I have had 4 kids and it is time for my little mommy makeover. I have decided to have a mini tummy tuck with lipo to get my body back to where I want it. I have a mom pooch with loose skin and even after diet and exercise, it doesn't get much better. When I'm standing up, you can't see exactly how bad the lose skin is, but when I bend over or lay on my back, it all wrinkles up and hangs off of me. I had several csections so I would also like that scar fixed. My doctor said he will totally cut out the csection scar and give me a flat scar and stomach. In a dress, you can see the csection pouch and it has always been kind of upsetting . I've always been proud of my scar because that's what got my kids here, but I've gotten alot of scar tissue build up behind it that makes it look alot worse. I have scheduled my surgery with dr david l durst. When I went to my consultation, he was very nice, answered all of my questions and took his time explaining everything to me. I have a pre OP appointment next week. My surgery is scheduled for September 4th. I will update after my pre OP appointment. Any advice or tips on recovering from this surgery would be greatly appreciated.
Updated on 12 Aug 2019:
I am looking to talk with someone who has had a tummy tuck by Dr. Durst? I am so nervous about this surgery. I'm worried I wont get the result I am hoping for. The photos I have seen of Dr. Dursts patients' tummy tucks were so beautiful. It really looks like he does good work. This is just a big surgery and I am so nervous about it. Advice?
Updated on 13 Aug 2019:
I had my pre op appointment today with Dr. Durst and I was very happy with it. I was so nervous going into it, but be made me feel so comfortable and explained everything to me and gave me clarity. So I'm hoping to have the results I am wanting :) I went and got my prescriptions for after surgery filled. I'm going to go tomorrow to get a list of supplies I need for after care. Just a few more weeks!
Updated on 14 Aug 2019:
I got my blood work done today, and picked up some after surgery supplies. It's getting so real now :) I got fitted for some surgical stockings to prevent blood clots. All I have left are a few small supplies from walmart and I will be ready to go!
Updated on 17 Aug 2019:
I finally did some shopping for after surgery. This is the list of items my doctor said I would need. Except for the cleansing wipes, I just got those because I like to feel clean and I know I'm not going to be able to shower until the drains are out. Is there anything I'm missing? Anything that you guys have used that was a lifesaver? I am about to order a walker to help with walking without hurting my back. It's getting REAL. I am getting so excited!
Updated on 18 Aug 2019:
The last update didnt post the picture with it. So I'm trying again in hopes that you can see the supplies I have bought. I also went today and got a donut pillow to sit on since someone told me it would be much needed. They said it helps because all of the sitting , and the way you have to sleep while recovering is very uncomfortable.
Updated on 23 Aug 2019:
I received the walker I ordered. Everything is set up and ready to go now. My doctor said that I will be using a corset type binder after surgery, but I think I'm going to order a faja also to help with compression. Surgery day is getting here so fast, yet so slow. I cant wait to be able to put on a sexy dress and not have that baby pouch, and love handles anymore. I hope I get the results I am dreaming of.
Updated on 27 Aug 2019:
I know people say "You are tiny, why would you get a tummy tuck?" But it's not about being big or small for me. It's about the loose skin and muscle separation, causing a bulge in my stomach. When I bend over, the lose skin just hangs off of me. Now that it is getting so close, the nerves are really starting to kick in and I am getting so scared!
Updated on 30 Aug 2019:
I am only 4 days away from my surgery, yet I feel so unprepared. I bought all of the supplies on the list the doctor gave me. Is there a video somewhere on how exactly to treat the scars and incisions during recovery? I'm trying not to think too much about the surgery because when I do, I get really nervous. Please keep me in your prayers as I get closer to my surgery day!
Updated on 3 Sep 2019:
My surgery is first thing in the morning! Any tips on what to eat after surgery to keep from the uncomfortable bloating? My poor husband is more scared than I am. He is a nervous wreck. I am getting my bed all ready and getting an extension cord plugged in with my phone charger. I will keep everyone updated.
