Tummy Tuck Reviews
94%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
2,305 Reviews
Tummy Tuckbefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Tummy Tuck Cost: $7,950

Learn about Tummy Tuck

7,763 people and 865 doctors are talking about Tummy Tuck

Get Free Email Updates

Unfollow this topic

“Tummy Tuck ~ Newport News, VA”

Worth It
Spent: $6,500 in Newport News, VA

Comments (75)

Updated 12 Mar 2012

Posted 15 Nov 2011

I am 35 yrs old and mom of 3 beautiful girls. After 3 pregnancy my tummy isn't the same. I have done many classes at the gym from yoga, zumba, weights, steps, etc... nothing work for make my tummy at least half way the way I was before having babies. I had done also p90x & insanity and no improvement.

I just schedule my surgery for Feb 3rd, 2012. I'm excited but also so freaked out about the thought of going under general anesthesia and never waking up. I don't like the thought of being unconscious and not knowing what's happening.

I been searching for months a good plastic surgeon (got great tips from this site on how to find one) I had 3 consults and saw many pictures before & after online from other doctors in my area. I decided on the surgeon that is ABPS & ASPS. He make me feel comfortable and I like the before & after pictures of previous tummy tucks he performed.



Updated on 1 Jan 2012:
I am SO nervous about my upcoming TT! I have read so much about them and really appreciate everything that I have found on here! My husband is very supportive. I am blessed to have him in my life! he supports me on this and is going to be taking care of me thru this. He’ll help me the first 2 weeks! He says he love me the way I am, but I know he will love the results just as much or more when everything is said and done. My stats: small frame, 5’1”, 123 lbs (my weight before pregnancies was 90 lbs - highest weight was 170 lbs) I was left with terrible stretch marks and sagging skin as you can see.

Updated on 27 Jan 2012:
I’m nervous, but I’m feeling so much better now about my surgery!!! I cannot believe that my day is almost here! The weeks have flown by since I have scheduled this surgery. My hubby got all my prescriptions (Keflex, Percocet, Phenergan & Xarelto) which was a journey (he had to go to 2 different military pharmacies and at the end he got the last 2 at cvs)… got ScarAway for c-sections, slippers, comfortable clothes, soduko, books, etc… I’m trying to get ready at home for the big day with all the cleaning, etc… I spent so much time on this forum and can’t thank you all enough for sharing your advice, recoveries, photos and well wishes. I had never had any kind of surgery so RS is just what I needed to prepare me for this surgery! Thanks also to the kind advice & support of the ladies here!

Updated on 12 Mar 2012:
I’ll probably need have a scar revision because the left side of my scar is a little higher than the right side... Is so tight and swollen on my left side... I know is not my ps fault... it's just the way I'm healing... Luckily my Dr. wants perfection as much as I do! And after a few months he will be fixing it!! (love my Dr.!)

BB-was black... after the first week started looking like beef jerky... I never put nothing on it and after like 4 weeks it started shedding on it's own... now looks normal!

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

Helpful review?

My Doctor: Thomas Randall Blanchard, MD

My rating:

Dr. Blanchard was very polite and never made me feel uncomfortable. He answered every question I had no matter how little or silly it may have seemed. I am very happy with my tummy and I am only five weeks out. Prior to meeting Dr. Blanchard, I had consults with other doctors but I felt comfortable with him. He answered all my questions. The surgery went well, from what I remember. My stomach looks amazing (compared with before) and the scar is super low and healing well. I am five weeks post-op and feeling better every day. I would highly recommend Dr. Blanchard and his staff for your tummy tuck.

