“6 weeks post-op and lookin' hot!!!”
Tummy tuck: Worth it
Pain: Uncomfortable
I just turned 42 years old and thought I wanted to do something to look better while I'm still young enough to enjoy the results! I thought I was just going to have some liposuction of my tummy and outer and inner thighs. But at my first consult with a board certified plastic surgeon, I was told that only a tummy tuck would produce the results I wanted. I went for another consult and the second board certified plastic surgeon said the same thing. I thought about it for a week or so and then decided to go for it. Boy am I glad I did!
First of all, everyone must realize that surgeons are only human and that all bodies heal differently. I recommend using a BOARD CERTIFIED plastic surgeon for this type of procedure. Ask friends and try to get a recommendation. Then go for more than one consult. Be honest and tell the surgeons that you are doing so. That usually gets them to be honest with you about what they really think can be accomplished.
Now, for the surgery. I am 6 weeks post-op and looking fabulous. Yes, I have a long, purple scare across my lower abdomen, but my stomach looks better than it ever did -- even when I was a teenager!
I had a tummy tuck and liposuction of my inner and outer thighs at the same time. I was given some decent strength pain pills and also some muscle relaxers. The nurse was adamant that I take the muscle relaxers for at least the first week every 6 hours when I took the antibiotics they also prescribed. She said much of the pain comes from the muscle spasms that result from tying the muscles together to help get that 6-pack look. I think the best thing I did was get on a strict dosing schedule and take both the pain pills and muscle relaxers every 6 hours for the first 8-9 days. That drastically cut down on the pain. After 9 days, I only need an occasional half of a pain pill or muscle relaxer. I didn't take anything besides Advil after the first 15-16 days.
I had two drains -- one was removed 5 days post-op and the other came out 2 days later. I also had the On-Q Pain Buster and I really think that made a difference in the pain I felt for the first few days.
I also had help for the first 5 days -- someone stayed with me 24 hours a day. Getting up and down is quite difficult at first -- even going to the bathroom is tough. It took me right at 3 weeks to stand fully upright again, but that wasn't a big deal. For the first 3 weeks, I slept propped up with two pillows behind my head and one under my knees. That got old, but slowly I was able to start sleeping flat again -- I'm a side sleeper!
Now after 6 weeks, I'm looking and feeling great! I do still feel a lot of tightness in my abdominal muscles -- that's completely normal since they tied them together. My doctor said I could even have muscle spasms for several months. There is still some swelling in my abdomen -- that will actually take a few months to go away completely. I've been released to go back to my normal activities and am excited to be able to get a little exercise.
I think that using a good surgeon who won't try to take too much skin is a key to the success of this surgery. Be realistic in your expectations. Ask to see photos of the surgeon's actual patients. And then, GO FOR IT!!!
If I can, I will update this in a few more weeks or a couple of months!
Updated on Aug 12, 2008:
Just over 12 weeks now since my surgery and I still LOVE the results. More swelling has gone down from both the tummy tuck and the liposuction.
I'm now able to wear lower rise pants that before would have looked terrible because of my "muffin top" -- I can even tuck in shirts and wear belts! I feel better about the way I look now and it's a wonderful feeling! I have even been referred to as a "hot little thing" recently -- and I'm 5'6" and a size 8 so I'm not technically "little"! Of course that was during a night out on the town wearing some low-rise jeans, a cute belt, and a top tied up so my tummy would show!
I just returned from a vacation where I spent 3 days in a pool showing off my new bikini body! IT was actually fun to put on my new swimsuits and feel good about how I looked in them!
I highly recommend this surgery and am happy to discuss my results with anyone! I have 4 doctors in the Mid-Cities/Fort Worth TX area that I can recommend for consultations if you want to click on my nickname above and I'll email you privately!
