I’m 49 and 8 years ago had a 9lb baby via c-section. My weight has always fluctuated. At the time of my op on Monday I was around 13stone; when I got married in 2013 I was under 10stone. But my flabby lower tummy (pannis) has always got me down and been a contributing factor to poor self image. I met with several surgeons a few years ago but didn’t progress the surgery. But this year I knew the time was right. I’m not aiming for a ‘perfect’ body; I don’t mind my curves. But the pannis had to go. So here I am. My surgeon, Elaine Sassoon, seems to have done a great job: she called the op an apronectomy with pubic lift. I was in Spire Norwich hospital for 1 night (amazing care) and am now home recovering. Obviously a bit sore but not as bad as I thought it would be. Pics taken just before and yesterday.
So it's finally my turn to start my tummy tuck journey and I am just so excited. Had a 9lb 4oz baby in 2009 naturally then a 8lb 1oz by c-section in 2013. I don't know how much weight I gained over those years as I never dared weigh myself but it was a lot. Partner of 15 years finally proposed in 2014 and the date was set for 27th Aug 2016 so on 8th October 2015 I joined slimming world and lost 4 and a half stone. This has left me with the most god awful overhang of skin which no amount of exercise can fix. Seen 3 surgeons in Norwich and decided on the last one, Elaine Sassoon, after meeting her last night. Her expertise is body contouring and she's so funny, nothing was too much trouble and not once did I feel uncomfortable or rushed. Date is set for 3rd April!! I've read every single review, blog and story on the web but I'm still just so excited. I know it will be hard but I have a great husband who has 4 weeks off to look after me and the kids. I work part time in a school office so will have 16 days off as it's Easter. Just hope it's long enough to recover! Will post some before pics soon but in the mean time if anyone has any tips, please do share!! Updated on 17 Feb 2017: So it's February half term here in the U.K. So we have brought the kids to Butlins in Skegness for a mon-fri break and I've just realised this will be my last holiday with my mummy tummy! My husband and the kids are swimming whilst I sit and 'spectate' wishing I had the confidence to wear a bikini and get in there. Yes I'm nearly 5 stone lighter but the confidence is still at zero when it comes to it. My surgeons secretary emailed while I'm away confirming the 3rd April as my operation date and will 'get the ball in motion'. Whatever that means. As I type this my arm is rested on my stomach and I keep thinking this will be gone soon! I'm so excited for this process to start. We are off to Florida end of September so hopefully 'swell hell' will have gone in them 6 months and my confidence get back up there. To say I've over eaten these last 4 days is an understatement, I've had the 'I'm on holiday who cares' mentality. Not weighed myself yet but I'm expecting a 7lb gain I reckon. Really going to focus on maximum weight loss in the next 6 weeks before surgery. Any tips for quick and easy weight loss for a busy working mum with 2 kids, a husband who works offshore (so no-one to tell me to step away from the cake) and very little willpower to chocolate please let me know. I've lost my weight with slimming world so I know I can get back on that and lose slowly but I need rapid results to get this holiday weight off plus more. Updated on 26 Feb 2017: So after my holiday I have stayed 'off the wagon' and have gained 9lb! So I've started a very low calorie diet in the hoping to shift 14lb in the next 5 weeks before surgery. I started it yesterday so will update every week with my progress. Received my medical questionnaire, blood test, before pics appointment (yuck) and another appointment with surgeon. So got lots to keep me busy which is nice as husband just gone away for work for 5 weeks ????. Time to juggle work, 2 kids, nursery and school runs, dog, housework etc on my own plus fight the boredom in the evenings and not eat! Is there anything I should be buying in preparation for surgery? Updated on 5 Mar 2017: Lost 5lb this week so I'm happy with that. Current weight is now 11.9 stone. Wanna try get done to the 11 mark or even see 10 stone something! 