I'm 47, 5'9" and 150 pounds. I'm very active and have been lifting weights and working out with a trainer for 2 years. My abs are very strong but no matter how hard I work at them I never get to see those muscles because of loose skin and stubborn fat on the front and sides of my abdomen that just won't go away. Unlike many of the gals posting on this site I'm not a mom but I have lost weight over the years, which is great, except for the sagging skin. I've been thinking about a tummy tuck for 2 years but its been hard to find a time to get away from the office and slow down for a month or so. I'm really excited, not particularly nervous, and I have to say that reading these blogs has really helped me feel prepared for this experience. Preop is this Friday. I've been collecting data from all of your posts regarding the pre-op checklist so I'll post that soon. Updated on 18 Mar 2013: 4 days before surgery and I wanted to share what I learned from my pre-op. First - I ran through my list of questions gathered from a month of reading these posts and his comments was that sometimes people are missing the big picture by getting hung up on the details. The most important thing you can do to have a successful surgery and recovery is BE HEALTHY. He said healthy, fit people at a good weight and with the right attitude recovery faster than people who are not in the best of health. I like that message! I've been a vegetarian for 20 years and I'm very picky about my food. I also have great bloodwork so I hope this helps... Some notes that may be helpful to others: - My doctor does not use drains. I've only seen a couple of other posts like this. He quilts the skin down from the top. He said sometimes doctors use drains because its faster. - He makes the pain pump optional. The key to controlling pain is to take the pain killers regularly - don't miss a pill. He said its much easier to prevent the pain than to deal with it if you go too long without a pill. - He will lipo my waist and love handles from inside the other incision so no additional stitches from lipo. - He doesn't use a binder, but instead something like Spanx. He provided the kind that are like really tall underwear but I was concerned about having to take them off to pee so I bought a one piece body shaper that has snaps at the crotch. He advised that I wear these for 4 to 6 weeks but that I'll really want to wear them cuz they will feel good. - He said I'll live in yoga pants and shirts that button in front for awhile. Luckily I have a healthy stock of yoga pants. - The scar will be very low - just above the pubic hair. Oh, I also asked about shaving because it looks in some pictures like the pubic area is shaved. He said its optional but don't do it the day of the surgery. - I can shower in 24 hours. He said the incision seals in 24 hours and that bathing is helpful to keep the wounds clean. - I've read a variety of things about the ride home - pillows, crackers, slippers, the response was to do whatever makes you feel comfortable. - Movement - he said movement is good, but do what feels comfortable. Overall he pretty much said he doesn't give firm time frames for getting back to your normal life. We need to listen to our bodies and see what feels good or what results in swelling. Wise council. Everyone is different so the time frames would differ as well. - Supplements - I ran through a list I've collected from your posts. He said there is limited evidence in most cases but that they can't hurt and may help. He does believe in Arnica Montana and gave me a bottle that dissolve under my tong. - Antibiotics - they will give me a major dose during the surgery but he said the modern recommendations are not to give antibiotics after the surgery due to concerns that medical professional are overdosing people with antibiotics. And I'm insanely healthy. - He recommends a natural, bulk laxative like Miralax over the chemical ones. I have some herbal laxatives from doing cleanses in the past so I think I'm set. - Same prep as most of you - no food or drink midnight before surgery. I'm set to go into OR at 11am MT on Friday the 22nd. - He didn't give me any instructions like don't drink wine in the weeks before the surgery. He did say to stick with a soft food, clear liquid diet for a few days after the surgery and that white wine doesn't count as a clear liquid... - I'm not worrying about the recliner, walker thing that some of you are doing. Maybe its just my way of looking at life but I don't think this will be a big deal. I have a handy husband to help me get around the first week anyway. - Overall - starting