I am a 36 year old woman with two beautiful girls. When I turned 30 I started to gain weight never had a stomach until now. I'm 5'9 175. Dr. Rizzuti and his staff are amazing especially Annette!. I am very pleased with my results. Updated on 24 Sep 2019: 5 weeks post. Still swollen fajas helped a lot. Just started using cream for my scar Mederma pm. Back to normal, back in my bed 4 week mark. I alternate between the fajas and spanx. When I don't wear my fajas it feels funny. But other than that everything is good.
I unfortunately had 3 emergency abdominal surgeries that started when I was 14 I have lived my life in shame of my body going thru life making sure I was covered at all times even in front of my husband. Ever summer I cried and hated everybody that was involved, the day I had my tummy tu ck was the 3rd best day of my life after my two sons births. I wish I had done years ago Updated on 8 Jun 2015: I feel like he luckiest woman to have been able to have the TT and BReast Lift my husband has been so supportive and helpful. He took care of me really well. Life is back to normal. Well BETTER than normal!! First time in 20 yrs I have got excited to buy a swimsuit. I even modeled them for my husband something I would have never done before the surgery. I know it will be awhike before my scar fades but with my Mepitac tape on u can't even tell I have a scar ! I am finally looking fed to Summer! Updated on 12 Jun 2015: This is my 2nd breast lift . Had one 15 yrs ago. I just lost 25 lbs and worked out for a year. So it was time for a another one . The TT I am so happy about I had severe surgical scarring that his procedure removed. I feel restored and sexy again. God bless my dr and staff. My downtime was less than I thought and I'm doing well . It's the best $ I've ever spent . I have my confidence back !!! Updated on 13 Jun 2015: Side and front view Updated on 19 Jun 2015: Scar progression using Mepitac tape Updated on 29 Sep 2015:
Dr. Rizzuti was very professional, answered all of my questions and made me feel very comfortable. Surgery went well. Very little pain, recovery time was quick. Also his staff and nurse are very nice! So glad I chose Greenville plastic surgery. I will go back again for sure when I need a re-surgery in a couple years.
MY DREAM HAS FINALLY BECOME MY REALITY!!! :))) I'm 46, mother of two adult children, divorced for 6 yrs. and finally gaining my self esteem back - and happy (only took me 46 years! Lol). I've wanted a tummy tuck since my daughter (the youngest of two) was born 25 years ago. I had a ruff pregnancy with my Brit, preterm labor at 6 months, in the hospital on bed rest for 2 months and loads of steroids to help develop her lungs. WELL, MY LUNGS, TUMMY and BUTT DEVELOPED TOO!! Lol... I was left with a horrible looking body and especially my tummy. October 2014 I started my research looking for a highly rated surgeon and found the greatest ps, Dr. Richard Rizzuti @ Greenville Plastic Surgery in Greenville, NC!! Love him and his nurse Annette!! Dr. Rizzuti's practice is over an hour away but well worth the drive. I was so excited that I had actually scheduled a consult, I went ahead and drafted funds from my IRA account!! I knew this was MY time and was going to do this even if I had to keep searching for another ps if I didn't like Dr. Rizzuti. WELL I LOVE HIM and his nurse Annette. Before my consult, I had researched like a mad women and saved pics from the Internet similar to my body to show him. I wanted to know if he would be able to get simular results for me. I took a long list of questions to my consult. He answered every question and I felt very at ease. My tummy tuck was my main objective but also wanted my deflated boobs restored and the fat sucked out of my neck. YES, I HAD A MAJOR OVERHAUL!! Lol... I scheduled my surgery for December 22nd, right before Christmas so I could use the Christmas and New Year holiday as part of my recovery time. The days seem to drag by till surgery. It couldn't get here fast enough!! The night before surgery my best friend and I stayed over night in a hotel which screwed up our wake up call!! I was in a major panic. Was 5 minutes late coming in for surgery!! lol... The anesthesiologist told me to relax, I was about to get some really good drugs! Lol... By the time Dr. Rizzutti came in to do my pre-surgery markings, I must have been high! I remember him coming in to my room but nothing after that till I woke up from surgery. Wow!! Those were really good drugs! The first thing I remember after surgery is being on the toilet and my nurse telling me I had to pee before I could go home. I have NO IDEA how I got to the toilet! I don't remember getting up to go to the bathroom much less sitting on the toilet. It was then that I was in serious pain!! Apparently the ride home was interesting. I don't remember much but my best friend said I cried like a baby and laughed about random stuff. THANK GOD SHE DIDNT THINK TO USE HER CELL TO RECORD IT!! If she had thought of it she would have!! The one thing that I clearly remember the day of surgery was getting home and trying to get out of my SUV!! Thought I would die!! My best friend got a stool to help make it a little easer and less painful to get out. After that, the rest of the night was a complete blur. Doc sent me home with Demerol! Yep, I was out to lunch and dinner and breakfast and.... Lol... The first week was complete hell. I had a lot done, full tummy tuck, boobs, lipo to my flanks, back and neck. Geez!! What the heck was I thinking!!?? Duh! I'm now 1 month and 3 days postop. The f1st week - hell, The 2nd a little better, the 3rd much less pain and starting to stand up almost straight but I deveolope a seroma. It's a big pocket of fluid between the layer of skin and the muscle. The 4th week (this week) I can stand straight and my body has shrunk from all the swelling. I still have swelling but NOTHING like the first week and a half!! *** SEROMA HELL *** I called my ps office and told the nurse about the left side of my stomach being so much bigger than the fight. It was so swollen that it pushed my belly button wayyyy off to the right side!! I went in that day and my ps aspirated 4 huge tubes of fluid and blood... NEARLY A WHOLE CUP OF FLUID!!!! My tummy immediately shrunk with every tube he drained out. Shwwww!!! Felt better! I had to go again again and he drained 2 big tubes and this last Monday he drained only a half syringe. Well it's Thurday morning and fluid has accumulated AGAIN!! Everything looks great accept when the fluid builds back up. It's not as much as the first, second or last time... THANK GOD!! Calling my ps again to reschedule another draining. UGGGG... I will keep you guys posted about my progress. Hope you all are healing well and enjoying your new body!! :) Updated on 20 Feb 2015: Finally got up the nerve to do new updated pics. I'm thrilled with my results. However there's a tweak here and there to be addressed (my puffy girl part)! UGGGG.... Updated on 20 Feb 2015: UGGGG... Hate these pics! Updated on 20 Feb 2015: Updated on 20 Feb 2015:
This journey actually started a couple of years ago. I've always been skinny with a fat tummy (or as my mother said a stuffed sausage.) I would buy big tops that could fit over my middle but I always was so self consious. My husband never complained but we started discussing the possibilty of a tummy tuck. I know at 66 some would think I'm too old. But I don't feel old. I did lots of research (Realself is the very best site on the web!), did 2 consults, chose Dr Richard Rizutti in Greenville,NC and set the date! I'm nine days post op and praise God, everything is going well. I've got an appt tomorrow and hope to get the dreaded drsins out. I had a full Tummy Tuck with Lipo on the upper ab and flanks. Updated on 25 Jan 2014: What a difference three days can make! I got the drains out two days ago and it's amazing how much better I feel. It's weird though, when I take off my cg, I still feel like it's there! I guess that's my internal girdle now. Still lumpy and a little swollen but I guess that will smooth out? It still surprises me when I look down and don't see the fat hanging. I really thought that at my age (66) and having Fibromyalgia that I would have a lot more pain and a longer healing process than some but I think I'm doing remarkably well. I only take a couple of Ibuprofen every 6 or 8 hours and a Flexeril at bedtime to sleep. I was feeling so well that I think I over-did it yesterday. My husband kept saying, "you need to slow down" but I really didn't push and I felt fine. So just lying around today. I'll post some pics soon. Updated on 30 Jan 2014: Each day gets a little better, pain-wise...more sore than in pain. I'm still amazed that I don't hurt more than I do! Still hurts to turn over during the night (a small pillow between my knees and a pillow up against my back helps.) Itching a lot but my PS said we'd talk about creams, etc when I see him Feb 4. I'm definitely flatter but it will be nice when the lumps and swelling are gone. My PS said that walking helps with the swelling as much as anything. Except for my immediate family and a couple of friends, I haven't told anyone else about my surgery. Just seems kind of personal. But hopefully the results will be "self-evident" after a while! Updated on 30 Jan 2014: Before tt and 2 weeks after Updated on 30 Jan 2014: Before and after Updated on 16 Feb 2014: Doing really well, love the fitted tops that show my new flat front! Still can't wear slacks for very long as I'm still awfully sore and still swollen some. But I cut the elastic in several places in the waist band and pinned it to my girdle so it wouldn't fall off! Standing 99% straight but I still need a little pain med every 10 to 12 hours, usually 600 to 800mg Ibuprofen. I wonder how long the soreness lasts. Using scar cream on the incision to soften it. I've always been small busted but my breasts seem a little larger which is a nice by-product. Not sure why but my husband is happy! There were a couple of days the first week that I (almost) wished I had never heard of a tummy tuck but I'm really glad now I went through with it. I never in my whole life dreamed I could have a flat tummy. My PS said I should do crunches by the 6th week and I plan to go back to the gym after that. To those who have just had your TT, hang in there, it does get better. Updated on 23 Mar 2014: Enjoying going to the gym (well, most of the time) and I'm still improving but still rather sore. I do my crunches every morning but still have some swelling. My PS said that if I don't work on my abs to keep the muscles tight, they tend to want to relax again. I sure don't want to have wasted all this pain and expense. I look better in my clothes (and out of them!) but I'll sure be glad when the lumps (swelling?) go away. I have a little pocket of fat above the incision on one side but my doc will probably do a little lipo there with just a local. Everything considered, I'm really glad I didn't chicken out before having the surgery. Updated on 18 Apr 2014: I know all the docs and reviewers say that it takes sometimes 9 months or more to see the final results so I'm trying not to get too impatient. I'm pleased with my results (no more loose skin and definitely a flatter front) but I have a little pudge above the belly button. I know my doc couldn't get all the fat but I don't want to have a roll there that shows up more when I have on slacks with a waist band. He's going to do a little Lipo with a local on the spot at the end of the scar soon but I'm wondering if I'll need that upper ab area lipoed also. I've lost about 3 or 4 pounds since the surgery (my PS removed 2 lbs of fat) so it's not from gaining weight or fat. But I would still do all again. I know at 66 I won't look like a teenager but I'm so thrilled to have a relatively flat stomach for the first time in my life!
