Tummy Tuck: Stories

I am 11 days out from my TT and Lipo and extremely happy. I am amazed by the results in such a short time. Even with the swelling I am completely happy. I had lost 60 pounds and had horrible hanging skin..had to go!

I have an excellent surgeon so was not nervous going in; only excited. The entire experience has been amazing. I have to say that the first four days after surgery was the worst. The pain was pretty high but some of that was due to gas being trapped in my abdomen. I highly recommend taking some MOM the day after surgery. Trust me you do not want to get constipated. My back is pretty sore from being hunched over for so long but that is also getting better. Slow but sure. The tight feeling from the muscle repair and pulling the skin down does still bother me. It is just an extremely tight feeling and it hurts to laugh, cry, cough, sneeze etc. Still worth all the pain.

I would highly recommend that you be in good physical shape prior to this surgery. Cardio and weight training prior to this will really help you. You will be using your leg and arm muscles after surgery and will be glad that they are strong.

My doctor told me that I did not need to wear the compression garment all of the time. This is good because it was really hurting me. I have gone for the last five days without wearing it at all and it does feel better. Drain number 1 came out two days after surgery and the second drain came out on day 9. Feels good to have those out. Not that they hurt but were a hassle for showering etc.

I am only taking extra strength Tylenol for the pain and that works pretty good. Once I am 14 days out I can start taking ibuprofen and I think that will work better for the pain and swelling. I do notice though that by mid day my swelling gets worst and I have to lay down and rest. I get a super tight feeling in the tummy and hips. But at least now I am able to stand up straight most of the time. Still get spasms in my lower back but he says that will improve.

Highly recommend that you rent a hospital bed for the first two weeks. This has been a lifesaver for getting in and out of bed. So glad I have it!

I will post pictures in the next day or two.

Day 15...

Went  in to see the doctor today because I had concerns about the amount of swelling I have.  He said that everything looks fine and this is all totally normal.  Some people swell up more than others..you might know I would be one of those people!!  Started taking ibuprofen today for the swelling and pain which seems to help.  I am taking 800 MG every 6-7 hours.  You can take that dose up to 4 times a day if needed.  I am hoping I won't need to do this for more than 5-6 days.  Any longer than that might be hard on the tummy.

I think I have a little bit of the post op blues setting in.  I have been a bit weepy and even cried at the Purina Puppy Chow Ad on TV...oh BOY!!   Apparently this is also part of the recovery.   I am trying to stay positive and just rest so that the swelling isn't't so bad.

I do good until I have been up and around for two hours and then the swelling begins.  I look A little bit like I have a tire around my middle and it gets so tight. 

The weather is nice so it does help to sit outside in the sunshine.   Just to get out of the house really helps.  I am off work until May 10th so have hopes everything settles down before I have to return.   I would think three and a half weeks off would be enough time. 

I am now 12 weeks post op and totally excited about my progress. It just gets better and better each week. I do still have swelling but that will take some more time. This entire experience has exceeded my expectations. I never thought I would be able to say at the age of 46 that I love my body these days. I have not been able to say that since before the birth of my son 18 years ago. So ladies...if you are having second thought about the TT procedure...DON'T. Just do it because you are worth it.

August 7th - 16 weeks post op. Well here I am 16 weeks post op and feeling really good. Not sure where time has gone so quickly. What a journey it has been! I am healing well but do still have swelling and pulling around the belly button area. I know it takes time.....well I am not good at waiting. One of my big concerns before surgery was the scar. Well I thought I would try the test of the Mederma cream and it really does work. I started massaging the cream on the scar three times a day two months ago. It is amazing how well it works. For maximum results they say to do this for up to six months so I will. The cream is a bit costly for the cute little tube you get. Worth it though! My scar is completely smooth and fading well. Minimal redness and no raised or thick areas. Of course the great surgeons work is also a big help!!

I am back in the gym working hard to try and drop this last 10-15 pounds but the scale is not moving....frustrating! No core work yet but biking, running, squats, light weight lifting and totally working on the cardio, shoulders and arms. What does a girl have to do to drop a pound!!! Cant wait until I can work on my ABS. I will be working for the six pack ABS. My body has been through so much the past year and a half that I think it is on strike and screaming no more!!! My goal is to finish this process by spring when I go on my Island vacation. Never though I would be 47 and wearing a bikini...and looking good I might add! I plan to keep my hubby on his toes. So ladies if you are considering having this procedure just go for it. Yes it hurts and is a long recovery but so worth it. It will give you the confidence boost you need to feel good about yourself. You have to go into this with realistic expectations though. You won't get rid of all the stretch marks but the hanging skin will be gone. I will post new pictures this week.

New Pictures - 16 weeks post OP and loving my results. Thank you Dr. K! The Mederma cream is working like magic. I zoomed in as close as I could so you could really see how smooth the scar has become. Compared to the 10 week picture you can really see how much it has faded in the last 6 weeks. Try it ladies!!

September 23rd Well I am a little over five months now and doing amazing. Time is just flying by so quickly. I continue to heal and am working out a little bit harder in the gym. No AB work yet but some really good cardio, spinning classes and weights. I am hoping to be cleared for ABS at my six month doctor visit on October 11th. Oh I so want to hear those words come out of his mouth. He did also tell me that I would need to be cautious with the Abs from months 6-12. My trainer will ease me back into the ab workout at a slow pace. I continue to have swelling in the tummy by about 3:00 each day. Not as bad as it was in the past but still bothers me. I have another 14 pounds to drop but my body is not giving it up...so frustrating. Not sure what the problem is but I keep my diet on track and work out in the gym 10 hours a week. My body is just fighting me 100%. I figure it has got to drop eventually...right?

