MINI Tummy Tuck (Partial Abdominoplasty) with LIPO Abdomen & Flanks
I am scheduled for an MTT w/Lipo on May 1, 2013...
I am scheduled for an MTT w/Lipo on May 1, 2013.
I am 29 year old. I have three kids (6 & 3 yo Twins). I am 5'3 and weigh 150.
I workout regularly and eat moderately healthy.
After I realized that working out and eat better wasn't going to change my lower belly appearance I finally decided that I needed to do something about it. My lower abdomen has stretched out skin and I was tired of hiding it and tucking it into my clothes. I was over being embarrassed by it and never wearing anything beside yoga pants and over sized shirts. I wanted to feel good in my clothes and not have to worry about my loose skin hanging out of my pants.
SO I started looking online to see what my options were. Then I got a few recommendations for good PS in my area and I made an appointment for a consult. I knew going to the appointment that I might not get the answer that I was wanting to hear. I wanted to get a partial abdominoplasty - NOT a Full Abdominoplasty. Which all the PS offices I spoke with said the same thing, NOT everyone is a good candidate for a partial.
** 3/20/13 **
I had an appointment with a local PS (recommended by a couple of friends). The appointment was just a consult for him to check out what I am wanting to have done and see what his professional opinion is. Since they told me over and over that not everyone is a good candiate for a partial tummy tuck, I was really starting to think that this was NOT going to happen. After watching some videos, answering questions and then talking with the PS I was sent to an exam room to have the PS check out my stomach.
He was rather impressed with my upper ab muscles and agreed that I would be a good candidate for a partial TT. He also suggested the lipo on the flanks and abdomen to help contour everything. He then talked to me about the actual procedure and what to expect and how I need to be sure I have someone to help me with the kids since I will not be able to pick them up for at least 2 weeks.
I spoke with the nurse about the cost and payment options and then was sent home with an estimate and other PS info. I had to review my calendar at home to figure out when I could have this done and finally called and set the date. May 1st.
I have my pre-op appointment on April 18th.
**Will post before pictures soon**
stlmomof3's provider
I had my MTT on 5/1/13. I am 5 days post op and I...
I had my first post op appointment the day after the surgery. At that appointment my PS did inform me that the surgery went better than he expected. He guessed that he would get about 1-1.5 inches of tissue off the MTT and he actually was able to remove close to 4-4.5 inches. {This of course was the one thing that I had pre surgery anxiety about - not having a lot of tissue removed and not noticing a difference after surgery} They told me how much they removed from the lipo but I do not remember the exact numbers and will ask at my next appointment. He also told me that he did have to repair my lower abdominal muscles. In my initial consult he wasn't sure if they would need to be repaired or not since my top ones were very strong but it turned out they were damaged from carrying my twins so low so he did repair the lower abdominal muscles.
Since he removed more tissues than he anticipated he did have to place a drain. It actually is placed in one of the lipo incision so I wont have an additional scars. Which the bruising from the lipo is pretty extreme. I guess since I was taking the Arnica {Anti Bruising Medication} it is not as bad as it could be.
I was told to leave the binder on 24/7 until next appointment when we remove the drain (5/9/13). Only to open it up to adjust it if it rides up or to air it out for a quick second. I did manage to get a quick picture of my stomach when I opened it up to re-adjust and then a side picture of my bruising. I will post those as well.
As of today I am 100% glad I did go thought with this surgery. Just from what I see with the swelling and bruising I see a whole new me and that makes me happy.
Will update after I have the drain removed.
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I am 1 week post and I am not doing too bad. I am...
But overall 1wk post op and doing well. I am doing most of my normal daily things.
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