“Tummy Tuck with PAL Lipo of Flanks - ”

I had 2 very big babies. 9.5 lbs and 23 inches and 8 lbs and 21 inches. I am 5'3 and before pregnancies was about 115-120 lbs. I have lost most of the weight and am pretty active but my big tummy and excess skin won't leave and I am totally over being asked when I am going to have the next baby... or being congratulated on my upcoming baby... I even had someone argue with me about being pregnant. When they said congrats... and I said I was not pregnant... they had the gall to reply.. come on... you know you are, it's so obvious, why wont you just tell me... I almost knocked the guy out....My clothes don't fit and while I love muffins, I don't love my muffin top! I am finally going through with the surgery. I am frightened of complications and the recovery but figure I am healthy and fit and I really want to be confident in my (not saggy and droopy) skin and be able to wear clothes that are cute and form fitting....with out people thinking I eat too much or am pregnant...

Updated on 7 Sep 2011:
I go to the PS this morning for my pro-op visit, I am excited! I am also very nervous. Had dreams last nigh of living in binder forever and of having drains in me and having strangers dump them out. Ick. I have been taking all of my vitamins as ordered and have been eating super healthy with lots of protein. However, yesterday I did have 2 beers after a fabulous mountain bike ride with my husband. I will definitely miss mountain biking, hiking and swimming for the next few month. Hope this is worh it!

Updated on 7 Sep 2011:
Well... I had my pre-op visit today. Despite wearing a super funny pair of panties for my pro pictures, I feel so much better after talking with my doctor and his staff about what to expect and finalizing my plan. He is a really calm and easy to talk with man, gave me plenty of time and was very gentle and reassuring. None of the ego-tripping that often comes along with surgeons, including several of the docs I interviewed prior to choosing this guy. He answered all of my questions and I was even surprised by one of his answers. Since I am having Pal of flanks with full TT I asked how many holes I would have on my sides afterwards and he said none. He would go through the incision to do lipo. HORAY! I was a bit worried about having my sides all drippy. I will be getting a pain pump and he is a big believer in how much that will help with recovery, as a decrease in pain speeds recovery. He said he will tighten my Abdominal muscles from my breast bone to my pubic bone.. wow and that my hips will be smooth and I will even have a lifted Couchie.... (my word not his) HAHA ....So this week... blood work, meds filled and relaxing....trying not to freak the hell out.... Does anyone know if having one tubes tied is an option during this surgery? I am curious if its done regularly ... could be nice to get rid of IUD ...

Updated on 18 Sep 2011:
Prescriptions are filled and Im under a week out.... Thinking I will have my tubes tied at the same time... trying to figure this out... maybe I will maybe I will have hubby get snipped instead. I have been doing research on this and cant figure out how much more invasive this process is. Anyone know? Im already having full TT with repair of ABS to pubic bone to breast bone and umbilical hernia repair. Is this just too much? I got a Dr to do it and thats all good, Im just not sure I should add it to the list....

Updated on 18 Sep 2011:
Well, Im ready to get up in the morning and go get my self in to the OR... I can't believe this day is already here! To celebrate my big day, I went to Yosemite and went hiking for the full harvest moon and to set some intentions for my self. What a great trip. Camping under the full moon with some of my favorite ladies and climbing in that beautiful valley made me feel calm and happily exercised! I know I wont be doing much of that for a while but look forward to fitting into my clothes and looking better. I am excited to find out what will fit again! (in like 3 months). My friend on the trip had surgery a few years ago and looks awesome. She's so happy for me and supportive. I am glad to have had her company for a few days! Well, wish me luck! I will check back in as soon as I can to let you all know how Im doing! Thanks for the support! This site is really helpful and all of your comments mean a lot!

