Tummy Tuck: Stories

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Updated Pics! Tummy Tuck Muscle Repair & Lipo - Clearwater, FL

  • posted 2 years ago
  • updated 1 year ago

Wow! I can not believe this is finally happening....

  • 7 Apr 2011
  • 17 days pre

Wow! I can not believe this is finally happening. I have wished for a tummy tuck for 15 years and I am only 31 years old.

I became pregnant at 14 years old. I gained only 3 pounds until I was 7 months pregnant and then gained 40 pounds in the last 2&1/2 months. This shredded my tummy and I only realized that my stomach would never go back to it's prior state when my son was approximately 3 months old.

I was the only teen in my group of friends unable to bear their belly during the low-rise jeans phenomenon a la Britney Spears.

After my son I delivered 3 beautiful daughters. They gave me no further stretch marks but the damage was done and was quite severe.

The appearance of my body severely messed with my head. I have dealt with eating disorders and body image breakdowns consistently for the last 15 years. I have been super skinny with super saggy skin and I have been overweight with super saggy skin.

I basically live in body shapers when I go out. I'm looking forward to wearing a bikini and having it not disappear into my stomach flap.

I am the editor of the leading online denim themed e-mag. Denimology.com. I hate that when I am sent samples, I am too ashamed to post pictures of my self on my blog because jeans generally don't fit me properly thanks to the general squishiness of my stomach.

I will definitely be documenting my healing daily. Ideally, putting it into a flip style image viewer to share with everyone.


Pre-Op Today! Eeeeee!!!!!

  • 20 Apr 2011
  • 5 days pre
Pre-Op Today! Eeeeee!!!!!

My Pre-Op went fine. Waiting for my phone call...

  • 22 Apr 2011
  • 3 days pre
My Pre-Op went fine. Waiting for my phone call today telling me what time surgery is on Monday morning.

Just finishing packing my things for the hospital...

  • 24 Apr 2011
  • 1 day pre
Just finishing packing my things for the hospital.

I'm worrying about my medication. I see most people are prescribed percocet but I was prescribed vicodin. I don't wanna hurt too much. Eeeee......

8 hours till take off. 11 hours till the start of surgery. Nervous.

Wow... today is the last day my body will look like this. I hope I like the new me.

I am at home and the pain in amazingly less! I can...

  • 26 Apr 2011
  • 1 day post
I am at home and the pain in amazingly less! I can not believe that this is finished and I am on the healing end. I definitely look smaller already. Can't wait to photograph and compare my images.

When my doctor came in to see me he said that he...

  • 26 Apr 2011
  • 1 day post
When my doctor came in to see me he said that he cut off almost 3 lbs of skin and fat and went a little more than 2 inches above my belly button. I am draining very little. Only about 10 cc's each 8 hours.

It was comforting to hear one of my nurses tell me that she HAS to get something done by my plastic surgeon before he retires.

Tomorrow I am heading to the plastic surgeons...

  • 27 Apr 2011
  • 2 days post
Tomorrow I am heading to the plastic surgeons office to have my drains removed. Pretty excited. I am only leaking light pink to clear fluids. Barely anything at all.

I can not wait to get a peek at my new tummy even though it's still pretty swollen.

I'm not sure how I feel about my nw=ew stomach...

  • 29 Apr 2011
  • 4 days post
I'm not sure how I feel about my nw=ew stomach. I need it to heal up some more I suppose. I am disappointed with one side that is not as well blened into my hip as the other side. I am under them impression it is just swollen so I guess we will have to watch and see how it heals.

II can't wait to put a spray tan back on. I am PASTY white!

I have faith in my doctor. He is the doc you go see when another doctored has botched you. I know it will loook great in the end and these pictures only represent day 3.

So today is day 6 I think... I had my surgery...

  • 1 May 2011
  • 6 days post
So today is day 6 I think... I had my surgery Monday and things are starting look a lot better. Unfortunately, I probably will have a couple of dog ears to remove but I expected that considering the amount of loose skin and sagging fat that was dangling from my body prior to the surgery.

After looking at theses photos again, I have to...

