Tummy Tuck: Stories

44 years old... I never had a flat stomach ... NEvER!!.. Had my appendix out when I was 14 which began my pooch on the right side.. The initial overhand. A C-Section nearly 20 years ago completed the official pooch. I've tried everything to get rid of my belly fat.. 3 rounds of the Y Bootcamp, every kind of gel, cream, vitamin, body wrap, sit up/crunch with absolutely no results in my tummy.. Soooo frustrating!!!... I even tried holistic "body talk", Russian stem, electrode therapy, laser melt-a-way.... only cost me $$$ and time with no results. I work full time and as a divorced single Mom, I never wanted to "risk" anything because of a tummy tuck. I was afraid... of the cost of the procedure (though with all of the $$ I spent on all the stuff mentioned above, I've probably could have afforded two TT's LOL). So here I am, scheduled for my TT 1/31/13... nervous about the surgery... I don't do well with anesthesia .. I wake up feeling very anxious and nervous the few time I've had it..I've heard the term "thrasher" as I am coming out of anesthesia... while the others in the recovery room lie still and calm... but that's ME. So, I will post again but now I'm at the point I just want it over. I've thought about this every day.... multiple times a day as I see and feel my pooch tummy with every step of every day. I love control top nylons which I wear daily. Like I mentioned, I've never had a flat tummy so I was never a bikini wearer even as a kid. I'm 5'2... about 135-140 lbs. I was 162 before my pregnancy and delivered my daughter at 193. I have very loose skin in my tummy, a ton of stretch marks and a pooch that would make my kangaroo relatives very PROUD!!!... Woke up the other night at 2 AM hoping that I'm making the right decision. After all, I'm not in pain just want to have a flat tummy. It's strange though knowing that I'll be walking into surgery with no physical ailments just a real bad emotional pain that I've had for many years.... I'll keep you posted :)

Well, the nesting is going strong.. cleaning and getting ready. Kind of reminds me when I was preparing for the birth of my daughter nearly 20 years ago. Still a very strange feeling knowing that I'll be incapicated in 48 hours. I have to be at the outpatient surgery center at 6:30 AM Thursday. I opted for a full tummy tuck with no additional lipo. Plastic surgeon did not strongly recommend the additional lipo but additional monies would have been involved (approximately $2000 more). So, my main area of concern is my tummy which is what I am focusing on right now. I'll keep you updated...

Today is the Day!! Woke up in a panic .. feeling anxious. This site really helps as I read all of your stories. A bit excited for the results but more nervous about the anesthesia...

Too funny!!!.. As I reread my post, it says 1/30 on this site... I go to my calendar on the phone to reassure myself that today is actually 1/31 and today is my surgery today... Perhaps the site is on the west coast (Pacific time))... I am Sooo nervous!! But just to confirm with all of you, TODAY is the day. I need to be at the outpatient surgical center at 6:30 AM and surgery is scheduled for 7:30 AM. I am told that the surgery will be 2-2.5 hours with approximately one hour in recovery. I can then go home. I have this leg machine that I picked up from the office yesterday to prevent DVT (deep vein thrombosis) ... I.e. blood clots which I am told I will keep on my calves most of today and tonight. I bring the machine back to the PS office tomorrow for my post up (which will be scheduled before I leave the surgi center today). I got my pain med (Nucynta) filled and I think I have everything ready.

I can't believe it.... It's done!!!!!!!!!!Yay!!!! I am couple hous post op as I am writing rhis post. Surgery was a little over two hous and recovery area a little over one hour. I was in the car at 12:45 PM going home. I was soooo nervous about the anesthesia but got through to the latest member of the flat club. I woke up to more of a burning like sensation .... I could immediately sense the flatness with the loose skin removed. PS told he took a little over 2 lbs of skin and I assume tissue in addition to 110cc of fat through lipo... But I only had TT ... I did not have lipo to the flanks and back ...

I can't believe it.... It's done!!!!!!!!!!Yay!!!! I am couple hous post op as I am writing rhis post. Surgery was a little over two hous and recovery area a little over one hour. I was in the car at 12:45 PM going home. I was soooo nervous about the anesthesia but got through to the latest member of the flat club. I woke up to more of a burning like sensation .... I could immediately sense the flatness with the loose skin removed. PS told he took a little over 2 lbs of skin and I assume tissue in addition to 110cc of fat through lipo... But I only had TT ... I did not have lipo to the flanks and back ...

Day 2: Post op visit today. PS said surgery went well and I should be pleased with the result. Nurse took off the cg, changed the dressing, readjusted the two drains and pain pump. I saw my profile for the first time in the mirror.. my stomach is so flat. I can't believe it. She packaged me back up (that's what is feels like), adjusted my cg and off I went to the book store ... Note to self: Have books already purchased. I needed a carriage to walk ... I feel Okay but pretty stiff. Still using Tylenol and haven't had any painkillers. Home now relaxing, playing Gems with friends and walking every hour even for a few
minutes. Much better to keep moving as to not get stiff...

