Tummy Tuck: Stories

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No More Extra Baggage - Fayetteville, AR...9 weeks in the morning

  • posted 5 months ago
  • updated 1 month ago
  • Before TT side
  • front view...before
  • 3 days post op
  • Scar is low
  • 1 week front
  • Side
  • Front
  • 3weeks po
  • Like my new tummy .. Still has swelling
  • BB still has swelling around it
  • Close up of BB
  • 5 weeks po.. Swelling galore
  • Side view
  • Me at my heaviest
  • Side view 8 weeks
  • Front 8 weeks
  • Hubby and I ....  2 years ago
  • Comfy shorts loose now were tight before
  • BB at 8 weeks
  • 11weeks

Oh my goodness, I have wanted a tummy tuck for 25...

Oh my goodness, I have wanted a tummy tuck for 25 years...I am 53yro. 61"tall and current weight is 163. I have lost down from 205. Diet and exercise. I had lost 60 but gains some when peri -menopause started. (it sucks).
I so want a flatter stomach (no pouch) stretch marks don't bother me.
I want to tuck my shirt into my jeans and wear my western belt again without bulging lower belly. Look nice in swimsuit again.
I have initial consult 7 Jan. My biggest fear is he will tell I can't have the procedure.

Hi all !!! Well went to first Zumba class last...

Hi all !!! Well went to first Zumba class last night. What a blast but oh my I feel it today.. Hope to lose more weight before my procedure.

Getting Closer....was just sitting here reading...

Getting Closer....was just sitting here reading all the reviews from all the wonderful women , glance up saw the calendar..realized that my pre-op is one month from this Friday..
I am still driving my husband crazy with all the TT talk..so trying to tone it down.. was at Walmart yesterday and saw all the 2 piece swim suits..was thinking .....wonder if I will be able to wear one again..I was 22 last time I had a tiny suit on...maybe the top and shorts kind will be ok..
Well I have been gathering some supplies already and making list. Got my money...trying to avoid sick people (rather hard to do)
This weekend will be scrubbing the kitchen down..from ceiling to the floor...

I have 11 days till I have my TT..Is being...

I have 11 days till I have my TT..Is being depressed before normal? It just started today.

Ok Pre-op is one week away with surgery the very...

Ok Pre-op is one week away with surgery the very next day..decided to call PS's office to see what I will need...very short list..

Ice Paks
stool softener...start 2 days before surgery
Spanx garment
large maxi pads

I have every thing but the spanx ...

will be shopping today...getting very excited...

Three more days...getting so excited I am almost...

Three more days...getting so excited I am almost numb...having to watch my appetite. Nervous eating...have one more room to clean trying to stay busy.. Had my youngest Granddaughter spend the night last night she is 2..and a little spit fire..so am enjoying her won't get her for a few weeks now.I think I have everything I need..still looking at CG's got a girdle thing from walmart but not sure I like it...going to take some advise and look on Amazon..
Not sure how Hubby is holding up...I think he is worried about me ...He loves me :-) ....He keeps telling me ....we need to just take your surgery money and go to Cancun...lol I tell him... we can go after I have the surgery...
Well Ladies , I have rambled enough hope you all have a wonderful blessed day...happy healing to the ones already flat and good luck to the ones coming up

Made it to the flat side . Been sleeping alot ....

Made it to the flat side . Been sleeping alot . Pain meds work wonderfully . Hubby is taken really good care of me. My whole body hurts. He took 15.5 pounds with lipo and belly flap. Will write more later

Took a couple pics

Took a couple pics

I am 1 week po today. Very pleased with belly.....

I am 1 week po today. Very pleased with belly.. Back tho hurts. Can anyone tell me when my thighs and ass are going to go down ?

Hello Everyone...17 days out...pain is getting...

Hello Everyone...17 days out...pain is getting better just taking pain meds at bedtime...swilling in thighs and legs the same...DH was suppose to go back to work tonight.. but he is now sick...and I don't feel like taking care of him...all the meds are causing me to have GI upset...

Monday had my 2 week appt ...PS says everything looks great..swelling still ..he thinks I am one tough lady..why I have no idea...I know I love my flat tummy...well anyways ...his office is a hour away so we decided to spend the night..hubby could have mentioned this so we could have packed..good think I brought pain meds with...swung by Walmart got change of clothes and tooth brush...got to hotel...laid around a bit . went to dinner at this nice restaurant..was exhausted by the time we got back ...passed out...sleep good and on my side...woke up made love awesome....(really really needed that)....decided to spend another night...just hung out and relaxed...came home...back in recliner for the day...mom and dad came down for dinner...the kids came over and brought their families..I am now exhausted ...waiting for 9 pm then it is medi and beddie by time...Oh Jeans fit ...just tight in different area now lol...well ladies I am rambling...good night and happy healing...

