I come from a line of curvy females. Genetically I have been blessed in so many ways. I certainly don't look my age (a new grandmother!) and my three pregnancies have left me with no saggy belly, and no tummy stretch marks. However, life saving surgery as a young teenager left me with surgical scarring on the belly which is now exacerbating the drooping of ageing, and unfortunate fat deposits in areas which are...well....not attractive to have fatty deposits! I considered liposuction but quickly realised that at 50 (nearly 51) my skin tone in that area was never going to give me a good result. I decided to ask for expert help. Here in Australia we must have a GP's referral to visit a cosmetic surgeon if we want to claim anything back on our health fund, so a lot of research goes in to which Drs we would even ask for a referral to see. I saw a couple and decided on Dr Tim Hewitt, with surgery booked for November when I can take 6 weeks off work for recovery. My particular TT issues are very different to most ladies that I read about here and so I hope I can offer a different slant on the procedure and results. So. I have no muscle separation to speak of and my surgeon was encouraging me to consider a 'mini' tummy tuck to address my main issue of the unfortunate fat deposit above my mons, and the ageing aspect of the mons itself. I, however, felt that if I was going through the process, I might as well eke every benefit out of it that I could and have opted instead for a full TT, with or without muscle repair (as the surgeon sees fit when he gets in there!) I am 172 cms tall and weigh about 80 kgs ( I could lose 5 kilos if I stopped eating entirely but, bloody hell girls, life is for living!) So, here I go. Very little or no muscle separation, no stretch marks, no loose skin on the belly. But a whole different set of issues that I hope and expect can be remedied by this invasive and aggressive surgery.
Updated on 13 Aug 2014:
Trying to take photos in the mirror is hard! New respect to all you ladies who have managed it. I hope these shots give you an idea of my issues though!
Updated on 10 Sep 2014:
So, as always, when I think I've got things planned events charge off in their own direction and I am left scrabbling to catch up! Surgery has been brought forward to November 10 as I have to be in New York for a conference and needed more recovery time. This means I am having to crib time off work, but Adriana at Dr Hewitt's office assures me I'll be up and running easily by then, as there is no muscle repair. So I am trusting to their experience. I will have a 5 day stay in hospital after the surgery so a lot of the initial discomfort that I read about from people on this site, will be taken care of in a hospital situation. Then I'll have ten days at home....and then be off flying long haul during what was supposed to be my "holiday" time. Oh well, I never much liked sitting around doing nothing, anyway! Wish me luck ;-)
Updated on 10 Sep 2014:
Sorry, I said 2015 in the first post......my mind is already leaping ahead to my overseas and interstate commitments and I kind of forgot I need to finish 2014 first! But definitely November 10 2014, not 2015. I suppose I should mention this to my husband at some stage, too......hmmmm....!
Updated on 16 Sep 2014:
So, now surgery is scheduled for November 6th. I have a pre-op on October 24. I realise that this is also an opportunity to be a bit of repair work on my thighs, especially my left thigh where I sustained some damage in a horse riding accident years ago. I had a haemotoma removed but it has left with a lax contour....and I've only JUST realised I could potentially have this tightened at the same time as the tummy tuck. Very thrilling thought!
Updated on 30 Sep 2014:
My surgeon is a marvellous man who does charity work for Operation Rainbow and guess what? He's been scheduled to go off to some third world place and do amazing work on November 6th! He really didn't want to operate on me then leave me without his supervision for 5 days while he was off, so he asked if I would mind changing my surgery date to either October 26 (impossible due to work commitments) or to November 17th, which I have done. This does make the recovery period less generous than I had hoped but fingers crossed it will be ok! I am fit and healthy, what could possibly go wrong? (Ha!)
Updated on 21 Oct 2014:
I swear, if I could get this operation done today I would. However, I must go through the process. My 51st birthday is tomorrow (22nd October), my pre-op is on Monday 27th October, and I really must mention to my husband, at some stage soon, that I am having this surgery done! I feel nervous, yet so sick of this fold of fat and I keep grabbing a handful and trying to imagine what it will be like to not have it sitting on my lap as I work. The scarring was a huge issue for me in deciding whether or not to have this surgery done, but now I have decided I can live with it, I am just so keen to be done. Looking forward to my pre-op and getting answers to the ever present questions I have!
Updated on 26 Oct 2014:
I had hoped to have lost a few hundred kilos by now, and to have impressed Dr Hewitt with my fortitude and focus, but then I thought, no. He really need to see what he's working with! And also, the more weight I lose, the worse the whole picture gets. Has anyone had this issue? Where a bit of extra fat under the skin actually helps? Anyway, I certainly have that issue. So, no, tomorrow he gets what I've got. When I compare myself to other women on this forum I feel a fraud....I am trim and no stretch marks, but I then look at the older women in my family and see where I am heading and know there is no turning back from that genetic mirror, without surgical intervention. Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more......!
