Tummy Tuck: Stories

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On The Flat Side! Almost a month Post op

  • posted 9 months ago
  • updated 6 months ago
  • October 2nd "Before" pic of just belly. Grossness!
  • Left is an hour before surgery in hospital gown/underwear - Right side is 6 days post op.
  • New CG - Marena LGA2
  • 3 Weeks Post Op
  • 3 Weeks PO Left
  • 3 Weeks PO right
  • 3 weeks PO sitting - no rolls!!!!

I am a 30yr old mother of 2 (ages 12 and 9). My...

  • 26 Sep 2012
  • 2 months pre

I am a 30yr old mother of 2 (ages 12 and 9). My motivation is to be a slimmer and healthier version of myself. I have always carried weight in my belly and have not liked the look of my belly since I had my first son when I was 17. I have spent the last 12 months learning how to balance my diet and exercise so that I can maintain my weight (I have ALWAYS yo-yo'd. - plus or minus 30lbs at any point during the year). I have been able to maintain my weight now for 12 months, and I have been running (more like jogging) 3 times a week for the last 3 months. I would like to continue improvement on my image and I think that a TT is a great step to get me there.

I am nervous, excited, doubtful, and I feel guilty for the amount of money I am about to spend. But, ultimately, I think it will work out great!

Thoughts: I have little over 6 weeks until my TT...

  • 4 Oct 2012
  • 1 month pre
Thoughts:
I have little over 6 weeks until my TT and I think I'm going to need every bit of it to get through all the prep (physically and emotionally). I took some before pictures earlier this week and they helped me feel better about my tt decision (Still not ready to post them on here though). I still hate spending this much money on myself, but I think that it really will increase the "quality of life" for me and that is what I am looking forward to. It is nice to have this new personal goal - a "new me". I love that I am finally in a place where I can do it and my husband's support is already amazing.

Current concerns:
I worry that I carry too much weight in the top of my stomach and that this tt won't make a significant difference (AKA I won't look like what I picture)

Questions for those of you in the post-op phase:
I've read a lot about binders everyone purchases...is it necessary to purchase one outside the one the PS provides? If so, what do you look for when you get it? Should I buy it preop or post op? Also, I don't have a recliner or anything higher than my couch...can I just get pillows to life me up a bit or is a recliner really worth it?

All opinions are welcome!

Went to my pre-op this morning. I am paid up, have...

  • 6 Nov 2012
  • 13 days pre
Went to my pre-op this morning. I am paid up, have my prescriptions, my directions, and I am EXCITED! Reviewed with the PS the few questions my husband and I had, the nurse explained to my husband how to keep up with the drains (thank goodness, I don't think I could deal with that grossness!) I will be getting the scripts and possibly a recliner before surgery. I am also going to post my measurements so that I have a comparison for post-op days.

Man, I can't WAIT!!!

The first 24 hours were the worst. I'm not sure...

  • 21 Nov 2012
  • 2 days post
The first 24 hours were the worst. I'm not sure why I wasn't prepared for the pain, I just know that I wasn't. Breathing, sitting, talking and peeing we're each a feat in and of itself.

I am lucky though, my husband and mother-in-law are taking care of me. My drains seem to be doing what they should and by taking my prescriptions on time I am able to knock the edge off the pain.

I am really hoping that the recovery gets a little easier. I haven't taken any post op pics, I don't think I am supposed to take my binder off yet - so I haven't seen it myself even. Happy Healing everyone!

Everything was quite itchy yesterday so my husband...

  • 25 Nov 2012
  • 6 days post
Everything was quite itchy yesterday so my husband I and I purchased new dressings to replace the original ones in hopes that it would help. This was the first time either of us has seen my new belly and we LOVE it! I just can't believe how different I look, it doesn't seem possible. I'll post a few pics to show the before and after look.

I'm still pretty sore but I'm taking Tylenol rather than the pain meds. The pain meds make me loopy and I don't like the feeling. I'm looking forward to going to the PS tomorrow and getting the drains out. I'm also looking forward to being measured for a new CG.