Updated on 18 Sep 2011:
HI, I'm the 15th and am anxious too! However, I trust my doctor and am just trying to look forward to having the body that I feel matches how I feel. Last night confirmed this.... I went to a wedding and tried on 4 different dresses.... all are so pretty and I have happily worn them in the past and felt great in them. HOWEVER.... last night as I was dressing... I felt silly ..Looked totally preggo... and just got down on my self... I ended up wearing a different outfit that was nice enough but as I looked around at all the dressed up ladies in their form fitting outfits who looks great... even when they were heavy...they just looked proportioned.... I want that again! I told a friend the other night about my plans.. shes a nurse and I wanted to know if she would be in town next week...and she said oh.. well you know... these people had that done and they are so happy... and the women she named are some of the ladies in town I have wondered how they did it, looking so fit, after having twins even.. and then having super model bodies... and felt that life was just not fair.. and when she said that.. I realized... they had tummy tucks and boob jobs....thats how they did it! The not so funny part is that that same ladies husband was one of the people who complimented me on how great I looked pregnant...... HAHA Im trying to not let anxiety get the best of me... I am going Hiking with some girl friends and camping out for the full moon tomorrow night and Tuesday night and will come home Wednesday and then have that night to hang out at home and relax...Thought a bit of time outside in nature will do me some good!

Updated on 18 Sep 2011:
HI, I'm the 15th and am anxious too! However, I trust my doctor and am just trying to look forward to having the body that I feel matches how I feel. Last night confirmed this.... I went to a wedding and tried on 4 different dresses.... all are so pretty and I have happily worn them in the past and felt great in them. HOWEVER.... last night as I was dressing... I felt silly ..Looked totally preggo... and just got down on my self... I ended up wearing a different outfit that was nice enough but as I looked around at all the dressed up ladies in their form fitting outfits who looks great... even when they were heavy...they just looked proportioned.... I want that again! I told a friend the other night about my plans.. shes a nurse and I wanted to know if she would be in town next week...and she said oh.. well you know... these people had that done and they are so happy... and the women she named are some of the ladies in town I have wondered how they did it, looking so fit, after having twins even.. and then having super model bodies... and felt that life was just not fair.. and when she said that.. I realized... they had tummy tucks and boob jobs....thats how they did it! The not so funny part is that that same ladies husband was one of the people who complimented me on how great I looked pregnant...... HAHA Im trying to not let anxiety get the best of me... I am going Hiking with some girl friends and camping out for the full moon tomorrow night and Tuesday night and will come home Wednesday and then have that night to hang out at home and relax...Thought a bit of time outside in nature will do me some good!

Updated on 18 Sep 2011:
Well, Im ready to get up in the morning and go get my self in to the OR... I can't believe this day is already here! To celebrate my big day, I went to Yosemite and went hiking for the full harvest moon and to set some intentions for my self. What a great trip. Camping under the full moon with some of my favorite ladies and climbing in that beautiful valley made me feel calm and happily exercised! I know I wont be doing much of that for a while but look forward to fitting into my clothes and looking better. I am excited to find out what will fit again! (in like 3 months). My friend on the trip had surgery a few years ago and looks awesome. She's so happy for me and supportive. I am glad to have had her company for a few days! Well, wish me luck! I will check back in as soon as I can to let you all know how Im doing! Thanks for the support! This site is really helpful and all of your comments mean a lot!

Updated on 18 Sep 2011:
Hi I am one day out too! Very surreal process walking in to the surgery site, but I did it! My fear of iv was quickly dome and net so bad. Better I knew it there was versed in my vein and I don't remember anything from then on till i woke up and it was all over! From there my husband brought me home.it's prettyblury for me about getting home. But I'm here. And I'm ok. I'm on percocet w a pain pump. And that helps! Going to bathroom is hard. Getting out of bed was and is Hard!!,,, and I'm I am so grateful for my husband. getting out of bed to pee is very pAinful. My muscles are so tight all the was to my boobs I can look down and see the top of my abs and it's amazing how flat they are. Hubby says this is peeking but it's impossible not to look down while peeing.I'm so happy to be on this side of the surgery! He won't peek but its really exciting!