Well I know that I don't even have an appointment scheduled yet, but I do know that I am definitely getting my tummy tuck done!! I have 2 kids which stretched out my stomach pretty bad.. I don't like to show ANYONE my belly so this is a big step for me haha I can't believe I'm posting pictures of it. My husband is fully on board, I told him I want to lose 10 more pounds before I get the procedure done so to motivate me, he says I am not allowed to call the doctor until I lose the weight! (I am 5'1", weigh 120 now, want to be at 110) So here my journey starts.. this website has been so helpful to me, reading all these stories and seeing everyone else's pictures, so I hope someone can read mine too and get something out of it. I would love to talk to anyone who has any advice for me as I start my adventure! ;) Updated on 4 Jan 2013: Weighed in at 118.0 this morning.. so 2 pounds down, 8 to go (: I have a question hopefully some people can give me a little insight.. I was wondering how long it took to get your appointment from when you called? Like when you first called and scheduled a meeting with the doc and then how long after that was the surgery scheduled? I'm a bit concerned because I will be moving from NC to CT in July/August. I very much want my TT done here in NC though so I was just wondering, should I be scheduling my appointment ASAP? Thanks ladies (: Updated on 28 Jan 2013: Well I talked to the office manager at GPS, she says I can get my consult within 1-2 weeks, and then if I decide to go ahead with it, the surgery 2-4 weeks after that! Seems so quick! Only problem now.. my husband is a Marine, and he's leaving for 6 weeks sometime in March. So it will have to wait until he gets back. But I'm so excited :D For those of you who already had your TT done, was 2 weeks enough time to be up and about again? We have no family anywhere close to where we are stationed, and hubby can only take 2 weeks of leave time from work to help me with the kids after the surgery. I hope that will be enough time! Updated on 6 Feb 2013: Well I finally have an appointment scheduled, I will be seeing my PS the morning of February 19th! Yay (: Updated on 19 Feb 2013: Went to see Dr. Rizzuti this morning for my consult, and we scheduled my tummy tuck for the morning of May 8th! Would have been sooner except my husband is a Marine and he is going away for March/April. But yay! I am so excited (: pre-op is April 25. He said I am a great candidate but that my belly button sits high, so he will have to sew up the hole he cuts around it and make a new one. So I will have a small scar for that. I never really cared about the scar that much anyway, I probably won't be rocking a bikini with all my stretch marks anyway :P Updated on 2 Apr 2013: Good afternoon everybody!! I haven't posted in about a month and a half.. I am getting excited though, just 5 weeks to go!! My husband will be home in about 4 weeks, so I am getting soo much done in the house to keep myself busy.. trying to clean out a lot of stuff we don't need, and thinking about what I need to get done before the surgery. Im not nervous at all, just excited to get it done already! Unfortunately, stress got the better of me and I stopped my weight loss, but I'm still only at 119 and back on track to be 110 by may 8 (: good luck to anyone going in this week! Updated on 12 Apr 2013: 26 days and counting... wow. My husband gets home in a few weeks, which makes me so happy. Up til now I have been super excited, no nervous feelings at all. While I'm still not really nervous about the whole thing, I've started to doubt whether it is still worth it.. I know this is all I have thought about for years, I'm forced to think about it every day living with my insecurity. So why now am I getting cold feet?? I guess I'm just feeling guilty about the cost, and having to be taken care of while my husband does everything. Anyone else get these feelings so close to the surgery? My pre-op appointment is in under 2 weeks, hopefully it will help remind me why I'm doing this for myself (: on the positive side I have lost 4 pounds, woohoo! But anyway, good luck to everyone still waiting, and happy healing to the rest of you beautiful ladies! Updated on 18 Apr 2013: Just excited to be at the weight I'm happy with before my surgery! Hubby gets home about May 1, and new tummy is going on May 8.. 20 days to go!! Woohooo added pics of how I look now (: will update after my preop appointment on the 25th. Wish hubby could come, but I'm gonna have to go alone..boo :( Updated on 25 Apr 2013: Well, today was my pre-op appointment, they did a blood test and checked my blood pressure, then gave me some prescriptions and post op instructions. Not much else to report on that, it was super quick. So I drove the hour and a half back home, picked up my little ones and went to go fill my prescriptions when my car breaks down!! I had to have it towed home, because I couldnt pay for repairs today due to the large amount I just paid for my surgery (forgot to mention that, I paid it in full at my appointment) and there's a limit to how much I can spend per day on my card. So at least I wasn't far from home! Wish my huand was home, won't be back until the 1st. So hopefully I can figure out what to do about the car by then.. :( Updated on 25 Apr 2013: Husband* lol stupid phone. Updated on 30 Apr 2013: So excited, just about a week left! Hubby gets home in 2 days, so I am soo happy about that. Today my dad called, I havent been able to see him in about a year and a half (due to our military station) and I have been trying to get him to visit me for ages but he couldnt because of his job. He said that he is finally able to come here in mid June. Well by that time I will be about 5 weeks post op. I have not told either of my parents about my procedure, not because I think they will be upset, but because I'm afraid they will be SUPER worried, and maybe not understanding of why I need it.. with clothes in you can't tell. The only ones who know are my friends here, and my sister. So now I don't know whether to tell him, or try and hide it.. I don't know how I will be feeling by then, I know I'll most likely still be wearing my cg still so I guess I'll just have to roll with the punches on this one. Still soo excited though!! Updated on 1 May 2013: Well yesterday I took my car in to get looked at and everything is okay! For now. At least it is driveable. So I decided to go fill up my prescriptions today, Dr. Rizzuti prescribed Demerol and Percocet for pain, then something else for nausea.. forgot the name. Well it took me going to 3 different pharmacies to find that Demerol and wouldn't you know it, they don't accept Tricare as insurance! WTF. They ended up giving me some kind of discount on all the meds though, in the end it was like $30 for all 3. So that's good. Well I am getting super excited! I have everything I think I need in preparation, time to relax now and wait for my husband to get home tomorrow (: yay! Things are good. Updated on 4 May 2013: Well my tummy tuck is happening on wednesday.. I have been taking a multivitamin plus high dose of vitamin c every morning for the past month to stay healthy. This morning I woke up with nausea and a stomach ache, and to spare details lol I've been in and out of the bathroom for the past few hours. I'm really stressing now and hope its just from eating pizza last night (I eat REALLY healthy so I don't eat out often). Praying I feel better later on and this isn't the start of a bug :( I can't postpone my surgery because of my husband being a marine, he can't just take time when he needs it. On the positive side he is home now, I'm so happy about that. But everybody please send good vibes my way that I'm not sick!! Updated on 4 May 2013: Turns out my husband and his friend who both had the pizza last night also are sick. So it looks like food poisoning.. I really hope this passes asap! Ugh. I will be so upset if this interferes with my surgery :( Updated on 7 May 2013: Wow, it is finally here!! We will be leaving the house at 5 am tomorrow morning, the ps office is 1 hour and 40 minutes away, surgery set to start at 8 am. Up til now I have been totally calm but wake up this morning and now my stomach is in a KNOT lol. Luckily I have lots to do today to keep busy, I know tomorrow I'll be such a wreck but I'm still super excited :D I'm praying that I can stay calm and relaxed, I just want to get it over with so I can stop thinking about it so much! Haha but anyway, good luck to my ladies who are also going in this week, its finally our time!! Updated on 7 May 2013: LOL my husband is so ridiculous. We are cleaning up the house when he comes up to me, hugs me and says, "just think, tomorrow, all these doctors are gonna see you naked, then they're gonna cut pieces of your skin off, and sew you back up, like Frankenstein." Haha wow honey, thanks!! I'm like, who says that!? Haha but he made me laugh.. (: I just finished setting up my little recovery area in our room, I'm all set to go! Time to just relax with my love and my sweet little ones. Might update again tomorrow before my surgery but otherwise I will get on here for an update once I feel okay! Ttyl TT buddies haha see ya on the flat side!!!! :D Updated on 8 May 2013: On our