Tummy Tuck: Stories

Thank goodness I found this site! I went in to talk about lipo, and my PS said (gently) lipo isn't going to give me the results I wanted. He introduced me to TT procedure. Watched a video ~ not sure that was the smartest move ~ and after getting the funds together, I scheduled it! That was last November! I never thought March would get here, but here it almost is. I have had many sleepless nights, dreams, and anxieties about it, but I keep reading how happy everyone is once the recovery process is behind them. So, last November I was wishing it were March, and now that March is here, I wish it were June! I can't wait to get rid of this flabby, loose skin ~ not from having kids, but from weight loss. Still is just gross and it seems no matter how hard I try to firm it up, it just isn't happening! I don't know how to post pics, but I have some before shots that I want to compare when I get through surgery.

Ok, another somewhat sleepless night. Seems between 2 and 4am, I am in a slight dream state, going through surgery in my mind, talking silly to the nurses, running around naked afraid I'll see myself in a mirror, and trying to find clothes that fit! LOL! I get up to go to the bathroom and start pushing my belly fat around, trying to flatten it out, lifting that awful flab that is going to go by the wayside, and imagine how it's going to be. I'm really getting excited about this! And hearing from you all is such a comfort, so thank you! My question for today is, anyone have suggestions for what foods are good after surgery? I keep hearing about pineapple. Any advice from anyone is so appreciated! Thanks :)

Counting down! 2 weeks from today and I am wishing the day were here. It's so hard waiting. I keep having thoughts what the weather will be like (I hope it's raining) and how nice it will be to have nothing to do for a week except take care of me. Then I switch to how bad I will feel, how much pain I will be in and hope I have nothing to do. I haven't told anyone what I am doing and will try not to. I don't know why I don't want anyone knowing (of course my husband knows!) maybe the opinions. Plus it isn't a cheap surgery, so it sort of feels funny spending this much money on me when there is so much need in my area. Guilt.
Well my friends, I have a question today...and I haven't heard anyone comment... But are stairs hard post op? I have 17 of them to maneuver ~ one way! Happy healing to everyone, love you all for your acceptance and understanding and sharing!

Eleven days to go! I found out today that I am the first scheduled surgery on the 18th, and that made me skip a heartbeat! It is becoming so real! I am so thankful for all of you that have already had the surgery and continue to post. It's been a comfort to read and see your progress. I hope I do as well. Still not sleeping without waking up for an hour or two processing and imagining what I will be feeling like and how I will do. I have my husband to help me the first couple of days, but then he has to go back to work. I should be able to be by myself after a couple days, right? Almost ten days to go.....:)

Woke up today imagining where I would be next week at the same time. At 8am I thought in one week I will be getting prepped for surgery...9 am anesthetized, 1pm recovery....the whole day has been like this! And my TT is next week! I'm even having tummy pains! Gads, does anyone else have this anxiety? Just wish it were over. My poor husband just looks at me. He's good support, but he just isn't the same connecting to all of you. I know deep down everything will be just fine, right?

Had a great day today. We had staff pictures randomly taking while we were all diligently working away, and then we got to preview them. Guess what I saw? My big tummy roll, oozing out of my pants, squeezing, bulging, looking like I had a towel rolled up in there! That was enough to confirm I am doing the right thing! It's just a huge roll of skin and fat, flapping over my belly, so gross. Cant imagine why I didn't get this done 10 years ago, but better late than never! Feeling prepared, have all the things I think I will need, and am starting to clean and get all the "chores" done that I can think of doing. It will be a busy weekend, and then the TT on Monday! Almost here .... Love you all that are reading this!

What's wrong with me? I'm in tears today, knowing the weekend is here and I can't call my PS office and surgery is Monday morning early! Don't even know what's wrong. I'm emotional one minute and laughing the next. Seems like Monday will never get here, but that could be because I'm not sleeping at night. Makes for a long 24 hours. Not hungry today, feeling a little upset stomach, but maybe just from being tired. I think I'm totally prepared, and am making a list of things I have left to do since I don't trust myself to remember squat! A little jumpy too. My dog barked and I almost came out of my skin. My dog always barks! I practically could tell you how many hours I have before 7:30 Monday morning.
Well, I'm off to read others stories and seee just how weird I am today. Feeling better just voicing this. Thanks girls, love you all for being here!

1 day PO and am feeling good. Came home yesterday after being in recovery about an hour longer than planned. The nurse said I didn't want to wake up, and kept falling back to sleep. They just let me doze, thank goodness. I go in today for a little look see, bandage changes and CG adjustment. Don't know why, just the way my doctor does it. Can't wait to see how I look! I asked him how much skin and fat he removed, but can't remember his answer. I also asked if he took off the allotted 4,000ccs from lipo and I remember him saying I didn't have that much to take. Ha! That's a complement, right? I'm able to get out of my recliner and walk to the bathroom a little hunched, but already I feel like that's getting better. Sleeping off and on today, pampering myself. Feels good! Just waiting now for that well talked about BM to hit! LOL!

