Tummy Tuck: Stories

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My TT Voyage - Louisville, KY

I've been overweight most my life. I'm 53 and 3...

  • 18 Nov 2012
  • 1 month post

I've been overweight most my life. I'm 53 and 3 years ago had lap band surgery. I lost 80 lbs. I had 4 children all 9 lb babies. They are all grown now. Health issues have kept me from doing much. I have 12 vertebrae fused in my spine. Recovered from cancer a few years ago with radiation and chemo. Now it's my turn to do something for me that I can say the pain was worth it! Oct 18th 2012 I had modified tummy tuck. I did not have the muscles done. PS didn't think it was needed with me. I think because I have a pain pump implant in my abdominal wall. If it was much tighter it would protrude out more.

I guess I set this up wrong, but I'll post anyway....

  • 24 Nov 2012
  • 1 month post
I guess I set this up wrong, but I'll post anyway. I don't think this is going out for anyone to read for some reason.....
Went Black Friday shopping, started 8 pm on Thursday, came home at 3 am. Went back out 9am. Whats this got to do with my tummy tuck???? Well I got to shop for me for new clothes..YaY!!! Amazing how different things look and fit now. I got 4 new shirts that are a bit tighter and shorter than the ones I already own. A couple pair of pants. And a pair of really cute boots. When I feel a little more rested I will take a picture to share with you. Knowing I am a silly old lady it makes me feel better to not wear all my old lady clothes. lol

Finally added a few new pictures. I need to get...

  • 27 Nov 2012
  • 1 month post
Finally added a few new pictures. I need to get some more weight off. I know some of it is bloating because it goes down a lot after taking a gas ex pill. I just blow up after eating or just laying around. Wish it would warm up some so I could ride my bike. That always makes me feel good. And I lost some the past 5 months riding it.

Love the YMCA! Just joined last week, Now that I...

  • 10 Dec 2012
  • 2 months post
Love the YMCA! Just joined last week, Now that I am on the flat side, I am comfortable wearing exercise capri's and tank's. Hopefully I can reach my goals faster with diet and exercise. Not having the apron hanging from my tummy has given me confidence to go for it!

Just found one of those pictures that show the...

  • 1 Jan 2013
  • 3 months post
Just found one of those pictures that show the whoe me. I didn't even know thete were any like that around. I need to update more, but not much new is going on... Been going to the gym. Hopefully the next updated pictures will show it.

Hello hope you all are having a great day! I just...

  • 23 Jan 2013
  • 3 months post
Hello hope you all are having a great day! I just posted a couple new pictures to get your opinions. I took a some close ups of what I think is dog ears. Feedback would be really appiciated. So please tell me your honest opinion.

Ok so I put the dog ear pictures on the other day,...

  • 24 Jan 2013
  • 3 months post
Ok so I put the dog ear pictures on the other day, but forgot to mention. I don't know if it makes a difference to you guys, but the funny or maybe not so funny thing about them is they just started showing themselves in the past few weeks.... I think the reason is I was still swollen from the tt and it was all filled out. So what do you think, if I still have swelling now are they going to get worse?
I have to add one more thing, I saw one of my others docs today... she had not seen me since the tt. When she saw the scar she said that my tt doc did a beautiful job. So me not being crazy about my new ears or funny bb don't seem very bad at all. The few people I have showed the scar to all say it looks great. Sooo. I will still ask him (tt doctor) on the 31st what he thinks. If it needs to be addressed or not.
I been reading a lot of your stories out there,I just want to wish you all the best. This is such a blessing to have this done for what ever reasons your having it done.

Going for my 3 month post op later today. I'm...

  • 31 Jan 2013
  • 3 months post
Going for my 3 month post op later today. I'm really nervous about it. I have to tell him about my dog ears, and my belly button. I don't want him to think I don't like the job he did, because I love my new tummy so much. I never thought I would be able to get rid of that apron of skin I had hanging off me. I am still amazed every time I look at it!
Coming to RS has been a real source of inspiration. You ladies are so kind. I read you all the time. Ill come back later today and let you know what my tt doc has to say. Hopefully good news.

Got another new surgery date, yay! 2-12-13 Going...