Anyway I am really happy with my TT results and so glad I did this for myself. I will post more pictures at six months. It is so fun to see the changes from month to month. People have asked me how much weight I dropped from the surgery and it is only about 6 pounds. However my pant size has dropped from a 10 to a 6. Woot Woot!! I knew my tummy was big but now I know how big it was. No more double muffin top. Nice and flat with no lumps and bumps. Now my booty on the other hand has plenty of cottage cheese on it...Guess we can't have it all! My tummy was not this flat in my 20's. Thank you Dr. Magic Hands King...he is totally amazing at what he does. I can't wait to see what my results look like at a year. For all of you ladies out there who are recovering from your recent TT just hang in there and know it gets better week by week. New pictures to follow in 2-3 weeks.

Pic update

October 12th I had my six month follow up appt yesterday with Dr. K and it want very well. I am so happy with my results and amazed at my changes. New pictures to follow this weekend. I continue to have some swelling by the middle of the afternoon but it is getting better. I have noticed this past week that my pubic area and hips have gone down a bit more. The pubic area is still a bit of a problem for me. I just hope it goes down more and isn't so puffy. He cleared me to start doing Ab work again. Although he wants me to take is a bit easy for the next six months. I am still amazed that six months have already passed. This is the best thing I have ever done for myself and would do it all over again if necessary. The first three months I would not have said that though. It has been a long haul and many ups and downs but still worth it. I have been on the roller coaster of emotions, to swell hell and back multiple times but made it through! On surgery day I was in a size 10 pants and now today I am in a size 6 petite. Never thought I would get back there again. I honestly thought those days were gone with my 20's. I still head to the size 16's when I go to the store. My brain is still thinking fat so I need to learn how to get past that and cope with the new me. Now that I am cleared to do Ab work again I went to my first Boot Camp class tonight at my gym...Holy mother of GOD! I think I am going to need a walker tomorrow morning to get on and off the toilet. My legs are screaming and I can hardly walk. I have been exercising since 6 weeks post op but no classes. I have an appt at 5:45 tomorrow night with my trainer so that he can start me on a modified Ab routine. I sure hope I can walk tomorrow..Eeks. For you ladies out there waiting for your surgery and just out of surgery please stay strong because this is all worth it.

Updated on November 20, 2010:

I have had several people ask to see my final results after the 70 pound weight loss, 76 inches, breast reduction and tummy tuck so I am posting pictures.   My journey is finally complete and I am so happy I did all of this. 

For those of you who are in the process of your journey just keep going and know you will get there.  It is a long hard road and you will have good days and bad days but they will all be worth it. 

Updated on December 23, 2010

I wanted to wish all of my ladies on RealSelf a very happy holiday season.   Enjoy your families, rest and take care of yourself! 

For those of you who are home recovering from your recent surgery just know that the pain and swelling will end and next year at this time you will be sporting that new and hot body!   A year ago I never knew how happy I would be right now!  It has all been worth it and I am so glad that I went through this process.

Stay warm and healthy and I look forward to chatting with all of you in the weeks/months to come.

Happy Holidays :)  XXXXOOOO

 

Updated April 4, 2011

One year post op pictures

 

Updated July 24, 2011

Hello all of my beautiful ladies!

As you all know RealSelf and helping people is a passion of mine.  I want to spread the word to as many as possible about our wonderful tummy tuck community.  This is an amazing support group and I know we will continue to support and educate many others.  So in order to do that I am asking for your help.

If you have found value on RealSelf and want to make it easier for others to find this information here are some ways you can help spread the word:

Use the social media tools on the left side of the page in the tummy tuck review section. Click on Google +1 and Facebook Like.  You will need a Google account to do this but that is very easy to set up. 

I thank you all and really appreciate your help:)
Hugs,
Kim
 

Hi Ladies,

Please join me on our Facebook  “All About Tummy Tucks” page where you will find interesting conversation and information. 

You may also follow me on Twitter for some fun articles and blogs.

Hope to see your there!

 

Update 11-2-11

Hey Ladies!  Join me on a new feature we are rolling out on RealSelf.  A live tummy tuck chat room:)

 

I will host a live chat on the following dates and times this week:

Thursday November 3rd,  from 8:00 - 9:30 p.m. central time

Saturday November 5th,  from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. central time

Sunday November 6th,  from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. central time

Please join us for some good conversation along with tips and tricks for pre and post op.

Go to the Tummy Tuck Community and then under the "Overview" tab.  This is where you will find the live chat area.  The link will go live at the times listed above. 

 

Updated December 6, 2011:

Bikinis, fun and sun in the Dominican Republic! 

The hubby and I are heading out on a 12 day adventure vacation tomorrow morning.  I freaked him out at told him it was an “All Nude” resort!!!   Just kidding, no place to hide the tummy tuck scar there….LOL

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be 47 and wearing a bikini in public again.   Thank goodness for tummy tucks, breast lifts and lipo.  So is it wrong for 40 something’s to wear a bikini??

While I am gone there are some wonderful ladies who will take great care of you.   I will be back on December 19th.    So don’t panic when you don’t hear from me for a couple of weeks. 

Happy Holidays to everyone:)

 

Updated July 18, 2012

I have not updated in a while so here goes.  Still loving my results a little over two years post op and just last month started a new tattoo on my right side.   Tummy is still flat and I have no regrets.  Scar is awesome and I could not be any more happy.  I am posting a picture of my tattoo.  You will notice way down low the very faded looking scar.  Hard to even see anymore.  Thank you Palmer's and Bio Oil:)

 
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