Tummy Tuck: Stories

So I finally got my approval letter for a line of credit today in the mail. I'm so excited and relieved because there is no way I would have been able to start this new journey. I'm a little nervous about the consultation next week just because I am so self conscious about the way my stomach looks. Does anyone have any tips or advice for me? I would love to hear everyone's experience meeting with their PS for the first time and what happened at the tummy tuck consult :) Thanks

I'm so happy I went to my consult today. I was nervous at first but when I walked in to the office and met the staff all of my nerves were put to rest. Even the PS that I met with was great, he took the time to answer all of my questions a concerns that I had. He knew exactly what I wanted without even mentioning it first. I really like this PS and I know that they say to meet with a few first but I don't think I want to after meeting him and being so comfortable with him. What do you guys think?

I'm so excited! I paid my deposit and set my surgery date for my tummy tuck with lipo for October 12th! I can't believe I'm going to finally get rid of this extra skin and stretch marks from having two wonderful 9lb babies 12 months and 6 days apart. It has been 6 years since I had my kids and I feel that they are old enough to make this process a little easier for me. I can't wait until this day comes :)

Wow almost a month away from my surgery day and I can't wait. I started buying a few post op items to get some stuff out of the way. Only a few people know about my procedure I'm doing on October 12th I feel secretive about it and I second guess myself sometimes about my decision to let only my parents, husband, and best friend know about my procedure. I just don't want to be judged for this surgery. His family is against spending unnecessary money for things you want and don't need and I know if they knew what I was really doing OMG it would be an absolute circus of questions and judgements fom everyone. I know I'm not the only person going through this but I feel a lot better knowing I have this website to talk to people going through the same experience. It takes a lot off of my shoulders knowing that lol. Somy surgeon said I can use that arnica Montana for brusing but I don't know where to find it... Can anyone tell me what stores sell it? I have been watching YouTube videos for the surgery and they don't bother me but I just like to prepare myself for what's to come lol. Has anyone wore spanx after their compression garment? Did you like wearing them vs the garment? Those are my thoughts and questions right now, I'm sure I'll have more later.

T minus one month and counting!! I can't wait to be on the flat side again. Losing this tummy from back to back pregnancies has been a real pain in the butt! Lol I couldn't get rid of all the extra skin and stretch marks. I look like a tiger lol my pre-op is scheduled for October 2nd. I need to make a list of questions to ask him. I've come up with a few but I might have to do some research on this website to make sure I'm not forgetting anything lol. Do any of you ladies have any suggestions for questions to ask at the pre-op appointment ;)

I can't believe it's almost time! I'm not getting nervous yet and hopefully it stays that way lol. I'm starting to get a little impatient like a kid waiting for Christmas lol! My family probably thinks I'm crazy because I can't wait and I'm not nervous. I think my husband is getting a little nervous because last night he was asking me if I was sure about doing the TT and if I had changed my mind... I don't know how to alleviate his nerves. Has anyone gone through this with their husbands? I need some help with this because he never shows any fear or nerves like this. Thanks :)

The day is almost here! I'm getting really anxious I finally got the courage to post a before picture and I can wait for most of my stretch marks and loose skin to finally be gone. My stomach is so white it hasn't seen the sunlight since 2005 I'm sorry if it blinds you ladies lol. I'm going to finish my pre-op shopping this week and my pre-op appointment is on the 2nd so I will take my long list of questions to ask and make my final payment for my TT. I am so ready for this :)

Today is my pre-op appointment! I have written down a lot of questions to ask my doctor today. I'm so ready for the 12th to be here :) tomorrow I will be going to get all of my blood work done and get cleared for surgery! On Friday I'm taking my kids to get their Halloween costumes before the stores get too crazy. I hope I'll be able to take them trick or treating with my husband. Speaking of my husband last night he was asking me what all of the complications were for the TT and the Lipo on my hips. I think he's starting to get nervous about the surgery. My mom called me all last week and asked me everyday if I was still going through with the surgery, of course I am!! Why would I waste my money if I wasn't going to do it. She's driving me crazy! Just a little... I hope that she isn't like that the day of surgery because she will stress me out if she is... Well ladies I will post more later after my appointment today talk to you later :)

I've been a little annoyed today bc my niece in law went through my phone yesterday and I know she saw my text to my dad about my surgery date and what I was getting done. My parents, best friend, and husband are the only people who know about my procedure that I'm getting on the 12th. Everyone else thinks I'm just having a hernia repaired, so the reason I know she went through my messages is because my husband had sent me a text while he was at work and when I went to check it all of my messages to my dad were pulled up and I knew it right away. What should I do about this.... I don't want her telling anyone about my surgery, I don't think she will but I haven't said anything to her about it since I noticed. What do you guys think I should do?!? This is so annoying to have to deal with this crap!