way to the ps right now, it is 520 am, surgery is at 8. I feel alright, my nerves are calm but when I kissed my babies goodbye as they slept all I could think about was what if I don't come home again? What if something goes wrong.. my only.fears right now. Praying all goes well and I will update when this is all over and i feel okay. Thank you ladies for your support, could not have done this without this website.. see ya on the flat side [RS bleep] Updated on 8 May 2013: Just gpt home from havimg my tummy tuck done (: forgive me if I am messing words up lol I'm really tired amd on painkillers. I will get into more detail on everything at a later time, but I just wanted to say I'M ON THE FLAT SIDE BABY!!! Dr Rizzuti even said there was enough skin to not do the "T" incision, so thats awesome! He repaired my muscles, did lipo on my love hamdles, and a tiny bit above my belly button. I am not in too much pain thanks to demerol, I'm expeting tomorrow j will feel it more haha. Also zero nausea for whivh I am so thankful, holy cow I can't imagine the excruciating pain if I were to throw up right now.. well anyway I'm going to sleep now (: happy healing everyone! Updated on 9 May 2013: It's 5 am, I am having trouble staying asleep for more than an hour at a time.. figured I would do an update since I am awake. My husband and I left for the ps at 5 am yesterday morning. I felt totally calm, no anxiety or nerves. We got there at 630, checked in, then about 20 minutes latee the nurse called me in. They had a separate waiting area for my husband so we said goodbye there. He gave me a few hugs and kisses then the nurse told us to stop making out LOL. Then she took me into a room to put my hospital gown on, and laid me down on a stretcher. I met the anesthesiologist who put in my IV, I waited about 15 minutes then Dr, Rizzuti came in, took pictures and marked me up. I got back on the stretcher, the anesthesiologist gave me some kind of drug into my IV to keep me relaxed. Which I surprisingly was anyway! They wheeled me to the operating room, and that's the last I remember. I woke up panicking until they got ,my husband. They brought us to a recovery room and sat me in a wheelchair, and I had a little sprite and took demerol. Once we were okay to go they wheeled me to the car and helped me in. OUCH!! I slept for pretty much of the hour and a half drive home. No nausea, just a dry throat. When we got home I went right down to rest, my hubby is an excellent caregiver so far (: my kids did great, they weren't trying to jump on me or anything. Getting up from my chaise I sooo not fun.. when I'm down the pain sucks, but not too bad, like burning. When I get up my muscles at rhe top of my abdomen feel really tight, I can feel the bruising from the lipo on my sides and back. I also have stinging in one specific spot, which I assume is the drain. My wonderful husband is keeping on top of my meds, I take them every 4 hours. I'm gettig sleepy now, its getting hard to type well so I will update later. Happy healing ladies! (: Updated on 10 May 2013: Today is post op day 2. My ps said that I can take a shower tomorrow, so I will get to take off my binder.. thank goodness cause its pinching me and it needs to be adjusted, so uncomfortable. Speaking of uncomfortable, this morning I got up, went to the bathroom and peed.. my hubby was about to empty my drains when I got this awful nausea. I wanted to throw up but I couldnt, I could only gag.. made me shake and break a sweat, it was horrible! But anyway, taking demerol every 4 hours is helping the pain, it is getting easier to get up and down too. I feel really swollen and my back is stinging from lipo. My drains haven't been putting much out, so hopefully I can get one taken out on tuesday at my post op appointment. I'm pretty tired so I'm going to rest now. Take care, and happy healing to all (: Updated on 11 May 2013: Morning of PO day 3. I am feeling so much better than I thought I would!! Had my first bm yesterday, I was taking peri colace at night and in the morning since my surgery. I'm able to get up and down by myself pretty well, and my drains are hardly putting out much fluid, so hopefully tuesday I can get at least one out! I've been really tired, but the pain isn't too bad, more uncomfortable than really painful. I'm going to take a shower later today and get my first look without my binder on (: I havent had much of an appetite since the TT, anyone else like that? I'm just not hungry at all. But otherwise things are going well, I'm excited to see how everything is looking so far. Hope everyone is doing well, good luck future TTers and happy healing!!! Updated on 11 May 2013: Today was pretty good, I'm able to get around with just extra strength tylenol. I tried taking a shower, I'm dying to wash my hair, but my back was aching too much. But I got to take everything off and see my new tummy for the first time! I'm so happy with how everything looks, my scar looks great, I'm really excited. I'm gonna go watch a movie with my hubby now, goodnight everyone! Updated on 12 May 2013: Oh my.. my little darlings are just too cute.. I was on the couch and they had me laughing so hard I moved to my bedroom and put on a horror movie so I would stop giggling so much!! That is the most painful thing I've felt since this started WOW!!! Taking it easy now.. happy mothers day haha. Updated on 13 May 2013: Today is PO day 5. I stopped taking tylenol yesterday because I really don't need it anymore (: the only pain I'm having is the entrance where my drains are, it keeps pulling no matter how much gauze I try and put on there. It sucks!! My drains havent been putting out much fluid anyway so I'm going to see if the ps will PLEASE take them out tomorrow at my post op appointment. Also I am really short, so my garment bunches up at my hips and digs in to my sides where I'm all bruised from my lipo and that bothers me too. But theres no real pain from the TT itself. OH I also got to wash my hair yesterday, finally, which is wonderful. I will update again tomorrow after my appointment!! Hope everyone is having a good day, and happy healing (: Updated on 14 May 2013: PO day 6. Just got back from my first post op appointment.. Dr. Rizzuti took out one of my drains, he said that my husband can take the other one out in a few days. They took the tape off my scar, and also the tape and a few sutures from my bb. He is really happy with how everything looks, he said I had a cute little bb haha. They said my bb won't have a scar, and my tt scar will be nice and thin. So it all looks good! I don't have much pain at all, really just if I laugh too hard or something. I will post a new belly pic later on today (: Updated on 14 May 2013: OH I forgot to say that the drain didn't hurt coming out, just felt SUPER WEIRD haha like a little snake or something wriggling around. Ew it was gross lol. Updated on 15 May 2013: Well today is one week post op already! My drain hasn't put anything out all day, so I will have my hubby pull it out tomorrow (: yay! I feel awesome today, I did the dishes, and I just got done making my family a batch of brownies from scratch. My ps said not to use any scar creams on my incision yet, but he said I could use silicone strips so I put those on today. I wish I could stand up straight because my back hurts from hunching over so much, but I'm like 90% there. I slept in bed with my hubby last night, took a little melatonin and slept like a baby ALL NIGHT for the first time since my surgery!! What a relief. I also ordered some spanx to wear (per my PS suggestion) so I can finally ditch this awful cg, hopefully they fit me better. But anyway thats about it for now, will update again soon (: happy healing ladies!! Updated on 16 May 2013: Well my drain didn't put anything out yesterday, so this morning my husband pulled it out. Yay no more drains!!! It is so freeing haha. I also switched my cg for spanx, I feel SO WONDERFUL now!! (: added a few new pictures today as well. Hope everyone is doing well today, happy healing!! [RS bleep] Updated on 16 May 2013: Well today I finally took a "real" shower.. it was wonderful! (: I was feeling so good today my husband and I took the kids to the store for a little grocery shopping. My back didn't bother me at all, and it didn't tire me out so I'm happy about that. Although, there is a McDonalds at our walmart, my hubby decided he wanted to grab some for dinner on the way out. And I love my french fries. SO that was a huge mistake haha my stomach cramped up for like half an hour :p but I'm fine now. But basically a really great day (: I am feeling so much better than I thought I would after this tt, its such a relief. Hubby goes back to work next week, and I feel like I'll be just fine dealing with the kids myself. I'm just so happy (: this was soo worth it to me!!! Updated on 17 May 2013: Hey y'all. So today I was changing my silicone strips when I saw that there is a stitch poking out from the end of my incision.. is this okay? Should I call my ps or is this normal? Anyway, still doing great, every day gets even better. I can't wait to see how I look and feel in a few more weeks (: my bb looks better all the time to me too. Hope everyone is doing well, happy healing tt ladies ;) Updated on 18 