Updated on 27 Oct 2014:
Well, Dr Hewitt was very happy with what he's got to work with and assures me the result will be good. We decided on an extended incision line to reduce my hippiness, and a low incision above the pubis. I got him to sketch on me so I could show my husband! He checked my muscles again and confirmed no MR will be needed. I feel kind of excited and kind of apprehensive but mostly excited! Three weeks today till the surgery, a 3 to 5 day stay in hospital, and he assures me pain management will be well taken care of.
Updated on 27 Oct 2014:
Hmmm, photos didn't upload. Take 2!
Updated on 12 Nov 2014:
Just 5 days to go till surgery. I feel remarkably calm! Mind you, I am busy prepping students for exams and auditions, so every time I catch sight of my loose belly in the rehearsal room mirror that I think "thank God! Nearly there!" I have chosen to tell some white lies about my surgery, as it's nobodies business except mine (and my husband's) and so there has been some subterfuge (which also really interests me, I was completely open and honest with people about needing int prolapse repair done earlier this year due to bearing big babies and yet another relic of my child bearing, the loose skin, is somehow shameful and I feel I need to be deceitful! That's perhaps more a comment on my own psyche than a general comment, but I do find it interesting!) I was SO SICK last week with the most ghastly chest infection imaginable, brought on by a severe asthma attack, but have spoken with the anaesthetist's office and as long as there is now no infection (there's not) we are good to go. I am SO excited and SO trepidatious, but I'm expecting to bounce straight back from this surgery, especially as it's skin only. Gorgeous hubby's main issue is the nights I'll spend in hospital away from his care. Lovely man!
Updated on 16 Nov 2014:
Well, the big day is here. How am I feeling? Nervous, a little. Apprehensive for sure. Still not sure I'm doing the right thing! But hopefully after I see the results I'll be one of the 'why didn't I do this years ago' brigade! Surgery scheduled for 1pm local time with a 3 to 5 day stay in hospital. Keep me in your thoughts :-)
Updated on 17 Nov 2014:
Sitting up in the hospital bed now, pain well under control and feeling well taken care of. Initial glimpse of bb and scar looks neat and tidy, but less than 24 hours out it's hard to tell! Very little drainage so drains can possibly come out tomorrow or next day. Have had a bed wash and can shower tomorrow when drains are removed. Feeling a little giddy but not too shabby at all! Onwards and upwards!
Updated on 19 Nov 2014:
Everything going well. Drains are in until tomorrow and the pain level is not a problem. I am standing completely upright and well able to walk around and look after myself. I can't imagine our American sisters who seem to go home the day after this surgery. ...That seems very dangerous to me. I am still in hospital until Saturday at this stage, and I'm happy for it to be that way. First full shower today, and hair wash, gave me an opportunity to photograph my bruised and swollen torso. The incision extends a long way around which I wasn't expecting but muffin tops have been excised with it so I can't be unhappy about that. BB looks neat but wierdly it's lower than my original (admittedly very high) BB and it just feels strange to not quite know where my navel is anymore! Dr saw me this morning and is happy with how everything looks, so on we go!
Updated on 19 Nov 2014:
Updated on 19 Nov 2014:
Updated on 19 Nov 2014:
Updated on 19 Nov 2014:
Updated on 19 Nov 2014:
Updated on 20 Nov 2014:
Drains have been removed and I am completely up and mobile. Slept on my side last night and looking forward to getting home to my own bed and snuggling my husband! Swelling is moving South and my left thigh in particular looks very odd and swollen! Thunder thigh on one side! Bruising is still spectacular but everything going nicely. I do feel very well and the surgeon this morning was a bit non plussed at how well I look :-) Made the mistake of stretching as I awoke this morning. ...ouch! Scar told me very quickly that was a bad idea! Next week maybe....
Updated on 21 Nov 2014:
Home safely and straight back into the swing of things, no rest for this lass! Hoping these photos will finally post through the PC rather than the phone which failed many times :-( I am still leaking quite heavily through the left hand drain hole and have to use a gauze dressing to stopper the leak which is DISGUSTING but better out than in, I guess!
