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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck Reviews

34 Year Old Mom About to Have a Full Tummy Tuck - Toronto, ON

UPDATED FROM Nervousnellymom
12 days post

I am a 34, 5'4", 123 pounds and work out for two...

WORTH IT$8,500
I am a 34, 5'4", 123 pounds and work out for two hours at least 5 days. I was very nervous prior to the surgery for the recovery. I was very concerned as to how I could possibly take care of my kids shortly after surgery. I had 1 and 1/2 weeks of help lined up and after that I would be on my own. To help speed up my recovery I did as much research on vitamins that are known to help. I take close to 30 vitamin pills a day but I think it has helped. Here is a list of what I am taking for those interested: bromelain, vitamin d, vitamin k, garlic, zinc, vitamin a, vitamin e (only after surgery), l-cysteine, selenium, CoQ10, a good multi- vitamin, essential 3-6-9 omega fatty acid, and a ton of vitamin c. Plus, I found out that it is best to avoid potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplant a week before surgery because they slow down the bodies ability to metabolize the Anastasia. When I first woke up from the surgery I was pretty out of it and wanted to sleep non-stop. But I was able use the bathroom unassisted 5 hours out of surgery. I stayed the night at the clinic (I recommend opting for the overnight stay if possible) and by the next day I had no trouble getting to the car and the hour drive was painless. Going up and down stairs was no problem too. By day two I got off the pain meds and switched to Extra Strength Tylenol. I want off Tylenol by day 4 and took Arnica instead. My drains were removed on day 4. And that helped me feel much better. The worst day so far has been day 2. I am 12 days post op and I am pleased to say I feel great and every day gets better. I am able to take care of my twins and minimal house work. I just rest when my body says so. I would recommend this surgery to those who really hate their bellies. The recovery is not a breeze but it is manageable. I recommend getting yourself in the best shape possible, avoid smoking and drinking at least a month before, eat a clean diet for at least a month before, and load up on the vitamins. It may also help mentally to prepare for a hard recovery, don't have high expectations for a perfect recovery. There will be bad days so expect it so you don't get defeated when it happens. I love my results although the swelling has yet to go down completely. Just remind yourself everyday will get better! Good luck lovely ladies!

Nervousnellymom's provider

Derek Ford, MD

Derek Ford, MD

Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.6 | 40 Reviews
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I thought Dr ford was professional, kind, and informative. He was extremely sensitive to my needs and requests. He works in a beautiful and clean office. The nurses are amazing! I can only say good things about Dr Ford.<br/><br/><i class="gray">Updated on 26 Jul 2011:</i><br/>He is amazing! Great at what he does, very professional, kind and informative.

Replies (9)

Hi. Thanks for the info on which supplements helped you in recovery. I'm scheduled for a tt with lipo 8/26/11. How's your recovery coming along?
Hi. I'm not sure if you still check this site since you've got the results you were looking for, but I'm curious how your ab muscles are functioning and if your back problems have improved? Like you, I have an umbilical hernia and diastasis. I'm having a full TT with diastasis repair on 3/6 because I have alot of back pain and want that to go away. The visual improvement to the little bit of loose skin on my tummy will be nice, but I really just care about improving the strength of my core muscles. I would love to hear if you think your TT helped you.
I'm not sure if you are asking me about my tummy tuck but it seems that you are. I had the repair on my abs about six months ago now. I started back at the gym slowly at 4 weeks post op. Then was back to weight training by 6 weeks post op. My Dr was ok with that but you should check with check with yours regarding when it would be ok to workout. As for my back pain improving it has but with a lot of effort to increase my Ab strength. Right after the surgury my back pain was far worse. So be prepared for that. But by week 4 the back pain was getting better. Every month my abs get stronger but it is slow going. As of now my back pain is very minamal and an improvement from before the surgury. What I do know is I can only improve from here but without the surgury I would only get worse as the years went on. I hope this helps.
That is really helpful, thank you! I agree with you that without the surgery it would only get worse as the years go on. I guess I am nervous wondering if I should just live with that or if I should go through the pain of recovery from the TT. In your opinion, 6mos out, do you think that it has been worth it?