May 2013: Hello! I said I would update when I got my new spanx in, and they got here today. I'm wearing them now :p first of all, let me say they were NOT EASY to get into haha but now that they are on, very comfortable. I think just being new and all they are super tight. As they should be, I mean thats their job haha. They have adjustable straps, a nice padding on the tummy, the shorts are really soft and not cutting into my skin tne way my cg did. They also have an open crotch so there is no need to take it off 5 times a day. I like them! Hopefully they get a BIT easier to get on and off as I wear them more, but overall, so much better than that awful cg. Yay for spanx (: for anyone who wants to check them out, here is where I ordered from, I got a size small (I am 5'1" and 113 pounds) http://www.mycamila.com/shapewear-braless-1385.html Updated on 20 May 2013: Today I am 12 days post op. Everything is healing really well, my incision and bb look great. Last night after I ate dinner my upper abdomen was really swollen, it was almost hard to breathe in deep. It has also been a little more tender up there, though I have been laughing more since it doesn't hurt so much, and I also sneezed a few times yesterday from my allergies. So maybe the strain is just causing the tenderness and extra swelling. But last night when I was getting ready to shower, I noticed there is a small hard almost lump in my upper abs, kinda feels like it has gotten bigger but I can't say for sure. It doesn't really hurt, it's just there. I think I will wait until my next appointment to ask my ps about it, unless it changes. I'm figuring it is just my muscles getting too strained from me doing too much or something. But otherwise things are great, I'm working on straightening up more, which is nice on my back.. I drove the other day, only thing about that was it was hard to twist around to see to back the car up haha. So I think I should wait until I can do that better before driving again. I really wish I could go swimming with my kids, I hate having to sit on the side while my family has fun in the pool :( gonna ask Dr. Rizzuti about when I can do that when I go on the 30th. My husband is having minor surgery today, right now actually.. having a cyst removed from under his eyebrow. So it is my first day being with the kids on my own since the tt. And of course, they are being extra difficult just for mommy haha. I slept all night last night, only the second or third time I have done so since surgery so that was nice. I'm not sure what that's about seeing as how I am EXHAUSTED Updated on 20 May 2013: got cut off there for some reason. I was going to say I don't know why I can't sleep all night seeing as how I am soo exhausted during the day. Also adding a few pictures. Nothing much different, my bb is drying up though and looking good. My skin is also smoothing out more, not so "gathered" at my incision. That's it for now. I will update after my appointment on the 30th. Good luck future TTers and happy healing ladies (: Updated on 20 May 2013: Haha I just wanted to say that I just received an email back from the nurse about my stitch that was poking out, she said the stitches dissolve so it is nothing to worry about. She said if it becomes bothersome to just snip the end off. So that's good! One less thing to think about. Updated on 22 May 2013: Wow, time flies!! Already been 2 weeks. Today was really fun, I went fishing with my husband and his shop.. caught some fish for dinner (: I did get seasick though, threw up a little.. which hurt my muscles haha but overall it was really fun. My upper abdomen muscles have still been extra tender, and also my sides where the lipo was done has been burning a little, I think I am just getting the feeling back there. Everything looks good, I just posted pictures the other day but I figured I would put some more up since I'm at my 2 week mark. I will probably start updating weekly now. But over all I have been feeling pretty good, just get tired easily, standing up straight, and my incision/bb are healing really well. Will update next week, happy healing to all (: Updated on 28 May 2013: Well hello realself friends (: tomorrow I will be 3 weeks post op. I am feeling wonderful. Everything is still healing well, I don't really have much pain anymore. My sides where the lipo was done still have numb spots, but they don't really burn anymore. I love love love my new tummy, and I know it's just going to keep getting better! I hope this isn't inappropriate, but I just wanted to share that I had sex with my husband for the first time since surgery. I find it's not something that most people talk about on here, but I think it's kinda important to know! I had NO IDEA what to expect on that. But it was great, my husband is very careful about where he puts his hands haha to make sure he doesn't hurt me, and made sure that it was a good experience for us both. ANYWAY I also am totally back to feeling like myself, aside from the fact I need to limit myself on my activities I normally would not have to think about. But I do feel really really good (: I go see my PS on Thursday the 30th, I hope he takes these stitches out of my belly button, they are starting to look a tad pink around them which makes me nervous.. I am SO cautious to avoid infection, I put neosporin and a bandage on it last night, which is why there's a square around my bb in my pictures. Well that's about it, I will update again after my appointment I guess! Hope everyone is doing well, good luck to anyone who hasn't had their surgery yet, and happy healing to everyone else!! xx Updated on 28 May 2013: for those of you who haven't had your tummy tuck done yet, it is REALLY not as scary as it seems. Before my surgery I was seriously freaking out about everything.. the unknown, getting put under for the first time, having such a major surgery, not waking up, how much pain there would be especially... and once it was done I realized all that stressing out was for nothing. I mean yeah, there is pain, but it's nothing like I imagined it would be. I was preparing myself for horrible, awful pain, I was expecting to be completely debilitated, stuck to my chaise for weeks, not able to move by myself or get up to go to the bathroom.. but I was so thrown when I realized it was not like that at all! The pain is totally manageable with medication, and I only needed the strong stuff for 2 days; day 3 and 4 I took Tylenol, and after that I was fine. I had no issue using the bathroom, even the day of surgery. Getting up from laying down.. I did need help for the first few days but then I was good. It's really those first few days that are the hardest. But if anyone reading this is putting off this surgery because of the fear of pain, or fear of needing 24/7 assistance for weeks or months, don't!! If a tummy tuck is something you really want to do, don't let fear change your mind. I am so happy I did this, I have no regrets (: Updated on 30 May 2013: Well today I am 3 weeks and one day post op. Went to see Dr. Rizzuti earlier, he took out the last 4 stitches from my bb finallyyy. I will post pics next week probably. My incision had a spot that was redder than the rest, he thought it was a spitting stitch but it wasn't.. he just popped it and put a bandaid on it. He also said that I can go swimming in pools or the ocean (YES!!) and he also said I can start ab workouts in 3 weeks. Awesome!! Another update... if you read my earlier posts you know my hubby is a Marine. Well, he is getting out end of July, he is finishing up his 5 year active service! Which means getting to move home (: I've decided to move early to find a job and a place to live, so I'll be moving in just 2 weeks with the kids. Holy cow I have a lot to do haha. I will still update every week on my tummy and post up pics though! So thats about all I have to say for this update.. I'm healing super well, feeling awesome, just excited about these upcoming weeks! Hope everyone is doing great, and happy healing (: Updated on 31 May 2013: Just a quick update. I forgot to mention yesterday that Dr. Rizzuti also told me I am clear to start using scar creams now, he said to just get like Walgreens brand or something.. but I was wondering if anyone knows of one that they swear by? I would love to fade my scar as much as I can lol. I had Bio Oil already so I put that on this morning. I also still have my silicone strips, are those better than the scar creams? But anyway, I am so happy for my hubby, he is getting promoted to Sergeant on Monday (: I have so much more energy this week, I haven't been getting tired during the day to the point where I am falling asleep or anything like I was before. Also still not really swelling up much at all, once in a while I will have some at night but not bad. My dad is coming on the 9th, then he's helping me move back on the 14th. So I gotta go start packing and stuff ;) I will update next week! TTYL xx Updated on 31 May 2013: Eh I decided to just put up some new pics to celebrate my stitches coming out of my belly button haha. Also I can totally see the definition in the sides of my muscles, Dr. Rizzuti is awesome. I can't wait to start working out, and toning everything up (: Updated on 5 Jun 2013: Hello! I am 4 weeks