Tummy Tuck: Stories

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5 Weeks Postop - Full Tummy Tuck with Lipo to Flanks and Back - Rockville, MD

Hello everyone... I guess I should have started...

Hello everyone... I guess I should have started this post prior to my TT but I actually stumbled across this site while recovering from my TT (hey, better late than never). I find this site to be very helpful. Well, i've always been in shape but after a car accident and plenty of steroid injections, not being able to exercise and not watching what I ate... is what led me to blow up and get out of shape. I tried exercising as much as I could and after this was exhausted, debated on doing the TT for about a year or so then took a leap of faith and had it done. To date, i'm glad that I did have my TT done.

My surgery was March 7, 2012 and was performed by Dr. Tattlebaum. At first I had the "why did I do this to myself blues" for about the first week while recovering. Afterwards, it went away. I'm still in recovery mode and on April 3, 2012 I had a little fluid build up so he injected a small needle in the top of my stomach and drained the fluid... it didn't hurt since I was still numb and it made a huge difference. I'm still swollen and numb and see a slight bulge on my right hip that I hope goes away. He said if it doesn't in about 6 months, I can opt to do a little lip in that area... let's hope and pray it goes away!!!! :-) I had one drain on my right side and once it was taken out, I was so relieved and felt so much better. Taking the drain out did feel a little weird... like a slither with a slight burn (yikes!). I've been cleared to do a tiny bit of exercising (walking only but no power walks). Hey, i'm guessing a brisk walk could do me some good!

I was kind of hesitant on posting pictures but I had to think about when I look at sites like this, I ALWAYS want to see the before and after. Soooo.... here it goes, i'm going to post a few pictures and this way I can share my progress with you all.

Hello everyone! As of today, i'm now 5 weeks and...

Hello everyone! As of today, i'm now 5 weeks and 1 day post op (yippee!). I've lost 10 pounds since my surgery and have been really trying to avoid sugar and salt and drink a lot of water! I really want to get down at least another 20 pounds and tone my body (as soon as I am cleared to work out). My clothes do fit a little more loosely now and i'm more curvier :-) For now, i'll just watch what I eat and do a little walking. Happy Healing Everyone!

Yesterday my tummy looked flat... today I look and...

Yesterday my tummy looked flat... today I look and feel puffy! The only thing I think it could be is the chicken and shrimp pasta I had yesterday while I was out. I'm hoping that it goes down and i've been drinking a lot of water today as well. Sigh...

Hello everyone! I'm currently 7 months post op (...

Hello everyone! I'm currently 7 months post op ( had TT done in March 2012). As you can see from the recnt pic I posted just now, i've gained some pounds and need to pull it together to work it off!!! I'm currently working on losing some of this weight, Ok now to the real question... for those who have had a TT, what did you do to blend the scar and flatten it? Has anyone evr used the silicone strip? My scar is dark and raised! Any suggestions?

Great review?

My Doctor: Adam Tattelbaum, MD

My rating:

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Time Spent With Me
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Dr. T and his staff are very courteous and professional. He explained the TT process in full, more than any of my other consultations.

Comments (35)

