Tummy Tuck Reviews
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“Tummy Tuck/Lipo and Brazalian Butt Lift - West Orange, NJ”

Worth It
Spent: $8,200 in West Orange, NJ

Comments (33)

Updated 14 Apr 2011

Posted 24 Mar 2011

I'm a mother of 3 (17,14 and soon to be 1). After having my last baby I developed the muffin top. Therefore decided 2 do the tummy tuck and since I want a rounder bottom decided 2 do the but lift as well...I'm very nervous about the recovery..my pre op appointment is scheduled 4 march 28 and I hve lots of questions...hve anyone done these 2 surgeries at once? How was the recovery? How was the results?



Updated on 29 Mar 2011:
Had my pre-op appointment yest..the surgery center was changed bcause the original center couldn't fit me in but that's ok...I asked lots of questions and left out of there lil more confident then I went it...I didn't like that the surgeon left me wit his personal assistance 2 answer most my questions..I felt like since he was doin the surgery he should b sittin there answering my questions not her.
I'm very grateful 2 hve my older daughter home with me for spring break so she can assist me with gettin up and the baby..only few more days 2 go..whew!

Updated on 10 Apr 2011:
3days post..pain under control thanks 2 meds..took a peek today and holy cow batman and robin my stomach is flat!! Looks great..scar looks lil high 2 my liking hoping it's due 2 the swelling..I can say I'm happy it's done and over with..it's very rough the first 2 days but everyday gets better and better..I'm drinking lots of water and gettin up 2 walk every 2 hrs..as soon as I can I'll post b4 and after photos

Updated on 11 Apr 2011:
4days post op..drain site hurting on left not sure why..still extremely swollen ugh! Realized I wasn't operating my drains correctly..didn't know I had 2 squeeze them flat after draining fluid from bulb..hope that don't slow down my recovery..still on percocets hopefully in few more days I can ween myself off..next doc app thurs hopefully these drains will b removed!

Updated on 14 Apr 2011:
1week post op..saw dr today..he was very nice patient and attentive bcause I was a nervous wreck gettin the drains taken out..it did hurt I'm not goin 2 lie but once it was done I felt so much better..finally feelin like I'm gettin bck 2 normal..they also ordered me another garment..$90 wow! I guess it's all worth it..but if asked if I would do this again..I don't think I would even though I like my results

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

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My doctor had me sit with his assistant and she answered my questions..I felt like he didn't take enough time out with me with such an intensive surgery

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Comments (33)

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Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 28 Mar 2011

How exciting getting a new tummy and booty!   I had lipo on my butt so can't speak about the recovery for a butt lift.  However the tummy tuck recovery is long and pretty painful the first few days.   You will be ok though and it is all worth the results you end up with. 

I can't imagine that these two procedures done together would be any worse than a tt and lipo at the same time.  I say go for it:)

Are you up for sharing who your doctor is and how you found them?  

Keep posting through your journey and we will all support you through the process. 

Make sure you have plenty of help the first two weeks after surgery with the baby . You will need to focus on taking care of yourself and resting. 

Go very easy for the first six weeks post op because you only get once chance to heal properly. 
Miami7648 10 Apr 2011
hi Kimmers25, I wanted to ask you for your opinion. I'm 11 days po and I'm in such horrible discomfort that i can barely sleep at night. The doc had me take only 800mg motrin 3xday and i find it's not enough for the pain/discomfort. Last night was so hard to sleep because i feel the garment is too tight due to swelling in my belly so i went for the Lorcet (narc). That helped me sleep, probably because it knocks you out too. I even had to take off my binder. I have one that's made our of polyester/nylon and it itches like crazy! I wonder where I can get a better one to go over my compression garment. I'm worried that not wearing it is setting me back in terms of swelling. Also, i find that the discomfort (itching!! numbness, etc) from lipo on my back is the WORST EVER! Do you know if this is all normal? Please write back. Your thoughts/comments are appreciated. I'm feeling quite desperate and it's getting me depressed. Doesn't feel like it's getting better now at 11 days PO. It was easier at the beginning when I was taking the percocets and sleeping most of the day. Help!
Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 10 Apr 2011

Hi Miami,

I am sorry you are having such a horrible time :(    Don't get depressed because this is all temporary and will pass.  You are now on that "Roller Coaster" phase I talked about. 

You are still very early in the healing process so all of these things are pretty normal.  Everything is tightening up and healing on the inside so you will start to feel strange pulls and twinges.   Now while the binder needs to be snug it should not be so tight that it hurts.  What helps is wearing an all cotton tank top under the binder.  That will give you a little barrier between your skin and the god awful polyester/nylon.   Who invented these things anyway???  Obviously someone who has never had to wear one!!

If the Lorcet works and helps you sleep then go for it!   I took my heavy pain meds at night which helped a ton.  You need proper rest so that you can heal nicely.

The lipo areas can be extremely sensitive and painful.  They are numb but at the same time hurt like a really bad sunburn.  Frustrating but it will ease up soon.  At about 3-4 weeks you are going to feel like you turned a corner.  You will seriously wake up one morning and realize that you finally feel better.

Go slow and really pamper yourself right now.  What your body needs more than anything is rest right now. 

Keep in touch with me and let me know how you are doing each week.

You always know where you can find me.

Hugs :)

 
Miami7648 11 Apr 2011
Kimmers25,
I went to PS today and he said due to swelling he recommends that I start asap, either manual lymphatic massages or massages done with endermologie machine. Have you had any experience with any of these and/or what have you heard? He says he prefers the one done by hand (but it's a lot more $$) but that I can choose either one. I made an appt for tmrw for endermologie but I have NO idea which is a better option. Please let me know your thoughts!

thanks!
Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 11 Apr 2011

Hi Miami,

The lymphatic massage is wonderful!   That will greatly help with the swelling and you will notice a difference.   I had one massage a week back when I was healing and it really helped me through.  I still to this day have one massage a month.

It just keeps everything in balance and feeling good.  I wish I could do it weekly but that is not an option in my budget.  However it was necessary back during my healing process. 

Give it a try and you will love it:) 
Miami7648 12 Apr 2011
That's great to hear! wAS the endermologie or done by hand? Thanks!
Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 12 Apr 2011

Done by hand..

Applebottom 29 Mar 2011
Hey Kimmer..thank u 4 yr response :-)...I choose Dr Sanjay Lalla..he was a chief plastic surgeon in a hospital then went into private practice..I heard about him from a friend then researched his credentials online..he was the 3rd plastic surgeon I consulted with.
Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 3 Apr 2011

Good deal - you are on the right path:)
Mommy of 4 29 Mar 2011
Best of luck to you
Applebottom 29 Mar 2011
Thank u...does anybody know where I can get a stage 2 compression garment?
Miami7648 12 Apr 2011
hi applebottom, i had the same procedures done on mar 30. how are you feeling? I think the worst part is the lipo. bbl is not really a big deal..they put 500cc(i believe thats what PS said) on each cheek but he said i might end up keeping about 300. the lipo is horrible with numbness/swelling and the tt swelling/hardness on lower belly plus muscle spasms are not pleasant at all either. Let me know how you are doing? we are close in surgery dates.
Applebottom 12 Apr 2011
Hi Miami7648...I'm doin better each day..couldn't sleep on my sides so I'm on my bck..the worst part 4 me is the drain sites..they are sore and stings..hopefully they will come out on thurs..I'm extremely swollen and itchy..and the pain meds r starting 2 mke me sick so I'm tryin 2 ween myself 2 tylenol..do u like yr results..I'm 2 scared 2 open the binder until i go see my PS..so far the lipo hasn't gven me major problems
Miami7648 12 Apr 2011
Hi Applebottom, glad to hear you're getting better each day. I've learned this surgery progresses in baby steps, but it does get better each day. I have a bit of trouble sleeping on my sides too. I kind of start out that way but soon enough, find myself propped up in like a sitting position on my bed, which is the most comfortable (if you can call it that lol). I can imagine the drain sites being so painful. My PS took them out the day after surgery and boy was I glad. You'll see, you will feel like a different woman! I'm itchy too and that's all normal. My PS told me to get Caladryl (clear lotion) at local pharmacy. It does help with the itchiness. But I got to tell ya, he also recommended that I start (i'm 2 weeks po tmrw) asap the lymphatic massages. I just came back from my first session and it was WONDERFUL! The lady (lic theraphist)was gentle and massaged me in the areas where he lipo'd which were very sore and also in the hard/swollen areas below the belly. I was terrified for her to touch me there at first but she was gentle and used a lotion combined with Arnica/chamomille and it was GREAT!!She stimulates the lymphatic system and I'm not kidding you, as soon as she was done (1 1/2 hrs) I pee'd :) like crazy and felt a lot softer in that area. Ask your PS about that. I'm taking 800mg motrin 2 or 3x a day for pain/discomfort and at night I take half a Lorcet (not as strong as Percocet), however, my PS gave me anti-nauseau suppository to take before pain meds and they didn't make me sick at all. Ask about that too. I'm very happy w/my results although because of the swellling, I know our "real" results won't be evident for a while. But we're going to look awesome...I'm sure :) Take a peek when you go to your PS..I'm sure you'll be pleased!!