post op today.. WOW time flies! Not much new to report, things are still going well.. my incision is healing nicely, nice and thin. My bb looks so much better without those darn stitches in it haha I love it. Although I have been standing straight for a while now, I find that sometimes if I am sitting down for a bit then get up, it takes me a few seconds to get all the way straight lol guess I just need to keep working on getting those muscles stretched out. My sides where the lipo was done still sting, and are still numb in spots. It really hurts if I accidentally bang my hip on something. That's been the most painful part of this whole process, the lipo! Darn those love handles. Without it I think I would have felt better a lot sooner. But I love my new belly so much (: new pictures to come at my one month po. Happy healing TT ladies, and good luck you future TTers! xx Updated on 5 Jun 2013: Here is my scar at 4 weeks po. Its so nice and thin already, I love it!! Updated on 6 Jun 2013: Yay! One month post op pictures (: Updated on 6 Jun 2013: before and after! Updated on 13 Jun 2013: Helloooo so I meant to update yesterday but my dad is here visiting and we have been having an awesome time (: I am 5 weeks po, and went to the pool in my bikini today!! I was so proud of myself haha it has been almost 8 years. Anywho, still doing great, no pain and I hardly wear my spanx.. even eating fast food I havent gotten that crazy "swell hell" I see on here. I do swell a little sometimes at night but mostly not an issue at all. Just a little bloated. Next week I get to start ab exercises which is awesomeeee, OH I did tell my dad about my tummy, he totally understood and basically was like, "whatever makes you happy." (: love my daddy. We leave tomorrow night for CT so I wanted to just pop in on yall and share some pics. Will update again in about a week!! Updated on 17 Jun 2013: Hey realself. So today I am 5 weeks and 5 days post op. Dr. Rizzuti said I was okay to start ab exercises at 6 weeks. I just tried to do a situp and could barely get my shoulders up off the floor.. soo discouraging! I did a few like that anyway and just didn't feel comfortable so I stopped. When were you post op girls able to do simple workouts again? I feel like I'm gaining weight :( this really sucks. On a positive note, the kids and I are safe and sound at my mom's house in Connecticut, missing my hubby but he will be here in August. Time to find a job and a house, busy busy busy!! But I wont forget to update and add new pics. Have a great day everyone and happy healing (: Updated on 19 Jun 2013: Wow time flies!!! 6 weeks is what I've been waiting for and now its here. Not much new to report, but I took new pics. It looks better to me all the time, and I'm still healing but feel awesome. I still can't hold my son because his knees against my stomach feels sore. Lipo feels much better but once in a while burns slightly when I get up from sitting. Gonna wait another week probably before trying a situp again, but I realize I need to be patient and take it slow still. Being in CT is wonderful, just can't wait until hubby can come too. 6 more weeks for him. But here are my pics, hope everyone is doing well, and happy healing!!! Never regretted this for a second! ! Updated on 23 Jun 2013: Well things have been going great since moving to CT. Even though I've been out and about with friends and family almost constantly lol I have no more swelling, and I feel just fine. I stopped wearing my spanx a week ago, and don't feel like I need them anymore. I went out in the pool with the kids today, then laid out my towel on the grass to lay down and was very happy to see that I could easily lay on my stomach flat out with no pain or strain. Yay!! I feel 100% back to normal, it is amazing. Haven't tried a sit up yet, but I'm not worried. My tummy is beautiful amd flat and I watch my diet so I wont gain weight during this healing process. My 22nd birthday is on Friday, my friends and I are going out to drink and dance and have a good time so I bought myself this dress and new shoes. Check out that figure! ;) I am so happy. Updated on 28 Jun 2013: Hello everyone! Today is my 22nd birthday! (: if anyone is curious as to why I'm 22 and married with 2 kids already, here's my story. My husband and I met in high school through friends. We started dating when i was 15 and he was 16. A few months into our relationship I got pregnant.. he said he loved me and wasn't going anywhere. So we had our beautiful daughter (: at 17 he decided to join he Marines to support our little family. At 18 we got married and wanted another child. So we had our sweet little boy at 19. I know none of this is relevant to my tummy tuck, but I wanted to share anyway (: I like people to know I didn't "get knocked up" with 2 different guys and none of them are around anymore. My husband and I are mature, we are very much in love and doing well for ourselves. That's also why I'm 22 and already having a tummy tuck, I'm done having kids and I want to have my body back! Which Dr. Rizzuti did an awesome job with. I'm so happy with my life right now. My tummy is doing great, I'm in zero pain.. did a few full situps the other day! So I'm happy about that. Really not much to report, things are stil going great. Have an awesome day ladies. Happy healing (: I will post more pics at 8 weeks po [RS bleep] Updated on 5 Jul 2013: Holy crap time just flies right on by now.. I was 8 weeks po on wednesday, 2 days ago. Nothing has changed.. still feel good, zero pain, even went running around in the backyard with my 2 year old haha and I felt fine (: some new pictures for ya.. scar slowly getting better, I need to start working out though cause I'm feeling "flabby".. its been nice to sunbathe in my bikini while my kids splash around in our kiddy pool hehe dream come true right? Hubby gets out of the Marine Corps at the end of the month so I can't wait to see him. Hopefully the days keep moving as fast as they have been. Anyway, like I said nothing new to say because I feel great, so here are my promised pictures (: Updated on 5 Jul 2013: Oops I hit the wrong button. Wish you could edit this thing!! Here's he rest of my 8 week pics. Updated on 9 Jul 2013: Tomorrow I will be 9 weeks po.. went shopping for pants today to wear to prospective interviews, and OMG these are a size 2.. with room.. there werent any in a smaller size so I got them anyway. I can have them taken in. I'm so excited!!! Updated on 17 Jul 2013: Well I don't have much time for an update because I'm putting a deposit on a condo this morning, so excited! It's so nice to be back in Connecticut. My hubby gets here in a couple weeks. Anyway, things are still going well, I've started doing ab exercises (slowly but surely) so I can't wait to start seeing results on that.. here are a few pics I just snapped, no difference in my scar. Hope everyone is doing well!! Updated on 25 Jul 2013: Yesterday started week 11. I wanted to update yesterday but for some reason my tablet isn't letting me sign in so I am using a computer instead. Things are still going well for me, I feel like I definitely need to start stepping it up with the workouts, feeling a little 'round' in the belly ugh.. I stopped waking up looking like a supermodel lol. I have been working on the ab exercises, taking it slow, just doing what I can throughout the day. I know it will continue to get easier as I keep healing and strengthening. It's hard to feel like things are going to get better when I already feel so back to normal, in my head I feel like I'm at a standstill with the healing. I'm still numb from below my belly button to my scar, will the feeling ever come back? It really kinda sucks.. my scar doesn't seem to be progressing either it still looks the same as it as the last few weeks. I am still using silicone strips as well as Mederma Advanced every day. I know, I know, I still am early on in my healing. Wait for 6 months right? ;) anyway, the condo didn't work out for us.. the owners went with someone else so I'm still stuck staying with my mom until I can find my own place. So frustrating. My husband comes home in a week and a half so I can't wait to see him! But yeah anyway, tummy is doing alright, still pink around my bb but I think it's slowly getting better.. still have my scars from the drains, nobody seems to mention that on here but they are still alive and well. Two little pink dots looking like eyes on my vag. Kinda weird. But you know what, I am so so happy I did this, I'm a whole lot more confident in myself, and I don't try on 20 different tops in the morning to hide my belly, I would do this all over again. So worth it! I am gonna wait til 3 months post op to do more pics (2 more weeks) so until then, happy healing to all you beautiful ladies, and good luck to anyone still waiting for their day! Updated on 19 Aug 2013: It's really hard to update on my cell, but we are in our NEW house in CT finally and have no internet yet (or furniture... wahhh) but i wanted to put up a few pics for yall, things are great, scar is getting lighter and I think my numb area is starting to maybe get some feeling back?! It's been slightly tingly there and a couple of quick stab like pains so I take it as a good sign (: good luck