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
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
“Tummy Tuck in Less Than 2 Weeks! - Puyallup, WA”
ashley.novinger
Worth It
Spent: $6,800 in Puyallup, wa
Spent: $6,800 in Puyallup, wa
I'm a 25 year old girl who took her health into her own hands about two years ago. Weighing almost 240 pounds and being depressed...I woke up one day signed up for a gym and got a dietician! I've lost 110 lbs so far and feel amazing...except my stomach.
I've contempleted a tummy tuck for a while, but the real deal was to have my parents be all for it as well; seeing as how I'm very close with them. I asked them while they were here visiting Seattle for Thanksgiving and to my surprise they were all for it! Things from there went super fast...before I knew I had a surgery date of Jan 19th. I'm so excited. Havne't had nerves yet, but I'm sure that will come!
I've read a lot of reviews on here and have got some good tips, but I'm always up for knowing more of the unknown. :)
I currently don't have my "before" pics, but I'll put up before and after pics of my weight loss...
Updated on 20 Jan 2011:
My surgery was yesterday! I went in at 11:30 AM and was released by 4:15 PM. The doctor was great to explain everything to me and the nurses were just as great.
The first night was rough waking up every 2 and a half hours to take medicine, but I've survivied. And honestly the pain feels like I've done a hard ab workout session so far. So its not bad at all.
I go back in today to have the bandages changed...so hopefully i'll be able to see some of the tummy so far! I'm excited.
Updated on 22 Jan 2011:
Went in the following day for a check up and got a sneak peek at my tummy, I must say it looks so great. I can't wait to see the final results months from now. The doctor was totally suprised at how well I was getting around.
I actually went off all perscribed pain meds as of Friday. So I was only on pain meds for Wed & Thursday. The pain is very manageable. And mind you I've never had a kid before.
I went to the store yesterday because I was getting cabin fever. It wore me out thats for sure. I'll go back to work on Monday part time.
Pictures coming soon..I promise!
Updated on 25 Jan 2011:
Today I had my follow up appt with my doctor. It hasn't been quite a week...and I got my right drain removed. I was SUPER nervous for this because I had read that it hurts like hell, but honestly...I didn't even feel him snip the sutures or anything. And honestly couldn't feel him pulling the drains out.
AND thank goodness...got rid of the foam under the binder!!! You have no idea how much that made me smile. So now just have the binder and one drain...I go back in Thursday to hopefully have the 2nd drain removed! :)
The doctor is super pleased with how I'm getting along..he can't believe I'm doing this great, but I'm not going to complain!!
Updated on 29 Jan 2011:
Had my 2nd draing out yesterday. So I only had to deal with my drains for a week and a few days...I feel sorry for those who have to deal with the much longer. They drove me crazy. But the down side to no drains was the doctor put me on bed rest this weekend. He wants to make sure that I dont have extra fluid build up. Everything has been going great!
I can't beleive it has been almost two weeks since the surgery...sure time does fly. Before long I'll be able to work out again! Yay! :)
Updated on 17 Feb 2011:
4 weeks has passed...I can't beleive its been this long already! Went in for my 4 week appointment today and everything is going great! Still taking it easy, but doing a bit more as time goes on. I've updated some pictures.
Updated on 6 Mar 2011:
I am now 6 weeks post op and doing amazing! Got released back to work out full time!! So far I've ran 3 miles and feel amazing!! Start weights this week..no more pain really. Still feel tight when laying flat and get some swelling after working out or a long day on my feet. I've added some more pictures.
I'll add my before pictures when they give them to me at the doc. I saw them Tuesday and OMG wow! It was amazing to see the difference!!!
Updated on 7 Mar 2011:
Updated on 6 Apr 2011:
This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.
Helpful review?
My Doctor: Michael V. Novia, M.D.
My rating:
He is very knowledgeable, down to earth, answers questions, called to check up on me at 9 at night the day of surgery. I honestly couldn't ask for a better doctor.
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 (53)
Post a Comment Sort:Read more Tummy Tuck reviews
Doctors Nearby
William Bruno, MD
33 recommendations
and
1,098 answers
View Website
S. Sean Younai, MD
10 recommendations
and
311 answers
View Website
Brent Moelleken, MD
34 recommendations
and
1,329 answers
View Website
RealSelf Sponsors
ADVERTISEMENT
congrats on the weight loss and for sharing your journey!