Updated on 23 Nov 2014:
I'm going really well, totally back into the swing of things. Swelling can get me down a bit, pain levels are very low (off all pain killers now) but discomfort from the scar pulling as it tightens. This is much less strenuous than I thought it was going to be, and of course that is because I had no muscle repair. Also, I was well looked after in hospital for 5 days before venturing out into the big wide world. The bruising from liposuction is still significant, but not painful. I am sleeping in bed, on my side, no changes in my routine or sleep pattern. I have my first post-op check up on Thursday and hoping they will change the scar dressing then so I can get a sticky beak at what's under the waterproof tape! For me, so far, this has been a low impact surgery and much much less strenuous than I thought it would be :-)
Updated on 27 Nov 2014:
I went in for a check up yesterday along with a dressing change. Dr was a bit surprised to see me looking so upright and well, and couldn't believe I had driven myself. He said I am about a week ahead of where he expected be to be. I pointed out that no muscle repair probably makes the difference and he said that even though there was none done, I still had four layers of stitches and that Scarpas fascia had been severed and tightened and that I was still doing amazingly well. So that's great to know. Dressings will be replaced every week (none over my belly button) for 6 weeks when I can start scar treatment if I want to. Some stitches will come out next week, the ones that are causing some puckering. But for the moment, continue as is and all going smoothly and ahead of schedule :-)
Updated on 30 Nov 2014:
Well, trundling along nicely. Went to the gym today for the first time since surgery, and did a gentle work out on treadmill, cycle and cross trainer, and some arm work as well. No tummy or leg work just yet. I am swollen now, not surprising I guess.
I really haven't had any issues worth reporting, everything is healing well and I feel fit and healthy. Scar is still covered by special tape and will continue to be for another four weeks, when I can start scar therapy if needed. Intimate relations with my husband have resumed (yay!) and all well there.
Updated on 30 Nov 2014:
Updated on 30 Nov 2014:
Updated on 30 Nov 2014:
Updated on 8 Dec 2014:
Updated on 8 Dec 2014:
Nothing much to report! Dr very happy with progress and doesn't need to see me for 6 weeks unless I have a problem. I am changing the protective tape every couple of days now and using Betadine on any wet spots, I'm due to change the tape today so I'll take a picture of the scar to share. I can start scar therapy in 3 weeks and have been ok'd to massage and moisturise to my heart's content before then. Scar is a bit ropey in places but it's still very early days and I'm not too concerned. Driving, working, playing with wee grand daughter, working out at the gym, all good. Also cleared to wear Nancy Gantz/Spanx type undies rather than the cg if I'm in a situation where that is more appropriate. So, all good, feeling great, light of heart and very happy with progress!
Updated on 9 Dec 2014:
Updated on 18 Dec 2014:
I visited the Dr on Wednesday to check on the couple of wet spots I still have. Good news... superficial and nothing to worry about. Continue dabbing with Betadine and let breathe, should heal nicely. The rest of the scar looks great and indeed has already faded in a couple of places :-D. I'm continuing in excellent health and high energy levels and feel great! All looking good.
Updated on 8 Jan 2015:
I stopped wearing the Cg at 6 weeks on the dot, and started using silicone strips, except on the healing wet spots. Those wet spots have now dried completely and I've chucked the silicone strips for the moment and opted for moisturiser only, as it is now mid summer here (40C +++) and the silicone strips were just peeling off anyway. I've really had no setbacks, been up and running since day 4 and happily back in to all my usual activities from very early on. I am still swelling dramatically around the mons pubis and abdomen but there seems to be no rhyme nor reason to it, some days I'm fine, other days I'm rock hard and swollen. Go figure. In any case, even when swollen, the mons is much better than it was before surgery, so I can't be unhappy with that! Went out in a bikini for the first time since I had my first child in 1989 the other day....felt a little self conscious but checking out other ladies on the beach I definitely held my own! And in 40C ++ heat, no one is really caring about body image, we're all just trying to get cool without burning to a crisp!
Updated on 3 Feb 2015:
My shape is changing subtly all the time, and occasionally I get sharp jabs of electric shock-like pain which I know are nerve endings re-establishing themselves. I have been back at the gym, and work since week two, and active sexually since about the same time with no adverse repercussions. My scar is healing low and smooth. I had used silicone strips early on but found them to be a pain. But am trying them again, I've bought the stuff (I figured) I might as well try and use it!
In ALL HONESTY, ladies. if you are considering this surgery and you are reasonably fit and healthy, within range of your ideal weight, GO FOR IT! In my experience here in Australia, the surgeon was SO experienced and the hospital system SO good that the surgery was a no brainer after the two or so years I agonised over the decision. The scar is large and obvious at this stage, sure, but less obvious than than the ungainly tummy roll I had before. My surgeon has been empathetic and supportive in the extreme and I feel GREAT!
Updated on 1 Mar 2015:
Everything is going smoothly. I have been using the silicon tape over the scar - maybe there is an improvement in the scar appearance? I don't know. Certainly the scar is lightening daily. The photo makes it look rather redder than it is in real life. I feel great.My shape is changing daily and the nasty swelling catches up with me at the end of the day (these photos were taken in the morning) but I am back to 12 hour work days with no ill effect. I feel the need, every morning, to stretch and breath DEEPLY , more than I ever have before. This has been a very smooth surgery for me, and I can only hope and pray it will be for others also :-)
Updated on 1 Mar 2015:
Missed this one, sorry. Side view ;-)
Updated on 1 Mar 2015: