“Tummy tuck with mr/ removed vertical incision”
Tummy tuck: Worth it
Pain: Mild
I had to have my ovary removed, I have had about 6 abdominal surgeries through a vertical scar I had since I was sixteen (emergency surgery). After asking my OBGYN about it I decided to check into a TT so I could get the old scar removed along with the surgery I was already having.
It worked out very well. I am six weeks post op today. I would have to say out of all of my abdominal surgeries this was the least painful...not what i expected! I figured being stapled up from c-sections, my hysterectomy and other procedures on that old scar would have been easier than this but I was wrong. The pain level to me was very low, the biggest difference however is the long restricted recovery.
I was back into physical activity much quicker with the other procedures. Although the pain is less it is uncomfortable and it is hard for me to be so restricted from things like lifting, working out and the swelling bugs me.
Would I do it agian? YES, YES, and YES. I know I have to wait to go back to the gym and I am tired of wearing a binder and felling uncomfortable but my tummy looks so good. I had what looked like a butt on my belly for over half of my life and now I have a nice, flat tummy with no crack!
It was worth the time, money and recovery period and I am so happy I did this. I am looking forward to the long term results after I completely heal.
Updated on Feb 20, 2009:
Updated on Mar 11, 2009:
Updated on May 29, 2009:
Feb 18, 2009Comments and replies (24)
unregistered guest
19 Feb 2009
Thank you so much for posting your story!
3 posts
20 Feb 2009
Hello there, I have acouple of questions for you. 1.Why does your incision look so high up, is it because of your past surgeries?(will it go away?) 2. Are you serious about the cost? (if so, what state/town are you in cause I need to fly down there!lol)
19 posts
20 Feb 2009
My scar is higher because I am long in the torso, didnt have a lot of skin above the navel to pull down and for him to get all but the small portion below my pantie line of the old scar, I had to accept a higher scar. For me it is okay, the other option was a vertical scar. The cost was lower due to the fact I had another procedure at the same time (my ovary removed). I paid an extra 1400.00 to the hospital, 573.00 to the anesthesiologist and 3000.00 to the surgeon. Although I am thinking that the overall cost of these procedures may be lower in the south or at least in my area.
19 posts
20 Feb 2009
I also have my panties down kinda low in this photo, it is higher for sure than many but I think it looks a lot higher the way I took the photo! I may put another on in this weekend that really depicts the actual placement of the incision.
6 posts
23 Feb 2009
I think you can find a fair price surgeon in the North Bay. Try Dr. M. Delgado in Novato, CA
2 posts
24 Feb 2009
Hi can you please give me the phone number to the dr that peformed your procedure, it looks really great. I have the same scar due to a c-section and I absolutely hate it
19 posts
24 Feb 2009
Mommy23, I know everyone heals different but I have to tell you compared to a section the pain level is low. Now the nuisance factor is high! It just involves a lot of inactivity in the front end. The pain isn't like aggghhh it hurts so bad I can't stand it. It is more like this burns, that pinches and why am I swelling when I am supposed to be flat!I was back at work in two weeks, doing light cardio by four weeks and am supposed to be released back into real life at 12 weeks if all goes well.Patience is key with this surgery but I just know in the end it will be so worth it because it already looks so much better. I had a pre-op visit at the third day (got one drain out), the 9th day (got the second drain out), 2 weeks post op, 6 weeks and I am supposed to go back at the 12 week mark.Price I know is a big part of it, I had a croaking IRA I just used, I will suffer the tax consequences but figure this is worth it to me. Sandra254: My Dr. number is 601-939-9778 I love him, he is really nice and patient. He was good about explaining the result I would have and I knew on the front end the incision would be slightly higher and why, he did his very best to make sure he got all of the vertical incision he could possibly get. I understand about hating that scar... I don't care if I ever wear a bikini, I just wanted the scar gone!
19 posts
3 Mar 2009
Just to anyone who wants to know. I am 8 weeks post op today and am swelling a good bit. I am supposed to be out of my binder now but without it I really swell. I was hoping I would not go through it but apparently it did not bypass me! Yes I would still do it again, I knew this could happen and does for most people. I will just have to wait it out.
19 posts
11 Mar 2009
I am 2 months and 2 weeks out now. It is getting better. Stilla little swelling under the bb but that can last for a few more months. The pain is gone, just the strange numbness and occasional tug. I am back in the gym and am half way back to my normal weight lifting routine, can do any cardio all day long, no problems. I am so happy I did this and again, the long uncomfortable but not to terribly painful recovery is worth it!
19 posts
11 Mar 2009
I made it out of my binder about a week ago but I wear it to the gym. What did you PS say? Mine said stay in it for six weeks, no breaks except showering. Then I wore it during the day but not at night for another week. At 7 weeks he wanted me out of it. It took a few days but I did it! Now I notice the swelling really isnt any worse without it. I am flat in the morning and swollen by the end of my work day. By week seven I noticed its getting a litte better everyday.I have finally stopped burning. I never tried ice or heat, I get icked out by the numbness so putting hot or cold on it would make it feel odd to me!