Updated on 18 Sep 2011:
Well, I am one day out and super happy!Surgery went well and I haand a ve pain pump and Percocet in my system. Last night was rough as getting up to pee is brutal then sitting there for a long time just dribbling pee out. Went to Dr today and got to take a look... I am stoked! He said he removed about 2 pounds of flesh and a bunch of volume of fat w the lipo. I have my scar over the c section scar and a new belly button. The pain pump is awesome but something on it broke and he had to pull out one of the pump drains. The bottom abs are getting the pain relief sauce but the upper ones were connected to the one tube with the leak. He deactivated that tube and now the bottoms are getting the liquid only. I have to go back on Monday if I need to but he said wednesday for sure. Im tired and sore but feel good over all. I even got to see my new body today... WOW I cant beliee how little in the middle I am again...I am guessing a lost a few dress sizes yesterday. And I'm still super swollen! I am so proud of my self for not backing out and for getting this done! I am thrilled! Will check back in later! HORAY!
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Updated on 18 Sep 2011:
Hi, I am feeling pretty low. Glad for med's and my help. walking is pretty hard, but getting up from laying down sucks! My back aches from laying around. I tried to take a valium instesd of the percodet...big mistake. Now Im back on the heavy meds. Lipo areas on flanks hurt but its mainly abs from getting them sewed back up, Dr went into my TT opening to do tt and lipo so I don't have any other dripping open wounds. Anyone else have this?

Updated on 18 Sep 2011:
It's late at night and the wholes house is quiet, ahhhh. The day before my tt I started my period. Figures! the dr. Didn't care. They marked me up right before I went in for the surgery. After the dr told me the muscles/fascia were split 5 plus inches al the way up! I thought I had visceral body fat in my tummy bc one of the other drs. I consulted w told me that was me and my body fat not the muscle separation. This dr is awesome. He explained everything and made me really comfortable! I didn't stay in hospital just went home. Glad to be home but if my husband was not as helpful and kind I'd have stayed over in a hospital. Percocet is really helping !

Updated on 18 Sep 2011:
SItting on the couch now. Feeling loaded on Meds! Took pain pump out last night as it was empty and not doing anything anymore. Had breakfast of eggs and toast, had to blow my nose...that was interesting. Ouch! Am suprised how well I'm doing. Can't stand straight but don't care. Dr said if drains aren't putting much out I can get them out tomorrow. That would be awesome, I'd sure like a shower! Till then I'm still taking Meds every 4 hours. I'm not going to get behind the pain. Meds are my friends! Thank goodness for them!

Updated on 18 Sep 2011:
I have spent the day in a blurry haze. I have been told I am walking better but feel itchy and tired. For some reason I am awake a lot at night. I just lay there and feel stoned to the bone on my med's but can't sleep. I have been playing w/ my IPAD and listening to my husband and dogs breathe. I tried to get up to go the the bathroom by my self last night. I actually say up but then I got in trouble. My man was upset I didn't wake him. So I won't do that anymore. Plus it hurt like hell. Today we took off the wrap and pulled out the pain pump tubs as it was empty and they said I could. That was no big deal at all. However, one of the tubes had a clot in it and was not draining very much. We had to clear that. Lovely process, but pretty interesting in a scientific kind of way. Then, I took a good look. Even got some pictures taken. Wow. I look different. The bruising is a bit much, I look like I am related to Barney the Dinosaur, but that will go away. I am going to post a few pics, so you can see what 3 days post op looks like. Here goes...

