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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS

Tummy Tuck Gave Me my Body Back

ORIGINAL POST

I am so thankful I decided to have my tummy tuck...

livinthedream
WORTH IT$9,800

I am so thankful I decided to have my tummy tuck after having 2 children 18 months apart.  Now the youngest is 5.  I spent over a year working out with a personal trainer and lost inches off of my thighs and hips, but still my stomach never budged after instense work outs. 

I finally went for a consult with a plastic surgeon in Orlando, FL.  He recommended a full tummy tuck with lipo on my love handles.  I am now 6 weeks post-op and very pleased with the results.  I was in very good shape and have been on Juice Plus vitamins for 6 months prior to my surgery.  Fortunately I also have a high pain tolerance, so I would describe it as "uncomfortable". 

As long as you keep up with your pain meds for at least the first week and don't fall behind in taking it you should be fine.  I weaned myself off Vicodin after the first week and a half and started taking Tylenol.  You really need someone to take care of you for the first week, you do not realize how much you use your abs until you've had them stitched back together.  Just lifting your legs hurts and sneezing is the worst.  

Also, see if your Dr. can prescribe Phenagran or some type of anti-nausea meds that you have with you after your surgery.  I was very nausiated from the anitesia and threw up, that was the most pain I have ever felt -- to me worse than childbirth.  Luckily I had the meds so started taking it immediately. 

Also, I had the typical regrets and depression immediately after the surgery due to the pain, the drains, and the scarring.  But now 6 weeks later, I am happy as a clam and already shopping for new bikinis!.

livinthedream's provider

Dr. Chois

Replies (13)

March 6, 2009
OOH, thanks for your note. I'm DYING to know what my waist size will be! My waist is bigger than my hips (I have a straight boy body) but I have some love handle fat that will be lipo'ed away. Your photos are awesome because I cna't seem to find many bellies like mine but yours is close! I appreciate your mention of regrets/depression. I hadn't heard about that but I can see it happening. Good to have the heads up. Congrats :)
March 9, 2009
Good luck with your surgery! I forgot to mention my size. I'm 38 years old, 5'1" and now weigh 128 lbs. At the time of the surgery I was 139 lbs. My doctor doesn't weigh or record how much he removes, but I'm convinced it was a good 8 pounds that came off just from the surgery. I was always pretty curvey and very muscular, but after I had the babies my waist completly disappeared for 5 years. Now it's back :-) I went from a 32 inch waist to 26.5 inches (the size when I was 14 years old). I think the key on the depression is to #1 - don't look at the scar too much #2 - keep thinking it is only temporary. If you are light skinned it should fade in time (at least that is my hope). The drains are the worst, luckily I got my removed after 7 days. My Dr. said to use Dial anti-bacterial shower gel, so I was very careful and used that and carefully around the drain port. I came up with a trick to throw on a bikni bottom to hook the drains to (they have little clips on them) so I could shower without holding them. I'm glad to share anything that helps other women, I am sooo happy with my results!
March 16, 2009
You look awesome, can you tell me who the name of your surgeon was, i live in the area also and would like to visit your doctor for a consultation, i'm planning on having one done sometime in july.
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April 13, 2009
Do you mind sharing with us, who did your surgery? I too, live in Orlando and in search of a great doctor. YOU LOOK GREAT!!
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April 13, 2009
Hi Tracyface, Provider information is located above the review. You must be signed into RealSelf to view.
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April 13, 2009
oops. I dont know hoe I missed that! Thanks.