Tummy Tuck: Stories

After having 3 large babies, I still looked to be about 7-8 months pregnant even though my youngest child was 3 years old. My stomach started protruding underneath my breasts and continued to my lower abdomen. I didn't have terrible stretch marks or loose skin--it was the connective tissue over the muscles that stretched out and would not tighten up without surgical intervention.

I went to a teaching hospital, The University of Cincinnati, because the cost was cheaper than private plastic surgeons and I knew I would have an experienced resident and her supervising doctor in the operating room. I paid to stay the night in the hospital and I'm very glad I did. The ride home was excruciating. I couldn't stand up straight for weeks. I retained fluid and needed drains out of my pubic area for a couple of weeks. Thankfully, my parents were able to keep my children for a few weeks because I wasn't able to move around much.

Pros: Ten years later, my stomach is still flat. Having the surgery prompted me to exercise & lose more weight.

Cons: very painful recovery, ugly scar from one hip to the other