  • 1 May 2011
  • 6 days post
After looking at theses photos again, I have to say I am a wee bit concerned about my belly button. But I guess on the bright side I could not even SEE my belly button before so this is definitely better!

It's official. I HATE my binder. I hope I can...

  • 2 May 2011
  • 7 days post
It's official. I HATE my binder. I hope I can use spanx and get the same result because that is what is about to happen. I can put 4 hands in the waist bandwhen it snug on my hips and it keeps sliding up. I HATE THE DAMN BINDER!!

It's 4:30 in the morning and I can't sleep. Why you ask... because of this binder. ARGH! Want sleep.

Those doctors mean it when they say don't do...

  • 2 May 2011
  • 7 days post
Those doctors mean it when they say don't do anything for 2 weeks. I did too much yesterday. You can not even do light housework..... like wipe over your bathroom surfaces.

My stomach has been so achy. Is that swelling I am feeling? That MOUND of stone where my womb used to be?

Upside healing very slim and even so far, despite the pain. Followed the maxi pad advice for covering the incision and yesterday I replaced with 5 pantyliners and paper tape.. Good looking!

It's 2 weeks since my surgery and it's so...

  • 10 May 2011
  • 15 days post
It's 2 weeks since my surgery and it's so strange. I can feel my nerve endings healing back up. You get a little tickling sensation that ends with another sensation that I can only be describe as a tiny jerk.

I am healing well with only a bit of seeping in two spots towards the center of my incision.

Been dealing with red skin that is insanely itchy....

  • 13 May 2011
  • 18 days post
Been dealing with red skin that is insanely itchy. I think i am allergic to the steri strps because no sooner than I took them off the itching lessened by half. I can only describe the intense agony to feeling like a dog with a horrible case of fleas. Scratching, scratching, scratching.

When does the itching end?! It's AWFUL!

How come nobody here in the realself forums...

  • 18 May 2011
  • 23 days post
How come nobody here in the realself forums mentioned the awful itching when you are healing? It started at about a week and a half and has been pretty consistently itchy up till today which is 3 weeks and 2 days since the day of my tt surgery.

Adding the latest tummy picture with before and...

  • 14 Jul 2011
  • 3 months post
Adding the latest tummy picture with before and after type image.
Great review?

My Doctor:

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

My doctor is the doc you go see when another doctored has botched you. He is friendly, clever and professional.

Comments (138)

Sort by
Mzbeba10 19 Jan 2012
you look amazing I'm trying to get the same things u got done. Does he have a website ?
DevinGirl 5 Jan 2012
It's okay. Pamela covered for you. =P~ After seeing you guys' pics, excited is an understatement! I'm doing the same thing in the gym right now. I think any itching is basically from healing - no matter what the procedure. Drive me flipping crazy. My incisions were teeny-tiny though. I'm sure it's a whole 'nother story with a TT incision. Your tummy looks SO awesome. I can't wait to be part of the TT club, lol.
Booka 5 Jan 2012
we have another friend who is apart of the tummy tuck club! Yay US!!!
DevinGirl 29 Nov 2011
Wow. Thanks for sharing your story & amazing photos. I, too, became pregnant @ 14 & that wreaked havoc on my body. I'm in Palm Harbor & recently got abdomen/hip lipo & will be getting a FTT in 6 mo. to a year. Your post here is preparing me greatly! While I only got lipo, I feel you on the itching. It's driving me nuts (I'm 12 days post-op) & my skin feels like a nightmare underneath, lol. I was NOT prepared for the lumps, bumps & "ropes"! Anyways...your pics are incredible! You look phenomenal!
Booka 4 Jan 2012
Jessie & I met on here and are now friends based off of our stories Devin. How do you feel now that you've gone longer? How'd you do during the holidays? Good luck with your FTT, I love my new tummy, it's waaaay better than before.
DevinGirl 5 Jan 2012
Hi there! That's really awesome. The only real friends I have are toddlers, lol. I'm a SAHM & don't get out much. I just updated my photos & feel GREAT. It's amazing when you fix the things that bother you. I mean, I still am getting a FTT, but...feel so much better. My clothes fit better (& I went down a size). I did pretty well over the holidays. My MIL made terrible food, lmao, so I didn't eat much. Thanks for the luck, hopefully I can get it within the new year. I saw your pics, you look UH-MAY-ZING! I'm in Palm Harbor, where are you located?
Booka 5 Jan 2012
Thanks! I am not far from u, I am considered to be in Town & Country, but if I go 5 minutes I'm in Oldsmar or Westchase. I am a SAHM too Jessie & I see each other every day almost at the Y now. Do you have a babysitter? Tomorrow we are having ladies movie night, you are welcome to join us or perhaps sometime during the week.
Jessiest 5 Jan 2012
Wow! I did not see this post... I still get my emails. Oops...