I'm going to try to go to work on Tuesday, at least for a half day. I have a desk job so it shouldn't be TOO hard.

For today I will do some Christmas Shopping online and take it easy. Happy Healing all!!

My one-week post op appointment yesterday went...

  • 27 Nov 2012
  • 8 days post
My one-week post op appointment yesterday went well. Doc took the drains out and said the insicion and bb were healing well. They suggested I masssaged my sides and bruised areas to get the blood flowing and the swelling down in those areas. I continue to ice my sides (where most of my swelling is) and my belly whenever I am sitting still. I still stick with Tylenol for pai, the hardest part for me is nighttime. I never knew it took so many abdominal muscles to turn over and I apparently turn over quite a bit at night. So I think, for now, I'll take the pain meds at night and continue to stick to Tylenol during the day. I am tryin a half of fay of work today to see how my energy lasts and how I'll feel tonight. All in all I am still happy and still excited. Very worth it.

Happy Healing to all my fellow Real Selfers!!!

Sorry for all the typos! I should really check...

  • 27 Nov 2012
  • 8 days post
Sorry for all the typos! I should really check before I hit submit - there doesn't seem a way to go back and edit previous posts on here. Has anyone had any luck editing older posts?

My new CG came in yesterday (I put a pic up). I...

  • 30 Nov 2012
  • 11 days post
My new CG came in yesterday (I put a pic up). I went with my PS's recommended Marena LGA2. It's pretty rough to put on or take off, I'm thinking I need to let my incision and bb heal a bit more before I use it. It is also pretty darn tight on my legs, any suggestions there? PS says I can start back walking on the treadmill next week. I can't WAIT! I miss my stress-reliever (working out)!

I'm also considering purchasing a corset. It seems a corset would be easier to get on and off and could form a slightly smaller waist. Any thoughts from my Real Selfers on that? Anyone tried it?

I'm 3 weeks PO today and feeling pretty good. I'm...

  • 3 Dec 2012
  • 14 days post
I'm 3 weeks PO today and feeling pretty good. I'm sore but otherwise functioning just fine. My belly is looking great, I have a few areas I want to ask the PS about but other than that it is perfect! Today is my first full day back to work, I tried a few half days last week to get be back into the grind. I'm pretty sure I'll be exhausted by tonight, but I also believe that I'll slowly get back to my 100%. Everything with this recovery seems to "just take time" which I find all sorts of frustrating because I'm not as patient as I once thought I was. I want to start my walking on the treadmill but I have one muscle in my abdominal area that's really bugging me so I decided not to try it till I talk to my PS tomorrow. Ok off to work for 8 hours! Wish me luck!

I am stuggling with the swelling, I can't seem to...

  • 7 Dec 2012
  • 18 days post
I am stuggling with the swelling, I can't seem to keep it down. I am watching my sodium intake, drinking water. Any other suggestions? I have my CG on 24/7 at this point. I went to the gym on Wednesday and did light cardio and have been really swollen since. Will working out more help me push through it or should I be taking it easier?

Any thoughts/comments are appreciated! This is super uncomfortable!!!

I take pictures weekly but I have not been able to...

  • 14 Dec 2012
  • 25 days post
I take pictures weekly but I have not been able to sit and update my profile since my last photos - I will this weekend though. Thank you all for the tips - the green tea and citrus has helped a LOT. As long as I stay away from inflammatory foods (like breading) and I drink a lot of water my swelling stays at a minimum. The hard part for me, currently, is getting back into my workout routine. Right now my PS approved walking on the treadmill (boring!) which is better than nothing. However - I swell BIG TIME for the rest of the day after that easy walk. I'd like to figure out how to push through that or avoid it.

I'm learning, this new bod takes some getting used to!

Great review?

My Doctor:

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Used RealSelf.com and Vitals.com to select 2 highly rated PS in my area, after a consultation with both I chose Dr. Csikai.