On another note I Went to my pre-op for the hospital and did all of my lab work and registered at the hospital. All of the paperwork is finished and all I have to do is clean clean clean lol! Everything is ready and I'm glad I started buying everything early. 9 days away until I'm on the flat side!

This week just keeps getting better and better... Not! So besides my 20 year old niece going through my phone and reading my texts. I have a new annoyance that I have to deal with. So my PS told me to quit taking my birth control pills two weeks before my surgery because it can cause blood clots after surgery, and I have to stay off of them for two weeks after surgery. So a total of a month without my birth control pills, which would be fine but I take seasonique which makes you have a period every three months I know tmi I'm sorry. So I have been off of the pills since Sunday and today I started what I think is a period! I just had my scheduled period in September. I hope that this stops before my surgery day because I can't wear any feminine products into the OR. Has anyone else had to quit taking their pills and had this same problem? Sorry ladies I just had to get this off of my chest lol...

Friday is the BIG day! I'm excited not nervous yet lol. I hope this week goes by fast because I'm getting anxious. I'm ready to say goodbye to this flab already. Saturday was my last day to drink alcohol so the hubby and I went to buzzfest and we had a great time watching all of the bands we like. My feet are so sore from walking around so much. I'm so grateful that my parents are going to keep my kids over the weekend so I can get settled at home recovering. My hubby took a week off to stay home with me the first week. Then my mom is staying for week two of recovery. I hope everyone who is in surgery this week and is healing has a speedy recovery. I will be joining you guys soon.

4days left until the big day! I got all of my prescriptions filled today so everything is all set for Friday. What did you ladies pack for your overnight stay at the hospital? When did you ladies start taking arnica? Did you guys use a heating pad for the back pain? I just want to be prepared and have everything I need by me lol! Thanks

Wow this week has flown by so fast it seems like yesterday was Monday. I have been putting the final touches on the house, I need to go to the store today, and finish my laundry before the big performance tomorrow lol. So yesterday I explained to my kiddos that I was having surgery on my tummy and my oldest who is 6 years old started crying a little and made me feel soo bad for wanting to do this. He made me feel horrible because he got upset, but I tried to explain to the both of them so they don't try to jump on me when they come home from my parents house this weekend. Aside from the kids my mom is diving me crazy! She keeps calling to tell me there still is time to change my mind uhh I'm getting really annoyed with this. I don't know how to deal with her worries! Any ideas?

I have just over nine hours to go until I'm on the flat side! The PS called today and moved my surgery up to 7 am which means I have to be at the hospital at 5 am tomorrow! I'm going to get up at 4 am damn that is really early lol. I'm finishing my laundry right now so I have all clean nighties to wear when I come home on Saturday. I will post in the morning before surgery!! Wish me luck!!

On my way to the hospital!!! Wish me luck ladies :) I will update after I get out of surgery!!

Hey ladies!! I have made it to the flat side!! Dr. Gill said I should be very happy :) I cant wait to see under my compression garment!! Thank you ladies for all of your prayers and well wishes!!

So Dr. Gill said he removed 7lbs of skin!! He also gave me extra lipo on the sides above my flanks :) I got a peek at my new tummy this morning and it looks really flat even with the swelling. Im so happy that I did this! Im going to take my first shower tomorrow morning. I'm a little nervous about the shower. My drain sites are sore and im putting out 25cc's in both drains so hopefully they'll be coming out on wednesday. I think my back hurts more than my MR from being hunched over. Im starting to get tired from my medicine so I'll update again later

The shower was AMAZING!! Wow I feel so much better after washing my hair lol! Ice packs on my back and a shower chair are my new bff's! I think I've hit swell hell ( refer to PO day 3 pic) wow and do I have a swollen vajay jay omg do I ever haha. I think it scared my husband in the shower lol. I was laughing at him so hard it hurt my tummy! My incision is straight, thin and low so far no complaints with it. My tummy is so numb its awkward to touch without the compression garment on. How long does swell hell last?I feel very bloated like I need to fart so bad (TMI I know m sorry lol) those are my only complaints but I can handle it. I'm getting up a lot easier now and walking around easier today. My tummy is itchy and the incision so I know it's healing already. It's funny how the body bounces back so quickly. I'm starting to ease off of the pain medicine so i'm not sleeping all of the time. My Dr. Called and checked on me earlier I told him I'm not draining anymore that 25cc's so hopefully these drains will be out at my appointment later in the week. I hope you guys enjoy the pics! Let me know what you guys think. I'm so happy I did this! I will update more later.

I went to my first PO appointment today and got both of my drains taken out. That was a weird experience, it felt like two worms crawling under my skin eww. I'm so glad that those pesky drains came out. I can't believe how swollen I am right now my hips and lower back are so puffy I feel like a big sausage when wearing my compression garment lol. My back is very sore from being hunched over I can't wait to be able to stand up completely straight. But other than that I'm doing great! My incision is very low and looks really good, I am tapering off of my pain meds, and I'm getting some of my stamina back :) good luck to those who are having surgery today and happy healing to those who already had surgery.