Updated on 3 Sep 2019:
Excuse my very blurry camera. But this is how my stomach looks when I sit down, from the front. It bulges from the muscle separation and just looks deformed. Standing up it isn't so bad. But you can tell alot more when I am sitting or bending over. This will be my last update before surgery. I will let everyone know how it goes afterward. :) Happy healing everyone!
Updated on 4 Sep 2019:
Thank you so much to everyone who kept me in their prayers. I am out of surgery and on my way home. The pain is there, but manageable as of right now. Which I know it can get worse after everything wears off. I got to get a little peak while they were adjusting my garment and I'm so happy with where the scar is and how small it is!!! I can't wait to see the final result. I will post pictures as soon as I am able .
Updated on 4 Sep 2019:
Okay so its 9:30 pm. I havent slept since I've gotten home, but have been getting alot of rest :) I have also been doing alot of walking with my walker, without over doing it. So once I got home I took my pain medicine, but it didnt seem to help much with the pain. So i called my doctor and he prescribed me new meds. These are working better. Having a travel pillow for my neck has been a big help since I've had to rest sitting up. I just took more pain meds and my sleeping pill so I'm hoping to get rest tonight. I get to see my stomach tomorrow and I'm so excited about it. Overall, it hasnt been as bad as I expected. Dr. Durst said that he fixed my muscle separation and even sewed some above my belly button. I didnt have any hernias. This drain is probably the most annoying part as of right now. I'm just feeling super blessed today and I'm hoping that everything continues on the right track and that I dont have any complications. So far, Dr. Durst has been great. Hes been so helpful and caring. I've had bad doctors in the past so that is comforting. I will try to update daily of things change. Good luck on everyone's surgeries! And also congrats to those who have scheduled surgery dates!! <3
Updated on 5 Sep 2019:
It is 5:51 am. I havent gotten much sleep. I've been able to get in comfortable positions but just dont seem to be sleepy at all. When my alarm when off to take more pain meds, I could definitely feel it this morning. I guess after lying still for so long, it made me pretty sore. I just emptied my drain tube and took more pain meds. Here is my first pre op pick before taking off my garment. I still have all of the foam around me and I am pretty swollen. So I'm excited to see my stomach without the garment today. Where I had liposuction on my flanks are a little sore today, just feels like I was working out in those areas as of now. I havent felt any pain in my incision until this morning when I sat down to pee. It felt like my gauze pad was stuck to it and pulling a bit before I could take my pain meds. Ouch! But so far so good. The comfortable ways I have found to sleep are to have a large pillow on each side of me, a large one under my knees, and 2 large ones behind me back to prop me up. But the travel neck pillow has been the key. I am able to sleep without hurting my neck. My husband has been so helpful with everything which has made it so much easier on me. You guys keep me in your prayers as I heal. I will update again after I get to see Dr. Durst today. :)
Updated on 5 Sep 2019:
My post op appointment went great! Even though I am super swollen, I am already loving my results! I was able to look down while sitting and my stomach was flat and not all wrinkled and rolled. Obviously it's a little wrinkled and stuff from the compression garment, but i see so much change. It may be too soon to say, but I hope things continue to get better each day like they say because I am already so happy. Even my love handles are gone!! I can't wait to see the final result. Dr. Durst was so sweet and was saying how great I was doing because of how well i was handling the pain. I'm not going to lie, I'm in alot more pain today than i was yesterday. But hey, pain is beauty. And also temporary. So I got this!!! I am so excited!
Updated on 6 Sep 2019:
So today has been the worst day so far. Trying to get out of bed this morning brought tears to my eyes. There is a spot on the left side of my incision that burns when I get up and sit down. It hurt pretty bad today. I think I needed to let my pain meds kick in a bit more before trying to move around. Changing my dressing, and cleaning the drain gets frustrating since I have to have help and cant do it alone. I still have foam under my garment. I have quite a bit of swelling on my lower back, I'm assuming it is because there isnt a foam for that spot so I may have my husband grab an extra one. BUT with that being said, I am still very happy so far. I know I look pretty rough with all or the swelling, blood, and bruising. But I'm just happy to already see a difference, even with all of the swelling. I finally got a good amount of sleep last night so that was nice. The dr said I cant shower until my drains are out so I am staying wiped down with bathing wipes. I still have the surgeons markings all over me because I dont want to be too aggresive when wiping myself down. Unfortunately I am about to start my period too so I get to deal with that on top of healing lol. But that's okay. I will get through it. I'm hoping tomorrow is a bit easier.