Jun 27, 2008Comments and replies (22)
34 posts
1 Jul 2008
hi, im hining about getting a tummy tuck done also, i had twins and there 16m old, and im a young mom so i want my body to look young to. i was wondering if you could give me the name of your surgeon, since southlake it fairly close to my house. and i know the pain would probably be bad, but i think if i could go through a c-section, and smartlipo while i was awake and felt everything, it wouldnt be to bad right, i would think the discomfort would be like right after i had my c-section not being able to stand up straight and such
7 posts
2 Jul 2008
Hi, there! I would recommend that you get more than one consultation to make sure that you like the doctor and think he/she can give you the results you are looking for. My doctor is {edited} from Southlake. I also recommend {edited} in Grapevine, {edited} in Arlington and {edited} in Fort Worth. All of these doctors are Board Certified Plastic Surgeons -- this is VERY IMPORTANT!!! I have friends who have used the other doctors and are pleased with their results. As far as you being young, make sure that you are finished having kids. If not, you will destroy all the work of the tummy tuck. Getting pregnant again will pull the muscles apart that the doctor will tie together and it will stretch the skin to such a degree that another tummy tuck might be impossible. And, the pain and inability to stand up straight is much worse with a tummy tuck than a c-section -- I had a c-section so I can compare the two! I couldn't stand up straight for 3 full weeks with the tummy tuck and I could stand up straight the next day after my c-section. But, as I mentioned in the review on RealSelf.com, they gave me pain pills and muscle relaxers to help. You WILL need lots of help after the surgery -- probably for at least a week (maybe longer). You will not be able to lift more than 10 pounds for several weeks. I could not return to completely normal activity for 6 weeks. That will mean taking care of the twins will be difficult for at least the first few weeks. With all that said, I highly recommend the surgery -- I love how I look now! And I know others who have had the same procedure and they have all loved it! Editor note: To make or request doctor recommendations, please visit our Doctor Recommendation Forums. Or contact another user privately by clicking on their username.
1 post
30 Sep 2008
Hi My name is Amber I went today for my consultation and I am scared to death! I go in Monday Morning and I'm so freaked out!! Please tell me this is worth it, I hate my stomach right now, and I would love to run around with my two kids and feel confident! I am so excited yet, I'm thinking of all the horror stories I hear!!!!Wish me luck everyone!!!! Monday new tummy and lipo!! Eeks! I'll update yall when I'm feeling up to it.
7 posts
4 Oct 2008
Good luck with your surgery and recovery! If you are confident in your surgeon, it will be fine! I have a girlfriend who is having a TT done in a week and a half and I am going to take her for the surgery and then take care of her for a couple of days while her husband is out of town. She is very excited, too! Let us know how it all goes for you! -Amy
1 post
7 Dec 2008
I am scheduled to have a TT with Dr Jacob Varon in Houston, I can not find much info from patients about his work. Can anyone help me???
1 post
24 Jan 2009
I am 3 wks post op. I must say so far so good!! I could stand up straight after 4 days and just have a little bit of swelling. My scar is a little higher than what I would've liked, though. I'm still having itching every now and then on my upper thighs, don't know if that's normal. My scar is barely visible except at the highest points on my upper hips. Doctor says that will fade after 1 yr. I definitely have the bikini body I've been wanting for a long time after having 2 kids. If you are considering this, go through with it! Just make sure it's with a surgeon you are comfortable with and is board certified!!
1 post
7 Mar 2009
I am five days post op TT today and still hoping that some day soon I will wake up and want to move around again. The drain tubes are making me so miserable and the back pain is worse than my incision pain. I was just wondering if anybody had any advice on how to get any comfort.
1 post
5 Oct 2009
I would like to know which doctors that the lady was speaking of. She said there was 4 that she would reccomend.
2 posts
10 Oct 2009
I need more infos about doctors. any recommendation? ready for a tummy tuck, breast lift and lipo of inner and outer tighs.
1 post
19 Oct 2009
Can a tummy tuck and inner thigh lift be done during the same surgery? Has any one done both together?