In just a few days I will be 6 weeks post op...Oh...

In just a few days I will be 6 weeks post op...Oh my this is a long recovery...
I am so tired of the swelling...last week pre surgery jeans fit today not!!! Went to see my BFF Tuesday drove for about 3 hours with pit stops..first day just sit around and talked..then Wednesday went shopping all afternoon..went and ate Chinese(figured it didn't matter already swollen)..watched the Alex Cross movie...excellent...then drove home Thursday...now I am swollen and have pain left pubic area...call PS's on call nurse she thinks it is just from swelling..I think next week I will start walking and hope that gets me back to normal soon. All in all I am doing good and still love my results..energy is coming back ...just want this swelling and achy feeling to go away...

Hi All, well I have made it to 7 weeks post op......

Hi All, well I have made it to 7 weeks post op....Really not a lot has changed I am able to wear my pre-op clothes. they are a little loose..Yay..I still swell more days than not but oh well eventually it will stop..still have not lost weight...have decided it's swelling but have a feeling I have gained...
I only have walked 2 days last week...weather will not cooperate hopefully next week will be better..maybe I will go to the gym and try water aerobics. I am staying compressed at all times I only take off to bath.
I am still loving my new tummy and BB...oh numbness is probably 75 % improved..center above pubic area is still numb some on my left thigh..i still get little sharp pains and last two days oh my ...the lipo areas are painful again..I have a lot more energy and get bored real quick now. I am so looking forward to being 8 weeks..
Went to my sisters for Easter ...My family other than my Mom and Dad had not seen me since surgery. I wore my jeans with tee tuck in and a belt...They could not get over how flat my stomach is...made me feel so good... I think I have in a way encouraged my sisters and niece to get busy on losing weight ..I sure hope so .. not necessarily for them to look better but for their health..My younger sister started walking about a year ago..she saw how it had helped me to drop my weight and helped with stress..
Well it is time for bed..will post new pic's soon..

Will be 9 weeks tomorrow...I will say these past...

Will be 9 weeks tomorrow...I will say these past few weeks and been fun...swelling, weird pubic pain after travel, but I love my tummy...plan on wearing the compression till I am just totally sick of it...summer will be hard here humidity is horrible..favorite pair of jeans are still tight in the legs but fit good at tummy..summer clothes fit and look so much better...hoping to be buying new clothes at end of summer..staying positive on weight will go to Ps at 12 weeks...using scar treatment...alternation silo strips and mederma. I can't see a difference between week 6/7 to week 8/9...well that is all for this time..sorry not real informative ..adding pic's from phone in a bit...

Hey Girls.... Well it is eleven weeks since...

Hey Girls.... Well it is eleven weeks since surgery now ...man has time flown by...I still love my results but was hoping to be better by now...but oh well!!! Good news is all my clothes fit and I went back to Zumba classes this week ..Tuesday and today...Monday walked 2.22 mi in 30 minutes...did some yard work yesterday..it feels great to being active again...I kinda based activity on what I did after the c section...30 years ago was in the Army then so once maturity leave was over and 30 leave state side..moved to new duty station and had to get back into physical training and lose 35 pounds in less than 6 mos...
Have to say I have been sleeping with out binder last 2 nights..can't tell any difference in the morning so guessing it is not a problem..sleeping better.. still wearing cg all day ...can't give it up yet...and wearing golds gym belt when I work out...swelling is still the same Arkansas humidity is already starting ..plus we are still having unusual weather Hot then cold...been in the 80-90 degree range and may get snow in NWAr. later this week. then back to hot...ok lets see weight is still the same bouncing back and forth day to day between 156 and 162 so have stopped weighing..Hubby has made a couple skinny remarks... did tell me that a certain pair of pants made my butt look big..I just smiled and said may have a big butt ...but I have one flat tummy...lol then when I mention having my boobs done or butt or thigh work done he is all you look great don't touch anything else...I am already saving for BL or lipo on thighs..
ok that is all for now ...will update after my appt on the 13th...take care ladies happy healing to the ones already on the flat side and good luck to the ones coming over...

Great review?

My Doctor: R. Douglas Vanderpool, 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

I am a Private Surgical Tech so I asked the girls at surgery center we work at who they recommended.