future TTers and happy healing to all!! Updated on 17 Oct 2013: Sorry I missed last month's post! I have been so so busy with my new job and new house and my daughter starting Kindergarten... anyway! Things haven't really changed, still absolutely wonderful, I think I gained a couple of pounds ugh I gotta start working out before the holidays come and I explode. The feeling in the area below my belly button I still think is coming back, at least some.. my muscles feel good, my scar is getting much lighter! Pretty much just the best decision of my life ;) I am still in awe!! :D Updated on 14 Nov 2013: WOW 6 months has flown by.. seriously, where did the time go?! I remember before my procedure, reading through probably HUNDREDS of reviews on here, doubting that I could really go through with it, and especially doubting that I would look half as good as some of the fabulous pictures I saw. But this website is seriously a godsend.. it's the sense of true community and real care and honesty that really pushed me to move forward with my decision. I'd entertained the thought about doing it for a few years, but never really thought I would get it done! Then tax return season rolled around, and my husband and I got a nice amount of money back and I thought, wow, maybe I can really make this happen.. if anyone reading this has read back to my previous entries you'll know I had my first child at age 16. Being 16 and having a child is no easy task, but being 16 in general is no walk in the park either! My self esteem plummeted when I realized my stomach was not going to shrink back to where it used to be. I suffered silently with my depression, and being forced to think about it every day when I got dressed, or took a shower, just - for lack of a better word - sucked!! I'm sure many people on here felt the same way. And that's why we all eventually stumbled upon this website. I realized through talking to people who had already had their tummy tucks done that it was a very real idea to get mine fixed too. And so I did the research, found my AMAZING doctor, and made the call. And since my surgery I have never once doubted my decision. I do understand that sometimes, things go wrong, and there's always that chance.. sometimes it doesn't turn out the way one might have hoped. But for me, it was even more than I had imagined. And it still is. I used to get anxiety about taking my clothes off in front of my husband. And that's so not healthy in a relationship! I felt ugly, and disfigured, and even though he assured me I still looked just as beautiful as I always had to him, I couldn't shake the thought in my head that all he saw was my flab. Now, you can't keep me from walking around the house in my underwear hahaha I'm constantly strutting around with my sports bras on, (even in this cold weather)! I keep checking myself out in the mirror, and my mind is just still blown at how my tummy looks. The scar is fading still, and my belly button to me looks AWESOME. I'm happier than I have been in so many years. Seems like such a small thing really. And people who don't have the extra skin just don't understand that it won't go away on its own. But for us, we know what it's like. And I wouldn't ever take back my decision; I stopped feeling bad for spending the money on it because I feel so freaking good about myself, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Dr. Rizzuti is fantastic. I would very highly recommend him to anyone. I am about to take some pictures, so keep an eye out!! I hope everyone is having a wonderful week, healing fabulously, and keeping warm ;) love!! Updated on 14 Nov 2013: Here are my promised pics!! Updated on 14 Nov 2013: These didn't make it in for some reason. Updated on 4 Dec 2013: Well! Not much has changed in the last month.. maybe a few pounds gained over Thanksgiving ;) but other than that everything is A-OK! Still working on strengthening my ab muscles, if I work them too hard they get sore for a day or two. Thought I would add a new pic though, my pre-op to 1 month post op, to today at 7 months post! For some reason the pic today was a little bigger but whatever ;) Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!! xx Updated on 4 Dec 2013: (: Updated on 4 Dec 2013: it would be nice if you could edit your posts, and be able to add more pics and stuff! *hint hint at realself managers* Updated on 19 Feb 2014: Hello my realself friends!! I am just past 9 months post op. WOW. It's amazing how fast time goes once you're all healed up. So much has happened in the last few weeks.. CT has been getting slammed with this harsh winter weather, and unfortunately our car we bought in NC is not well equipped to handle it.. so we ended up sliding off the highway and slammed into a cliffside. Fortunately we are all okay, except I've been in some pain which has made it hard to work out. Between my shoulder/neck pain and being stuck inside with the snow, I feel like I'm putting on some fat so no pics this month :P haha. I have also made the decision to talk to an AF recruiter. I miss the military lifestyle, being home has made me realize how much I want to go back. Plus the awesome benefits! So anyway, tummy is fabulous as always, once I kick my ass back into high gear I'll post more pictures. Can't wait to be done with this stinky weather! I hate it!! Good luck to anyone just starting their journey!! It is truly amazing!! Updated on 4 Mar 2014: Hello fellow tummy-tuckers!! I feel awesome today, got in a great workout this morning.. I really need to start doing more cardio because I hate my thighs!! Bikini season will be here before we know it (even though we are still getting SNOW here......) and I fully intend to strut around and show off my $6000 well spent. Feeling a LOT better than I did before, went to the ER to get my pain checked out but I'm totally fine (: yay! Putting up my promised pics for this month. As always, good luck to you ladies with future sexy tummies, and happy healing to all who are still in their first few months! You'll be up and about before you know it!! Updated on 8 Apr 2014: Hi everyone!! I can't believe it's been almost a year since my life-changing surgery. Incredible. I still can't stress just how much this has improved the way I feel about myself. I couldn't go a day without thinking about my tummy. It affected the way I dressed, the way I carried myself.. every time I sat down I thought, can anyone see my roll? I felt thin but if I sat down or bent over it all sagged out and I remembered it was there. When I got undressed it was there. When my husband wanted to make love to me.. it was there. All just hanging out. He understood that I needed this and I can't thank him enough for his support. I feel amazing, and I can't wait to go to the beach this summer!! It's funny, now my tummy is fixed I'm trying not to focus on the other parts of my body that need work.. like my thighs.. ugh! ;) Good luck to all you ladies who are just getting started!! Just keep your head up - the beginning is the hardest part but it DOES get better (: Updated on 16 May 2014: WOW. What a year it's been. I can't believe how fast it flew by. We're already getting ready to move again, and I'm about to celebrate another birthday next month. I did miss my surgery anniversary, it was last week, but the pictures I took on the actual day. I've been SUPER busy with work, and finding a new place to live, and our new puppy!! We got a german shepherd puppy a few weeks ago, and he's been keeping us pretty active haha I love him so much. Anyway, it's been a great year, I won't be updating as much but I will get on here maybe for 18 months, 2 years? We'll see! Good luck to all who are starting this process, it's incredible. Feel free to contact me (: Updated on 21 Jul 2014: HI all! It's only been 2 months since my last post but a lot has changed so I decided to update again.. hubby and I are separated so I live on my own now, which gives me a lot of time to work on myself! So I'm happy (: I have been working out a lot more, eating fairly cleanly, and unfortunately work is pretty slow right now but should be picking up again soon. So that will be awesome. I'm at about 14 and a half months post op now, my tummy looks incredible to me so I'm busy working hard on everything else now haha my thighs still need work and my arms and all that. Still not ready to rock a bikini bottom (shorts all the way!) but I do wear my bikini top at the pool to show off my efforts. So here's where I am at so far. Hope all you lovely ladies are feeling good, no matter what stage you are at in your tummy tucks, and I will update again soon! Hopefully next time my legs will be looking a little trimmer ;) love! Updated on 4 Feb 2015: Wow. My life has been crazy this past year!! I actually forgot about this page until I had 2 newer users comment on it and realized people still check it out! So I figured another update was in order ;) Hubby and I have been separated for 9 months and decided 6 months ago to file for divorce. We have not filed yet but definitely intend to after we do our taxes lol.. But I'm really okay about it, I met a man at work who treats me like the sun shines out of my ass and I'm happier than I've ever been (: besides being totally broke of course haha still looking