Tummy Tuck: Stories

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New Lease on Life - Troy, MI

  • posted 3 months ago
  • updated 2 months ago

I have exercised my entire life and no matter how...

  • 23 Feb 2013

I have exercised my entire life and no matter how hard I tried I couldn't get rid of the fat on my stomach. I will be 60 in June and thought that if I didn't do it now I never would. What a wonderful gift to give myself! I am very happy with my results. I wish I knew beforehand that it takes 3 months to recover and to start exercising again and being "normal". The doctor tells all of us 6 weeks but it took me 3 months.

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Michael J. Schenden, MD

My Doctor: Michael J. Schenden, MD

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From an owner of a nail salon ... her client's always show her what they've had done and she told me she saw the best results with him.

Comments (27)

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sarav59 7 May 2013
You look fabulous !!! I just made 3 mos today some days I feel normal others not...
ttisme 10 May 2013
Thank you sarav59! You look amazing as well. You did a lot of hard work prior to your surgery, congratulations! Recovery takes time ... a lot longer than the doctors tell you. It took me three months before I felt well enough to start exercising again. I'm 5 months now and feeling really good! So happy I did this!! It is a long process but totally worth it.
Bluedragonfly 4 Mar 2013
Fabulous!!!
ttisme 4 Mar 2013
You look amazing too Bluedragonfly! I read your profile and you said your boobs seemed bigger, mine too! What's up with that? I don't want them bigger. I am 3 1/2 months PO - I think it's swelling. Aren't you sooooo happy you had this surgery?????
Bluedragonfly 5 Mar 2013
I have absolutely no regrets! That's not to say that there were about 3 weeks when I really regretted it! But those days are long gone. I am almost 4 months post op, and I love my new tummy! My boobs do feel and look bigger I think, but my hubby loves them, haha! (I was a 34DD to start with, and I'm still wearing the same bras. They still fit, they are just fuller!) Have fun with your new beautiful body!
ttisme 6 Mar 2013
I have no regrets either!! I'm almost 4 months as well. Enjoy your new body!!
NewSelfNC 3 Mar 2013
You look fantastic! Your waist is so tiny. Are you seriously almost 60? Your belly looks 35! Kudos to you!
ttisme 4 Mar 2013
Awww...you are too sweet NewSelfNC!!! My waist is tiny from my surgery!!! Prior to it I didn't think I had one any longer. One of the nicest things abouts having my TT was being on this site and meeting some amazing women like you!!
Never too late 2 Mar 2013
you look great! Did you have muscle repair and lipo? I am trying to figure all that out. thanks for sharing
ttisme 4 Mar 2013
I had both muscle repair and lipo. You will get amazing results too! Please give yourself time to recover. Know that you won't want to do much of anything for 2 months. I was so bored during my recovery and now I'm 3 months PO I actually miss the days when I had an excuse not to do anything but rest. I am not a plastic surgery person - haven't done anything before but this was totally worth it!!! Stay on this site! The support you will get is amazing. Let us know how you do.
Geneticjinx15 1 Mar 2013
Good for you! You look fantastic and give me hope. I am 51 and it took me this long to get the courage to do it. I am only 4 weeks PO and I hope I look & feel as good as you do in another month. Thanks for sharing your pictures.
ttisme 2 Mar 2013
Geneticjinx15 - thank you! I finally feel really good and am glad I gave you hope. The only thing I am sorry about is not doing it when I was younger, only because no matter what I did I couldn't get rid of my fat stomach!! 4 weeks - you are still at a very challenging time with pain, swelling, and being tired! Just listen to your body! A lot of girl went back and were exercising by 6 weeks. My PS told me I could but I wasn't ready. I went back part time at 3 months and it's working out great for me. Sleep a lot and rest if you can during the next month. I actually miss that down time even thou at the time it made me stir crazy. I'm so happy I had the surgery!! Stay conncected to this site - there are some amazing supportive woman on it. Welcome to the flat side, let me know how you are doing.
Geneticjinx15 2 Mar 2013
Thanks! I agree that I wish I had done it in my late 30's or early 40's but I am still happy I did it now. I am doing really well except for one thing. I am 31 days PO and STILL have a drain. : ( My energy is pretty good, not like pre surgery, but I can do pretty much everything. If I could just get this drain out I would be so happy. I will be 5 weeks PO on Wednesday. I sure hope it is gone by then. Have a great weekend!
DominicanaNYCNJRedhead 25 Feb 2013
omg. your stomach is so sexi flat chica. i love your blue pretty color undies panties so cute and wow late fifties? i didn't think so,what a youthful sexi flat belly! GOD BLESS U CHICA, i m loving ur story/blog/journey to a better healthier "Sexi" belly.i can't wait...and your probly,thinking as many why do we all in life any age seem to procrastinate, just;"wait"and wait,till so long! but i m glad your done and now the BEST of your life,is yet to come! i can relate to you,younger but i can relate,with the belly area,and i cant wait to be gettin rid of mine soon,so you enjoy yourself,and god speed. It look SO SO GOOD chica, 1 of the BEST (top 5)to 10 i have seen here. incredible dr. your surgeon did wonders,god bless u. adios. SexiFlatStomachCertified2013!
ttisme 26 Feb 2013
Thanks DominicanaNYCNJRedhead for your nice comments. Listen to your doctor about loosing weight first to get the best results. Keep on Realself site and you will learn a lot about the surgery. It has helped me so much before my surgery and after! Good luck to you!!!
Oldermomof2 25 Feb 2013
Thank you for sharing. You look awesome!! I am 59 and was scheduled for 2/11 but was taking antibiotic for a sinus infection and the PS sent me home. I am rescheduled for August 14.
ttisme 25 Feb 2013
Oldermomof2 - you will not believe how happy you will be after your tt! My only regret is that I didn't do it when I was younger. I have fought belly fat my entire life, even when I was super thin. I got so fed up with exercising and eating right and still having all that blubber around my middle so I took the plunge. Prior to my tt I couldn't wear any of my clothes and walked around in long tunic tops and tights. Now everything fits and I feel so much better. I am not a heavy person but I was so out of proportion with my big stomach. Sorry you couldn't have surgery when scheduled. Get in the best shape possible prior to your surgery. Stay on this site!!! It has been a bible to me and I have met some wonderful, very supportive woman. Let us know how you do. :)
Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 24 Feb 2013

You look fantastic!!  It took me 6 months to get back to a full hard core work out plan.  But this is not a rush so baby steps are helpful.

ttisme 24 Feb 2013
Thanks Kimmers25! Thanks also for your inspiring profile and all the help you have given us on this site. If someone would have told me I'd be going to my computer for inspiration, motivation, and direction I never would have believed them! I've connected with some wonderful woman on RealSelf and we have encouraged each other thru this entire journey. Thanks!!!
Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 26 Feb 2013

Thank you, I am very happy to have you here with us:)

BuffyR 24 Feb 2013
Amazing !
ttisme 24 Feb 2013
BuffyR - you look fantastic too! Didn't see your before photos thou. Mine were hard to post, hard to believe I looked like that just 3 months ago. You've been thru a lot, congratulations!
lpk 24 Feb 2013
You look great!!
ttisme 24 Feb 2013
Thanks lpk! I'm sooo happy I did this. I just read your profile and saw that you had tt a week after me. I've had same problem as you with swelling after I exercise. I've just started back and although I am still swelling, I don't have any pain that I can't deal with.
SweetMahogani 24 Feb 2013
Good for you! You look great!

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