HEALTHY is the key. A healthy weight, good eating habits, exercise, being fit to start, that's the way to get through this most effectively. - I'll add photos later this week. Just been too busy trying to get work under control before I take 2 weeks off. BTW, I work from home so my plan is to stay on top of email throughout the 2 weeks. Easy these days since you only need your smart phone. Then I'll work as much as I can take the 3rd week. I blocked off some sections of my calendar so people can't over book me during my return week! More to come as I get ready for surgery. I love reading all the posts and I'm happy that I can finally add some data/information that could be helpful to others. Updated on 21 Mar 2013: Its the day before and I'm not sure how I'm feeling. I'm anxious (and unfortunately have been stress eating all week) but I'm excited and I feel fully prepared. I can't think of any additional research I could do. Thanks to all of you I have a pretty good feeling of what to expect. The only thing I haven't done is watch the YouTube videos of the actual surgery and frankly I don't want to see that... Last workout this morning. It was back, triceps and abs. I think I'll miss my workouts even more than I'll miss riding my horses. That's really saying something. Its going to be a long month or so. However, today I worked out with 2 bulked up men and I did the same weights on all the abs machines (even more on one machine) than they did. It frustrates me that my abs are so strong yet all I see is fat that won't go away no matter how hard I try, saggy skin and a muffin top even with yoga pants. It's not fair. So that brings me to why I'm excited for tomorrow. I have a long list of fitted clothes that I'm looking forward to wearing! Trying to wrap up activities at work, clean, organize, get a little last minute horse/barn time, and get a good night sleep. I have to check in at 9:50am tomorrow, surgery at 10:50. Whew... I'll post more tomorrow if I'm up to it. Updated on 22 Mar 2013: A quick update before heading off to the surgery center. My husband found a great app for his phone called RXTime Pill Alarm that we're using to manage the pain meds and supplements. Has an alarm to make sure I get the Vicodin at regular intervals. Also I'm strangely not nervous but can't wait to get started. I thought I would have more anxiety about it this morning. Ill let you guys know how it went! Updated on 23 Mar 2013: Its been about 24 hrs since I got home. I have to say its not that bad. Its more discomfort than pain. I found a comfortable set up involving a couch, ottoman and multiple pillows. Ive learned to curl and roll onto my side before rising. I dont need help getting up or getting around although my darling husband has been very wonderful to me. Hes making sure I on top of my pills which is a good thing. I dont have much appetite and trying not to drink much so I dont have to deal with undressing. Oh the answer is a CG with snaps in crotch rather than something you have to pull down. Updated on 24 Mar 2013: POD 2 - no nausea from the pain meds and no real loopiness either. Im actually functioning like a normal human while on Vicodin. My torso feels like Ive done too many crunches or been punched multiple times. Its sore but bareable. I still have no appetite. Im really swollen even with constant application of ice packs so I wonder when Ill actually see the results. I hope Im not disappointed. Any advice on how long? Im cleared to shower but peeling off th CG sounds painful so Ill wait until tomorrow. And a final observation, its really difficult to rely on someone to help me. I feel so guilty not beung able to care for myself. This is harder than I thought. I owe my amazing husband big time! Updated on 24 Mar 2013: POD 2 - no nausea from the pain meds and no real loopiness either. Im actually functioning like a normal human while on Vicodin. My torso feels like Ive done too many crunches or been punched multiple times. Its sore but bareable. I still have no appetite. Im really swollen even with constant application of ice packs so I wonder when Ill actually see the results. I hope Im not disappointed. Any advice on how long? Im cleared to shower but peeling off th CG sounds painful so Ill wait until tomorrow. And a final observation, its really difficult to rely on someone to help me. I feel so guilty not beung able to care for myself. This is harder than I thought. I owe my amazing husband big time! Updated on 26 Mar 2013: POD 4 - its just really uncomfortable. Regular application of vicodin keeps the actual pain away but just moving around to