I swear, if one more person tells me- "if you would just exercise a little that would go away" I am going to explode! LOL! I am 44 years old and I am 5'5". I have had 2 children. I started at 123# and I gained 43# with the first in 1989. I started at about 130# and gained 34# with the second in 1992 BUT, she was 10.3 lbs! I have always had kind of loose skin anyway but my belly stayed really jiggly after the babies; typical muffin top. My weight has fluctuated from a low of 145 to a high of 185 since 1992. Right now I am up from where I am normally (150#) at 170#. For me, it is very discouraging and depressing to always have jiggle and a roll over my jeans no matter how much weight I lose. I had breast augmentation from a smaller A to a large C/small D and lipo on my upper, mid and lower abdomen, hips and saddlebags in 2005 and I have been very happy with the results but it just wasn't quite enough on my tummy. I have squirrelled away my pennies for a long time to have this TT and now, I am SOOOOOO ready. I have already had my consultation and I'm scheduled for 3/19. I wish it could be sooner. I want to look as good as I feel!!! Updated on 24 Feb 2015: Updated on 25 Feb 2015: I have been checking on prices online. I think that the fee I'm paying is kind of high. BUT, the doctor has excellent reviews, I liked him and his staff and I know someone who has had him do their procedure and it turned out very well. I think the MD's fee is very reasonable. However, the anesthesia fee and the surgery center fee are QUITE high in comparison to reviews I have read from others in my area. Nearly triple. I am going to talk to the scheduler about possibly negotiating these a bit. Fingers crossed... Updated on 8 Mar 2015: OMG, I wish I could get in sooner- So excited!! Been trying so hard to lose at least 10 pounds before surgery but it is so hard. 1 week on strict diet but have only lost 3 pounds :-( Not quitting though. Updated on 10 Mar 2015: 3/19 .... Wish it would hurry up and get here!! Updated on 13 Mar 2015: I wish it was happening tomorrow! Updated on 18 Mar 2015: I am sooooo excited! Cant wait to get this going. I've only been able to lose about 5 pounds; I was hoping for 10 but even though I was being pretty strict, it just wasn't coming off. So, the final plan is this: TT, flank and back ultrasonic lipo, chin lipo. I am suffering horrible guilt over spending the $$ but, I'm not going back now. I want to look good while I'm still young enough to enjoy it! Have to be at the surgery center at 6 AM.... I'll post pics and updates ASAP... Wish me luck! Updated on 19 Mar 2015: Minimal discomfort ...now at about 4 hours post op. More later Updated on 20 Mar 2015: Hi ladies. I'm not quite 24 hours post op yet but I have to say, I expected A LOT more pain. Dr gave me Valium and Percocet. I took 1 Valium for abdominal spasm last night and 1/2 of a 7.5 Percocet when I was ready to sleep. Worked great. I actually slept pretty well. I'm staying in a recliner and I think it's really making this easier. I have 2 drains but the are looped up with velcro so, not that annoying. My chin and the support strap aren't causing me any discomfort, it just feels a little strange when I swallow. I felt good enough to wash up a few dishes around 10AM but I got tired very quickly. The most discomfort I've had is from the flank and back (bra strap) lipo. And that only bothers when I'm attempting to get up and when getting back down. I'll get some pics on ASAP. Updated on 20 Mar 2015: Best I could get for now. Updated on 21 Mar 2015: Feeling ok. Little sore. Get tired very quickly. Took a sponge bath last night. Going to wash my hair today- I hope. Had a bit if pain last night. Percocet did the trick though and I slept pretty well. I'll try to get some pics on ASAP. Updated on 21 Mar 2015: Updated on 23 Mar 2015: Today is post-op day 4. I'm feeling pretty good. My sister picked me up and we went to Wendy's for a salad (to go). Was good to get out. I'm having very little discomfort; I just tire very quickly. Drainage is minimal, maybe 10 cc's each side for today. My follow up appt is Wed and I'm 99% sure they'll be coming out. Also, I think I will mention my thoughts on suggesting a bowel prep routine to future patients. I'm a nurse and I have had abdominal surgery in the past so I knew what I had to look forward to. So, I took preemptive steps to avoid going through hell in the bathroom after surgery. I ate a light/low residue diet for 3 days prior to surgery and took stool softeners daily. The day before surgery, I was on a high protein liquid diet. Starting on post op day 1, I took a small dose of milk of mag every AM. Even after all of the preparation, 1st BM was NOT FUN. It seems like a bowel prep routine should be standard for any abdominal surgery; I hate to think of patients suffering needlessly. I've added a couple new pics... I hope that my experience will be as beneficial to someone as all of the RS stories I've read have been to me. :-) Updated on 23 Mar 2015: Updated on 25 Mar 2015: I'm feeling good. Saw my PS this AM. He removed both drains; that was no sweat at all. I thought there would be at least a small amount of discomfort. I was wrong! He also took the stitches out of my back, chin and flanks; also no sweat. The tape strips came off of the TT incision. I am THRILLED with how good it looks. The PS cleaned all of the black yuck out of my belly button but 2 more weeks until the stitches come out. I am still bruised all over and sore but over all; I feel like this has pretty much been a breeze. :-) I have been able to sleep on either side since day 4. Also no pain meds since day 4. Wish it could be this easy for everyone. Will post more pics ASAP. Updated on 26 Mar 2015: Coworker called