4 weeks to go until the op, not really thought about it much! Too busy with losing weight and sorting kids etc. Must start writing a list of what I need! Updated on 17 Mar 2017: So I weighed in at 11.7 this week so that's another 2lb gone. Struggling to stay focused with all the Easter eggs that are about tho! Saw my surgeon again last night just to run through the procedure in more detail. She doesn't use a binder after, doesn't believe in them. I'm actually quite glad about that! She answered questions and that was that. See her again day of surgery! Got blood tests Monday which will be 2 weeks before op and before pics (yuck) the following Wednesday. She confident I will get good results so feeling excited again! Updated on 28 Mar 2017: Ok so just freaked totally out about all this. I'm not organised, not purchased anything in perpetration. Can't stop eating rubbish and have gained 5lb. Suddenly sat here and thought this time next week it will be done! I will never have a Monday night with this tummy again. Paid the £7054 yesterday too. Omg people this is really happening!! ???? Updated on 29 Mar 2017: So just been for my official before pictures. Could I have felt more uncomfortable if I tried?! The bloke (yes bloke) was fit and there I was stood in all my glory with my gunt hanging out. Excellent. Felt myself getting redder! Anyway that's done now. Just popped into boots to get some dry shampoo, feminine wipes (for the non shower days), arnica tablets, laxatives and some paracetamol. Anything else I've missed ladies? Here are my unofficial before pics I took this morning. Got I'm nervous posting these!! Updated on 2 Apr 2017: So I'm awake at 5.30am with so many thoughts going round my mind. Excited, scared and anxious mainly! Just want it over with now. Going to get showered (last one for a while I'm guessing), have my final meal, get dressed and head over to the hospital for 10. My mum is coming with me then swapping with my husband in the afternoon. Updated on 3 Apr 2017: Well I'm alive. Went to sleep at 2 and woke at 5.15. In discomfort higher up my tummy rather than the incision. So tired I keep drifting on and off. She found a ripped muscle so repaired that too which might be the pain. Felt sick but they soon sorted that. Not much else to report really. Just trying to relax. Quick pic with what I can see. Just wanna have a look under the bandage! Lol xx Updated on 4 Apr 2017: So last night I didn't sleep well at all. Not in pain just lots of noises and don't sleep well in other environments. They woke me at 6, blood pressure, temp, pulse etc all fine. Said my surgeon will be coming in around 3-5 so just to rest. Still got drains in but not draining much apparently so hopefully they can come out soon. I thought I was encouraged to get up but whenever I say I need the loo that bring me a bedpan so still not got up yet. Waiting for husband and kids to pop in for a couple of hours then mum will come this afternoon. Not that I'm much company. Need a 15 min doze every half an hour! My surgeon took 4lb of skin off and said she stitched my muscle tight, I can feel that! If it wasn't for the muscle I don't think I would have any pain. The incision doesn't hurt at all! All higher up above my belly button. Updated on 5 Apr 2017: Yesterday was just spent in my hospital bed, not really in any pain just plodding along nicely. At around lunchtime I couldn't hold it any more and had to pee so I called for a nurse and it was pure hell getting up I must say. Never felt anything like it before. Once up I was ok and getting on the loo etc was fine but getting in and out of bed was hard. At 3.30 my surgeon came round and said my right drain can come out but the left has to stay until 7pm. Drain removal wasn't as bad as I thought it would be actually. Just take deep breaths and it's over before u know it. Cannula came out and pharmacist brought my pills ready to go home. Last drain came out at 7.30pm again not too bad then I got up, dressed and packed ready to come home. It wasn't fun and I could feel my tummy get bigger and bigger through swelling. It's so tender to touch. But anyway I made it to the car and the 45 mins journey home wasn't nice. Tip from the physio was to put a carrier bag on the seat of the car. Go in bum first with legs still out then get someone to swing your legs round. Worked a treat. Getting up to bed was horrible and noticed the second drain removal site had bled through the plaster so got hubby to change that and got me into bed. I slept well but woke in pain. Probably going to stay in bed today after all the pulling about yesterday. The drain site has bled through again in the night. Do u think it's ok? Stomach is making really weird gargling noises and can feel little pops, is this normal? Updated on 5 Apr 2017: Yesterday I spent the morning in bed and afternoon on the sofa for a change of scenery. I make sure I get up every few hours for a shuffle to the loo and to get the blood flowing to my legs. Starting to get restless by night! I've had an email from surgeons secretary asking me to go in next Tuesday. That will be 8 days after the op?! Is that right? Thought these blood stained bandages would of been changed before then?! I've had my husband take some pics and I know I'm swollen but not loving the results. Scar seems high to me. What do u all think? Updated on 6 Apr 2017: So it's 7.30pm on day 3 of recovery and I've had a bm. Was so scared but