Comments (353)

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You look great...thanks for giving us the 11 week update.... :0)
Thanks for sharing! Your tummy looks great! :)
So glad you've flattened out and finally happy with results. You are more active than me so far. Hopefully when my bike comes back (Thurs) for check-up at bike shop I will also get back in the saddle again. I agree making love felt so good the 1st time to do something "normal" and not be considered "sick" anymore. Plus if my husband can look at my scar & skin graph & donor site and still want me that's great. Thanks for all your encouragement.
you really look great! reading all this helps me prepare myself for what's to come in a three weeks. thank you for your story
Aren't grand babies the best! , I really think this hematoma is whats messing with me the most & I've been reading up on them & a lot of times they happen during surgery that would explain why I woke up in so much pain.. I know I must seem like a negative Nancy but I'm hoping I'm not going to have another surgery & can you believe it's still raining & storming here!! Enjoy your grand baby & have a nice weekend...
Good grief on the rain .. Hope the storms are t to severe. Don't let the hematoma get ya down if they have to clean it out it should not be to bad. I know we all hope for a easy trouble free recovery. I just don't want you to worry yourself sick. Yes grand kids are great! We like to spoil them silly and then send them home.. Lol drives our daughter nuts. Emma and I did Zumba again tonight oh my already feel it. Good night
Oh my bday was May 20th
Hey Sara I think you look great & yes I've been to the casinos a few times well downstream once had a blast. Oct 27 is my b-day when is yours? Is it raining there? It's been coming down nonstop here all day & it doesn't help the mood .. I'm babysitting my grand dog tonite that should help, I just took a shower & looked at everything my hematoma is still quite large & I'm still draining dark blood I m wondering how long this is going to go on my fear is infection although it doesn't look like it thus far, my ps is on vacation this week & she wants me to see her nurse to check on things, I'm really trying to just go with the flow & to not over think everything.. Well guess I'm really rattling on. Look forward to hearing back from you!
Hey! No rain here it has been hot all day and cloudy. Grand babies spent last night oldest is staying again tonight. Hope you mood gets better it is difficult being post op I was gloomy off and on for awhile.. Now I am bloated so feeling really fat but it will pass been doing Zumba on the wii last couple days swollen now panty girdle is tight. Lol I have been to downstream a couple time .. I lose every time but have fun anyways.
Sara - your pics look TERRIFIC!!! So do you enjoy Zumba and have you noticed a difference since you started it?
Pandapam , Thank you...I really enjoy Zumba... have not really noticed a difference yet but I have so much swelling still in thighs( have dimples now never had them before) and generally all over...but I am moving and sweating up a storm ...I really enjoy the classes better than by myself at home...

You look so amazing!

Thank you
Oh Sara you look fabulous !! What an inspiration you are... Just realized we are neighbors!! Can you believe how hot & humid it is now.. We are the same age my b- day is in oct... Look forward to reading your updates as they help with knowing whats next.. Have a great day & thank you again for all your support !!!!
We are gonna be some hot hot Grandma's...I know the humidity is outrageous...when in Oct is your b-day? You ever go over to Joplin to the casino's? I was in Springfield a little while ago helping my sister do a Marketing research job at the Best Buy...We could have met up for dinner... I was gonna tell you the blues and crying are all normal ...I did it just watching advertisements...and hubby could just be a little cross and I would just melt down.. I go back to the Ps on Monday I am not to happy with left hip area...it kinda hangs over some...and swells weird...I have mentioned it to him last few visits so I know he knows I am concerned with that area..I am thinking revision and some more lipo...the right side looks great. Next week you should see a big change in how you feel and look.
Looking good! !!! Cute belly button.
Thank you!!
I luv, the "black lacy stuff...."---I'm guessing WE all will be owing lots of "black stuff...-lol!" Your results look great, I am so happy for you!
Thank you!!! Read your review...I really wish I had done my breast and thighs...but oh well there is always next year...Is someone gonna help you at least the first couple of weeks? I found the cough drops and cold gel paks the best items in my basket...also protein drinks you probably won't have a very big appetite for a few days..drink lots of water...I liked the crystal light in mine made drinking easier...can't wait to see your results
Thanks for the ideas of cough drops and ice packs, got 'em on my list! My daughter is 27 and lives at home. She is working intermittently, so I think will work out well. I am going to look in my area and see if maybe there is a "recovery center" in my area--I have no idea what the expense will be--if I can stay a few days, then I might do that too...I am still in the beginning---so I will see how it all develops. :0)
The first week you will really want help getting up and down the second week is alot better. Good luck on your journey
Thanks for the heads up--- after reading reviews, that's supports what people having been saying.... It seems PO days 8+ seem much more manageable... :0)
You look great! Very encourging. I hope I'm that flat ...
Thank you...
You look so great!! I am experiencing all that swelling in the thighs you had in the beginning. My waist looks so tiny compared to my thighs. The healing process is so long!!! Hang in there. Look how far you've come in 11 weeks :)

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