Beautiful Babies, and a Flat Belly, Too - Golden, CO

APMama
updated 1 year ago

Worth It
Cost: $8,000
Dr. Steven Vath (Golden, CO)

After gaining 50 and 55 pounds during both of my...

24 Jul 2011

After gaining 50 and 55 pounds during both of my pregnancies, (and losing it all), my abdominals were stretched apart and I was left with loose, wrinkly skin. An added bonus of the tummy tuck was having two navel piercing scars removed.

Just added 1 week post op photos. Wish I had...

27 Jul 2011

Just added 1 week post op photos. Wish I had before photos for comparison. I am thin- 5'2" 114lb, and I had a moderate amount of stretch marks beneath my navel, along with slightly wrinkly skin that caused a small horizontal "shelf" where the pubic area becomes abdominal area. I had a nice contour to my abs, and while not visibly noticable, there was extra skin on the upper abdominals that you could grab. I had two navel piercing scars. All of my stretch marks have been removed, and my PS was even able to remove enough skin to get rid of my piercing scars. At one week, I just feel kind of hard and swollen.

11 dpo and I'm finally feeling good! My family...

31 Jul 2011

11 dpo and I'm finally feeling good! My family and I caught a cold right after my surgery, and recovery has not been fun trying to heal and fight a virus. I've been off of my narcarotics for a full day now, and I'm only using tylenol for pain. I have little to no swelling above my belly button, and my abdomen is now flat again under my bra, instead of pooched out from stretched muscles. Under my navel, I'm still very swollen and pretty hard. I've been experiencing a little drainage from my incision site for the past four days, but it seems to be decreasing now. I'm beginning to have an idea of how my belly will look, and I'm really excited! It's been close to 5 years since I've seen my pre-pregnancy body! So thankful for this procedure!

12dpo, and my first day at home with my two young...

1 Aug 2011

12dpo, and my first day at home with my two young boys alone! Last night, I slept on my side for the first time. My 17mo old chose last night to sleep through the night for the first, time, as well.... so it was the best sleep I've had in a long time. The day is going well, but I am TIRED and too sore to make a dent in this messy house. Hoping I can get the boys out of the house later this afternoon to a park, but I may be overestimating my abilities at this point. I want my normal life back!

13dpo: I did not make it to the park yesterday,...

2 Aug 2011

13dpo: I did not make it to the park yesterday, and think I'll just shoot for next week. I had a muscle strain on my right side last night that was really bothering me, but I'm feeling better today. Feeling better every day! Standing straighter- anyone other than my husband would think that I'm straight. I continue to remind myself about my posture, because it seems I automatically hunch over to protect my incision. It is worse at night after a full, active day. I was so excited to see my belly this morning! The swelling near the incision is decreasing (though it's still very swollen) and I can see that I'm going to have my body back. What a gift!
My 17mo old fell asleep on me, nursing today, so I was forced to carry him upstairs to his bed, but other than that, I'm trying to take it easy. Looking forward a couple of weeks from now, and hoping that I'll be fitting in my clothes, and enjoying life as usual. Two week post-op pics tomorrow!

14dpo - drainage from incision is turning from a...

3 Aug 2011

14dpo - drainage from incision is turning from a clear red to more of a red/orange, which I've read is part of the progression. Looking forward to no more drainage! Two more weeks of wearing my binder. Hoping I won't feel like I need it so much by then. I hate sweating in this heat with the binder on.

At 3 weeks post-op, life feels pretty normal. I'm...

11 Aug 2011

At 3 weeks post-op, life feels pretty normal. I'm back to taking my kids to the park, cooking, and cleaning. We've even done a small shopping trip at the grocery store. My incision has stopped draining completely, and the scabs on my belly button have fallen off. I'm extremely happy with the results, and can't wait to take off the tagaderm to really see my scar! I no longer feel reliant on my binder and I'm looking forward to taking it off next week. Big plus- I'm starting to fit into my pants a little better.

