Tummy Tuck: Stories

Write a Review

New photo 20 weeks post op - Dallas, TX

Well, I am 4 days post surgery. I had both a tummy...

  • 23 Jan 2011

Well, I am 4 days post surgery. I had both a tummy tuck and breast reduction. Some things have been a surprise and others not. I had abdominal lipo done 4 years ago and was told then I would need to have a tummy tuck after the lipo. However, as money and life would have it, I couldn't do it until this past week. So far I am happy. I can't stand up straight yet so I can't tell how I am going to look in the end. But my husband has been taking pictures of me every day so I have posted a few of them. I found this site prior to having my surgery. What a life saver it has been. Had it not been for all these ladies, I don't know if I would have had the courage. Just knowing I had support out there from thousands of other women who had done this was amazing and helpful and quite frankly a blessing.

Okay, now I am 7 days post op. I'm at that...

  • 25 Jan 2011
Okay, now I am 7 days post op. I'm at that point where I feel good enough to not be laying around the house but don't feel good enough to take a shower alone. I am still walking bent over and my lower back, which prompted this to begin with, is starting to hurt a lot! I have been able to poop withouth the help of Milk of Magnesia but can now feel the scar and the tenderness of my liposuctioned breasts. I am bored and tired at the same time. I am lucid enough to not have my days run into one another but not lucid enough to re-tell complete conversations. And to think, I still have another 10 days before I can resume semi-normal activities. I am still very swollen so I don't get the joy of trying on clothes and seeing how they are going to fit. But I know that day is coming. And it's coming sooner that if I had not done this at all. I am happy with this decision and anxious to see the end result. Pictures are coming. Sorry if this post sounded a bit down but I do feel kind of down today. I think that is normal. Maybe tomorrow will bring a new day and feeling. I just wanted to share all of it. Not just the good and not just the bad but all of it. So I have. Post again soon.

So I've been promising updated photos and here...

  • 28 Jan 2011
So I've been promising updated photos and here they are. Not beautiful but remember my surgery was on the 19th and today is the 28th. I'm pleased with my progress. Once I am able to really move around, I can work on those last 5 pounds. But realistically, if they never come off, I am super happy with my results. So those of you in the planning stages, here is something for you to go by.

So I've read this from many of you and now it...

  • 14 Feb 2011
So I've read this from many of you and now it seems to have happened to me so I have to ask, is it normal for you to hear and feel a huge popping sound around week 4? I has some pain on my right side last night that wouldn't abate. I loosened my garment. This morning, while still in bed, I stretch length wise and heard and felt a huge popping coming from the right side that was hurting last night. I know we can't be held together by sutures forever and they have to begin to dissolve eventually but is this the right time? No other complaints but super concerned. Have placed a call into my PS.


Hey ladies, so I am almost 6 weeks post op. With...

  • 26 Feb 2011
Hey ladies, so I am almost 6 weeks post op. With the exception of the popped stitch that was removed last Monday, things have gone rather well. My question.....when do you quit worrying something is going to go wrong? I was told by my PS office that I can switch to a spanx garment. Bought one during 1st week of recovery from the Spanx site, which ended up being too tight. Not being experience, as none of us are, I purchased the "super-duper" smoothing one. Too much. I tried but way too much, at least for mentally. I stressed the entire time I had it on. So, I ordered another one, with advice from another member here, that will be delivered next Tuesday. In the interim, I am still wearing my "octopus", the three banded compression garment from the day of surgery. I sleep in it, wear it basically 24/7. When do you get the feeling of "I'm going to be okay", and move forward to stage 2? I feel like I am behind schedule here only due to fear of messing something up. Would love to hear all of y'alls experiences. Thanks! Will update pictures soon.

New photo's! 5 weeks and 4 days post op.

  • 27 Feb 2011
New photo's! 5 weeks and 4 days post op.

  • 9 Mar 2011

  • 9 Mar 2011

How can I tell if I have compromised my muscle...

  • 23 Mar 2011
How can I tell if I have compromised my muscle repair? Okay, here's the thing. I see one thing when I look in the mirror and I'm happy. My hubby takes photos for me to update on here and I look like I did before surgery. So, I'm asking you guys for how to tell if it's been compromised.

  • 23 Mar 2011

  • 4 May 2011

Photo Update

  • 8 May 2011

  • 8 May 2011

I added new photos of me at almost 15 weeks post op.

  • 8 May 2011
I added new photos of me at almost 15 weeks post op.