just breathed through it and relaxed. Didn't strain at all and it just happened. So relieved. Sorry for TMI but was so happy I had to share lol x Updated on 7 Apr 2017: Still spending my mornings in bed and afternoons on the sofa. Could fry an egg on my hair it's that greasy and I really just want to shower, put my face on and get dressed. But I can't. I still need help getting up and getting onto the toilet etc. Getting fed up with resting now. My wound is itching and I can see blood under the bandages so wondering if I should call? I'm pretty sure I'm blistering under the tape too, it burns so bad when I move. Also my stomach is hot to touch. Not where the incision is but everywhere else? Should I be concerned? Updated on 7 Apr 2017: Promised myself I would take more pics Updated on 8 Apr 2017: Still taking it easy and not really getting up apart from going to the loo. Can do this alone now tho so a milestone achieved I guess. I'm so bloated and uncomfortable, I feel like I'm wearing a really tight girdle but there's no release, pure hell. For me tho I don't feel like I wake up flat or anything. I'm like this morning till night. Surely that's not normal? I feel like I can't take deep breaths either it's that tight. Having that day that everyone warns u of and wondering why the hell I done this! Just want to be normal again! #fedup Updated on 9 Apr 2017: So today was the hottest day of the year so far. Hubby took the kids and dog up the woods with some friends and left me on the sofa all afternoon with a sex and the city box set. I got all depressed that I wasn't out enjoying the sunshine and my family so I've messaged a hairdresser mate asking if she will wash my hair tomorrow and going to get my eyebrows waxed (majorly need doing!) I've promised myself I will get properly dressed and put some make up on tomorrow. Fed up with laying about now but know I need to rest when possible. Being on my feet more than 5 mins gives me serious back ache so need to think of things to do where I can sit but be with my family? Outside preferably....haven't been outside for a week now! Updated on 11 Apr 2017: So I've just got back from seeing surgeon who ripped the dressings off like a wax strip (ouch)!! Swelling is all normal and everything looks perfectly fine apparently. I however had a total meltdown. Cried all the way home wondering what on earth i had done to my body. Why couldn't I just be happy the way I was?! Everything looks very scary and has been left open to the elements! Keeps sticking to my knickers which pulls etc so feeling very sicky when I have to ease that off. Been cleared to shower quickly from behind only. I've shared a pic to see what u all think. I am swollen but I'm just not happy :-( Updated on 11 Apr 2017: After my meltdown yesterday I wanted to take pics of first thing when I'm not as swollen. Obviously I still am a bit but not as bad than at night. Also now my scar is open it sticks to everything which is minging to pull off. Any tips for that? Updated on 12 Apr 2017: Yesterday a friend come to pick me up and take me to her house for a change of scenery. It was lovely to be out (but still resting) having a gossip etc. Ended up staying 10-4 and by the end I was tired but really had a good positive day. She has had a boob job a couple of years ago so was good to talk about how depressed I was feeling with my results. She told me it's all normal, when she first came round from surgery her scars were on her boob not in the crease underneath bcoz of swelling. Took a few months for it to gradually settle and slide into place by a couple of cm so hopefully my scar will lower once swelling gone too. I've decided to start measuring in the morning and night (wish I would of done this to start) last night I was 101cm and this morning was 97cm! Not sure what I was before surgery but my clothes are tight so I'm sure even first thing I'm more swollen than normal. Updated on 14 Apr 2017: This morning I manned up and had my first shower. I had a stool in there to sit on which I found much easier as my back aches so bad after 5 mins! Anyway felt much better after it, hair dried my scar to ensure it was dry properly etc but then all of a sudden it went all tight and stiff. Felt like a piece of meat with a tight bit of string round me. I didn't make it to an Easter egg hunt so hubby had to take kids alone, feel so guilty, it's like I've taken 3 steps back with recovery. Fed up with this now. Laying around on the sofa all day is taking its toll. So swollen yet again all bloody day and all bloody night. It's my youngest's birthday Monday but having her party tomorrow. I will be there no matter how I feel! Got lunch with parents and sister with her family at 12 then party 5.30-7.30 so gonna be a long day. Was looking forward to it but I'm not now my scar has gone like this. It's like a big itchy