for a better paying job but have something that hopefully works out so PRAYERS on that! But yeah he doesn't see my scar he sees me and thinks I'm beautiful, I'm so crazy happy. Also got myself 2 beautiful kittens to keep me company when my ex has the kids and they are so sweet! My sister got married this past October and my other sister in Japan is pregnant due in May!! So I'm super happy for them both. So anyway, about the tummy, still looks wonderful, my boyfriend motivates me to work out (I have been slacking since it got cold) but it looks pretty good still ;) gotta get into shape for the summer!! Put a few pics of the tummy up, enjoy haha. I'll update again in another few months I'm sure, probably this summer (: good luck ladies and happy tucking!!! [RS bleep] **** Well I tried to upload my pics but my phone won't let me at the moment, when I go somewhere with wifi I will definitely get them up!! So frustrated. Updated on 14 May 2015: Hello tummy tuckers!! I finally got around to getting some pictures, took them this morning for y'all since I just passed 2 YEARS post op. Crazy. I am currently sitting at a desk on my laptop at SCHOOL because I decided I needed a new direction in my life. So I am studying to be a Medical Assistant, due to graduate in January (: (: my life is finally feeling together, I'm happier than I've ever been. I filed for divorce with my lawyer, my husband gets served very soon.. so that's going to be stressful but I'll be okay! I moved back in with my mom so I can live rent-free while in school and working part-time, so that works out really well for me now. I am still with my boyfriend, and still insanely happier with him, I can't believe I spent so many years unhappy. Life is TOO SHORT so if you're on the fence, GET THAT TUCK! Get out of your unhealthy relationships! Life your life, and be true to yourself, I smile all day knowing I am on my way to greater things. Just signed up my youngest for kindergarten so I'm freaking out about that but he will do great (: Loving life. Be back for another update in a few months.. good luck to all future tummy lovers! (: (: [RS bleep] Updated on 8 Sep 2019: WOW time flies!! In the last several years my life has taken major highs and lows but after a divorce and then 2 year abusive relationship, I’m happy to say my life is better than it’s ever been before... I am engaged to the absolute most wonderful man of my dreams, my kids are going to be 12 and 8 this year and I have an 8 year old step son, and am currently 34 weeks PREGNANT with my fiancé’s baby girl! I’m so happy and my life is so fulfilled. But anyway! I thought some people might be interested to know, what happens if you get pregnant AFTER a tummy tuck?! So here I am updating this old blog to show you all the real deal. I will continue to update during the rest of my pregnancy and afterwards. I did contact Dr Rizzuti once I got pregnant to ask, how will this affect my tuck?? His nurse told me that as long as I don’t gain too much weight, my stomach should be okay. I guess we will find out! So far, have gained 30 lbs. here are some pictures of my current pregnant belly and what my scar looks like. Feel free to ask any questions!! Updated on 16 Oct 2019: So 6 years after my tummy tuck I decided to have another baby! I came back to my RealSelf to update everyone on what happens to my belly after giving birth so, as promised, I’m here to show you! I gave birth to my beautiful new daughter yesterday at 39 weeks and 1 day pregnant. I gained about 30 pounds in total. My belly now is still going down, but seems to be fine otherwise - I don’t think I will have any loose skin or other problems like stretching of muscle but we will see once the swelling goes down and my belly gets back to normal (: I promise to post more pictures later but right now am about to go feed my newborn. Happy tummy tucking! xxx Updated on 20 Oct 2019: Okay! So as promised, here is what my belly looks like today, 4 days after giving birth. Everything seems to be going back into place, definitely have a few pounds still to lose but overall, I’m very happy with how intact my stomach stayed!! No loose skin, and my muscles appear to have stayed together without separating. Will update again in a few weeks or so to show how things look lost baby. But I figured if anyone was interested in a TT but not sure if they wanted babies in the future, I’m here to show an example of what happens. I certainly didn’t plan on meeting someone new and wanting another baby but I’m so happy I did! Life is too short - do what makes you happy. Cheers!!
Hello, I am a 26 year old mother of 2, a boy and a girl and a wife to an amazing man. I am 5'5' and approx. 178 lbs. I am not going to elaborate and bore you with some long sob story about how I grew up in a low-income home eating mainly pb&js and hotdogs, but I will tell you that I have been chunky my entire life. While most women get a "kangaroo pouch" after having children, I developed one while I was a child. Growing up I have never felt comfortable in my own skin. Never fitting in clothes the right way, and God forbid I ever try to wear a bathing suit. God has blessed me with 2 beautiful, healthy children and I am so thankful for them! But as you can imagine, my stomach and kangaroo pouch has only gotten worse from being pregnant and gaining in excess of 40 lbs.with each pregnancy. Not to mention, both of my babies were born by C-section. Yep, you guessed it...the doctors cut right in the middle of my kangaroo pouch, making it impossible to lose. The day I gave birth to my son, I maxed out at 250 lbs! I dropped down to 228 lbs. and stayed there for 2 years before I found out about a prescription appetite suppressant. This medicine helped me get down to around 178 lbs, when I found out I was pregnant with my daughter. After my daughter's birth, I fluctuated between 192 and 200 lbs. For the past 3 months, i have been back on the appetite suppressant and been serious about getting down to a healthier weight. Eating less, drinking more water, and exercising, I have gotten back down in the 170 lb. range, with motivation to keep it up and make this a lifestyle change; after all, I had had my tubes tied, no more excuses. I recentlyI went to my first plastic surgery consultation and received so much information about having a tummy tuck, and confirmed that I was a great candidate for the surgery. She also informed me that I did have some muscle separation from being pregnant. She tugged and pulled on my loose fat and skin, showing me what would be done in surgery. While this was a little embarrassing, I was so excited at the possibility of finally getting rid of this adversary in my life. I say adversary because it has really been an emotional hinderance in my life. It has convinced me that I am not attractive, hindering me from being able to wear many different clothes, lowering my self-esteem...hindering me from loving myself as much as I should. Before I left, I sat down and talked about the costs associated with this type surgery, and was quoted nearly $9,000. My heart would have sank if I hadn't done some previous research before I went, and found that the national average cost of this surgery is around $7,900 (according to Real Self.com). With $9,000 being quite a bit over the average, I am definitely going to be "shopping" around. Consultations run anywhere from $50 to $125 each, so I am hoping that I find a plastic surgeon that I'm comfortable with, with the right price, sooner than later. I have even created a "Tummy Tuck Fund" on a website called gofundme and have been sharing it with my friends and family in hopes of some love offerings to help me out financially with this life-long wish. (i did link it to a reviewer with a similar looking pre-belly to show an example bc I do not yet pics of my own...will get some up soon tho... so please forgive me) I have been reading through as many reviews as possible in my area, but if you have any additional advice on who is the best PS for the best price in NC, please share!! Updated on 16 Aug 2012: After doing much research, I found a plastic surgeon in Greenville (NC). He has great reviews and is a tad bit closer to home. I had a consultation with him today, and I thought it went great. Come to find out, he actually opened the practice 20 years ago, and the only way they advertise (besides their plain website) is by word of mouth. After my consult, I then went to see the scheduler to go over the costs and schedule availability. I was pleased to find out that the total cost would be $5,605...full tummy tuck with MR and lipo where needed. I was so excited that I went ahead and scheduled my surgery! I go for a checkup/pre-op on September 6th, and then surgery on September 19th. I am so excited, yet it doesn't feel real yet. My husband is going to put in for time off for the surgery tomorrow at work, so maybe when he tells me that his leave is approved it will sink in...? Updated on 16 Sep 2012: My surgery is this Wednesday! I am so excited and nervous. Going to rent a recliner from Aaron's tomorrow. Also going to get my prescriptions filled. Updated on 27 Sep 2012: Today I am 8 days PO. I know I have been slack in updating, but I will sum it up now. Last Wednesday, the 19th was my surgery. I