Updated on 7 Sep 2019:
So after having a pretty painful start to my day on day 3, I decided that I was GOING TO FEEL better. So I took my pain meds, changed my dressings, emptied my bulb drains and then had a nice wrag bath, rubbed some lotion on my arms and legs, fixed my hair and even put on a little make up. It felt nice not to feel so ugly. After I did that, I got my walker and I started making laps around my living room. I was NOT about to sit there and pout anymore. After getting up and moving, talking with the kids, eating some food, and lighting some candles, I was already starting to feel better. The soreness wasn't as extreme, the more I walked. I ended up having a nice evening with my husband watching a movie. I hadnt had a bowel movement yet since before my surgery, but had been taking colace daily to help break it up. So I had my husband pick up some suppositories because I didnt want to do any straining. That went well and I had my first boweI movement. Woo hoo!! Which eased alot of bloating I had. So I'm going to keep doing that until I finish my pain meds. I took the sleeping medicine the dr had given me and man does that stuff work!?! It worked so well. I've never fell into such a peaceful and deep sleep in my life. I wish my sleep was always that great. I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Overall, I have had such a blessed experience, and I hope it continues this positive. I've added a before and after photo of my stomach while sitting. I know others may not notice the difference, but I've stared at these insecure areas of my body for many many years, so I definitely see change I am so excited about. I'm hoping to be able to get better pictures after my drain is out. I ordered a faja and another foam board for my back, so I'm hoping they fit right this time. I am just loving how small my waist is already. My husband was not a fan of me doing this surgery. He always said he loved me the way I am. But he also supported me doing what makes me happy. As soon as the doctor took off the garment, my husbands mouth kind of fell open like " wow, that's a big difference already!" So that made me feel good because he is usually a man of few words. :) If you have any questions just ask away! My body is lookin more contoured! <3 I am so happy. I will update for day 4 today later on :) Happy Healing lovelys!
Updated on 7 Sep 2019:
I made it to day four!!! Yay! When I went to get out of bed this morning, I was prepared for the painful burning in my incision that I get everytime I tried to get up or down. But guess what guys!? It is almost gone! I was able to get out of bed this morning and wasnt stiff and burning like before! I am feeling better today:) the pain is there but nothing like it was. I think I'm going to be able to start taking less pain medicine now:) I am in the best mood today. I love feeling more independent. I know my pictures are pretty gruesome. I am still pretty swollen all over, especially on my lower back. But I want to share the honest truth of what recovery really looks like. Do any of you lovely ladies remember when you were able to start sleeping flat on your back?
Updated on 8 Sep 2019:
I'm even less sore today :) I'm not having to rely on pain meds as much. One thing I've learned is that cough drops are a MUST after this surgery. On day 3 I started coughing and choking and boy was it painful! The only thing that helped get my throat clear was cough drops. So I've kept them by my side at all times. Another thing that has been so helpful is having a Walker with the seat that is also a little storage compartment. I've kept my meds, water, cough drops , and all of my important things in it and it just stays with me. I still cant shower since I have my drains in. But i did have my husband help me wash my hair and I feel a thousand times better now. I also cant take off my compression socks yet. I cant wait to be able to take those off and get the drain out. I have posted a picture of my tt incision. What are yalls opinions on how it's looking so far? It is very very swollen. Everyone was right about patience. Trying to be patient waiting to see results can be so hard. I think waiting for results will be easier when I am able to get the drain out. I have another appointment the day after tomorrow. I'm hoping I can get it out then, but the doctor said not to count on it and that it could be the next appointment before they remove it. But that's okay, I got this! It's already day 5 and time is flying. Theres not much more to update on today. I will be back when there is something more to tell you guys :)
Updated on 8 Sep 2019:
I have to wear compression socks for 7 days after my surgery. This morning I woke up with a tender knot on the right side of my leg under the compression sock. My husband has been rubbing it and it seemed to shrink and get less tender. So I got up and started moving again. I called my doctor and told him about it and he said to keep an eye on it. It's not red. But after about 30 minutes , it seemed to get tender again. I may be just being paranoid but it's kind of worrying me. Has anyone else experienced this?