reposition or pee can make you wince and cry out a bit. I keep overdoing it then Im sorry. Thought I should unload the dishwasher today. Dont recommemd that. Had company for an hour but sitting and standing made me swell more. Thats the frustrating part - that you cant actually see the results because of the puffiness. Luckily Ive read about that in the reviews so I knew what to expect. Ive continued to ice which really feels great after moving around too much. Overall recovery is really not too bad. The hardest part is trying to relax and not do anything!! Updated on 30 Mar 2013: POD 8. Its been a good experience. Had my first post-op yesterday and everything looks great. - I had a drainless tummy tuck where the skin is essentially quilted down. I've had no problems with drainage or seroma or frankly anything. Its just been easy. - There is still swelling above the incision but the pubic area is not so swollen. I'm more swollen at the end of the day or after I've been moving around too much but its not horrible. - The bandage is off my belly button and its cute. Wound care is easy, just keep it clean. For the scar I need to keep a special tape on it for 6 to 8 weeks but I don't need to put any cream on it. - When I reflect back on my list in prep I think it was overkill. Here is what I really did. Supplements - I did C, Arnica Montana, Quercitin, Bromelain and a really good multi. - I didn't have any real problems with constipation but I used Miralax when I did. - I didn't have any problem with the Vicodin/Norco so I didn't need any anti nausea drugs or saltines or 7-up for my stomach. - I didn't drain so I didn't need the baby wipes that I bought or any of the anti-bac stuff. - I didn't need grannie panties or a recliner or a walker. - I created a nice set up on my couch with a stack of pillows on the ottoman to raise my legs and some pillows behind my back to get the right support. I slept on the couch for the first week but moved into bed last night. - I took the pain meds religiously every 4 hours so I never had to deal with pain. - I wear a spanx-like compression garment - never used a binder. - I showered right away and had no problems and didn't need a chair in the shower. - I've lost about 6 pounds primarily due to having less of an appetite. If I eat too much I get uncomfortable. I've continued to eat my standard plant based diet. - I barely bruised and the lipo area doesn't hurt - a bit ichy perhaps. The main discomfort comes from the tightness in your abdomen. You really do feel best slightly bent. In summary, this was really not a big deal. You have to deal with some discomfort but it doesn't require a huge amount of prep and care. I think I got myself a bit worked up from reading so many posts where people had a lot of drama around the event but I'm hear to tell you its a breeze. Just wanted to put that out there for those of you who are considering or planning to do a tummy tuck. You can definitely handle this and you'll be fine. I'll post new pics soon. Updated on 4 Apr 2013: POD 12. Overall I'm feeling great. I've been sleeping in bed with pillows behind me and under my legs now for a few days (rather than the couch with ottoman stacked with pillows). I've driven and even removed horse blankets (which was pushing it a little but the day was warming up and it needed to be done). I'm still pretty bent over so I don't have any desire to be out in public. I'm impressed with those of you who have been out to dinner by this point. The doc said he needed to pull the skin really tight, tighter than normal, to get rid of the belly button scar so maybe I'm more hunched. I'm still swollen - mostly getting more swollen as the day goes on and I've been up and about. Usually gets a little better when I lay down again. Ice also feels good. It just feel really tight and solid around my middle. I'm wearing compression garments all the time. They feel good. I rotate between the tall panties, the one pc that lets you wear your own bra and the full one pc with thin straps. The benefit to those two is that there is a snap between the legs which is much easier than pulling the tall panties down past your tummy each time you need to pee. And yes, I'm living in yoga pants. I'm looking forward to the day when I can comfortably wear a pant with a waistband. When the swelling goes away... I think I had a down period between about day 5 and 10 where I wondered if it was worth it. I worried that my tummy didn't look the way I expected and questioned whether the doctor took out enough skin and fat. Plus I was really swollen and sore during that period so I was just a