Updated on 19 Sep 2011:
Sitting on the couch all day is hard work! I felt good this am and asked mother in law to help my wash my hair. Is long and curly and was in such a snarled state it took 45 minutes to comb out w conditioner in it. I just Leaned over the sink and tried to relax. Who would have thought I'd need percocet to get my hair done. Ha. Kids went to school and I sat there worked from my beauty treatment. My drains are not putting much out any more so tomorrow I'm going to post op at drs. Maybe they will come out. Maybe some poo will come out of mee soon also. It's been since Wednesday. i have been drinking lots of h2o and pear juice and taking miralax daily. My family is starting to make fun of me. You know it's been too long when a nine year old is amazed at how long it's bee and wants o know if I will blow up if 8 don't poop soon. My husband told me we should take a family field trip and find a truck stop and spend some time there tomorrow. As he's pretty sure we will have to evacuate the house when I finally do go poo.

Updated on 19 Sep 2011:
I probably would be laughing at myself too but it hurts to laugh and if my family doesn't stop making poop jokes I am going to have to get a refil of pain medication just to stop the laughter pain. Holy crap my muscle tightening hurts. It hurts to do amything. My 6 year old wants to know how long it will take of me not pooping before my tummy looks they way it did before. Wish me luck!

Updated on 20 Sep 2011:
Ok I got the drains out. Not nearly as bad as I thought. The nurse clipped the stitched and tugged a bit and it came right out. Then the same on the other side. Now I am all free of tubes and pumps. Awesome. The drive home was rough as I stated to get a bit queazy but I took a nap and feel fine. A poop and a shower really helped also! My kids are excited and think I look good but they don't like the bruising or the stitches. Me either. I put on a tee shirt I have had for a while and am so happy that I can look down and see my feet. What an amazing process. I am posting a few pics from today. Some of me and the scar and one in my tee shirt! I am so relieved and happy! My Dr. is awesome!
Thanks Dr. Charles Virden! You are a great Dr. and have a really nice bedside manner. I am very grateful I chose you.

Updated on 26 Sep 2011:
Hell ladies and gents... i'm back and feeling a bit better but still slightly out of sorts. This am my TT incision looked better and I felt better after eating a vicodin (lovely breakfast food), I worked today 6 hours. I am glad my husband came back today from his work (gone since thrs). He looked at TT scar and thought it looked pretty good so I didn't go see PS . Instead I went to pick up my daughter from ballet and saw my friend who knew about my TT and she called me a skinny bitch, (which I took as a compliment of the highest form) then she gave me some info which made me really upset... She told me one of the ballet girl's moms, asked her if she knew how I was doing, and she told me she played dumb... what do you mean how is she and the ballet girls mom told my friend, that her daughter who is 9 came home from school and told her that my son (also 9) told her that I was laying around on the couch all week because I had some fat sucked out of my stomach.....this is after he told my BFFs daughter that he was having a sleep over because I was having some "chubby chub chub" cut out of me. I told him last week after the chub incident this is not info for everyone and he goes to school and blabbs to who know who on the playground or at lunch or during math (he claims he can't remember who he told, but he asked them to keep it secret) Little shit... I live in a small town was hoping to keep this semi quiet. I don't know what to feel or say. This girl he told, I don't really know her family well, but this mom's connected to many of my friends. I called her tonight and left a message, hoping to be able to talk to her, but she hasn't called back. I'm feeling tired, and moody and I'm bummed at my kid... Anyways... anyone have any advice? Or willing to share how they feel about telling people about their TT or other surgery? Im not a very big woman and my babies were huge. Since I had the TT my body looks very different and much more like it did Pre babies... Maybe Im crazy for thinking I could keep this on the Down Low since I sure look different with out my skin fat chubby chub chub apron..but really..."she had fat sucked out of her"... I feel like I am living in a South Park episode over here...

Updated on 28 Sep 2011:
HI , Im almost 2 weeks post (tomorrow) and I feel pretty good. Im sore and stiff in the am when I get up and at the end of the day after work, 8 hours today of non strenuous desk work.. but over all a Vicodin in the am and after work and Im good to go. My bruising is gone from lipo on flanks and my TT incision looks pretty good. I don't like the drain hole injuries in my couchie area, but those are healing too.oh well. I have an ache from sitting up too fast after being startled in my sleep, but think thats ok too. Im not too hungry and really have to make myself eat. I also think I look a bit lopsided but maybe thats just swelling or from laying on one side more than the other... I am adding some pictures 2 weeks post. Im happy with my results so far!!