Updated on 8 Sep 2019:
Everyone please keep me in your prayers. The knot in my leg became pretty painful and crampy. So the doctor recommended I go to the ER to be checked for a blood clot. I am really scared so if everyone could please pray for me. I will keep everyone posted.
Updated on 9 Sep 2019:
It has been a long night and day. I was sent to a different ER today because doctor Durst wanted to make sure I got the best care possible just incase i did have a blood clot. He made sure it was handled and is seeing me right after I leave the hospital. I am so so SO thankful that I dont have a blood clot. I think my leg may just be achy from the compression stockings. Thank you everyone for your prayers and for my realself friend for talking me through this. (You know who you are). So I will update again after I see Dr. Durst :)
Updated on 9 Sep 2019:
Have I mentioned how much I love doctor Durst? He has been amazing throughout this whole experience. He brought me in to check on me today. They removed my stitches out of the small lipo incisions on my back. It was quick and painless. Dr. Durst said sometimes the compression socks can get a little tight at the top, causing the cramping in your legs. I am so relieved not to have a blood clot and to have been seen by my doctor today. I feel much better. I get to get my drains out on Thursday. So just 3 more days! I can't wait. I also got to remove my foam underneath my garment today. I'm sooooo much more comfortable without it. Each day things are getting easier. I'm a little sore today since I'm not relying on my pain meds anymore. But overall I feel great!! I hope things continue to be this great with my doctor because he is really impressing me so far! I have alot of swelling today so no new progression pictures. Maybe tomorrow :) Happy healing beauties!
Updated on 10 Sep 2019:
Its been a heck of a night. Now that I dont have any more pain meds, I feel every little bit of soreness. I didn't get much sleep last night because of it. I stayed pretty stiff. When did you ladies stop taking your pain meds, and what worked for you for your post op soreness? I posted a picture of my lipo incision site. It is alot smaller and less noticeable than I thought it would be so that's good :) I'm walking standing up completely straight and able to lay down flat. I'm not much of a back sleeper though so I've continued to sleep sitting up. Did you guys have anything to put under your garment to prevent wrinkling? Yayyyy to getting my drain out the day after tomorrow!
Updated on 11 Sep 2019:
I made it to 1 week post op! I'm so happy. I have added some photos of some areas that I'm going to talk to my doctor about at my appointment tomorrow. I'm hoping it is nothing but I am always paranoid of complications. I have a swollen spot on my side and a little knot above my incision that I havent noticed until today.
I feel that the swollen spot on the side is being caused by my garment. My garment has alot of folds in it, and it tends to swell more along the spots the are rolled. I'm not a fan of my garment and wish I could get a new one. Any tips on a garment that doesnt fold, and isnt too pricey?
As far as the knot, I'm not sure why it is there. It makes me a little nervous. I started wearing soft tank top under my garment which feels a little better and doesnt cause as many indentations in my stomach.
Back pain has been setting in. I guess it is because I still tend walk hunched over when I get stiff. It also is still difficult to lift up my legs at all. To put on socks, pants , ect...
My weight before surgery was 115.
Day of surgery was 121.
Today my weight is 114, but I also have some PMS weight on my right now.