Well I'm loving my new BB it's round and the scar is hidden inside so when it heals you won't be able to see it. My scar is getting itchy and my hips are so swollen I'm so annoyed with it! My tummy is a little swollen but my hips are so wide and puffy from the Lipo I can't stand it anymore grr! When will these hips start to go down? I'm taking my arnica and it seems to help the front of my tummy but the hip area isn't getting any help. I'm walking pretty straight and have been since day 6 so that has helped my back pain a lot. I'm able to walk further everyday without getting as fatigued so that's a plus. I would love to put lotion on my belly but I'm not sure if I can... Have any of you guys put lotion on your bellies this soon? Well happy healing to everyone :)

I am now PO day 11 and I am loving my new tummy and BB I can't wait to see what my hips look like after all of the swelling from the Lipo goes down. I'm really missing my memory foam bed and sleeping on my side. I think I got a total of 4 hrs of sleep last night because I couldn't get comfortable on my back. I went to bed late and kept waking up every couple of hrs. I have my second PO appointment on Thursday so I will be asking if I can move to my side now. My PS is also going to remove my tape over my incision, and I'm wondering if its going to hurt?? Has anyone had their tape over the incision removed? Does it hurt? And has anyone tried to sleep on their side yet?

2 weeks post op yay! Yesterday I went to my 2wk appointment and my doctor removed the tape on my incision! I finally got to see my incision and oh my is it thin! I love it lol. He told me I could try to sleep on my side but to put pillows behind my back so I don't turn in my sleep and hurt myself. I think I will try it tonight :) I started scar therapy and some of my swelling has gone down on my hips but I'm still pretty swollen. I can't wait for 6 weeks to be here so almost all of it is gone. I'm going to start walking more now that my PS said it would be ok. Well that's all I have for now happy healing ladies ;)

Hey everyone!! I'm three weeks PO today. Time has gone by pretty fast, I went trick or treating with the hubby and kiddos last night. I wasn't sure if I would make the whole trip because it's about 2 miles or so, maybe a little more. I was able to walk the whole way which was awesome! I was very proud of myself because lately when I have walked I couldn't go very far because I was getting a tightening feeling in my tummy. Anyways I thought I would share that with you guys, I have started sleeping on my sides every now and then when I can't fall asleep on my back. I didn't realize how much I've missed my memory foam bed! I am so glad I moved to my bed because I was getting uncomfortable on my chaise in the living room. I'm still sleeping elevated though... When did you guys try sleeping flat? Or even on your stomach? When did you guys see your final results? was it six weeks, six months, or a year? Im getting a little picky about my hips I'm hoping that they will get smaller as I get further along in my journey! Did anyone else do this with the Lipo on their hips? My CG is getting on my nerves right now! It keeps riding up and bunching I have three more weeks with this CG. Don't get me wrong I like it because it makes me feel secure when wearing it but it irritates my skin underneath it where it rubs also. My PS said I could get a stage 2 garment from a website he recommends but I don't like the price for them or the fact that they have a zipper or flap to pee through so I stick it out for three more weeks and be done with it lol. Sorry guys I needed to vent a little... Anyways I hope everyone is healing well and everyone who is about to go in for surgery I wish you good luck :)

One month since my surgery already! It seems time has flown by. I recently bought some new PO garments like I like. But I'm still wearing my binder at night. My incision looks good I have a small spot near the middle that looks a little weird but I'm not too worried about it. My hips are still swollen and are starting to get on my nerves because it seems like they aren't going to get any smaller. I'm still a little tender n my sides by my ribs and hips from the Lipo. My next appointment is on the 20th so I'm going to address my hips issue then I guess. I feel like I'm being not picky but I know I didn't pay for something that's going to bother me. Lol maybe it's too soon but I want to make sure. I have lost 15lbs but my thighs are still swollen a little and I can't wear my pre-op jeans yet... Has anyone had this happen to them? It's freaking me out a little, anyway I hope all of my fellow tummy Tucker's are doing well ttyl :)

Hey fellow Tummy Tucker's it's been awhile since my last update. I've been really busy with my online classes and my family. Well I'm down 20lbs and doing great. My hips are still a little swollen from the Lipo and will probably be that way until I'm at 6 months. Anyway my last PO appointment went very good everything is looking great. I will have a thin scar and I no longer need to wear my compression garment. I have been cleared for exercise including Ab work :) I must say that I'm a little nervous about working out because I don't want to over stretch anything so I'm going to start off slow. I've been sick with a cold and cough for the past week so hopefully I can start my new routine by the end of the week. Anyways I hope you all are helping well ttyl! :)