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Never too late 11 Feb 2013
How is your scar now. I have seen many of Dr. Ts and none that have been dark after 7 months - how are you doing?
Destined2B 11 Feb 2013
@Never too late... The scar has went down a little (Dr. T did a few injections to flatten). Its still very dark and raised in some spots. More than likely he's going to cut the dark/raised part out. Its more than likely due to genetics though. Other than that, all is well!
Vee in Cccounty 17 Oct 2012
Well congrats to u! U r healing nicely!!
oogiemoo 17 Oct 2012
I have read good things about the Oleeva silicone strips. That's what I plan on using.
Tmonie12 6 May 2012
Congratz, u look excellent! Happy healing to you!
Destined2B 7 May 2012
Thank you Tmonie12!
Sunkysd 29 Apr 2012
Congrats on your new tummy! You look wonderful. It seems like your whole shape has changed, you TT as even enhanced your booty and hips giving you the appearance of having had a BBL ALSO! ...lol, you look great girl!
Destined2B 29 Apr 2012
Thank you Sunkysd! I think it's because he did some lipo above my booty... I notice a big difference when I put on pants/jeans because I don't have that fat/bulge at the top of my jeans. I looked at your photos... you look great also!
Bag snob 16 Apr 2012
I'm sure if you felt puffy you were just swollen! You look so good, try not to get upset, this process is so emotional. Swellings no joke. Remember Dr. T says this is a 6 month journey at minimum, Have you been cleared to do any type of light working out? I think that will help me feel better even though I despise the gym! I think this is just as much a mental recovery as it is physical. Keep your head up, you look fantastic!
Destined2B 17 Apr 2012
I do agree Bag snob... it's very emotional! Some days my stomach and flanks are flat, while others i'm like "what the hell happened" (lol). Yeah, Dr. T reminds me of the 6 month journey every time I inquire about my issues. He just cleared me last week to do light walking only. It's very mental!!!
Nenee098 12 Apr 2012
Hey!!
Your Tummy looks great!!!
Destined2B 13 Apr 2012
Thanks Nenee098!
Destined2B 12 Apr 2012
@Suzanne13... thank you! I'm really hoping I do once I can get back active again!
Suzanne13 12 Apr 2012
Wow you look great! I think you will definately have the washboard stomach!
honeyjones 12 Apr 2012
Thanx for the info. Ive been wondering why somedays my stomach looks really good and then other days it feels as if its filled with something. I'm really gonna have to keep my eye on my salt intake.
Destined2B 12 Apr 2012
Awww...thank you honeyjones!!! I hope I do have a washboard stomach! I'm sure you're results are going to be fabulous also! One thing I learned from 3 weeks ago...stay away from salty foods! I got so puffy and retained so much water it was pathetic! Never again!
honeyjones 12 Apr 2012
I think your results are gonna be fantastic!!! You look really good now and I know after the swelling goes completely away youre gonna have a washboard stomach... i sure hope i look as good as you
Denell37 12 Apr 2012
Congrats u look awesome!!!! Happy healing!!!
Destined2B 12 Apr 2012
@Denell37...thank you so much!
Bag snob 12 Apr 2012
I know! Summer was definitely on my mind when scheduling! I think once we are able to be more Active the results will start to improve and streamline. The funny thing is Dr T told me this is a 6 month ordeal but in my head I was like, not for me! Lol! Anyway, you look great! You really do! Keep in touch
Destined2B 12 Apr 2012
Right! I said the same thing when he told me that! I've seen two other ladies whom after they were able to get back active, looked STUNNING! So I'm definitely looking forward to it! Definitely will keep in touch!
Bag snob 11 Apr 2012
Dr T did me too! Looking good! How many days post op did he remove your drain?
Destined2B 12 Apr 2012
@Bag snob... Thank you! I believe it was almost 2 weeks when he removed my drain. It was such a relief when he did though, and I was able to move around a little better! How long ago did Dr. T do your TT?
Bag snob 12 Apr 2012
My surgery was April 2nd. I'm barley over a week post op. So hard for me because I don't have patience! I want to be better right away and I want my final result right away Lol! You look really good! Happy for you! Thanks for posting. It's nice to see someone who was done by the same doc!
Destined2B 12 Apr 2012
Yeah, you're probably like me, I have NO patience at all so it really irked me! I kept checking my drainage levels wishing for the day he'd say he was taking them out. I wanted to take my compression bandage off and be like "daaaannnnng girl"... so I, just like you wanted IMMEDIATE results. I thought i'd be slimmer and tighter than I am but I am satisfied with what my results. I'm really looking forward to the months ahead though! I hope you are satisfied with yours and I hope you heal well and fast! We did it at the right time too... summer is just around the corner!

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