Shujaat Khan, MD (retired)

I have wanted (needed) a tummy tuck since my csection in 1999.
The csection scar was very tight and sunken in, which created an ugly pooch in my stomach. No matter that I returned to my pre preg weight- this crease and bulge remained.
I also had ab muscles that were separated, and with two subsequent pregnancies this became worse. I also had a decent amount of stretch marks from my last two pregnancies.

Over the last couple of years I have gained a tremendous amount of weight- reaching a high of 210.
Once I decided to get this surgery I set out to loose some weight and went into surgery at 184.
My goal weight is still far off at 140ish. I know me, and with this issue on my tummy I just was not motivated to lose weight anymore. It was time to do something for myself, something to motivate me and encourage me to get back to a healthy size and life.

I set up a few consults with various ps- but Dr.Khan made me the most comfortable- even though he is an hour away (I live in Dallas).

They set up my surgery date quickly, and I began to prepare for my upcoming event.

Since I would be recovering alone- with the aid of my three kiddos (9,12, 14 years) a lot of prep work was in order.

I purchased and filled a deep freezer full of home-cooked meals that we could reheat. This helped to eliminate guilt that would have occurred if my children had to live off take out and hot pockets, lol.

I also scheduled a cleaning service to come on the weekends for a couple weeks while I recover- that way things do not get too crazy :)

I had to stock the house pretty well knowing that driving would be out for a while.

I purchased a walker to help me get around the house- this came in handy!
( I WISH I would have purchased a hospital bed- I looked at them on craigslist, but thought it was not necessary. This would be a big help during recovery)

I work from home- so I figured I would only need a couple days off- that was over zealous lol.
I am 10 days po now and pretty much needed a full week off work- and more would have been awesome. If I had a "normal" job- there is no way I would be back to work yet- I would think 3 weeks minimum for that.

As my 2 week date got closer I kept thinking I would become nervous ( or back out) but I didn't.
The big day arrived and even in my hospital bed waiting to be prepped I kept thinking that sooner or later the panic would set in, but the hospital staff where my surgery was preformed were so wonderful, along with Dr.Khan, that that never happened.

I vaguely recall the surgical room prior to the meds kicking in and next I knew I was in surgical recovery.
I was soon moved to my private room for my 24 hour stay.

After being released I went next door to visit with Dr.Khan who looked over everything and gave me pictures of what he removed (so COOL) lol- I was thrilled to see that off of me at long last :) between the skin/fat and the lipo I think it was around 13 lbs

After getting home I have been sleeping on my sofa with tons of pillows propping me up. In the first days I kept ahead of the pain with the prescription my ps gave me, HIGHLY advisable.
I did lots of walking around the house, and made a point to get outside to sit in the sun and fresh air every day- this really helped.

6 days po I went to see my ps and was able to have my 2 horrid surgical drains removed- thank goodness! I hated those things, and my kids were super grossed out by them lol. ( careful of door knobs- I caught one and thought I would die from the pain, lol)

Since they came out I have been able to shower, and my ps has me wearing spanx.
The spanx help so much and really have made me more comfortable- which I never would have dreamed since it is so incredibly hot out right now :)

I had to drive on day 5 po- and while the bumps were no fun, it wasn't so bad. By then I was not taking my pain meds during the day.
I still take a muscle relaxer at night to help me sleep, it is still tough to sleep and I haven't made it through the night yet, just because I really cant get comfortable.

I am so thrilled with my results so far! I did weigh a good 10 lbs more right after surgery- and I am still VERYswollen, but I am back down to my pre surgery weight.

I cant tell what sort of projection my butt will have- since my lower back is so swollen from the lipo- so I am super excited to watch that transform. My butt is bigger and bruised- but I don't know what of that is mine to keep and what is swelling. :)

My tummy- though swollen- looks a thousand times better! It is flat and I love it! My clothes look better without the weird bulge, and I am so excited for the swelling to go down and see my final result.

The most painful part is the muscle repair- but really the recovery hasn't been too bad.

Now at day 10 it is getting frustrating that I still have to walk and move slow and don't have full range of motion, still walking slightly bent over- I guess I am getting a little stir crazy. I notice an improvement in my healing daily, and feel better each day. Day 4 was the turning point and it has been better each day since.

Monday I visit my ps again- and I will start some scar therapy- it is some sort of sheet they put on the scar and it has to be changed weekly. This is optional, and an extra $600- and I think they said its new. I will post more details Monday.

I will be posting pics - probably tomorrow. I cant believe it took me 10 days to get around to posting this! :)
I sooo appreciate the RealSelf community. You will never know how much support I have felt which has motivated me to go through with this. If it was not for this community- I would not have had the guts to go through with this.

Make no mistake it has been tough, and expensive- but SO worth it!

I decided to get a reduction because of back and shoulder issues. The prep for surgery was short, and the surgery was about 2 hrs. Unfortunately I got a blood clot in my lungs after the surgery, so I had to stay in the hospital for 4 days. My healing is really slow, but they say I am bleeding more because of the blood thinner medicince for the blood clot. My boobs look great though.



Updated on 6 Mar 2012:
Hey everybody. Just wanted to stop by and say that I love my new boobies. They have healed up pretty darn well. I have a little bit to go, but I was actually a size 44f and now a 38/40 D depending on the bra brand. I've had a few set backs, but i'm good. To be able to go without a bra is lovely and no more back pain. I have 3 more months before my catscan to see if I still have my blood clot. Wish me luck. Tired of taking blood thinners.

Hi! I'm 25 5'4" and My surgery is scheduled in 2 days and I am SO SO NERVOUS AND AFRAID!!! I was doing ok until I got here and saw a couple of not so good pictures:( One lady lost her nipple!!!!! But she was the only one after looking at what seems like hundreds of boobies. I want to go smaller but not too small because I don't know if I'll be comfortable with such a drastic change. I think a DD would be great! We'll see. My pre op is in the morning. My breasts have become a pain...and they are droopy. I want kids before I'm 32 and can't imagine pregnancy with boobs any bigger..yikes! So I'm excited as well:)

I've been having breasts since I was 8. I was an A cup in 4th grade. C in 5th and DD in 6th! They've just kept growing since. Now I am in a 44H because that is the largest size I can find and I am spilling over in that. My back, neck and shoulders have been giving me so much pain I have since stopped being a hair stylist and have had trouble on my part time job as a make-up artist.

My shoulders have large indentations in them from where my bra straps are and they are ugly and dark. I get attention almost everywhere I go because of my boobs, and sometimes feel uncomfortable.
Now I am almost always covered up and feel like a grandma because of how conservative I choose to dress to avoid unwanted attention:(
I've also had problems with chafing and irritation under my boobies as well. So ready but so scared. EEEK!!! Wish me luck and please send me your positive energy and or prayers for the surgery and healing as well. THANKS!!!

I have wanted this procedure for a long time and have thought about it constantly. Finally going through with it, but, though i am scared of the surgery, i am more scared of my friends and family judging me. the only people who know are my mom and boyfriend and i am too scared to tell anyone else. I really want this, but am very very nervous.

Updated on 1 Nov 2013:
hey yall my surgery is on monday and i was wondering if yall had some advice on what to do,buy,etc before and after surgery? i have been researching a few things but i would love to hear yall opinions!