off...couldn't even rest for a few minutes during the day today. It went ok though. Just got a little tired. I wore a 1 piece shape wear type compression garment today. It's the kind where you were your own bra but it comes up high on your back and has legs. I think it was a good choice. The legs kept the middle from riding up and bunching. I'm a little worried about my belly button. PS. said to give it 2 more weeks. I'm not quite standing up completely straight yet but I'm close. Updated on 26 Mar 2015: Updated on 3 Apr 2015: Been feeling great! The feeling is starting to return in my abdomen and back- it feels sorts of sunburned. I'm still very tight in the middle and I get worn out kind of quickly. There is some lingering soreness on my back and flanks but the bruising is mostly gone. I have a follow up appt with PS next Wed. I'm very happy with my results; chin, tummy and back/flanks. Updated on 17 Apr 2015: I'm still feeling great. The thick/numb sensation on my chin, back, flanks and abdomen has lessened significantly. I still have hypersensitivity, like a sunburn, in the same areas. It doesn't really bother me at all though. My belly button is looking better every day. There is still a tiny bit of scabbing that looks icky but it'll be gone soon enough. The tightness in my tummy is much less. The scar feels somewhat thick and very firm to the touch but I know that time will lessen that. I have been using moisturizer on the scar but I may switch to Mederma or vitamin E or something (?) just to make it as smooth and soft as possible. The one thing that has kind of freaked me out a bit since surgery is that now, my pubes (if I had any -LOL) come all the way up to the scar which is nearly half way up to my belly button. Eeeeeooowww. I WILL DEFINITELY be looking into some permanent hair removal in the near future. Shaving feels very strange; I have to actually shave over part of the scar but it's hard to get a really smooth result. It feels slightly stubbly along the center of the scar. Since most of the swelling is gone, I finally took my measurements. Pre-op: waist- 37" hips-41.5" bra band/upper abdomen- 36" Post-op: waist 34.5" Hips- 40.5" Bra band/upper abdomen- 35" Weight wise, surgery only took off about 1 lb. I am still trying to lose though. I need to get at least 10 # off still (20 would be better though). I think it will happen once I can be more active again. I still have ZERO regrets and I am still so very surprised at how much easier this was than I had anticipated. It was worth every penny and I would do it all over again. Updated on 17 Apr 2015: Updated on 17 Apr 2015: Updated on 17 Apr 2015: Updated on 20 Apr 2015: Updated on 20 Apr 2015:
Hello, I am 42 years old, 5'5 and current weight is 213 lbs. I am scheduled for my TT with Lipo & Breast Mastopexy. I had a Breast Reduction 15 years ago and things didn't heal good. I originally went in to see Dr. Bryan Olsin to see if he could fix the first Breast Surgery and then we talked further and decided to do the Tummy Tuck while he had me under. A little about me. I have been "chunky" most of my life. Even before I had my twin boys who are now 20 years old. I have had 4 knee surgeries and was just recently diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. So my exercise is limited. Over the last year I have lost 45lbs and then the weight just stopped coming off. Its frustrating, but I think that I am just going to have to live with the fact that I will never be a thin person. Even at my current weight I wear 16 sometimes a 14 but it would be really nice to see a 12. Fingers crossed. I carry most of my weight in my middle section, so hopefully this will be a nice change. I have never had any confidence in myself. I have alway been the brunt of the family fat jokes. It would be really nice to feel good about myself for once in my life. I have been happly married for 22 years, and even though he is happy with the way I look, I am not. I pray that this works. I'm really happy I found this site. I have spent of lot of the day today reading the reviews. It has made me feel a little less aniexty. I think you all look amazing and I hope I look that good after mine. I will post some presurgery pics later. I have to get the nerve to take them first. :) Any words of Wisdom that anyone wants to send my way would be GREATLY appreciated! Updated on 24 Jun 2013: I can't believe my day is almost here! I am really getting nervous, but thanks to this wonderful forum and all the amazing ladies on here, I know I am going to be fine!! I can't wait to be on the flat side... I was thinking the other night and I am not sure that I have ever really had a flat belly... I have always been a little on the plump side, so if my results are half as good as what I've seen on here and I will be so happy!!!! Updated on 27 Jun 2013: I'm here! Checked in and waiting on my Doctor!! See you all on the flat side!!!! Updated on 28 Jun 2013: Updated on 28 Jun 2013: Wow the swelling from the lipoprotein of upper and lower flanks is bad! Makes me look like I have a Jlo butt! Lol! I hope that's normal!!! Updated on 30 Jun 2013: Of course, leave it to me to break out in a rash all over my breast from the BL repair!!! On gosh!! I Could scratch my skin off!!! Other than that I seem to be doing good. Still real swollen so my PO day 2 pics don't look good.
I inquired about the necessity of anesthesia upon having the peel. Most of my answers were from doctors who do not believe it is necessary. All I can say is that my doctor is very wise. Yes, he had me sedated. Yes, it would have been a nightmare otherwise. And yes, it was all worth it. I now have much more time before even considering any cosmetic surgery for all the fine lines, wrinkles, blemishes, etc.