Last night (one full day post op) I felt very swollen and itchy sensation (not hives or anything just a swollen itchiness in my hips. I noticed at the PS office I was black and blue in these areas and now with this tight cg, it's no wonder one would feel swollen and itchy. I got tremendous relief from rubbing ice packs (the gel kind) all over myself (on top of cg and clothing)... What a relief. I took two ES Tylenol and slept pretty good. I find that a pillow under the knees definitely adds to trying to be comfortable on my back. Also, if you can get up and walk around every couple of hours it does help with the stiffness. The longer I stay lying down, the worse it feels. So, my cyber friends: WALK as much as you can tolerate!!...

Today (Day 3 including surgery day), I woke up in a straighter position. Yesterday I was pretty hunched especially as the day professed. For those if you awaiting your TT, I would definitely practice leg squats. You'll be amazed at how much you'll be squatting to pick up things.

As a pre-op. list, I am finding straws very helpful in drinking water, especially if you are drinking while in bed. Also, cough drops for the scratchy sore throat from the tube while under anesthesia. Other than that, I look at my flat tumm area through my clothes and I SMILE... No more kangaroo pooch!! :)

Is anyone experiencing a mild cough/tickle in your throat??.. I hold a pillow over my stomach when I cough but am just wondering what is causing this (??).. Anybody else experiencing this??...

Also, I am due to return to work a week from Monday... none of my coworkers know that I am having a TT. Prior to the surgery I was thinking that some may ask if I dieted to lose my tummy... now I am trying to prepare for going to work feeling like a water balloon... Any suggestions ?

2nd post op today (surgery was 1/31). Pain pump came out (it didn't hurt), they told me the "ant sensation that I am feeling is normal and is related to the nerves", I can have a celebratory apple martini (Yay!!), BUT they cautioned me about heels at work (2.5 in) for about three weeks.. Hmmm, I may have to think about flat boots since I don't have flat shoes for work.

Next post op is Wed (hope the drains can come out)... they told me to walk straighter and to continue to walk during the day.

Okay my fellow water balloons, your opinions please. 7 days post op inc. sx day. Had drains removed today (ADVICE = Breathe out while they are removing them... they pinched me BUT not intolerable.. just breathe)... first post op pics.. PS told me it was my belly button but I'm feeling pretty worn out at the moment and don't really quite understand the logistics because it doesn't look like mine :/

I feel swollen and look swollen under my belly button... I'm returning to work Monday... feeling Okay but pretty tired right now...

12 days post op and I returned back to work full time. I had to walk as often as I could because I could feel the stiffness. Made it until 5 PM and the cg became very itchy on me (I swell most starting at around 4 PM). Saw my PS and they took out the stitches. I can switch to SPANX on Thursday (2 weeks post op).. he wants to see me in one month for post op pics which tells me I may be flatter then ( otherwise why wouldn't they have done pics yesterday, right)... All in all I did Okay...

Well ladies I am happy to report that I am two weeks and one day post op. I am back to work full-time and am driving normally. I even drove two hours one way last night (And then back home). My only complaint is that my compression garment makes me itchy... Maybe it's just the healing and I would be itchy without it... I am cleared to go into Spanx but am happier in my compression garment... As from my previous pictures I still think my under the belly button is swollen And the doctor said for me to go back in one month for post op pictures So I'm hoping he thinks I'll be flatter in one month than I am now. I hope everyone is doing okay!!

Okay ladies only you can appreciate this story... First week back to work and getting ready to go to work..Still in my compression garment.. Well I put my nylons on to go to work... Had to Per before I left the house... Forgot the compression garment was on.. And peed through my nylons... LOL... the Challenges we face

Okay Ladies,
Please listen up... I've been v
back to work, doing Okay, feeling pretty normal ... Well, today decided to walk 2 miles.. Not a good day. I'm pretty beat, strange twinges ... nothing serious but I can tell I've overdone it... Don't tax your body!!!.. Be gentle with your new tummies!!!.. I'm Okay just wanted to inform you all, We Need Time To Heal!!

Almost 3 weeks post op.. trying to be good about walking for exercise. I am not that big of an exerciser... kind of like on again/off again. Do any of you have any suggestions about how much to walk ??.. Two miles on Sunday was definitely too much but I want to keep at it. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

4 weeks and 3 days post op. Just transitioned to SPANX this past week. Tummy is definitely flattest in the morning. Swelling at night still persists but definitely is decreasing. Overall energy level is good. I still avoid lifting.

At about 7.5 weeks post op. PS saw me at 6 weeks and said I was cleared with no restrictions. I still wear a Cupid binder (Thank you to one of the nice ladies that recommended it on this forum) during the day. I've been back to work full time since day 12 (inc sx day)... I have started scar therapy at 4 weeks... Scar Away and today I've incorporated BioCorneum. I haven't ventured clothes shopping yet but hope to very soon. I am uploading a side view... mostly flat but still experience a little swelling by the end of the day. It is definitely a long journey but well worth it. My only regret is that I wished I had done this 20 years ago. I would go through it again in a heartbeat!

Okay Ladies,
12 weeks post TT with MR. Fabulous results. Bought my bikini from Everything But Water. Cannot believe I'm actually in a bikini!! YAY!!!... I like Biocorneum scar therapy cream and I'm using Scar Away long silicone sheets. I tried Mepitac but didn't care for it. It made me itchy. Ladies, it does get better!!!

I wish I had done the TT twenty years ago!!!