Well today is PO Day 5 and you all probably want to quit reading right here. It's boring! Nothing spectacular has happened! I feel like a freak, I'm off pain meds, I have one drain left but I'm draining 20 in a 24 hr period, my pain level is maybe a 2, I can stand straight albeit takes a second or two to get there, I've pooped, I'm eating a little, I have very little swelling although there is some, I actually like wearing the binder, seems to keep me together. Now I am not complaining, I just wanted to connect and relate to you awesome caring peeps and I feel like that "fat kid" outsider because I am not having a hard time of it. I wish all of you had the same kind of recovery I have had. I have been told all my adult years that I am " such a strong person". I guess I am, but so what? I still care about every one of you that have gone through this change in our lives to feel better about ourselves. For those of you that have found humor in this journey, thanks for that. I think that's what can get us all through hard times, laughter, our God, loving ourselves, family and friends. Not necessarily in any order. Well, thanks to those of you that read all the way through my ramblings. Feeling a little emotional, day 5. Hugs to you :)

Yesterday was such a great day. I went to work, stayed on my feet most of the day, did chores. Went to bed (in my lovely recliner) and slept good. This morning I took my first shower in 8 days, had my binder off for maybe 30 minutes. All of a sudden, I have SWELL HELL. It started coming on late morning, and believe you me ( whatever that means ) there is NO doubt in my mind I am suffering from it. I haven't eaten much, certainly no salty foods, still feel good, but I have am feeling like someone hooked up a vacuum to my BB and blew me up! Thank goodness for this site so I know what is going up. I'll let you all know if I explode, but I am hoping it will go down by tomorrow. Ugh. Not the best day, but not the worst either. Hope all my TT sisters are doing good today.

If you read my post from the 26th, you know I felt like a beached whale! Thank goodness that feeling, along with the swelling went away. My binder is securely wrapped around my new flat tummy, my yoga pants are loose, and I am comfy cozy this evening. Started taking short walks, and being a runner, walking takes forever to get anywhere! But, after a ways, I was glad I was just walking, and turned around just in time. Any further and I'd had to of flag down a ride! Anyway, I am PO double digits! Ten days and am feeling on top of the world. I have loved connecting with all you TTers and truly, your support, advice, funny stories, warnings, and shares, have made this a great experience. I feel so lucky to be able to go through this journey with all of you by my side. Thank you friends, I'm deeply humbled. Hugs to every one of you.

Hi all my TT friends! Just checking in, wishing everyone a Happy Easter Sunday. Shouting out how happy I am to be alive, grateful for my life and appreciating all the goodness there is. I feel good at POD 13. I've had minimal swelling, basically am pain free and have been told I'm text book recovery. No complaints and so happy to have been able to have this TT. My confidence is soaring and I love looking down now to see that flabfatskin roll gone! Haven't had the blues strike and maybe at 59 years old, the mood won't hit. I just feel GOOOOOD and had to share.

POD 18. So, today I get to put my feet up, pamper me, and just kick back. I started back to work last Monday pretty much full time and really appreciate today. I've been feeling great, no pain at all, sleeping good, just a little swollen, and the only real depressing issue is my weight hasn't changed one ounce since I initially lost 8 pounds. I'm not eating much, staying on low sodium and carb free, drinking lots of water, and nothing seems to be working to drop a couple more pounds. If I even take a bite of something tasty and salty, I'm up 2 pounds the next morning! Maybe I don't know what swell hell is and what I think is just a little swelling is a lot. Granted, I'm not burning many calories, but I would think staying around 1,000 calories a day would make me drop a pound or so in a couple weeks. I feel like I'm stuck .... Hey maybe my scale is! That's gotta be it. Happy healing everyone!

Went to see my PS this morning and everything is great! My TT scar is thin, low and healing perfectly. I love the way my BB looks, mainly because for once in my life I can see it, but he did such a great job! I asked him how he can cut such a perfect cut in jello, and he just laughed at me, but seriously, he is an artist with what he did to this body! I am so happy with how I look. I've lost 11 pounds since surgery and for me, that's just one of the bonuses. I am going to see how things go in the next couple of weeks, but I am sure I will need some new clothes! And then maybe some sun, and a vacation? My wonderful husband seems to think it's possible. He even said I deserve it! What? Where did I find this man? Loving life and grateful for every day.

The swelling has arrived! My scar has disappeared in the new rolls I have developed. It's buried somewhere in two little fat looking belly rolls ...one on top, one on the bottom. When I sit down I look like I need another tummy tuck, and my hour glass sides are straight up and down! I know it's just the swell hell I read so much about and was proudly strutting around bragging that it didn't hit me! Ha! I'm paying for that! Hit me square in the gut! Big time! The good news is I know it will subside, and I need to be patient, and oh Lordy, please someone, tell me this will go away!!

