Tummy Tuck Reviews
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“My Journey”

Worth It
Spent: $6,555 in Fayetteville, AR

Comments (42)

Updated 17 Jan 2012

Posted 4 Dec 2011

I had 3 children by age 26. My 3rd was 10lbs and I reached a weight of 215lbs during my pregnancy. After I had him I stayed at 185lbs for a while and then decided I needed to lose weight so I started running. I worked my runs up about 1/4 a mile per week until I was running 4 miles without any problem. I then signed up for a half marathon and used a running website for my 10 week training plan. By the time I ran the race a little over 2 yrs from the birth of my 3rd I had reached my goal weight of 139lbs. I have been running ever since. I have actually gained weight since then but just ran my 7th race 2 weeks ago in Tulsa. Even at my goal weight I could not get rid of my nasty stretched out belly. So I signed up for my tummy tuck and made a goal to save the money to do it. I didn't reach my goal weight before surgery but still felt like I needed to go ahead at 155pounds and do it. Today is day 5 post op. I am moving around good and am happy with my results. I knew my stretch marks would still be on my belly since they were so high but now they are all below my new belly button. Only problems I have had w recovery is not being able to urinate easily (pretty sure I have a bladder infection). So excited to see my results over the next few months. The doctor took off 8 pounds during surgery which surprised both of us. Today I weigh 160 being swollen and have to keep reminding myself it will be less in a few weeks. My goal weight is still 139 and I hope this will inspire me to get the last of it off. Oh and my doctor does the technique without drainage bulbs and I have been very happy about that.



Updated on 4 Jan 2012:
A week after surgery realized I was retaining 1.6 liters of urine. Had to get catheterized for 3 days and bladder started working again.

I am 5 weeks PO now and still swollen..Standing straight most of the day and havent resumed exercise although the holidays hurt my diet a bit. Cant wait to run again. Still want to lose 15-20 more pounds and then will be where I want. I havent wanted to shop for any new clothes yet because I am not happy with my weight and swelling. Overall very happy with the surgery.

Updated on 17 Jan 2012:
7 Week post op update-new pics-smaller BB.
Belly button is smaller but dr said will be fine. Started running last week. Still swelling in the evenings. Bough a new running shirt and pants- so excited to have no flapping while running :)

This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.

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R. Douglas Vanderpool, MD

My Doctor: R. Douglas Vanderpool, MD

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Comments (42)

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Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 5 Dec 2011

Welcome and thank you for posting!  I will be following your journey:)