bit bummed. But over the past couple of days I've been able to see what my tummy will look like. Its very cute and I have a nice waist line now. So I'm feeling more optimistic about the whole thing. I can't wait until its been a month. I'm almost at 2 weeks so time really is passing quickly. From a pain perspective I kept taking the Vicodin every 4 hours/2 pills for about the first 9 days. Then I dropped to 1 and now I just take it when needed. I didn't get a pain pump and it was manageable with Vicodin. I haven't seen the actual scar yet. The original tape is still there and the stitches are the dissolvable kind so there is no reason to pull the tape off. I do have a roll of tape to put on the scar for the first 6 to 8 weeks whenever it falls off. The scar seems straight and clean though and it hasn't bled or leaked at all. My biggest recommendation is be careful not to overdo it. You get to feeling good and suddenly you're cleaning the house, putting away laundry and groceries and the dish washer, etc. Then you are sore. I've read about some of you getting tired quickly - I haven't seen that yet but I'm mixing in rest with my overdoing-it-activities. I've been working partial days from home most of the week and that doesn't seem too bad. That's it for now. Good luck to all of you! Updated on 5 Apr 2013: POD 13 - Pictures added. The crease above my belly button is from stitches. When they dissolve the skin will smooth out. I'm happy with the change! Updated on 16 Apr 2013: POD 24 - It just keeps getting better. So far recovery has been pretty uneventful. I'm thankful for that!!! So here's how it looks as I enter my 4th week: - I'm standing up straight. Have been for a week. - I'm still a little sore and feel the tightness but its workable. I've been pretty active (not at the gym or riding horses yet) so I do enjoy ice packs on my tummy some evenings with my feet up. Naproxin is all I've needed. - I thought people were exaggerating about swell hell but I get it now. I'm still swelling, start out ok in the morning but after a day of sitting at my desk I have a very firm, warm to the touch pregnant looking bulge between my belly button and incision. My doc says that I could swell for months and that it will move down over time. - The crease in the pictures is from the quilting of the skin back to the fascia. I didn't have drains so they stitch the skin down instead. As the stitches dissolve the crease will go away. I can see that its starting to do that now. I'm supposed to rub it to speed up the process. - Doc also confirmed that most people take 4 to 6 weeks before they are exercising again. He said to try it, listen to my body and adjust as needed. Smart advice. - The tape is STILL on the scar so I haven't seen it. My new belly button is small and cute and healing nicely. - I love wearing the CG. I'm wearing both Spanx and Maidenform. They are very comfortable. Yoga pants and leggins are also the uniform. I'm afraid to try on pants with a waistband with my swelling because I'm afraid I'll be disappointed. So many of you have said that you preop pants don't fit for awhile after the surgery. How long before I'll be able to see the results in jeans? - I've taken advantage of this situation to clean up my diet. I've been vegetarian for years but I'm mostly vegan now and have really cut down on my wine consumption. Down 8 pounds to 142 - low for me at 5'9". Pretty excited about that. I just feel like I've spent so much on my tummy, it's only right that I treat my body like its special and eat very clean. I feel great. It helps that I've barely been in a restaurant in 3 weeks... I'm loving what I see. Going to Mexico in 2 weeks so I'm looking forward to wearing a bathing suit. Not something I've ever felt before. Sending positive healing wishes to all you! Updated on 7 May 2013: 6 weeks-ish PO. It gets better and better. Spent last week in Cancun wearing the first 2 pc I've worn since I was a kid. Lots of compliments and I felt very confident and... sexy. I still choose to wear the CG much of the time because the support feels good and it protects the tape on my scar which I'm supposed to keep on for the next few weeks. I'm still down about 10 to 12 pounds from the surgery which is helping the whole look. I started lifting weights again last week (week 5) and started riding horses this week (week 6). I'm glad I didn't push it more than that. The body takes time to heal and even lower ab work and anything that has me stretching long in the torso makes me sore. The swelling is better as well. It shows up between my BB and the tape/scar when I push it too much, but