I get my drains out tomorrow thank goodness. So I'm going to talk to my doctor about those concerns and will update you guys after. He's always very informative and takes things serious so I'm sure I will get the answers I need. I have an appointment at the hair salon on Friday. I can't wait. I feel like I will feel brand new after getting my first official shower tomorrow and then getting my hair done the next day. Prayers that everything goes well tomorrow at my appointment. If any of you have ever experienced this, please let me know
Updated on 12 Sep 2019:
I finally got my drain out and oh my goodness does it feel so amazing!!! I feel brand new and am able to move around sooooo much more. I now get to take a real shower! I am happy dancing. I was terrified to get the drain out and thought it was going to hurt so bad. But actually I had one perkocet that I had saved to take before getting my drain removed, so it actually wasnt painful at all. It was super quick, and just felt like someone ran their finger across my stomach. Maybe because I'm still numb in places.
So I talked to my doctor about the knot above my incision and he said that it's normal and too soon to worry about anything like that, because I am still very early in recovery. It actually isnt even as big as it was and has gone down alot.
I am feeling super happy today guys. Just feeling blessed to be healthy and happy with my results so far even though I have alot of healing to do.
I can't even describe how much better it feels to have the drain out. I don't constantly feel like I'm gonna snag it or rip it out. So I'm just feeling great on day 8. I'm hoping things continue to go this great. I got up today and put on makeup, fixed my hair, rubbed on some yummy smelling lotion and perfume. Looking forward to progress. A huge thanks to all of my fellow realselfers for being so supportive through this process. It's been so helpful.
Updated on 13 Sep 2019:
I was able to sleep on my sides last night! It felt great to finally be totally comfortable. It was a little tender getting onto my side but once I was there I slept really good. Theres not much to update on today other than I'm feeling a little better each day. Happy healing beauties :)
Updated on 14 Sep 2019:
Today is post OP day 10! Wow it has flown by. At this point, the liposuctioned areas are more tender than any of the tummy tuck areas. My flanks are pretty tender. My tummy is numb for the most part.
The swelling in my belly button is going down. But the flanks where I had lipo is still pretty swollen. I do find myself getting tired pretty quick if I try to do too much. Which my doctor did warn me about beforehand with liposuction. He said that it would make you feel really tired for awhile.
My scar is starting to lighten up some and get thinner. Any tips on scar treatment?
Updated on 16 Sep 2019:
Today has been the best healing day so far. I was able to flip back and forth from side to side last night without it being too tender. The swelling from my belly button region and up, has gone down tremendously. I can see my ribs a little more now.
I had my first sneeze at post op day 8 and it was brutal. I have sneezed every day since. Even though I'm almost 2 weeks post op, it is still very painful to sneeze. The pain is usually right behind my belly button where my muscle separation was fixed.
You can tell a little bit from my side view that my stomach is a little bit flatter today. I bent over to see how my stomach looked bending. Before when I bent over the skin and fat just hung off of me(as you can see in before pictures). But now it doesn't do that and my skin is tight.
So far I am just so happy with my results. My doctor has by far exceeded my expectations. Every day that I heal, I am happier. I hope that it stays that way. My scar has continued to get thinner and flatter. Im very happy that it is so low. That is about all I have for you guys today. Happy healing <3
Updated on 17 Sep 2019:
So after I mentioned the bump above my incision, I could hardly even see it the days after that, I could only feel the knot. Today when I went to change my dressing, I noticed it is back and seems to be larger. I'm not sure if it is more noticeable today from the way the dressing folded under my garment or what. I guess not knowing what it is is what is bothering me. I dont want to have any complications. Especially after the blood clot scare. But I'm going to trust my doctor and wait it out.
Updated on 22 Sep 2019:
Not much has changed other than I notice less swelling where I had lipo. I will say that I am definitely ready for the pain in the liposuctioned areas to go away. It stays so tender and I thought by now it would be mostly gone. My scar is getting lighter, though it is still raised in the left half of it. I'm ready to start some scar treatment. Other than that. Things are going well :)
Updated on 23 Sep 2019:
Did you guys ever have any burning sensation in one spot on your incision? Every since I had my surgery there has been one spot that tends to burn every once in awhile. It is the puckered spot of my incision.
