Tummy Tuck: Stories

I have never had a flat tummy. I have battled with a weight problem since my teens. Had 2 children when I was quite heavy to begin with. After my second child I decided to start my weight loss journey for good.

I started in 2005 and have lost approximately 80 pounds. I am 5'9 around 153 pounds. I am in the shape of my life however, my tummy does not match the rest of my body. I feel that I have worked really hard for this and it's time for me to be rid of this loose skin. I want to be confident in a swim suit and feel great about my physique.

I cannot wait to see how my body will transform. I am very afraid of not being able to workout afterwords but I know it will be worth it. I train 4-5 times a week.

Today is the day I go in...I added some photos that I took today. I have had a cold and apparently an allergy rash but am feeling better. I hope that they will still do it...I am very anxious to have this done and over with. My Daughter asked me if I was going to have a six pack...lol I know from the pics that I don't look it, but in clothing sizes I usually wear a 4-6. I hope everything goes well I have dreamed of this day for a long time. See you on the flat side.

Well I guess it is post op day 3...Had surgery on Wednesday. Stayed overnight in the private clinic. I am still on the Dilelotted with extra strength Tylenol. I am able to move around hunched over and have gone up and down stairs. One thing that I would recommend is one of those triangular wedges to put in your bed to keep you upright. I have been able to sleep in my own bed. My Husband and family have been super awesome to me... There is pain but it is manageable. Have not seen the incision yet and will not get to until Wednesday the 16th. I only have one drainage container to empty and it is vacuumed sealed. Pics will probably be next week...Love this site you are all super supportive!!!!

Post op day 5. I stopped taking the heavy pain killers on day 4. I am just on advil and extra strength tylenol 2-3 times a day. I feel pretty good. Drain is not draining much at all maybe a teaspoon a day. I go in Wednesday to get the drain out and hopefully see my incision for the first time... My hubby is an Awesome nurse...lol. I am very greatful to have him...

1 Week Post-op....Drains were only draining 5cc's since Saturday... I was a tad worried about getting those out because they burned sometimes when I got up and pulled...So it hurt less yanking them out then having them in... I felt so liberated....My incision looks awesome, although quite swollen...Super pleased with the result so far...I go back next week for the belly button sutures to be removed...Only complaint is getting comfortable at night to sleep and incision near the hip area sometimes burns in the middle of the night... I think it is because swelling is low then and incision touches the CG.

Went to my 2 Week post op appointment. Got my BB stitches out, didn't feel a thing. I am swollen as expected, but feel great. I am really missing the gym, but know I need to sit tight for a little longer. Taking the Bromolean but not sure if it is working. I hope this is what week 2 is supposed to look like? But if not it's a hell of a lot better than what I had before.. Happy Healing Everyone.

Today is 3 weeks post op for Me. I was finally able to take the tape off the incision. There are still some disolveable stitches left to fall off so it isn't pretty. I feel really good no pain just itchy and every once in a while a a stinging sensation. I did go back to the gym even tho I cannot do weights, it was killing me. I just walked on the treadmill, which is funny because my regular routine does not involve cardio at all. Just great to be back. For those of you that have the post op blues you may want to try taking omega oils... They help with brain function an to regulate hormones such as cortisol, which us the hormone that raises during stress and causes you to retain fat around the middle...Anywhoo happy healing everyone!!!

Post op week 4 has been awesome..I feel really good. I actually took some pics in a bikini...Big accomplishment for me as that was forbidden before. I have lost approximately 5 lbs since the surgery. I had a big fear that I would gain as I was an avid gym junkie 5 days a week. However my Personal trainer gave me a food plan to follow or a what to avoid and it is working...I can even have a cheat meal once a week... I eat every 2-3 hours. I don't know how many of you would avoid the group exercise classes due to the hanging skin...well I was one of them, I hated going because the last 15 min of class was abs and the instructor would always come over to me and say tighten your core. Well it was tightened she just couldn't see it I could feel it...lol So now I don't have to worry about tucking in the flap or hiking up the pants to not have a roll hanging over the waistband. I have started using scar cream dermatix ultra so we will see how that goes..it is pretty dry around the incision not sure it that is normal. Anyway happy healing everyone from way up in Canada!!!

Post op week 5 I feel great and will be even better when I start back at the gym to do weights...Monday is the big day, can hardly wait. I have tried on jeans but I find the incision line is sore or feels weird. When I used to sit I used to be self conscious of the roll had to be tucked in, and now when I sit I think it is still there but it's not. Incision appears to be healing well using the scar cream Dermatix Ultra and still wearing the CG. Swelling is still there but I am not overly concerned. Happy healing everyone!

7 weeks post op today...I have started back at the gym now doing a bit of weight training to ease back into it...I love that I am back at the gym. I hate that I look so swollen...For me it is more important to get back at it and feel good then it is to worry about the swelling. Sometimes I think that it looks worse then it really does. I will find out if this is normal next week as I see the PS...If I get approval I will be upping my weight training to tone up and get tight for summer...Funny enough my hips look bigger than I remember but I think that has to do with the smaller waist. trainer measured me and the upper part of my waist is down 1.5 inches since before the surgery and I went up a bit in the lower and hip area due to mother nature and swelling. I am still very pleased with my results and cannot wait to see what another month will bring...

9 weeks post op today.... Posted a pic of my before weightloss as well as this weeks photoshoot... Lol. I got to see my plastic surgen last week and my swelling is normal and he mentioned it will be up and down over the next couple of months... One thing I was not aware of is the lipo affects well not be noticeable for another couple of months... I am so looking forward to the changes ahead... I am super pleased with my results thus far... I got the go ahead to intensify my workouts and if anything hurts in the tummy area don't do it... So I am up to 4 times a week with weights and cardio when i have time..woo who!!!! Love it!! Swelling yes but nothing I can't handle.. I am starting to get strange feeling/soreness near the bellybutton area i assume that is the nerves waking up. I can do side/front planks for 15 sec and yes I did have MR with the surgery. Wondering if anyone has had a lymphatic massage, and was it helpful? Lastly a quick recepie fir a good high protien breakfast:
1/2 cup egg whites
1 egg
1 scoop protien powder (giant sports nutrition called delicious protien powder any flavor)

Put all ingredients in a shaker cup and shake vigorusly. Heat skillet spray with non stick cooking spray. Poor a small amount in pan at a time wait until you see bubbles before flipping. Makes 4 pancakes... I use sugar free syrup or a natural nut butter as a topping, pair with / cup berries and voila..

Happy healing everyone!!!!!

11 weeks post op today. I am back to a regular worout routine weight training 4 times a week and feeling great...going for a lymphatic massage today am super excited... The swelling isn't so bad this week so I posted some pics. Happy Healing everyone!!!

I haven't blogged in a while... Been hitting the gym 4-5 times a week....swelling appears to be less. During certain exercises I can still feel my MR but its not painful..I feel really great and it only gets better from here...I am super excited to see what I will look like during summer...word of advice to all my fellow tuckers focus on the positive changes you see and not the negative, it really helps with your recovery...(0: