41 Years Old, Mother of 2, in Desperate Need of a Tummy Tuck - San Francisco, CA

I wanted to add that I am on my 6th week of using Embrace Scar Therapy. I highly recommend this to anyone getting a tummy tuck and breast lift when there is a vertical scar on the breasts.
This is not a topical gel. I think some docs do not recommend because the cost is significant. About $500 for an 8 week course but worth EVERY dollar.

It took me about 10 years to decide and/or realize that I needed a tummy tuck and to come to terms with having it done. I was so sick of looking good in clothes but hating how I looked out of clothes. I had so much loose skin, so many stretch marks and stubborn fat bulges.
I was so worried about the scar and the way the belly button would look after surgery that for many years I did not consider this a real option for me. I consulted with Dr. Larry Fan and saw that all his belly buttons looked great post surgery and he had so many before and afters of his own patients and all of them looked great. I could see that the scar was placed in an area that was below the pant line. I finally decided that I would much rather deal with a scar no one would see then loose skin and stretch marks. My abdomen made me so self conscious that wearing form fitting clothing or a 2 piece bathing suit was completely out of the question.
I was very well prepared by Dr. Fan and had everything I needed prior to procedure. On the day of my procedure the surgery center staff were amazing and the anesthesiologist was wonderful as well. I went to sleep, woke up and the procedure was over. I guess I was expecting to be in a lot of pain, I had always heard a Tummy Tuck is one of the most difficult recoveries. I was not in a lot of pain, actually not really any. I would say on a scale of 1 to 10, I never got above a 2 (but everybody is different).
I will say the first 5 days were kind of a blur, due to anesthesia leaving the system and of course I was taking the prescribed medication for pain management.
The only real discomfort I experienced was my tight back muscles from walking hunched over. As soon as I was able to start walking completely upright that discomfort went away.
I went back to work after 2 weeks off and I will admit the first 3 days were no picnic. I was busy at my job and not taking anything for discomfort or swelling. If the phone rang I would walk for it, not run and I certainly recommend putting your feet up and eating a balanced meal at lunch break. I ate a balanced meal but did not put my feet up. By the end of the day I was more swollen. I think it was my system telling me to slow down.
Miraculously by the following Monday and exactly 3 weeks post procedure, I had no more of the swelling and slowness at work. I felt like I was mostly back to my old self.
I can say that without a doubt this has been the very best thing I have ever done for myself. The ONLY thing that I wish, is that I had done this 10 years ago.
I know that prices and cost can vary surgeon to surgeon but honestly I would not put a price tag on my piece of mind and final result. For this type of procedure I would never price shop.
I am so happy. Even in my most optimistic thinking did I ever think that I would ever be wearing a 2 piece bathing suit. I had shut that thought out long ago. Now I actually am looking forward to bathing sit shopping, something else I had long ago given up.
My advice is do this for yourself. I would say that my abdominal area looks as good as it did before having children BUT it looks better, way better!