Comments (31)

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You look fantastic!
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you are looking great! i hope to see similar results. i am having mine done on 26th of this month. feel excited seeing your pictures.
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I am 2 weeks and 3 days PO and have minimal swelling. I attribute it to strong green tea with raw honey each day. Try Really Raw Honey.
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Green tea and honey. I am going to try it tonight! Thank you :)
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I had plenty of Green Tea, citrus, and some raw honey this past weekend and I do think it helped. Thank goodness! Thank YOU!
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Your results are fantastic!!! High 5
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Agreed! High 5 back!!
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You look stunning , such a major difference on your before and after pics. I am 1 month post op , extended TT . I am also so so happy with my results.
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Thanks sixpack! I am very VERY happy with my results too! Makes me feel so much better about myself. Love it!
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beautiful results xx
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You look awesome :)
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Runner you look great!
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Thanks!
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You look great!
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Thanks!
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You look fantastic.
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Thanks :)
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Thinking about you and sending hugs and happy thoughts your way for tomorrow:)

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Aww, thanks!!
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well I have a few answer for you. It is worth the money you spend, every dime. I am now 5 weeks post op. I am 50 and wish I had done it 20 years ago so I could have enjoyed it sooner. I lost 50 pounds over 6 years ago and I had a lot of extra skin plus I have 3 children. The top of my stomach was big I never had a waist even when I was thin, now I do. I lost 5 inches off my waist and I am still very swollen. I still have loose skin but I am sure it will tighten. You will notice a big difference walking out of the OR. You will swell after and you will feel like wtf did I do I look the same. Don't expect to wear 2 size smaller clothes either. I am just now getting into smaller clothes and only in the morning because by 2 or 3 I am swollen back up. The binder should be given to you by your doctor and as for secondary I just bought some spanx from target. I went in before my surgery and tried on some and chose medium because it was really tight on me before and I figured it would be good after. But don't sweat it too much my doctor made me stop wearing my compression garment because I was having trouble with fluid. I just took my drain out last thursday so 4.5 weeks draining. As for a recliner I didn't have one the first few days after my surgery because I stayed with my daughter and i brought a big chair with me with an ottoman. I loved it because I could pack pillows around me and it made me feel secure. I left that with my daughter (she was happy cause she loved the chair!) I still sleep in a recliner at times, getting in and out of a bed is a nightmare the first few weeks. So if you have a comfy couch or chair and someone who will help you in and out it would be great. I still sleep in a recliner because it hurts to sleep on my sides still and I cant sleep on my stomach and sleeping on my back still pulls my stomach muscles. You are younger then me and will probably recover 10 times faster and look 10 times better but I dont want you to come out and have the same feeling I had.
  • Reply
Thank you so much for such a long and thoughtful response!! I won't worry about the CG then, I'll ask the PS what he recommends and perhaps just do the Spanx thing too. Thanks again for the recliner opinion as well, I'll try out the pillows and see how it all works. I like the waistline idea, I've never had one either. I'm excited!!
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I had 2 friends have work done by Dr Csikai, one was a BA, and the other was a MM. Both turned out fantastic. I had a consult with him for a TT but had to move. If I was still there he would be the doctor for me. Good luck and your in good hands!
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Oh good, that makes me feel better for sure! I had a hard time choosing between him and Dr. Clayman.
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Hey! So about the binder thing...I only used the one my PS gave me and my spanx. The garment my PS gave me was a really good one. Came up just under the bust and ended at the tops of my knees. I see all these wrap around garments and feel happy I got this one. When I wash it, I throw on my spanx the put my garment back on once its clean. I don't think you need more. I'm not sure about the recliner. I'm sure it would have been nice to have but I think because I didn't use one my stomach streangthened quicker. It's only my opinion though. I also had lots of support. I'd say if you don't have someone to help you up and down then get one. Good luck!:)
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Thanks so much for the tips, I appreciate it :)
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