I don't mean to pester you, but I am having a hard time finding women who had the procedure done to improve their back pain and this is the only reason I want to have a TT done, so i am super interested in your experience.

Thanks!
I would most definately do it again. I feel like it was worth it. But just know it takes time and work to get your Ab strength back. The post surgery recovery was really not that bad and it goes by fast. It takes about a full month to feel up to doing things you did before surgery and about 4 months to get your Ab strength back. Please don't feel like you are pestering me, I am happy to answer your questions. I was super worried too and I wish I didn't worry so much because it was so much easier then I thought it would be. Take care
That is helpful, thank you! Do you feel that your back pain has improved also? I know it hurts more immediately after surgery from being hunched over, but after that, is your back pain free?
Yes my back pain has disappeared but it took about 3 months to get there. I hope this helps.
Thanks for your experience! It was really nice to read someone else who got a tummy tuck and had a good experience. I'm planning to get mine, but I'm reading TONS of stuff about it first before I go through with it. I like the good experiences, because the bad ones make me scared! Anyway, I also had 2 kids and after my stomach was SO UGLY! I didn't have the hernias and stuff, but I did have lots of gross skin that I really want to get rid of. After reading your experience, I'm ready for it! :)
I think it was one of the best things I have do e for myself. Just make sure you have solid birth control after the surgury. Almost a year after surgury I have found out I am 3.5 months pregnant. So we will see how well my tummy tuck holds up. Good luck on your journey.
UPDATED FROM Nervousnellymom
3 days post

I am 3 days post op and feeling pretty good. Day...

I am 3 days post op and feeling pretty good. Day 2 was the worst cause I through up. That hurt! My kids r taking it so well. My 2 year old twins who r usually all over me have stayed away, it's like they know I'm off limits. I have been taking a slew of vitamins and I think it has helped. I also avoided potatoes, tomatoes and eggplant for 4 days before surgery. I read that something in these items makes it harder for the body to metabolize the Anastasia. I thought it was worth the try. I have been able to get up out of bed and downstairs on my own from day one. It has been better then I expected! I am happy with the results so far. Although I have no clue what my belly button will look like. I looked my Dr and his staff and the clinic was like staying at a 6 star resort. At this point I would say this was totally worth it.

Replies (1)

Thank you for the update:)  I was thinking about you and wondering how you were doing.  It sounds like you are doing really well so keep up the good work.

Rest as much as you can and go slow for a while.  Keep posting!

UPDATED FROM Nervousnellymom
1 day pre

Tomorrow's the big day! I am at piece now, no...

Tomorrow's the big day! I am at piece now, no longer worried. I am putting my faith in my god and trusting it will all be fine. It does feel surreal that the day has finally come. I have been showering the last 4 days with antibacterial soap. For the last month I have been on a ton of vitamins known to improve your immune, speed up recovery and reduce swelling. I made a ton of soup for me and frozen meals for my family. All the laundry is in order. Put a fresh set of sheets on our bed. Oh, and I stopped eating potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplant a week before since I read a medical paper that believed something in these items made it more difficult for the body to metabolize the Anastasia. Therefore, slowing down my recovery. I'll let you know if all these steps helped. I have had 6 other surgeries to compare to so it will be interesting. Good luck to all the others having this surgery, if you pray please pray for me!

Replies (2)

Oh wow tomorrow!!  How exciting is that. 

You are going to do just beautifully and soon have the new body you have been waiting for.

Thank you for posting your story.  I look forward to reading your posts and hearing back from you after surgery. 

I am sending hugs, prayers and happy thoughts your way for tomorrow.

Praying for you! It sounds like you are all ready! I am 16 days post-op and had muscle repair too. My last baby, who is one now, weighed over 10 pounds when he was born. You'll do great, can't wait to hear from you.