  • 31 Jan 2013
  • 3 months post
Got another new surgery date, yay! 2-12-13 Going to have my dog ears and belly button fixed! Good news is I don't have a umbilical hernia, which is what I was affraid of. PS said my old umbilis was very long because of how much loose skin I had and he had made it as short as it would go at the time of the tt. But it still stretched out more, I guess at least partially because of how much swelling I had, which left me with an outie bb. It is not real bad but I just don't like it. I will take a picture later and add it. I told him I didn't like the dog ears, one is very small and the other is just ugly. LOL. It just sticks out more. So I am really pleased that these things are getting fixed. Recovery is only going to be a week too.

Revision surgery was today. I was awake for it. I...

  • 12 Feb 2013
  • 4 months post
Revision surgery was today. I was awake for it. I have to wait til the 20th to see. I did grab my phone and take a picture of my bb before the nurse bandaged it. But I didn't see the dog ears. They were already bandaged. I will take a picture tomorrow of everything with the bandages on.

Added a couple new pictures. The PS said to leave...

  • 13 Feb 2013
  • 4 months post
Added a couple new pictures. The PS said to leave bandages on until the 20th (next Wed.) and go back to have bandages removed. I managed to get a picture of my new bb before it was covered. The left dog ear took a lot longer to repair. And it hurts more than the right. The bandage is bloody but I don't think it is bleeding any more. At least I hope it's not! Just taking my fingertips and going over the bandages it feels like it is very smooth now. I hope that means the dog ears are all the way gone. I will post next week after the gauze is off.

I had the revision surgery but didn't see what...

  • 15 Feb 2013
  • 4 months post
I had the revision surgery but didn't see what used to be my dog ears because they bandaged it. Well I decided to put on a fresh clean bandage. This is the left side. The one that was the worst of the two. I took a picture of it before bandages went back on. The dog ears are gone! I added a new picture of it.

All the bandages are off. No more dog ears!! And a...

  • 21 Feb 2013
  • 4 months post
All the bandages are off. No more dog ears!! And a tiny bb. Not an outtie anymore. Will update pictures soon.
I went to the hospital to see a new friend that I met here on RS. She had her TT yesterday. One very lovely lady. I am happy we finally saw each other in real life. Hope your doing well today Gail. The recovery is a long road. But we have all either been there, or will be going there, and it is a journey well worth every step.

Hello ladies. I took 2 updated pictures from my bb...

  • 22 Feb 2013
  • 4 months post
Hello ladies. I took 2 updated pictures from my bb and dog ears revision. The bb is not healed all the way but it is NOT a fat little outie anymore. Yay!
I am now 4 months PO.

It's almost healed and I love it! The revision on...

  • 3 Mar 2013
  • 5 months post
It's almost healed and I love it! The revision on my BB is exactly what I wanted. Little bitty innie belly button. I am so glad I decided to have the revision.

It has been 5 months and a week since my TT. Some...

  • 27 Mar 2013
  • 5 months post
It has been 5 months and a week since my TT. Some good days some not so good. The swelling still comes and goes. But from all I have read here I am not alone. There has been many doing the same thing. Overall I am very pleased with my TT. Would I do it again? In a heart beat. To be able to wear normal clothes without hiding my apron of skin is just awsome. To exercise at the gym and not have my tummy hitting my thighs feels so great. To read all the wonderful life altering stories here shows anyone out there on the fence, this is worth it.

6 months PO now. Would do it again!!! If I had...

  • 17 Apr 2013
  • 6 months post
6 months PO now. Would do it again!!! If I had known about RS before. I would have done a few things different. But I didn't find it until a few days after my Tt. I learned a lot here. The info has been so helpful. I added a close up picture of me in a swim suit. I'm no bikini model but not having the roll of skin that I had before at least makes me feel better. If your out there and thinking about getting a Tt. It's a gift for yourself that you deserve.

Here I am 6 months PO and just made it to the ps...

  • 19 Apr 2013
  • 6 months post
Here I am 6 months PO and just made it to the ps office to pick up my before and after pictures that they took there. My before was 10/03/12 and the tt was on the 18th of November. And the after pictures I have from his office was taken on 02/20/2013. So I am a little behind putting the pictures from the ps office on but think they are much better than I at taking them.

Great review?

My Doctor: Geoffrey Durham-Smith, M.D.

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

He is very sweet. Answers all questions with details. I was referred to him by my lap band Doctor. The day of my revision he came in with his cd player and music. We listened to the oldies the whole time. He is just awesome!