Well thanks! Glad you are excited for your tummy tuck.

It's probably the kindest thing I ever did for myself. Truth.

I did not realize you got itchy from lipo. I was looking into something (Pammy can correct me) like cool dissolve lipo procedure. Right now I am trying to hustle, hustle in the gym!
Booka 5 Jan 2012
cool sculpting. :D Same thing haha
helenes transformation 15 Jul 2011
I hate my binder too, it rides up,never fits correctly, I don't feel like it's doing a damn thing. Getting drain out today so I can change my binder.
newbelle 15 Jul 2011
I'm so happy for you that you finally got to get your TT. All the best as you continue to heal. You are looking awesome!!! :-)
Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 14 Jul 2011

Looking good!

Jessiest 14 Jul 2011
Thanks Ms. Kimmers!
Niners 12 Sep 2011
Hi Jessiest, Can you tell me your doctors name. I am looking into getting this done and I am in your area.
Booka 14 Jul 2011
whoa baby...i might have to take you out on a date! LOL your belly looks PHENOMENAL!
Jessiest 14 Jul 2011
Woooo! You need a date?! *wink, wink
Farz 22 May 2011
I also thought that I had flab / fat left on my abdomen. He did lipo of my abdomen and flanks. I will be 7 weeks tomorrow. I saw my PS 2 days ago and he said there is absolutely nothing left to lipo . . . not even a little bit! He said its all swelling and will go down some in the coming months. Girl I looked like I was 5 months pregnant last night ! (upper abdomen only) I pray this all gets better soon.
Want to be thin 21 May 2011
Your looking awesome! You are going to be so happy with your tummy. I as well have lots of itching that drives me crazy but I wasn't sure if it was the healing, the tegaderm or the swelling. It drives me nuts some nights.
youngmomof4 19 May 2011
Hey ladies! I did it! I'm 2 days post op now. I'm SO glad I got the pain pump. I can't imagine the Paine without it. My boobs don't bother me at all. I never realized how much I use my core until I had my surgery. I'm feeling ok just super sleepy. Just a word of advice. I found the the yoga pants with the part that fold down on the top are the best. It'll hold your drains in place. I hope everyone is recovering wonderfully and to the ladies who haven't gone in good luck!! Now I'm just ready to be back on y feet again it's driving me nuts just sitting here. I'll upload pics when I can for some reason it wot let me do it from my iPhone. Anyone have the same problem that could help me out?
Jessiest 20 May 2011
Ha ha! The sitting still made me crazy. Just sleep when your body tells you to sleep. That definitely passed the time for me.
curvyisgood 19 May 2011
There is a big difference between this set of pics and the last. I think we don't see the dramatic progress when it's our own body, but I can tell you, YOU LOOK GREAT! AND, you'll only continue to get smaller over the next few months.
Mayela72 18 May 2011
Well, Booka and Jessiest at least just rub for now... Those amazing beach-ready bodies are all worth it. Now, tell me how is the pain at this stage?
Booka 18 May 2011
I put some cortisone around the incision (making sure not to touch the incision of course) and it does feel a LOT better right now. As far as pain, I have none. I am 21 days today. I have slight discomfort when I sneeze, but nothing like the first 2 weeks. I had to avoid sneezing and coughing at all costs. I have stopped taking pain meds at about 5 days PO. I did have 1 day that I ate a tad too much and sat up too long and I took 1 vicodin, but that's about it. I say move as much as you can to build your tolerance and strength, but don't over do it. Good luck to you, ask as many questions as you want!
Jessiest 18 May 2011
only pat pat pat LOL
Mayela72 19 May 2011
LOL

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