Just got home last night from a long 4 day vacation and I was so excited to read all your updates and comments. It feels good to be home, but the getaway was needed. Got to see family and actually managed to not over do it in the food/drink department. In my family, food is love, and there is a lot of love here!
Had minimal swelling ( I'm PO 37 days) and went without my CG round the clock! Wore a flexee off and on, but ditched that too after a few hours. Slept in a real bed and woke up laying on my side! These are all milestones for me and I feel the days are getting better and better. I agree with those of you that comment about the swelling ~ It's a killer and plays stupid mind tricks on me....like am I just fat again, do I need another tummy tuck, will I ever be happy with this body, do I need BIGGER clothes? Yikes! Then I read about others going through the swell hell and know it's part of the healing process. There is so much emotion attached too....ups and downs, critiquing every glimpse of myself in mirrors. Worries about exercising and wondering if I will ever run again and feel in shape. Wishing I could do more gardening (sorry Lacey, it's nice here) and frustrated that I still feel discomfort with numbness and scar line. After being signed off RealSelf for 4 days, I have to say, I am so dependent on all of you and your postings. It gives me comfort and makes me feel normal ~ as normal as we can all be after going through this. I certainly have no regrets, am happy to be where I am and amazed at how fast time has gone (new TTers...my best advise there is to enjoy the down time, cuz it zooms by!) so glad to be back here and catching up. Thanks for all your posts! Feeling good!

Afternoon everyone! It's an absolutely perfect day today! I'm feeling great, strong, happy, energetic and flat! I am outdoors (except for right now resting and reading RS) gardening, helping my husband ~ we're adding on a garage with upstairs living quarters ~ and enjoying a warm sun filled day. I'm a little sore from my first attempt since surgery at running ~ but managed about 1/2 mile in my 4 mile walk yesterday. And truthfully, I might just be sore......no other reason except for having a big slab of fat and skin cut off me, skin pulled together and attached, some hidden muscles stitched up, a tube in me sucking out fat lumps and only 6 1/2 weeks ago! LOL! Still, I am feeling the best yet, and feel the difference in everything. Clothes fit big, (note to self....MUST go shopping) glances in the mirror stop me in my tracks, hearing a few compliments (why yes, thank you, I have lost a little weight - big grin) Husband daily telling me I'm hot, and not just because it's mid 80's today. Can life get any better? And, I have all of you, telling me about you, sharing your story with me. Helping me with my questions and concerns. I could never ever have gotten through these last few weeks like I have without each and every one of you and your comments and advice! I am blessed and grateful beyond words! Hugs to you!

Ugh, a nasty cold caught me! Stuffy, irritating cough, runny nose, and absolutely no energy. Dang it, I was feeling so good over the weekend too. Just want to sit in my recliner and not think. (That isn't that hard for me!) maybe I will think of all the positives though and just be happy. I have no appetite, so that's good. I don't have to do any house work because I have a bad cold, and that's good. I don't have a flabby fat overhang muffin top ~ that's better than good! I'm already starting to feel better! Let's see, what else....I have all of you, and that is priceless! Come to think of it, I'm very very lucky!

Hi TT Peeps! The cold that caught me let go, but left it's nasty cough behind. I can tell you, even at 7 weeks out, coughing the deep throaty cough is no picnic. Sometimes bending over holding my tummy and really coughing hard about makes me want to cry, but then I feel pretty good until the next bout! And you know, now that the big ol tummy pillow is gone, bending over isn't all that bad!
Actually, I'm feeling much better. Seven weeks and I'm feeling pretty normal. I have all my energy back, can do everything I was doing before surgery, and I go through the day without even thinking about how I feel. I do still get the swelling in the evenings, but it's gone by morning. I have been binder free for 2 weeks (with PS permission) am running a couple miles a day and I've lost 15'pounds from surgery date and feel I'm at a good spot. I love my flat tummy, the incision is low and thin and healed. I'd do this over again in a heart beat and am amazed at how fast the time has gone. This is the best thing I have ever done for myself, by far. I guess you could say I am one happy flat tummy tucker!

I went to see my PS today and he said I don't have to come back unless I have any unforeseen issues. I'm healed, I'm back to life as I knew it before surgery and feeling great! My TT scar is thin and in some places, has practically disappeared! I love my results and couldn't be happier with how I feel. The first week after surgery is just a faded memory of discomfort, pain meds, lots of sleeping, being waited on and cared for by my wonderful husband, and making sure I kept my binder on! I didn't even know what a binder was before all of this. I've gained knowledge, gotten goose bump feel goods from all of you and been able to share about me knowing I had acceptance and understanding. Thank you everyone, for being so good to me! I have a flat tummy and I am happy!