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Dr. Vath was kind and professional, and provided the best results out of all of the doctors I researched in the Denver area. In addition to the beautiful results, I like that I didn't need a drain for a full TT.

Comments (13)

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kksmom 14 Jan 2012

I had my TT done by Dr. wolfe! I love them all at the office and had a hard time choosing which Dr of the 2 to go with. I chose Wolfe bc my friend got her boobs done by him and they look fantastic!
You look wonderful and I can tell how much the swelling has gone down each week. Im excited for you and that gives me hope that week by week I will look less swollen:)

Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 13 Aug 2011

You look wonderful:)

APMama 13 Aug 2011

Thank you! I feel fabulous and sexy! Before my surgery, I had an experience at the grocery store where a guy walked by as I was reaching up to grab something. He did the standard "look you down" and I knew he saw my stomach. I was so embarassed. It feels so liberating to not carry around that extra wrinkly skin.
I had a huge moral argument with myself before doing this surgery- as a feminist, shouldn't I just embrace the natural outcome of pregnancy? I think that we should. But it doesn't change the fact that I feel so much better with tight skin. I'm beyond over-joyed regarding the results. I wish every woman who wants it could have this done after sacrificing her belly for her children.

Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 14 Aug 2011

You shouldn't have to settle for anything that makes you uncomfortable. Part of being a woman is having the right to feel good about yourself and make the improvements we need. And if that takes a little nip tuck then so be it :)

I am glad you are feeling so wonderful and loving your results. So you go to the store with pride and let those men look you up and down. Go ahead and cause a little whiplash...LOL

SassyMomma (RealFriend) 18 Sep 2011

I agree APMama. I think all mommies deserve to have their beautiful babies and their flat stomachs back! Glad to hear your recovering well. I love that I'm seeing more no drain TTs with great results!

APMama 5 Aug 2011

Puggymom- Thanks! I actually don't have any drains. My doctor doesn't use them. I have a very small area in my incision that is draining fluid. According to my PS, it doesn't happen often. Can't wait for it to stop! Good luck with your surgery!

Puggymom 5 Aug 2011

I think you look pretty darned good! I'm sure it will be nice when the drains are all gone. I'm still pre-op so haven't walked down that road yet. Your results will just get better and better.

APMama 31 Jul 2011

Thanks Kimmers. I must admit, I was a little disheartened when I saw one member's photos from 10dpo, looking fabulous. So fabulous that she was out in a bikini. I am NOWHERE near ready to be in a bikini in public. I was wearing bikinis before the surgery, but the swelling now is just too much. I can barely button SOME of my pants. The others, I can't even wear. Trying to be patient. Tomorrow is my first day taking care of my boys (3.5yr and 17mo) alone, so hopefully it will go well!

Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 1 Aug 2011

Try not to compare yourself to others. Everyone heals at a different pace. Some people (and very few) pop back up without any issues at all.

Your tummy looks really good even though you hurt and have some swelling. It will only get better and better. I know it's hard to rest when you have small children but try not to over do it. Just keep telling yourself that this is all temporary and will end. Try to focus ahead about four months and picture yourself all healed and feeling and looking good.

Keep your chin up and rest as much as you can during the day.

Hugs

Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 31 Jul 2011

Nice update - Thank you:)

A cold right after this surgery would be horrible. You poor thing:(

Your swelling will continue to go down over the next few weeks so hang on.

APMama 27 Jul 2011

Thanks, Kimmers! I'm so happy that I found this site right before my surgery! I think it spared the nurses a lot of phone calls from me. I had my TT done on July 20.

Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 27 Jul 2011

Oh my you are right out of surgery. Your a tiny little thing:)

Thanks you for posting your pictures. That is extremely helpful for women when planning for surgery. We are visual creatures and always need to "See" everything.

Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 27 Jul 2011

Welcome to the community APMama. Thank you for posting your review and sharing with all of us.

We would love to see some before and after pictures is you have them available. So when did you have this done?