was pretty nervous. When I woke up, I was still so out of it. All I remember is the recovery nurse talking A LOT. I am not the nicest person when I come out of anesthesia, so I remember just being irritable. I was unable to pee after the surgery so I ended up having to have a catheter and was sent home with it. Day 1 PO, my husband removed the catheter and I was able to go pee on my own. I don't recall much from PO days 1 or 2 because I was heavily medicated on Demerol. The only thing I do remember is that my period started, and it was a week early! Has this happened to anyone before?? My cycles have always been regular. It made me mad because I had scheduled my surgery accordingly, so that I wouldn't have to worry about having my period the first week of having surgery. Day 3 PO was Saturday, I was able to take my first shower. Well my "shower" ended up being me sitting on a chair in the shower and having a sponge bath. I did manage to wash my hair though by having my husband rinse it using a cup. Day 4 PO I had ran out of Demerol, so I started Percocets. The only thing that I recall about Sunday was that we missed out on 2 church services :-( . Monday was day 5 PO, and we ended up going back for my first follow-up appointment. It wasn't suppose to be until Thursday (today) but my husband had called in and told them that my drains were draining under 20cc. They ended up taking out one of my drains, and it didn't hurt at all! Tuesday, day 5 PO I took my second "shower". I was exhausted afterwards. Didn't do much of anything. Yesterday was day 7 PO and I was determined to make to church. I text my pastor's wife and had her reserve the back pew of the over flow section for me. I took 3 pillows, one to sit on, one for my back, and one to hold on my stomach god forbid I had to cough. Besides my back killing me from standing, it was great. Afterwards we went to Denny's with some friends. I was incredibly exhausted after church and dinner. But I was so glad to get out of the house for a little bit anyway. Today my mom and grandma brought my baby girl home. She has been with them for the last week which has been very helpful. My next PO appointment is next Tuesday. I'm going to bring up the fact that my belly button is slightly off to the left. My husband thinks its only because I am swollen, but I don't know why it would cause it to be off centered. It's not that bad, but still, being cosmetic surgery I expect it to be right. I don't know what they could possibly do to fix it..?
I have worked for 3 years to lose 111 pounds and am now rewarding myself with a tummy tuck. I have quite a bit of lose skin on my abdomen and I am ready to look as good as I feel. Updated on 10 Apr 2012: I am now 17 weeks post op and still so happy with my decision to have this surgery. As spring and summer role around and I am beginning to wear swimsuits I am so proud of my new belly. For so long I have been embarrassed of my extra skin and worked so hard to cover it up. I am thrilled to be able show it with pride. I am about 9 pounds heavier than I was when I had my surgery but I am attributing some of that to my workouts. When I look at my pictures I don't see that I look any bigger so maybe it's muscle. I still don't have feeling in many places on my front side and still no feeling on my sides where the lipo was done. I have gotten used to it though, which I didn't think I ever would. I ran my first 5K race since my surgery and it was wonderful to do it without having that mass of skin bouncing up and down. I actually came in 2nd place in my age group! This surgery has given me motivation to do so many things that I was emabarrassed to do before. So grateful to Dr. Rizzutti for doing such and amazing job! Updated on 11 Jan 2014: So 2 years have gone by and a friend of mine has just had a TT. I have been sharing pictures and offering advice so I decided to update my profile. Since my surgery I have gained 25 pounds and am still proud of my TT. I was worries that if I gained weight it would look bad. The worst part of my TT was that I got out of the habit of working out and have never really gotten back into it. I think that is the cause if my gain. I still run during the summer and occasionally during the winter. My friend who just had a TT has motivated me to get my body back in shape. Here are some current pictures. Updated on 11 Jan 2014: Updated on 27 Oct 2021: Well, it’s been 9 years since my tummy tuck and I’m still so thankful that I had it done. After losing 120 pounds and having this procedure over time I gained back 70 pounds. I have been up and down during the last 7 or so years and my tummy has remained nice and flat even when I was at my thickest. I am back down to my pre tummy tuck weight and I’ve decided to have an arm lift. This has me back on this website researching arm lifts so I want to update my tummy tuck with some 9 years later pictures. I saw a comment on my last post that mentioned how dark my scar is. As you can tell with my stretch marks, from having babies and being almost 300 pounds, I have scarring skin for sure but I bet my scar is a little darker because in the spring I spend a little time in the tanning bed. I really don’t care about the TT scar because it is always hidden and my boyfriend couldn’t care less about it. So I haven’t done anything to minimize it. I still don’t have all of the feeling around my tummy tuck area from about my belly button down. Of course I’ve gotten used to it and don’t mind it at all but I thought it was worth mentioning. If you’re still contemplating getting a TT then my advice is to DO IT!!! Updated on 27 Oct 2021: Well, it’s been 9 years since my tummy tuck and I’m still so thankful that I had it done. After losing 120 pounds and having this procedure over time I gained back 70 pounds. I have been up and down during the last 7 or so years and my tummy has remained nice and flat even when I was at my thickest. I am back down to my pre tummy tuck weight and I’ve decided to have an arm lift. This has me back on this website researching arm lifts so I want to update my tummy tuck with some 9 years later pictures. I saw a comment on my last post that mentioned how dark my scar is. As you can tell with my stretch marks, from having babies and being almost 300 pounds, I have scarring skin for sure but I bet my scar is a little darker because in the spring I spend a little time in the tanning bed. I really don’t care about the TT scar because it is always hidden and my boyfriend couldn’t care less about it. So I haven’t done anything to minimize it. I still don’t have all of the feeling around my tummy tuck area from about my belly button down. Of course I’ve gotten used to it and don’t mind it at all but I thought it was worth mentioning. If you’re still contemplating getting a TT then my advice is to DO IT!!!
I am at exactly two weeks after my upper and lower eyelid surgery and couldn't be happier! I only had a week of vacation from work, so I took 1000mg of Bromelain and Arnica Montana before and after surgery to aid in healing the bruising and inflammation. I went back to work on the 8th day after surgery! My only complaint now is a little watering in the eye which is normal. I have been wearing my contacts for short periods. I had a coworker comment yesterday how nice my new eye makeup looked...she didn't know it was only 2 weeks since surgery!
I was not happy at all. Still am not either. Money was definitely wasted. My nose looks exactly the same as it did if not any worse. Spoke with Dr. Ruzzuti about issue and he didn't care told me there was a big difference and it would get better. Will be going elsewhere. Don't spend your money here not worth it at all.
For the best result, you would need a full abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). It would allow skin removal and tightening, some liposuction and muscle tightening. Please seek out a board certified plastic surgeon with experience in this area.
Although someone's stated age is something to consider, it is more important to consider physiologic age. In other words, your overall physical health and any underlying medical conditions, along with prior surgical treatment are often more important factors to evaluate. It is unusual for someone to be excluded for surgical treatment by a board certified plastic surgery at the young age of 55 without having other underlying risk factors.
Although volume, width and type of implant play important roles in the avoidance of the "fake" look, another factor to consider is the decision regarding subglandular vs. submuscular placement. Often times you can push volume and even width a bit yet place the implant under the pectoralis muscle and obtain a very natural look. Just something else to discuss with your surgeon.
I have many patients that come in for a tummy tuck consult who have not quite reached that ideal body weight but are comfortable with their present weight and body size. If that is the case, then I would consider offering surgery provided I find, upon physical examination, that I can make a significant difference, and that I can meet the patients expectations. In these situations, it is imperative that you and your surgeon have come to a good understanding of each other and of what can be achieved.