Please let me know if you need to talk. It's comforting to know others out there are going through the same thing, especially since I think sometimes we feel isolated because we're confined to home/resting for a while..it's a nice way to connect! Praying for your quick recovery and that those darn drains come out on Thursday. Keep me posted!
Miami7648 11 Apr 2011
Kimmers25,
You are a Godsend. Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions. It really makes a difference to hear it from someone that's been there. I will take your advice and hang in there :) Will keep you updated soon!
xoxo
Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 11 Apr 2011

No problem:)  I am glad I could help you.
Booka 3 May 2011
congrats on your surgery. I am 6 days PO today and I am going to get my drains removed! I know it's going to hurt cause I snagged them twice and OUCH, what a PIA huh? I also had my daughter help out with my care and my 2 sons during spring break, so she is getting rewarded/paid.

I would do this all over again, but now I am wondering if I would have done them together. I recovered rather quickly and have been able to do more than the average person a day or so after surgeries, but sometimes I wonder if it would have been better to go twice and just spend the extra $.

Either way, i hope you're doing well still.
Applebottom 3 May 2011
Hey Booka..it's a good thing u did them together..my boobs look saggy after the TT..now I wish I had them done ugh! But congrats on yr surgery..u look great..it does get easier..I'm 4 wks post op this wed and just finally able to stand up straight..still get itchy at incision but that's about it..swelling is at a minimum but it's still there..I lost 10 lbs so far and my waist went from 41 to 37 inches..I love my new body!
Booka 3 May 2011
That's awesome! I hope to see my belly today. I have an appointment in about an hour. I knew i didn't want to have just a flat stomach and/or just nice boobs and if i did them separately, which would I have done first? LOL

That's awesome on your weight loss, good for you! I don't care to lose much weight, but I'd accept 10 LOL. I have been able to walk straight for a few days now I would just love for my boobs to stop swelling and for it to stop hurting when i sneeze and/or cough LOL. I guess it's all part of the fun! I am happy I did this!
Applebottom 3 May 2011
Did u hve a MR done as well? Yeah I don't blame u on hvin them both done..I don't want 2 show my body bcause of my boobs...mayb next year I'll hve them done :-)..I did get the butt lift and felt like I needed that more but now I see my boobs and wish I had a lift
Booka 3 May 2011
Yes i had MR! I figured with my legs, since I run now and do lot sof spinning, my fat will start to depart from that area now that my belly is out of the way, although my waist is always small, just couldn't tell LOL.

Just take pics of your tummy, and even if u took them of your boobs, I have my pre boob pics and they are not sexy LOL.
Miami7648 3 May 2011
Hi ladies, I had the TT w/MR, Lipo and BBL and I agree that I wish I would've done the boobs (they sag now) but hey, maybe another time. I'm so glad you're all doing great! The swelling is a rollercoaster! I'm 5 weeks post op and still have above and below scar..and after eating, I feel like my belly is hard as a rock. Does this happen to you all also?
Booka 3 May 2011
I haven't noticed that yet, but I will see. I am a bloater anyways, so I am sure i'll have those issues LOl
Applebottom 3 May 2011
How was yr recovery? I found it hard not 2 sit on my butt bcause TT..my doc put the fat in the upper part of my butt bcause it wouldn't hve lasted in the lower part bcause that's where I sit..how bout u
Applebottom 3 May 2011
Hey Miami...I'm in the same boat as u lol..yes I still hve swellin 4wks post op but I'm expecting it..I believe it takes a while 4 it 2 go down completly..but when I look at my new body I'm loving it (minus the boobs) mine sag 2 :-( lol..I'm goin 2 the muscle massage this week bcause PS said I will help..my belly is not hard but is very tender..the swellin hasn't really bothered me yet bcause it's lots better than wht I had lol

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