Wow! Wow. Wow. Congratulations so much on all that you've accomplished. You look stunning and you must feel so much healthier, too. Please do keep us posted on how you're feeling and healing during your tummy tuck journey.
Recuperating from a tummy tuck is not the easiest thing in the world, but you're young and strong and it should go well for you.
There are some great posts in our forums you might want to check out. Start with Kimmers' Tummy Tuck Survival Guide and go from there for real information you won't find anywhere else.
Good luck and I can't wait to hear more.
Hi Ashley,
Oh my gosh! I am so proud of you for this accomplishment! You are a beautiful girl and should be very proud of yourself. I bet you feel totally amazing :)
The Tummy Tuck is not the easiest recovery but you are young and healthy and will do just fine. You will love the new tight and flat tummy.
I am also glad you have found this website. This is a wonderful support group and the women here will all help you celebrate your victory!
Feel free to post questions in the Forum, and questions to the doctors and chat with all of the ladies.
I look forward to reading your posts and seeing the after pictures.
The surgery honestly was a piece of cake for me. I am now 4 days post op and I was off pain Meds less than 48 hours after the surgery only taking ibpfroen. The only thing that seems to bother me is the darn drains. They drive me crazy and im sure once they are out ill be a lot better.
But having my mom here has helped so much. She's helped me out tons. So make sure you have someone with you for at least the first week.
Like you I enjoy working out...but I promised my doctor id follow his order to a T and do only what im told I can do until fully released!
Best of luck to you and if you have any questions let me know! :)
You look so good girl!! Enjoy that new body! Go slow and don't push yourself so hard.
Hopefully I'll be able to post one week pics tomorrow.
Good luck to you!! I'll keep you updated with pics as the weeks go on.
remember that it is okay to relax and let someone help ya! :)
It is very natural to be nervous obviously, and I dont have as much to "lose" as you, but honestly it was a piece of cake...
My nurse and doctor made me feel very comfortable in the Operating Room. as I'm sure yours will too...just breath and things will be okay :)
Good luck!!
I'll keep following you to see how things are going. Best of luck!
It is good to hear that having your tube removed wasn't painful! Did your doctor use a comfort pump or anything? Are you feeling good walking around? I also hear that it can feel like your stomach is so tight that it is hard to breath. Have you had that problem? Sorry for all the questions!
I did not have a comfort pump...just vicidon and a muscle relaxer..and every 2 hours i would use ibprofen. I honestly was off my vicidion and muscle relaxer not even 48 hours after the surgery.
I haven't had the hard to breath thing, but i do find it very un-comfortable to lay down. its very hard to get comfortable and sleep...I probably only sleep 3 hours at time right now. So be prepared for that.
Really.... wow, you wake about every 3hrs. You must be exhausted. Thats a lot like having a baby. I do have another question. When you lay down can u lay flat? I only ask because if you cant stand all the way up I dont see how you could lay down; specially if the tt went around to the sides. I hope this makes sense... Thank you for all your help!
It is exhausting since I'm back to work Part-Time and not sleeping well at all, but I'm making it.
I can not lay flat yet. I'm still sleeping in the recliner, but it was mostly because my mom was here using my bed. I may try to sleep in the bed tonight with the pillows behind my back and knees. It is very tight feeling laying. My recommendation is to buy extra pillows! :)
I cannot believe your already back to work part time. I am sorry to hear that specially since you do have all the trouble sleeping. I have seen in some doctor recommendations that you should take off 2 weeks or more if you can thankfully I dont start school time march.
Its amazing how I never thought about all the sleep issues, walking upright, and laying flat problems after a tt. Thats going to be rather painful for the lower back....I am glad a have a pillow obsession lol. Have you had any ripping about your incision? A little worried about that.
cass...Darling you want to take the pain medications! You need the pain relief and to be kept comfortable. You will heal much better when the pain in controlled and you have comfort.
It is only temporary so do not be afraid to take them.
and to help with the sickness my doc gave me some other pills...not sure what they were called. I didn't need them like I thought, but maybe you could ask your doctor at your pre-op appt if he could prescribe you something just in case you get sick from them. The last thing you want to do is puke after having your ab muscles tightened. Not a good feeling.
I have had no ripping of my incision. everything has been great. I do have a lot of lower back pain if I walk too much, but other than that it all feels fine. Plus you'll have the husband to help you out, right? So things will be great. :)