“Glad that my fear didn't get in the way of my dream!”
Tummy tuck: Worth it
Pain: Mild
On 3/10/09 I had breast augmentation and a full tummy tuck, with repair to an umbilical hernia. I was petrified about the pain that I would endure after my surgery, that I almost didn't go through with it. But I was so sick of having to hide my "muffin top". I was always skinny and in shape and my two pregnancies totally stretched out my stomach, beyond self-repair. I looked as if I was three months pregnant, even though I weighed 113 lbs.
I woke up from surgery feeling excellent. There was no initial pain and the bindings were not too constricting. Over the next 24 hours, I stayed in my dr.s office, with a nurse who montitored my blood pressure, heart beat and i had constant stimulation of my calves to avoid blood clots. I was given percocets and xanax as often as needed to keep me comfortable.
On day two, getting out of the bed was tough, but once I did it, I knew that the worst was behind me. Every day I feel better, I walk a little taller. Today I showered and felt amazing. I have one drain, which is totally manageable. I thought it would be horrible to have one, but it's really no big deal. My nurse told me to clip the drain to a long necklace while I showered so that I wouldn't need help and it totally worked! What a great tip.
The best part of my recovery has been that my kids are staying with my parents for four days- if this is possible for you, it is an amazing gift. I'm so excited for them to come home tomorrow and plan on telling them that I hurt my back, and nothing else. I'm still taking pain meds every 3 hours- I don't wait to feel pain, I'm staying ahead of it. My worst pain right now is honestly a sore throat from being intebated for the anesthesia. Totally tolerable stuff.
Anyone who is considering this surgery- do it! Just make sure you have the right doctor for you! My dr. gave me a low, very neat incision and took extra special care of my belly button. I know that within the upcoming weeks I will finally have the confidence in my body that i've been missing and will gain the energy that I need to be a full time Mom again.
Updated on Mar 24, 2009:
Updated on Mar 24, 2009:
Updated on Sep 6, 2009:
Mar 24, 2009Comments and replies (35)
4 posts
17 Mar 2009
you wrote this 3 days after your procedure. Now that your a week into it, how do you feel? I'm going for a consult. Anything you would tell me to ask and/or expect, etc? How old are your kids? I'm concerned about what to tell them.
32 posts
18 Mar 2009
Hitting the "week" mark was a little tough, not gonna lie. Just a lot of stretching, pinching... but no real pain. Today I picked my 18 month daughter up for the first time. Could only hold her for a few seconds before having to sit with her. Cannot take care of her myself yet. My 4 year old daughter has been an angel! She thinks it's fun to take care of me. She wanted to be in the bathroom with me while I showered yesterday, I told her that I had booboos that I thought would upset her and I'd rather her wait outside. She seemed pretty cool with it. I told her that I hurt my back. I've been able to hide it really well, loose sweats and zip up hoodies. Had my drain taken out on Monday which made me a lot more comfortable and enabled me to "hide" everything a little better. In terms of the consult... each one ran me $150 (fyi). You should expect to be examined, they'll explain to you their procedure, where they operate, etc. Definitely pick a dr. that insists that you stay overnight. You want to be sure that they make the incision as low as possible. Find a dr. who has posted photos... recreating a belly button is an art- some docs got it, some don't. My stomach is so flat, even with the minor swelling. I am so glad that I did this. Let me know if you need any other info or have more questions. This website really helped answer so many of my questions, so I am definitely looking to pay it forward! Good luck!
28 posts
19 Mar 2009
You note that you would recomend this Dr... Did you have a referral for him before or did you find him doing research? Also, did he do any lipo anywhere? I am just trying to get an idea of his prices. I am in NJ and would consider NY if the Dr & $ are right. Thanks
32 posts
21 Mar 2009
He advertises a lot on the radio here... "mommy makeovers", so I had heard the name. A friend of mine had gotten it done somewhere else and her friend had it done with my dr. so she gave me both names. Her dr. had zero bedside manner and she wasn't happy with her belly button, she's having it redone, so I didn't want to go to him. I saw one other dr. recommended by my gyno, who I also wasn't crazy about. When I went to see my dr. there was just an instant connection and level of comfort that I only felt with him. I felt the price was right, his office was well-equipped, and he is the chief of plastic surgery at Huntington Hospital. When I went for my pre-op visit with my internist, he said that he's been working in huntington for 18 years, and hasn't met a finer surgeon. My scar is beautiful, you can tell he takes his time. The line is fairly straight and very low. I only had one drain, some drs. use two, but he's been having success with one in recent months, so that was a big +. I didn't have any lipo done. However, I did have breast augmentation and I had a little problem spot removed from my face and everything looks and feels great!!
4 posts
24 Mar 2009
did you go with saline or silicone? what was your before and after size/cup? you sound similar to me in frame and size. I'm rather small (5'7" 120) but have skin stretched above my abdomen and fat pockets on each side of my bbutton that exercise and diet is not helping. my husband and I are both aprehensive because of the cut and scar. how does your scar look now at 2 weeks post-op? do you have any before after photos you would be willing to share - of the ab not breast :)
32 posts
24 Mar 2009
Hey Mommy20829, I posted my pics today, so I hope they'll be up shortly. I was a 34a(barely) before and am now a proud 34c!! I'm 5'2" and 115 lbs. My scar seems rather high. Put on a bathing suit today and it didn't cover the scar, but I'd rather buy some new bathingsuits with higher waistbands then sit down at the pool and have like 3 rolls hanging over my string bikini! My dr. pulled my skin as tight as he could. The little verticle line of stitching in the center is where my "old" belly button was, he couldn't pull the skin any tighter to make it fall below the incision line. I scar well though and am using vitamin E, so hopefully it won't be noticable in a year or so.
31 posts
24 Mar 2009
You look so good! I don't think your scar looks high, but if you do wear low rise panties or bathing suits I can see how some may be too low. If you move to fuller coverage bottoms it will definetly cover the scar. Your waist looks nice and tiny! AND, I'm sure the girls are looking good, too! LOL Thank you for sharing your pictures. I'll post mine next month for everyone after my TT/BA and Lipo. Take care!
4 posts
24 Mar 2009
you look great!! Thank you SOOOO much for sharing.
1 post
27 Mar 2009
Hi there, can you tell me how long recovery took after your procedre (tummy tuck) im going to be having one soon and would like information from someone thats had this surgery done. thankyou michelle
7 posts
27 Mar 2009
HELLO MELBEL28! you commented on my pics & now i wanna comment on yours!-- You look super! & i know you must be feeling great! Your photos remind me of my photos,i also had the small vertical line/stiching above my inscion line, which is my old belly button he couldnt pull down any tighter- it is fading well & i scar well, i am 8 weeks & at my 6 week post opt , my doctor said that if it still bothered me he could remove it this winter, but skin needs to relax atleast 6 months first- then he will be able to pull it down under incision line- (just wanted you to know in case yours bothered you too) my scar is low-this vertical fold im talking about is the only thing stoping me from wearing a "low" bikkini i had to buy a higher waisted/ hipster style one. i have no regrets at all!!i also had a BA- I didnt mention this in my review. I had 275cc silicon unders- what did you have?- You look so good ! im happy for you! KIT-