its not painful. Just looks like I'm a little pregnant. Overall I'm thrilled with the results and highly recommend this procedure (and Dr Chapman in Fort Collins CO) to everyone. Updated on 11 Jun 2013: POD 3 months: So happy I did this. My tummy is tight and beautiful. The BB is cute too! One of my friends told me that I have the tummy of a 16 yr old. (Too bad the rest of the body is in the late 40s...) I think the reason it looks so good is that I also lost almost 15 pounds from the day of surgery. I would definitely recommend the combo if you are not at your goal weight. I've been back to strength training and cardio for about 6 weeks so I'm back to (and beyond in some areas) where I was before the surgery. I think missing out on workouts and riding horses was the most difficult part of recovery. I can do pretty much any exercise except anything for the lower abs where I have to stretch out completely and pull my knees to my chest. Just hurts a bit. Doc said it could take a while before that pain goes away. I still swell between my BB and the incision when I exercise or eat "bad" foods. I try to eat very clean but we all have our days... I just had my 3 month checkup and PS said the swelling will likely be around for some time as well. Its not that big of a deal. I have some numbness and tingling around my scar but that's also to be expected. I started Mederma (probably waited too long?) and its kind of weird. Its incredibly ichy. Has anyone else had that experience? Would love to know if its the Mederma or just basic healing. I posted new 3 month pics. The scar doesn't show in normal clothes. I pulled the shorts down a bit to show where it is. How are the rest of you doing? Anyone about 3 months along? Updated on 21 Mar 2014: Just checking in one year later. I love my body. My tummy is so cute to me. I ended up at 5'9 and 140. It was a good experience and I would do it again. If you've read my other posts you would know that the surgery and recovery are not a big deal at all and the results are worth it. I still have some numbness at times and still occasionally swell a bit. It seems to happen more after working out but I can't be sure. I don't pay that much attention to it. The scar has almost disappeared. It seems like it was red and looked "angry" (per my husband) for about 6 months then it just started to fade away. I've now been on two vacations with bikinis and fitted dresses and it was a blast to feel confident. I would say one thing about the lipo - if you gain a few pounds the fat goes right back to where you had it lipo-ed out so my advice to you is if you are overweight, just lose weight. I lost about 10 pounds after my surgery and it really made a difference. So that's it. Just a bit of closure. Overall I fully recommend the surgery and my doctor Jeffrey Chapman in Fort Collins, CO. I wish you good luck and enjoy your journey!
I am in my 60's and very active..run marathons, bike,etc. but my face was showing the effects of being outdoorsy. I wanted something minimally invasive. Had a traditional face lift 11 years ago and although happy with the results, didn't like all the scars it left, but that was the way they did it back then. I had the procedure under total local anasthesia in the doc's office. It wasn't originally planned that way as my husband had to be out of town at the last minute and I had to drive myself to and from my hotel. Procedure was uncomfortable but not really painful until the end when the lidocaine started to wear off. I look lke a balloon on day 2 post op but will update later. Aleve seemed to take care of the pain, but I do have a high tolerance. Wouldn't necessarily say that would work for everyone. Face looks over stretched right now but doc says that will resolve. Updated on 2 Jun 2013: Still look like a chipmunk but swelling on one side is down. Hard to chew due to jaw immobility but no real pain that can't be handled with tylenol. Went for a couple of short walks but nothing strenuous yet. Will call doc this week to see when I can expect to eat regular food that doesn't require a straw. Updated on 3 Jun 2013: Tight jaw continues. At the end of the day it seems looser, but in the morning, I can barely chew on a piece of soft toast. I'm definitely going to lose weight at this rate and I don't have that much to lose! Will do another update on day 7. I'm liking the smoothness of the skin but realize that much of it is the swellimg from the surgery. No major bruises except under my chin. Updated on 4 Jun 2013: Talked to the nurse yesterday who said the difficulty chewing was due to repositioning the platysma