words and the encouragement. Means a lot! More to come soon...

Is anyone else having issues with going to the bathroom in the compression garment? mine is a full body suit with a hole cut out in the vagina area. Every time I pee it goes under my left leg and it is disgusting! I've tried towels and put my feet on a stool but nothing works. I have to stay in this thing another full day before I see my doctor again. I just love sitting in urine. Good times.

I decided to take a 1/2 vicodin at 1 pm and start to regret this now. I just took another 1/2 and my stomach is killing me. May have underestimated my pain level. I thought I was at a 4 and now I am at a 8! OMG this hurts so bad.

I also discovered my right labia was swollen and purple so I called PS and he said it was normal and I need to move around more and change positions. All the blood is flowing down to that area. Moved to the recliner and a few hours later the swelling is down significantly. I read on this website that it is very common but you should call your surgeon to be sure all is ok.

I try walking around and standing up but it is so freaking tight and my back is so cramped up I can barely move. I really hope this subsides by tomorrow. I have a very low pain threshold as it is. Not to mention my stomach is cramping from all the gas. This better be worth it.

I keep having images that I'll be stuck in this hunched position forever. Ok - off to take another 1/2 my pain is continuing to increase.

3 days post surgery and my back feels like it is going to be permanently stuck in this hunched position. I can walk from my bedroom to the kitchen but I get winded and my back feels like it could snap in two pieces.

I need to take a BM like nobody's business. Took Colace today but nothing happened. My post op appointment is tomorrow morning so I'll ask my doctor if I should head to the drugstore for a suppository. Good times...

Thankfully I am able to sleep through the night with the Ambien. I started icing my back last night rather than using heat. That definitely reduced the swelling in my lower back. However now I have a cramp in my left shoulder blade so the heating pad is around my neck.

I'm actually very comfortable in bed it's the getting up and moving around that is the challenge. I was hoping today would be better but I know it takes time. I think reality set in today that I just had major surgery. There are moments when I can't believe I went through with it.

On a positive note, I removed the sterile gauze from my breast and they look amazing!! My skin is tight around my implants and I have cleavage without wearing a bra for the first time in my life.

Hoping tomorrow is less painful. How long do you wear this compression garment? How long does it take for you to be able to stand up straight. My stomach is so tight I'm not sure that will ever be possible.

Thanks for all your support. Will update after the doctor tomorrow. Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday.

OMG just returned from my post-op appointment and saw my stomach for the first time. I was shocked at how freaking good it looked. Very little bruising and my belly button looks ah-mazing! My husband was shocked at the difference and how flat the top area of my stomach was. Guess he was so used to seeing my fat role he didn't realize it wasn't supposed to look like that.

Goal is to start reducing my pain meds and start taking Aleve. Advil doesn't do much for me so I got the green light to take another anti inflammatory. My back is doing better today, I can stand up a little straighter. Stomach is still really tight and I get tired easily but overall not so bad. According to Dr. Platis the worst is over.

I will post pics in a few hours. Hope everyone is doing great and if you just had surgery it does get better.

Today (Sunday) is 10 days post surgery and happy to report that I was officially off pain meds this past Thursday. Have been taking Aleve the past few days but the pain is really gone, just a little stiffness.

I took new pics today and not much has changed since the surgery. I have very little bruising which is good but a little worried about my hips and inner/outer thighs. I can't tell if these areas are mostly swollen or there wasn't enough taken out. I don't see much difference in the before and after pics either. Stomach is great, just the other areas. I know it takes awhile to see true results but can't help but be nervous. Anyone else experience this?

A few days ago I freaked out after noticing my belly button was closing in so thankfully I read on this forum that you can use an ear plug. Genius! My hubs was totally grossed out but ya gotta do what ya gotta do. I'm not sure how long to keep it in so I usually sleep with it and then remove during the day.

Yesterday I finally left the house a few times. Returned a few gifts with my hubs, had lunch then we went to dinner and a movie. A little aggressive for a first outing but I did take my tempurpedic travel pillow. Sure I look like an old lady but I was comfortable. LOL!

Happy New Year!

A tip on getting things moving in terms of BM's....I tried Colace and Senokot-S- neither worked for me so I went back to the supplement I take regularly which is Natural Calm (Magnesium and calcium). It's magnesium in powder form that you can pick up at Whole Foods. Highly recommend starting with 1 tablespoon, dissolve in warm water first and let the fizz dissipate 100%. Add a little cold water and drink with a straw. You can build up to 2 tablespoons.

Not only will it help flush you out it also helps with sleep. Drink before bed. Be sure to ask your doctor before taking just to be sure.

http://naturalvitality.com/natural-calm/

Is it normal to feel depressed after surgery? The past few days I have had serious blues but I'm hoping its from being locked in the house for so long.

This holiday will go down as one to forget. Haven't been able to do much for the kids but glad they are too young to remember.

All I want to do is sleep the next few weeks away and wake up when I can have my life back. Guess this is a small price to pay, uh?

Sorry to be such a Debbie downer on NYE. Feel very grateful that I was able to do this and everything went well and recovery is on track. Hope this pity party will be over soon.

On a lighter note I ordered a Vita Mix yesterday. Anybody have one?

So today is exactly 2 weeks from my surgery date. I'm feeling so much better, getting around really well and haven't taken Aleve in several days. However, I'm so concerned about my legs. It barely looks any different, especially from the back. My stomach swelling is slowly going down but I still think more fat could have been taken out. Hoping this is all swelling.

I look at a few other pics everyone is posting and a few look so much better. Probably shouldn't be comparing myself. The good news is I do feel somewhat back to normal. Get tired during the day but I work from home so it's a nice advantage.

Will take pics tonight and post later. Interested in feedback.

Got the Vita Mix last night and it is awesome!

I hit the 5 week mark on Thursday. Haven't posted in a few weeks because not much has changed. On Monday I finally went back to the gym, walked on the treadmill for 30 min at 2.5 mph. I felt great but didn't want to push it. Good thing because I came home and had to take a 2 hour nap!

I skipped the gym the rest of the week and just really watched my eating. Decided to go back on Monday and try to go every day to at least walk. Not moving too much is making me feel even more tired and I feel like fat is coming back around in my flanks. My legs still haven't slimmed down very much either.

Just need to stop thinking about it and give everything more time. I still wear my compression garment as much as possible - all day and night too.