scab that I just want to pick! Updated on 20 Apr 2017: Feeling so much better, nearly walking upright, can potter about without too much discomfort and am back to doing light housework. GP has signed me off work for another 2 weeks so will go back 4 weeks and 2 days after surgery. Saw the surgeon again Tuesday and she's removed the scar tape taking a lot of scab off with it revealing a nice thin scar. She's dressed it with steri strips and gave me loads to replace at home if needed. Don't see her again for another 2 weeks unless i need her. Belly button looks weird and a lot of bruising has come out but otherwise all looking good. So swollen day and night. I've uploaded a pic from various stages. All taken in the morning so not as much swelling. Updated on 20 Apr 2017: Thought I would do a front view of comparisons. Changes so much in short amounts of time. The distance from my belly button to scar looks bigger now doesn't it? Always thought it was quite close but today's pic seems a nice distance. Updated on 23 Apr 2017: Was able to take steri strips off and shower again today. I have to leave them off to let the air to it for 2 days then re-dress with steri strips. Feeling so much more happier about my scar etc. I can see most of now the scab is off and it's so thin! Just the horrible sticky mess from the dressings that's making it look worse than it is! Still very stiff by the end of each day and not quite standing upright STILL! Be 3 weeks tomorrow! Hubby goes back offshore on Tuesday so I'm back to doing everything which I'm not looking forward to! Onwards and upwards! Updated on 27 Apr 2017: Just got back from my GP and he confirmed I have a small infection. I have a 1cm opening in my scar and all this green puss is coming out. It's so disgusting. He didn't clean or dress it etc just prescribed antibiotics and said we are going to hit it hard with strong pills and monitor it. I've emailed my surgeon a pic and what my gp said but no reply yet. Gutted I've taken a step back. Updated on 5 May 2017: Not been on here much lately to update, just stalked others who are in the same boat lol. I'm nearly 5 weeks since my tt and muscle repair. In the mornings it's like nothing ever happened but by the evenings I'm stupidly swollen and a bit stiff after sitting for a while and a little hunched over. Surgeon told me that if you have had surgery due to weight loss then your likely to swell worse (great). Due to the small opening and infection I was signed off work another 2 weeks. So by the time I go back it will 6 weeks and 2 days post op. I really needed that time! Getting in and out of the car is not fun but driving is ok. I was so naive thinking I would be back to work after 2 and a half weeks! Here's my latest comparisons..
So I got my eyebrow pierced around 8years ago and was left with a scar throw my eyebrow, I also had a fall and split my face just under my eyebrow scar which then made another scar. It didn't bother me for a few years untill through the summer months when the sun would shine and show dents in my eyebrow, it would automatically draw people to the area when I was having a conversation. I would get comments like have you had your eyebrow pierced, what happened to your eye. So I started when taking pictures to only have them on the side to hide it. I knew I wanted scar revision so I saved and went for it after a consultation. I'm currently in the healing process praying it was worth it. Will keep this post updated when I have my dressing off :) Updated on 8 Apr 2016: So today I had to change my steri strip as it was becoming loose, my scars looking ok, still not healed and haven't managed to clean it properly, seems strange without the 2 dents in my eyebrow. Still got to continue covering it for a few weeks. Excited to see what it looks like when it's healed and not so red!! already thinking I made the best choice doing this :) Will post again in a few days x Updated on 10 Apr 2016: So I'm just updating a picture everytime I change my steri strip as the cuts changing so much already :) Updated on 12 Apr 2016: Updated on 16 Apr 2016: So my scar is 3weeks old in 3days, it's still looking red, still glad I did it, had a silicone scar patch delivered today so just put that on we shall see if it helps over the next couple of weeks :) Updated on 20 Apr 2016: Updated on 21 Apr 2016:
So, I've finally booked a date now and am nervous. I've been wanting this for so long and am hoping that it'll feel that it is worth the expense the time and the pain. I get neck pain and headaches and am fed up with carrying these huge breasts around. Does any one have any regrets? I have read lots of reviews on here and find all you courageous people encouraging. Updated on 28 Oct 2014: Oh no... 6 days to go and I think I'm getting a cold... am dosing up with vitamins and Echinacea and hoping to head it off