muscle for a more permanent result. I'm able to eat some solid foods in small bites, but I'm a long ways from steak! Good thing I'm not a big meat eater. Peanutbutter is satisfying and a couple of spoonfuls tastes good. Kefir and smoothies get old after awhile. Almost all bruising is gone, but still look a little like a chipmunk. Updated on 8 Jun 2013: I have developed a line on one side of my face. I don't know if this is what is called a" lateral sweep" or not. Emailed photos to the doc to get his opinion. Updated on 9 Jun 2013: Doc. says assymetry is common but another doctor on this site says it is lateral sweep on one side. Dr. Chapman says I need to wait at east 4 weeks. I had a regular facelift years ago and did not want all the behind the ear scars. As long as it relaxes a little, I am fine with it. Right side looks fine. Left side has a definite pull line. Time will tell I guess. i'll keep posting until I have a resolution. Updated on 10 Jun 2013: I do want to say that Dr. Chapman has answered my emails promptly (even on Sunday evening) and has been responsive to my concerns so far. His nurse has called me once, he has called me once and e mailed me once. I do like the fact that they are not just blowing it off. Updated on 12 Jun 2013: Well, I am at the 2 week point. Most of the swelling on my left side has gone down. Still hurts to chew on the right side a little. The lines on the left side are still there, but no worse. Posting a question to this site has resulted in 4 docs telling me to "give it time" which is the same advice Dr. Chapman gave me.1 doc dissed the procedure (he doesn't do mini facelifts). I love what the lift did for the platysmal bands that were in my neck. Have scheduled a follow up appointment at 3 months when I will be in the area. I figure if the lines on the left don't soften by then, it would be a good time to talk about it. His staff has been very responsive and always answer my e mails and calls quickly. I plan on taking photos again at 4 weeks to compare. Sometimes when you check things everyday, you don't see any change (for better or worse). Updated on 17 Jun 2013: Almost 3 weeks...feeling like I am going to have to" live with the lines." Have seen no change but they don't seem to be getting worse. My husband says they are subtle, and I'm trying not to make it a bigger deal than it is. Updated on 28 Jun 2013: Pros: Neck looks much better. Bands are gone Cons: Still have the lines of the lateral sweep on left side, but I think (can't really tell for sure) they are softening. Scars by ears appear to be in front of old scars rather than along the same lines. Dr. said at initial consultation that they would be along the same lines. Time will tell how they will look. I've been careful to cover them with the tape and not expose them to the sun. Was it an expensive Beverly Hills mini lift.... No. Will it do what I wanted it to? We will see. I still have to leave my assessment as "not sure." Advice on this website is to give it at least 3 months. Updated on 19 Jul 2013: I e mailed the Doc today with photos of the lines on the left hand side. Will see what he says. Fortunately, due to the way I wear my hair, (a bob), they are not very visible. They can really only be seen clearly in "office" light. My husband keeps reassuring me that they are barely noticeable. I have finally mustered the courage to post a photo. Will post another update after I receive his reply. It doesn't really look "radical" enough to undergo a revision surgery. I really don't want to go through that again. I have asked him if fillers might soften the line. Others have suggested ultrasound or laser, but I'd like to avoid that if possible. Updated on 27 Sep 2013: Lines from lateral sweep are still there... scars on ears are not raised, but are red. I think this was not a good mini-lift. I am reconciled to the result, but would not do this again with the same doctor the way things stand today. The sweep is not super noticeable, but part of that is the way I wear my hair (covering the lines). If I chose a shorter style, it would be much more visible. Oh well... live and learn. Don't really want to pay for a revision at this point. Updated on 13 Dec 2013: I think it's been long enough to make a judgment... still have pull lines on one side from lateral sweep and one scar around one ear is quite red, but I've been told to wait a year. I would not do this procedure with this doctor again. I probably should have spent more money for a more comprehensive lift. Hopefully time will lessen the pull. I do not recommend this doctor or mini-lifts for women over 60.