  • 8 May 2011

I added some new photo's albeit grainy. They...

  • 9 May 2011
I added some new photo's albeit grainy. They show me 2 days shy of being 15 weeks post op.

Photo Update

  • 6 Jun 2011

I don't know how to add a new review to my...

  • 6 Jun 2011
I don't know how to add a new review to my existing profile so I just changed the one I had on their previously. Updated a new photo. I'm pleased. I have to give you gals credit that can take these photo's on your own and not looks all twisted when taking side views as I can't seem to master that. Guess my arms are too short! lol

Went to the beach for the first time in years!...

  • 17 Jun 2011
Went to the beach for the first time in years! Here's a photo after 4 days of sun and fun.

Just posted a picture after 4 days on the beach.

  • 18 Jun 2011
Just posted a picture after 4 days on the beach.

Great review?

Scott W. Harris, MD

My Doctor: Scott W. Harris, MD

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

Dr. H is patient, listens, approachable and answers any and all questions and is an expert at his trade. I can't say enough good things about him.

Comments (126)

Sort by
newmeemmy 30 Jan 2013
Did they cut above your belly button? You don't seem to have much excess skin.
Linda50 19 Jun 2012
Some people don't think Scott takes enough time with you. But being a repeat patient of his and a huge fan I can tell you he will spend as much time with you as you have questions for. He is an artist and looks at you like a blank canvass. He did my face lift 10 years ago. I won't use anyone else
nettie71 31 Oct 2012
Hi linda5, I'm going with Dr. Harris for my mommy makeover! He's awesome. I'm scheduled for nov19th. I'm excited and nervous all at the same time. Any tips or advice is appreciated. How long was your surgery? Can't believev it's just around the corner.
Linda50 31 Oct 2012
Best advice is to follow all the things that Gayla tells you too. It's a big procedue and don't take that lightly. I wore my "octopus" longer than I was required to but it gave me comfort and I felt stable in it. (You'll know what that is soon-lol) Take as much time recovering as you think you need and don't hesitate to call them with any questions. I adore him and hope you are happy with your results. My surgery was a few hours long. Funny, it's been almost 2 years and I don't remember the specifics anymore. I used to think that was impossible to forget but it is so far in the past now. Also, watch what you eat before and after. I would cut back on processed foods and salt now. Contact me anytime. Very excited for you.
nettie71 16 Jun 2012
Linda50, I am considering no drains as well. I need to setup a consult with your PS as I am also in Dallas area. I have a few questions, if you don't mind: did you have to stay over night? Did you have a pain pump? Are you totally back to normal now over a year + later? So nervous but so ready to have tt.
Linda50 16 Jun 2012
Nettie, ask away anytime. No I didn't have a pain pump. I will swear to this day that he gave me a delayed reaction pain med as I was loopy for a few days. I had the option to stay overnight but opted out of it. I went home with a catheter and went back the next morning to have that removed (yes someone drove me). It took about a year to feel "normal" again. I had a stitch pop around the 4th week and that set me back mentally. So I continued to wear my octopus garment for much longer than was required. I also work in my own business and it is physically demanding so I felt more comfortable wearing it. I had my surgery done on January 19th and was at the beach in a bikini in June. It is a major surgery, which I totally dismissed until I was in the recovery phase, but so worth it. I can't tell you how much money I have spent on a new wardrobe and how much everything about me has changed as a result of doing this. Now that I am a year and a half out, my scar in some areas is not noticable. I looked at the photo's of women who had drains and was very grateful that I didn't have them. Dr. Harris is wonderful. To me, he is a true artist. Just make sure if you do it, to give yourself plenty of time to recover.
Linda50 16 Jun 2012
Also, after a year and a half, I am thinner that I have been in years and look better than the last photo's I posted so long ago. I am very pleased.
nettie71 19 Jun 2012
Linda50, I scheduled a consult with 2 PS who do no drain procedure. My appointment with Dr. Harris is set for July 12. I am excited to see how things go.
Barbie892 7 Jun 2011
Hey Skinny Girl!!! You look AMAZING!!!