Gandil6 4 Jan 2012
You look great! I too hate the stretch marks, but ya know it's just amazing not to have the mass hanging off the front of us! I feel so fabulous in clothing. I can't wait for the end result!
Gandil6 4 Jan 2012
I think buying a few things that fit now will help you feel better along the way. Even if the size isn't what you want the shape under them is so different and looks amazing! I've bought a few things to get me to the final size and one pair of goal pants, they button but are tight... With no muffin top I might add!!! I've noticed somedays I feel good some not so good. The lack of exercise really gets me. I have some races this spring I'm wanting to train for! I think I get the ok on the 23rd.
cantwaitformytummytuck 4 Jan 2012
Thanks! Ya maybe I should buy a new outfit just to get out of these yoga pants. My dr told me a couple of days ago if I start running next week I will pay for it the day after. My friends already started training for a half in April without me :( Let me know how your running goes when you start back and thanks for the chat!
Gandil6 5 Jan 2012
I feel like I will be starting over with my running. I too lost a ton by running, 65 lbs. I started with couch to 5k, what a great program for someone that's never ran. Now I'm addicted! I was doing a race a month finishing with a marathon. I have 2 marathons and 2 relays scheduled this year. I'm starting with a 10k in march, maybe a 5k in February if I can find one. I hate 5's I'm not built for speed, lol!
cantwaitformytummytuck 5 Jan 2012
I dont think it will be like starting over.. remember how so much of it is mental? So just keep telling yourself you will be running better with a stronger core and you gave your running a rest for a couple of weeks. I trained for my first half and took a month off because of a family crisis right after I did my ten mile long run. The next time I ran was raceday and I did fine. So I am hoping we wont lose all of our miles we have worked so hard on.
Gandil6 5 Jan 2012
Yes very true, I took a little time off after a marathon. I felt like I didn't have the speed I once did... Your so right about the stronger core, I can't wait to see what I can do! I'm hoping in 2 weeks I get the ok. I ran up a few stairs the otherday and it was so weird to just have my chest move. It's going to be great and yes it is so mental my body can handle what I do it's sooo in my head!!! Thank you for the positive side :-)
cantwaitformytummytuck 5 Jan 2012
No prob, by the way I saw on your other feed you think ur bb is off center? I think mine is too but oh well. I'd still do it all over again even if they put it on my back! Let me know how ur first run goes.
Gandil6 5 Jan 2012
I will keep you posted. The bb was all in the swelling. Now that it's down it's pretty centered. Hopefully that's the case with yours & yes would do it again no questions asked!
ekate 5 Jan 2012
All I can say is "Wow!!" You look darn good, really! I like to run too and I ran for the first time today. I did some elliptical then I ran just a mile with some brief sprints. It felt so good! I hope I won't be paying for it tomorrow. I missed it so much and I need to burn off the weight I've gained since the surgery. I was hesitant and nervous but it felt normal to me, actually better than normal because I didn't have the fat and skin bouncing up and down.
kathe 7 Jan 2012
Wow, Cantwait, what a difference! My goodness, it's like a different person! How are you feeling? Are you getting some energy back?
cantwaitformytummytuck 7 Jan 2012
Thanks kathe! Today is prob the first day I have noticed alot of swelling go down. Was able to button my pants. Starting a vegan diet on Monday so hope that will help me get healthy too. Gonna attempt a 10 mile easy bike ride tomorrow with my cycling/running buddy that ran without me today :(. Can't wait to be back to normal. I do have energy. Wish my husband wouldn't have had shoulder surgery at same time I did because neither one of us can get on the roof to get the Christmas lights down and I'm getting embarrassed. Thanks for the encouragement !
Gandil6 7 Jan 2012
My lights are up as well, fortunately I've past houses that are full on still decorated and plugged in!!! At least mine are turned off till I can get them down :-) I also play around with being vegan, sometimes I do fish or eggs so not totally stricked. I also mess around with gluten free. Dairy and gluten are just so hard on the system, causes bloating and that extra fluff. Are you usually vegan?
kathe 7 Jan 2012
cantwait, well, the neighbors will just think you love Christmas so much, you can't bear to take down the lights. :) Good, that your swelling went down some!
cantwaitformytummytuck 7 Jan 2012
No totally not ever vegan. In fact we just slaughtered a cow we bought and raised this year and split it with a friend. I love meat and my kids do too. Only reason I'm trying this is because I found a local woman that prepares all natural food /no cholesterol/ and just happens to be vegan and switches her menu out every week for 8 weeks. It only comes out to very inexpensive a meal and it's all healthy and prepared so I thought I would give it a try. We pick up our first week on Monday. I know it will be hard for us but we are doing it!
RazorbackGal222 9 Jan 2012
I'm considering Dr Vanderpool (he is one of three I have consultations with) and was wondering if you would have done anything differently if you knew then what you know now. I'm about 10 pounds away from my goal weight and will be having a tummy tuck and breast aug. I am a fitness guru so the idea of being "off" for 8 weeks makes my heart hurt but I need to get this excess pregnancy skin off and get my pre-pregnancy fullness back in my breasts. Thanks!!!
kathe 9 Jan 2012
Razor, do you mean you'll be off working out for 8 weeks, or that you'll be resting for 8 weeks?
cantwaitformytummytuck 9 Jan 2012
Hey! Vanderpool is great. I didn't have any problems except for my bladder and that wasn't his fault. If you feel you aren't peeing enough after surgery tell him immediately and persistently. We didn't catch that I was retaining for a week and I filled up to 1.6 liters and my bladder still hurts today 6 weeks out. He put a catheter in for 3 days and sent me to an urologist. The anesthesia made it forget how to work properly. I love Dr V and his staff! Oh and the 8 weeks off from exercise is totally worth it and it will be made up to you the first time you go back to exercise with your new body! Although I use running as my antidepressant so I really need to get out there next week and run. Yesterday was my first day back to exercises. Tomorrow will be my 6 week mark. I biked 10 miles at a good pace yesterday. I swelled quite a bit but this morning woke up with little swelling. It felt so invigorating. Hope to start back running next week.
kathe 9 Jan 2012
@cantwait - I wonder why there can be bladder (urinating) problems after surgery? I haven't read about that.
cantwaitformytummytuck 9 Jan 2012
After anesthesia many people will have a forgetful bladder. That is why most people are cathereized during surgery I believe. My urologist said it happens all the time. That's why the dr makes sure you are urinating right after surgery. I was, but not enough and I thought I had a bladder infection. I was so swollen from the bladder filling up but thought it was from the swelling of the surgery. The pain pills don't help the bladder much either if it's forgetful. Talk about misery !!!
RazorbackGal222 9 Jan 2012
How is your belly button? My sister had a full body lift a few years ago and her belly button "died". She now has an oddly shaped button that disappears when she lies down. She's going to have to have it fixed. Was your wait time between consult and actual surgery very long? Was there a consult fee? :) Sorry for all the questions but I want to be as informed as possible! My consult is scheduled for next week!!!
cantwaitformytummytuck 9 Jan 2012
Um wow. Her belly button died. That is no good. I have been a little concerned about how small my belly button is but if it died I prob wouldn't go back and get it fixed depending on how invasive that would be because I will never be wearing a bikini or anything due to my stretch marks. I rescheduled my surgery 3 times over two years due to fear. The last time I rescheduled it was a few months out. I bet they can get you in pretty quick. No fee for consult either. I had lipo on hips too and he does a lipo above belly button on midline which is cool. Not sure if they all do that or what. You can call me if you need to talk about it. In from the FS area. Two of the ladies in the office have recently had TT also so they can talk to you about it at the consult also.
cantwaitformytummytuck 9 Jan 2012
Also razorback- I would recommend a dr you can get to quickly. For sure. His staff is great with after hour care. He is ranked at the top in the area.
RazorbackGal222 9 Jan 2012
I want to be realistic about my expectations but looking at some of the before/afters on some sites has me a little freaked out. I'm extremely active (I am an avid runner and also workout 4-5 times a week) so the idea of having to rest for weeks is also something that has me panicked. I am also looking at a doctor in OKC and Dallas but I'm nervous about the "what-ifs" and if I have an issue, being that far away. How was your pain? How often did you have to go in to see him post-op. Sorry for all the questions but I am finally to the "lets do this" phase and I need to just go and do it already before I chicken out again!!!
cantwaitformytummytuck 9 Jan 2012
Your activity level sounds about like mine. I had just ran my last race right before surgery and I am starting to train again for my next. Your body will remember and pick up quickly after recovery. Here is a site on muscle memory http://m.wisegeek.com/what-is-muscle-memory.htm. I definately wouldn't have wanted to be further than 30 min away. The pain was not bad at all for me. My after pics aren't great but like I said before I would do it again even if they put my belly button on my back. I went back a week after about my bladder and have been back once since and go back again next month. It's been easy and pleasant.

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