Doctor's Bedside Manner
Answered My Questions
After Care Follow-Up
Time Spent With Me
Phone or Email Responsiveness
Staff Professionalism & Courtesy
Payment Process
Wait Times

Comments (75)

Post a Comment Sort:
MaumeeMG (RealFriend) 17 Nov 2011
Hi Glory - we are scheduled about 3 weeks apart - my TT is Jan 9th. I am worried about the general anesthesia as well - I've never had surgery. I'm having a breast lift and two hernia repairs and they are telling me it will be about 4 hours I'll be under. That feels like a long time!!
gben 18 Nov 2011
Hi MaumeeMG, I've never had surgery either so I know how it feels. I counsult a few doctors, one dr do tt in 3-4 hours, other in 6 hours, and the last one I saw 2-3 hours... I guess it depend on the surgeon skills and the patient body... one of my friend had breast lift, tt, and tubal ligation she was under for 8 hours. I was so scared and I wasn't her... but everything went fine. So I thing is great that your dr will do it in around 4 hours! I'll be following you on your journey!
Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 19 Nov 2011

Welcome to RealSelf Glory!   Thank you for posting your journey with us.  

Don't freak out about the anesthesia.  They take excellent care of you in the OR and all will be fine.  You don't want to know what they are doing when you are out:)   The entire process all goes very fast.  One minute you are going into the OR and the next minute you are in recovery.  

Soon you will be loving your new tummy:)