Keep on rockin' girlfriend!
Niffie 7 Jun 2011
You look awesome, Linda! Have fun at the beach and thanks for the updates. It helps me keep my eye on the prize!
Booka 18 May 2011
Ur looking pretty darn good, that tummy is nice!
soon2banewme 11 May 2011
Looking good!!! I love the picture of your doggie in the shades! Too cute :)
Linda50 12 May 2011
Lol, my dogs are always around in pictures. Girl you look fabulous! But you looked great before too. Quite impressed.
Linda50 9 May 2011
Brooke, I actually feel pretty good. There are days I still swell a bit. But I never experienced swell hell since I had the quilting tt procedure. There are moments I forget I even had this done but most you are still aware most of the time. The weird thing is I still am self conscience about wearing a stomach baring top although I have plans to go to the beach in a month. I haven't shopped much but have found all of my clothes are too big. I limit salt intake, eat mostly healthy and am very active. And at night, if my day has been tough, I break out my "octopus" (my binder) and wear it for awhile. So all in all no complaints. Just took way longer than I ever would have thought at the beginning of this. It's weird for me to compare my progress with my pictures on this site. I would have sworn at 9 weeks I was completely healed and just puffy because that was my build. But as you can see, that wasn't the case. I expect to be going through changes until after 6 months post op.
MyTime 11 May 2011
Okay I'm Post op 5 days...what exactly is swell hell? =) Seriously I hear everyody talking bout it..
Linda50 11 May 2011
Your lymphatic system, which is was drains fluid through your body, is disrupted when they lift the skin from you abdomen. The body's normal process for healing a traumatized area is to send fluid to it. Without your lymphatic system in place, your abdomen will swell with the fluid your body is sending to it for healing purposes. Hence the need for drains. (which I didn't have since my lymphatic system was mostly re-established with the quilting technique). Swell hell is your body sending fluid to the traumatized areas of your body to help it heal. The reason most ps's want to drain it is that the fluid accumulates in an effort to rid your body of any bacteria or infection that may start as a result of the trauma. In the wild, a canine has the same process with the fluid eventually forming an abcess and ridding the body of any infection. With a managed damage to your lymphatic system, which surgery is, there is no need to allow natures process to take place so they drain the fluid. Hope that helps.
Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 11 May 2011

Swell Hell is when your body swells up like a balloon and you are miserable with puff.  It hurts and makes you look like and feel like a big puffy marsh mellow. 

This was my made up term for the situation.  When I was one week post op the nurse had asked me how I was feeling and how the swelling was coming along...I said you mean the "Swell Hell".  It was the only way I could think to describe it accurately...LOL

Pure and utter Hell...But on the flip side it does get better. 
MyTime 12 May 2011
oh haha I thought maybe I just gained weight or something...couldn't have put it better LOL
brooke80 9 May 2011
You look amazing! I can only hope that I look that good in a couple of months. How are you feeling 15 weeks out?
MyTime 9 May 2011
Wow you look awesome!!!!
Barbie892 9 May 2011
I know what you mean!

My size 2 clothes are almost falling off me and I had to promise my husband I wouldn't lose any more weight. Cra-zee but VERY fun.

Again - you look AMAZING girl - congrats to YOU!
Linda50 9 May 2011
Truth be told Barbie, you have been my inspiration! I wanted to look like you. (no joke there) You look fabulous and I tip my hat to you. I don't honestly think I could have had such a great recovery without knowing you were out there going through the same thing.
Barbie892 9 May 2011
Thank you SO much for your compliments - you are too kind.

I'm honored that I helped you during recovery; it was a serious kick in the butt grind but we made it!!
Barbie892 9 May 2011
Hey fellow skinny girl - you look FABULOUS!!!
Linda50 9 May 2011
A bit crazy isn't it? lol

More Tummy Tuck Reviews

Will my Tight Gain Any Weight? - Dominican Republic, DO 1 day ago

Hello ladies I'm looking forward to get my tummy tuck lipo and fat transfer to my butt in...

Ma43 - East Stroudsburg, PA 1 day ago

Hello tt sisters I'm 13 days pre-op and I'm so excited I cant think straight. I thank you...

It is Time!!! - Newark, DE 1 day ago

For the past several years I have been comtemplating a TT and in less than 48 hours I will...

View more Tummy Tuck reviews

Welcome Back

Sign in with Facebook

Your information remains private and will not be posted without your permission.

Forgot your password?

Don't have an account? Create one now.

Join RealSelf

Join with Facebook

Your information remains private and will not be posted without your permission.

Please enter a valid email address
 Did you mean ?

By creating an account, you are indicating that you have read and accept the RealSelf Terms of Use.

Already a member? Sign In.

Retrieve your password

Enter your username or email address and we will send you a link to login.

Check your email

Check your email. We've sent you a link to reset your password.

Ok