Updated on 1 Oct 2011:
Had my 2 week Post op visit yesterday. Dr said I look good, scar is healing fine and bruising is diminished as he expected. He said I likely bruised a muscle in upper ab area after spider incident last week and to massage area and scar as well to help stimulate blood flow circulation to promote healing. I am still a bit lop sided and he said thats likely due to swelling and we can revisit this in a month or 3 if the lopsidedness is still there. I am amazed at the difference in how my clothes are fitting and how I feel in my clothes. My closet is now a fun place to go instead of the room of doom I felt it was before surgery. I am still walking hunched over and at the end of the day feel more hunched than in the am...I expect this to change with time. I am healing and still get more tired than normal but feel better everyday. Yesterday was the first day I did not eat vicodin for breakfast, and I forgot to eat a tylenol before I left. (I had to drive myself to Dr one hour away). I felt pretty good so did some shopping and went out to lunch with my daughter. I was in good shape until costco...(I have always been a bit of an over-acheiver) I had to have help to my car w the load and the cart man helped me load the car. Other than that.. I was good. I drove home and stepped out of the car handed all grocery removal jobs to my husband and son and went in showered and took a vicodin. I was able to relax and have a nice night with my family. I did not have to go to bed for the night! Progress is pretty good for being 2 weeks out! I am so happy that I did this for myself..... I am proud of all of you fellow tummy tuckers and body renovators too! Horray for us!

Updated on 20 Oct 2011:
I am 5 weeks today and feeling better every day. I am still sore in the Ab repair area and my flanks are tender... However, I love my new shape and am cery happy I did this for myself! I feel like I look like I feel... not like a frumpy fat blob. Ahhhhh..

Updated on 11 Nov 2011:
Hello Fabulous! I am 8 weeks and one day post now and so happy I have done this for myself. I feel much better overall, even thought I am still sore in my upper ab area from the muscle repair and on my flanks from the PAL lipo. This is so worth the money and the recovery time. My clothes fit and I feel pretty in them, compared to feeling like a frumpy and blown out mom. I am happy with my Dr. and feel he did a great job. I do have a bit of a lopsided look but am not sure if that is just delayed swelling, or from the incision or just the way my body is... but whatever it is from, I feel so much better.
The recovery is not easy. Take it slow and relax and heal. Eat well.... Protein, Protein, Protein and lots of the regular healthy stuff, plus vitamins and extra supplements do help. This forum has been very helpful to me and I am so glad to be able to share and by witness to others journey!

Take care ladies! Enjoy!

Updated on 19 May 2012:
Hello... It has been a while since I checking in and I don't know if any of you are still posting or following this thread... but i wanted to check in an update my progress and see if any of you are having follow up procedures done on your TT area. I am going in for a "dog Ear" procedure and some more lipo on my flanks on June 7th. My scar is realing nicely, but my sides are pretty uneven and kinda lumpy on my sides. The dod said this could be corrected with an in office procedure that will take maybe an hour where they will numb my sides and my nerves with some Valium forst... then do some more lipo on my sides and hips.... I am nervous and excited.. as I have come this far, but its not all done. Has any one else done this after their surgery? My scar is quite a bit higher on one side and comes up out of my jeans and swim suit... He said he could fix that too... I am looking to know how other people's follow up procedures have gone. The doc said his time is not charged for, but I need to pay for the "tray fee" which is 325$ I am thinking of also having his lipo my chin at the same time as That will only be 400$ and since I am already there for the hips... why not! Any advice or suggestions? Thanks and I hope you are all doing well and healed up!.