Comments (186)

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sarav59 21 May 2013
Hi Jeannie how are you doing?
Silversunshine 2 May 2013
You look gorgeous!!!!!
ExTheFlab 25 Apr 2013
You look awesome!! Wondering why u had the pain pump so long? Was the pain horrible? I'm trying to prepare
JeannieM1959 27 Apr 2013
My pain pump has nothing to do with my TT. I have a really bad spine. 13 vertibre are fused, so I have continued pain meds going to my spine. But thank you for the complement. The TT pain was so bad.
ExTheFlab 27 Apr 2013
Oh wow! That does sound painful!
JeannieM1959 27 Apr 2013
I had a typo on my response to you earlier today please forgive me. The tt pain was not so bad. That's what it should have said. Of course with any surgery you will have pain. But it was bearable. And lots of pillows help. Good luck to you!
wanda1959 25 Apr 2013
oh my you are looking greattttttttttttttttttttttt he really did a good job
JeannieM1959 27 Apr 2013
Thanks. Nice to see your still hanging around here. Me too! Have a great day!
Mitford 20 Apr 2013
You look super!!! Great outcome. Thanks so much for sharing so many pics. I need to get moving!
sarav59 18 Apr 2013
You do look great ... Like that swimsuit
lisa47 17 Apr 2013
I agree, do it for yourself!!!!!! You look great :)
FitChick45 17 Apr 2013
Wow wow WOW! So happy for you!
JeannieM1959 18 Apr 2013
Thank you and You look great!. I sure wish I had your long slim waist. lol. It is beautiful. Have a great day!
BuffyR 17 Apr 2013
Love that suit, you don't need the ruffles tho, nothing to hide!
HealthyDiva44 16 Apr 2013
Nice pictures! Wow
JeannieM1959 17 Apr 2013
Thanks. You look great!
sarav59 16 Apr 2013
Jeannie, How have you been doing?
JeannieM1959 17 Apr 2013
Still hanging around RS. I love it here. I saw your new pics. Awesome. Really you look do great.
sarav59 18 Apr 2013
Thank you Jeanie,, swelling has gone down now I can wear my clothes ... Thought I was gonna live in stretch pants...
JeannieM1959 19 Apr 2013
I know what you mean. Went and bought some jeans but didn't wait for the swelling to go down, about a month after my tt. Well they are all to large now. Lol. My fault for getting excited about wearing clothing without the elastic. I then bought some smaller and they fit ok, I just cant seem to get used to not having the comfort of the elastic. I still have my days of swelling or bloating, and missed the elastic when like that. Fast forward to Spring weather shopping. So now I did get smaller sizes, but for the most, I'm back with my comfortable familiar, ELASTIC. Lol. Just bought a few pair of shorts. I love the fit without my old tummy. This is after all my first Spring and Summer since my tt. I love having on shorts and looking down and seeing how flat it is. I am sure you feel the same. I still have upper tummy fullness, not sure how much of that is fat or just the way I am built. But its still smaller than I've been in over 30 years! Most of last summer's clothes I gave away right after my tt. But what I considered the smaller Items I kept. Knowing i couldn't afford a whole new wardrobe. Most of what i kept is just to large for me. Seems like all my shirts from the past now look like short dresses. I guess I had bought them all long enough to cover my old tummy. Oh well... lol. I wear that stuff around the house. And the smaller when I go out somewhere. Sorry I just rattled on. Have a great day!
smyrnamama 16 Apr 2013
thank you for sharing your story and you look fantastic! :)
JeannieM1959 17 Apr 2013
Thank you so very much.
lisa47 10 Apr 2013
You look great :) I am 3 months 1 week PO and I am still swelling too :( I am so glad that I too don't have the "apron" to hide or carry around any longer. Stay well :)
Lori59345 28 Mar 2013
Your results look fabulous ... I am sure you are loving it. How long did it take after the initial surgery before you realized dog ears were going to be an issue? I am so worried about having a problem.
JeannieM1959 29 Mar 2013
It was about 2 months PO that I thought I may have the dog ears. Confirmed when I went for my 3 month check at the PS. But don't worry. Chances are you won't have them. And if you do it is a minor revision. He did my bb and dog ears at the same time in his office. I looked at your profile and yours looks great! Your before tummy looked a lot like my before tummy. Enjoy the new you. You will love it more as time goes on. Looking down and seeing the top of my thighs for the first time in so many years was awesome. Taking a shower and not lifting the extra skin is still amazing! Congrats on your journey!!!

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