Tummy Tuck: Stories

I'm a 32 year old mom scheduled to undergo a full tummy tuck with lipo on Monday. Eek! The date creeps up fast. My PS doesn't anticipate me needing MR, so I'm thinking the recovery should be similar to my c-section. My daughter is 21 months old and was 10 lbs 10 oz when she was born. She did a number on my stomach. I have horrible stretch marks, which I can live with, but my skin is so stretched out, I can't dress my body. I'm 5'5" and weigh about 165. I'm up about 20 lbs from my prepregnancy weight, but I'm stuck. It's so hard to eat right and work out when the one area you want to change the most stays the same. I work out 3 times a week in hour long classes that alternate cardio and weights. I've seen differences everywhere in my body, except my tummy. My supportive husband finally suggested that I schedule a consult and see what could be done. I was pretty much sold right then and there. My PS does lipo of the flanks when he does tummy tucks because when the front it minimized, it makes the back look larger. I am also having my outer thighs done, because they have been a problem area for me my entire life. It's not that much more to add it, so I figured why not...

I am most scared of being put under. I was working out after 2 weeks from my c-section and never took narcotics, so I'm hoping this will be similar. I am a little creeped out by the drains, but it doesn't seem like there's any other way. As of now, I'm mostly excited. :)

Less than 48 hours. Not feeling to nervous...

Really tired and in some pain, but not terrible. Will post more later or tomorrow. Everything went smoothly.

So tired; can't sleep.

Had the pain pump removed today. It was an odd sensation, but didn't hurt. Hopefully will lose one, if not both, drains on Tuesday. :)

Really antsy at night. I want to crawl out of my skin, but I don't know what's wrong. Boredom? Anyone else?

Pics added. Off all pain meds today. Biggest pain is where the drain tubes go in. They burn when I move. My drainage has slowed a ton, so I'm hoping to have both removed on Tuesday. Fingers crossed!!!

Entirely over the drains. I put a piece of gauze over where they go in and they are a little less bothersome, but I really hate them. They are the worst part of this whole experience. They burn when I move. Other than the drains, I feel great. The lipo on my outer thighs is pretty sore, but I'm fine on the couch or at the table on a pillow.

I still can't sleep at night. I can't get comfortable and don't know what to do with myself. My mom says its anxiety. Two Tylenol pm's arent even doing the trick...

I had my drains removed this morning. It didn't really hurt, other than where they went in, because I was really irritated in that area. My PS would have preferred leaving one in until Thursday, but said he could see how irritated they were and that I was in the ballpark for drainage to have them removed. He said it's really important to leave the CG on, not that I've taken it off other than to shower... I seriously feel like a new person. They hurt so bad when I moved. I had to take tylenol just for the drains. I feel great and am moving great! The lipo sites are sore, but feel mostly like big bruises. On my way back to normal!!!!

I think my belly button still looks a little funny, but he said it will sink in. He said I am so swollen that I won't believe the results when the swelling subsides. Can't wait, although I feel like I look good now!

Feeling great! No regrets! I tried on a bunch of my prepregnancy clothes and although tight, they fit. Can't wait for the swelling to go down!! Hope everyone else is having a great day!

I am feeling awesome; probably 90% normal. I've been back in bed the last two nights and seem to be over the crawling out of my skin feeling. I can't remember the last time I took anything for pain. Not feeling much at all. I'm actually itching to work out!! I've been driving since Sunday and alone with my 21 month old since Monday. I babysit twin 3 year old girls and a 4 year old boy, and have my own with me, and was back at it today. I watch them at their house and probably sat more there, seeing as there was no laundry, dishes or whatever to do. I will try to take and post more pics this weekend. :) Happy recovery all!!!

Still doing great. I can't wait to get back to the gym. New pics added.

Whne were everyone's steri strips taken off. I may or may not have helped them off in the shower this morning. They were starting to lift and getting gross. No major updates; I feel almost normal. I'm really itching to work out, but I don't go back to the drs office until next tuesday. I'm down about 5 lbs from surgery day. Not a ton of swelling, I don't think, but there is a little there. I looked at the post op instructions and it said that you have to wear the compression garment for up to 6 weeks. I'm hoping I fall in the caergory where I don't have to wear it all 6 weeks. We'll see!

I had my three week post op appointment yesterdsay. He said I look great. There is still some swelling, especially at the ends of my inscision, but I'm happy with how I look now. I can't imagine how I will look at 3 months. I got the okay to swim, use the elliptical and switch to spanx type compression. I was so tired of that binder. It gave me a roll of fake back fat between my bra and the garment. So far, so good! I'd say I'm almost completely back to normal. Not quite normal, but almost. I'll try to post picture this weekend. They come out crappy when I take them myself in the mirror.

I am 3+ months post op and have NO regrets. Recovery was a breeze. I am 100% back to my normal self and hardly remember the first couple of weeks. I received my preop and 7 week photos from my PS in the mail the other day. I hope to scan and post them this weekend. My PS said I still have swelling, but I don't really see where. I never really went through swell hell; only had moderate swelling. I am back into my prepregnancy clothing, even though I am still 10 pounds over my prepregnancy weight. I am back to working out and was so scared the first time I did ab work. Surprisingly, it was easier than before surgery. I couldn't believe it! That's about all, will try to post photos soon!

2+ months, not 3. Typo!

Photos finally attached.

Absolutely no regrets! I feel great. I'm back to my normal workout routine and abs are actually easier to do! Dr Koenig and staff were fabulous! I can't believe how much I stressed about doing this.