The next question I have is... at 3 weeks out, were you guys still dressing your scars with gauze pads and ointment?
Also, how long did your doctors suggest you wear a compression garment?
Updated on 26 Sep 2019:
Each day I am getting more and more happy with my results. I know it can be hard to tell in my before and after pictures since I was standing straight up in most of them. I wish I wouldve taken more bending over and showing more of the problem. Because I am seeing SUCH a huge difference looking down. I took my first bath (instead of shower), and looking down at my stomach was so crazy! It's so different. So flat. No extra skin or rolls when I lay or bend over. I am SOOOOO glad I went with a mini tummy tuck instead of just lipo like I was originally going to do. Just lipo itself wouldn't have given me these results, and I wouldve been super upset. My doctor has been so amazing. So far, I 100 percent recommend him guys. He has been great. If you have any questions, just ask away!
Updated on 29 Sep 2019:
Just posting progression pictures :) I hope everyone is healing great! The lower part of my back aches when I take off my garment to shower. It is still pretty swollen. My scar is healing nicely though. This week I've noticed how much its lightened up and thinned out. Other than that, not much more to update :)
Updated on 11 Oct 2019:
I noticed that since I started massaging the liposuctioned areas , I'm alot less tender. I also noticed that alot of my swelling is gone. I have uploaded before and after photos showing the difference in the belly bulge I had. Now that the swelling is going down. I am seeing my abs and muscle definition. I am so excited and so happy with my new body. Dr. David Durst, you are the BEST!
Updated on 1 Nov 2019:
I had a mini tummy tuck and liposuction done by doctor David Durst. He did AMAZING. I was so nervous going into it, but he exceeded my expectations! I feel better than ever, even better than I did pre pregnancy. This surgery changed my life and I have doctor durst to thank for that. He has been so caring and sweet throughout this whole process and made me feel heard and very comfortable. He has continued to follow up with me even months after the surgery to make sure everything is going smoothly. He is the best surgeon I've met overall in my experience and I definitely recommend! I am so happy with my results! I will insert a before and after shot.
Updated on 30 Nov 2019:
I am doing really good. I am so happy with my decision . I will post some updated photos when I get a chance. One thing I am noticed though, is that I am having pain down below my belly button where my muscles were sewn together all or the sudden. I'm not sure what could he causing it. Did anyone else experience this, this far out after surgery?
Updated on 5 Dec 2019:
I am officially 3 months post op. Here are some updated photos. I saw Dr. Durst about the pain I am having and it is due to an umbilical hernia. So Dr Durst is willing to fix the hernia for me, and also give me a scar revision on my belly ring scar. Hopefully it all goes as planned and I am able to get it done and over with! As far as recovery from my tummy tuck and lipo, I am doing great. I am loving the lipoed areas and I'm very happy with my body now.
Updated on 23 Jan 2020:
I had an umbilical hernia that I needed to have fixed, but i really didnt trust any other doctor other than my doctor, Dr. Durst. So I talked to him about it and he said he would fix it, and would also give me a scar revision where I had my belly pierced, causing lots of lose skin above my belly button. Anyone who knows me, knows I've always hated my belly button. Well I had my hernia repair and scar revision with Dr Durst yesterday and got to see my results today! It looks amazing! He did such a great job!!! He even turned my horrible outie belly button into a pretty innie. I'm so happy!! He is the best doctor EVER!! A miracle worker. I'm so glad I found him. I will never use anyone else!
Updated on 27 Jan 2020:
I just wanted to post an updated photo of my tummy tuck scar. I am almost 5 months out and not much has changed other than I just had the surgery to fix my hernia (which is still stitched up and recovering so I wont show it just yet). My tt scar is almost non existent at this point. I am very happy with how it healed.
Updated on 29 Jan 2020:
The last photo didnt post. So I am trying one more time. I have some swelling since I just had another surgery. My stitches were taken out today so I have to keep my belly button packed with gauze for a few weeks and use my binder. ( which explains the weird marks on my stomach)