I have wanted to have my stomach fixed for decades now, but it has taken me this long to achieve a balance in life that will allow me to maintain my results. Over the last two years, I’ve lost 40 lbs through diet and exercise, but I needed abdominal muscle repair and removal of excess skin. Breastfeeding and weight loss also affected the volume of my breasts.
There was a wait time of 9 months for my consult, but booking the surgery was fairly quick. I had a tummy tuck and breast lift with liposuction, removing 5 lbs. of tissue in all.
I didn’t react well to the narcotics so I have been managing the pain using over the counter medications. Overall, it has been more difficult than expected. I am fortunate to have my husband to help me get out of bed and feed me! I’m now two weeks post-surgery and I’m walking around more easily but still not upright. I have quite a lot of swelling, but my stitches look good and I’m hopeful that the results will be great.
Updated on 1 Jan 2024:
Things appear to be healing well, but I wasn’t prepared for the emotional roller coaster. Don’t kid yourself, this is major surgery and recovery is slow. It’s very frustrating to not be able to lift, bend or reach, and to rely so much on others. Overall, I don’t have a lot of pain, just discomfort. I had hoped to be back at work after 3 weeks, but it looks like I’m taking more time off.
Updated on 10 Jan 2024:
4 weeks post-op: The swelling is slowly subsiding so I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. My breasts are still really tender and I am having random shooting pain in my nipples. I’m just glad I still have feeling in them, tbh. The abdominal sutures are tolerable now. I’m getting out of bed without too much trouble. I’m still off work for another 2 weeks.
My mood is also improving. I was in tears at least once a day for the first three weeks. Some people experience depression after anesthesia, apparently, so perhaps I am one of them? It’s been very frustrating to be inactive and dependent on others. I’m also struggling to be patient with my body and my recovery. Other reviews made me think that my recovery was slow, but I am actually still within the normal range.
Updated on 23 Jan 2024:
6 weeks post-op: Doing much better these days. I am back to work (office job), and moving around well. I still need help getting up from a reclining position and I can’t reach up very far, though. It still hurts to sneeze, but it isn’t agony anymore. My breasts are looking more similar now that the swelling is going down. They are not so uncomfortable now. Looking forward to going back to the gym and getting out of compression garments in a couple of weeks!
Updated on 10 Feb 2024:
I was really looking forward to this milestone. At this point, I was instructed that I could remove the compression garments and return to more or less normal activity. However, I was disappointed. Going without compression for 36 hours resulted in soreness and visible swelling of the upper abdomen. So, I have started wearing the waist garment again, taking it off from time to time (social occasions, etc.). Sex is still uncomfortable, not because of the stitches on my skin, but again where the abdominal wall was repaired. Still hurts to sneeze. I had some stitches protruding from the nipple which have now fallen out, and no more scabs. I still have swelling but it is less uncomfortable now. Overall the result is great. People are commenting on my appearance and I look much better in clothes. I’m looking forward to getting back to the gym. The lack of activity has put on 5 lbs, I think, though I’m retaining some water weight so it’s hard to tell.
Updated on 14 Jun 2024:
I have reached the 6-month milestone! At this stage, I’m told that this will be a good indication of my final results, with some swelling left to go, and my scars will fade as well. I’m back to normal activity, more or less. Abdominal workouts are minimal, though. The diastasis repair was fairly considerable, so I’m still working toward a full plank. Looking forward to swim season now, and I am enjoying the mall for the first time in years:)