newmomat37 1 Jan 2012
I am scheduled for Feb 6 and also excited and freaking out!! Make sure you check in under the forum tab for Feb tt's..it's a nice way to stay in touch with the other Feb gals getting ready for their tt.
We have similar frames. I am 5'3" and weigh 132. I weighed 110 before my first pregnancy and had a really nice, toned body..well having kids in my late 30's killed that. :( I have a huge ballon tummy, I look 4-5 months preggers. :( I too am lucky that my hubs is in full support and will be available to help but with 2 small kids this is going to be tough. But I am 40 and don't want to put this off. I can't wait to just get it over with. Looking forward to healing with you. Best wishes. :)
gben 4 Jan 2012
Thank you for the info on the forum! (I didn't know about it) I also look pregnant specially when you see me from the side. In the mornings is not as big as night time. I think is all I eat and drink throughout the day. I hope after I have the muscle repair work done my stomach wont look so big :)
girlie2740 2 Jan 2012
We share the same TT date. I am also very nervous, but when I begin to get scared I start to think of my bulging tummy over my underware and I start to picture a flat tummy and get excited, I am soo ready for this. So let's get excited!!! We have a month to prep for it :)
gben 4 Jan 2012
Hi girlie2740, so glad we are in the same boat! I'm trying to distract my mind but with xmas (shopping, etc.) done is impossible :) I'm going to try start doing some exercise (dvds) at home, and eat less carbs...
newmomat37 4 Jan 2012
Yes..my tummy is more pooched at night too. I hadn't really thought too much about it but my PS asked me if that was the case and I said yes..she said b/c normal muscle structure isn't there to hold everything in place so once you put some food/drink in that tummy, out it goes. :(
newmomat37 17 Jan 2012
How are you..have you had your pre-op appt yet. I had mine today. Feels like it is for real now. :) I think it was you who was talking to me about smoothies and protein shakes..my PS said not to add the protein powder before surgery and not for first week after in case there are other supplements in the powder. Mine doesn't have many other supps but I will follow her advice anyway. Hope all is well, we are almost there! :)
gben 18 Jan 2012
Yes! I had mine also yesterday the 17th. I asked so many questions that I could think of. My pre op was with the nurse (I tought pre op would be with the PS) I never had a pre op before... but I had a few questions for him also and they accomadate me so I could talk to him (that was nice!) I really like him so I feel more and more comfortable that I picked him... Thank you for letting me know about the protein powder (I didn't ask about that :) We paid, so now for sure is real... I have chest congestion for 4 days now, hope I get better soon... Can't wait to see our results! but so scare that I don't want to think about it...
mm98031 19 Jan 2012
new mom you are going to be so glad you got your TT! It is so worth it and the worry is not necessary (I know becasue I made myself sick --physically with it) and the procedure is really a breeze. I was so surprised at how much easier it all was than I expected. And you are so fortunate that your hubby is so supportive...it makes all the difference in the world. Good luck!!!!
mm98031 19 Jan 2012
sorry I meant gben. That's what happens when you are up at 1:30 ;-)
gben 19 Jan 2012
Thank you mm98031!!
mommy73 27 Jan 2012
Hey I see Ur surgery is 1 day after mine. We can go thru this together. I got my meds wed along w blood test. Just got my app set for 1pm on feb for my 24 hr checkup. Staying at a hotel across the street from PS cause I live a little over hr away. I'm so ready for this & so excited! I had hernia surgery in 2007 only time I've been put under but it was a breeze. Hopefully this will b the same. I'll b talking to u I'm
Sure & keeping up w you & Ur results. Many blessings to u. God will take care of us!
girlie2740 27 Jan 2012
gben...I am doing the same. Surgery is at 7am, what times is yours?? I am spending the weekend cooking and freezing a few things. I am ready for this, I hope you are too.
gben 28 Jan 2012
Hi girlie! I won't find out my surgery time until the day before at 2pm (arrrg) I'm suppose to call them so they will let me know... I'm so ready too :) I been 18 years waiting for this!
newmomat37 27 Jan 2012
so excited for all of us Feb gals..can't believe you are just a week away! I know you are going to be happy b/c I can see in your pics that you are tiny, just have diastasis so soon your tummy will match your small body!
gben 28 Jan 2012
My PS told me he need do sutures from below my breast bone to the top of my pubis (that's how bad my muscle separations is) I think that's why I have so much lower back pain?... can't wait to see all of our pictures after :)
Cmpnbalto 27 Jan 2012
Im schedule for the 3rd as well! I'm very nervous but I have wanted this for a long time so I need to move forward with it! Excited to have this site and people like you that will be going through it the same day I day. I will be starting my journal and uploading pre-ops pics this weekend!
Katapple 28 Jan 2012
Good luck! It's right around the corner! I was quite worried before going under as well, but once I woke up after what I thought was 5 minutes...I had no need to worry about anything LOL
gben 28 Jan 2012
Hi Cmpnbalto, welcome to the feb tts! girlie2740, you and me are the same day!! I'm nervous too, I think is natural that we are nervous because is a selective surgery... but I'm positive that we are going to do fine! I'll be following you :)
newmomat37 28 Jan 2012
Me too..with the stiching from breast bone to pubic bone. I am getting a little more nervous. Trying to stay busy with chores around the house.
mm98031 28 Jan 2012
New mom
Had stitching from implants to pub bone AND obliques. It's tight but that's what we're going for right? The only thing you will notice the more stitching the longer it takes to stand straight. I'm standing straight pretty much all day now at 3.5 weeks. Ps gave the ok to start moderate stretching and it makes a difference. Do not worry about it ot isn't that bad after the first week only the hunching. I figure I'm going to have a killer six pack since I'm so tight....eventually;-).
newmomat37 28 Jan 2012
What amazes me so much about your recovery is that you seemed to have skipped swell hell in your tummy. Your photos just look so great! I know you had a lot of swelling in your legs but your tummy went to tiny right away and stayed that way...lucky girl! I read your comments elsewhere about what you ate and drank and I plan to follow that closely in hopes of a recovery like yours! :)
mm98031 28 Jan 2012
New mom
I have no idea why but you are right. I have ... Knock on wood..... Completely missed the tummy swell hell. Ok no not missed but skipped. But i think my thighs at the beginning mire than made up for it ;-) You will have a fantastic recovery and final results.

Post a Comment

Read more Tummy Tuck reviews

“Tummy Tuck and Lipo to Hips, Thigh, and Knee - Houston, TX” 4 comments
“9 weeks PO, still not flat :(” 169 comments
“8 weeks post op Monday 1/16” 37 comments
“it's my turn--tt scheduled for 11/21 in the bronx, NY” 282 comments