I had my first baby at 16 and my last at 22. I don't even remember what my stomach looked like pre-babies but I was curvy and cute and confident. I lost that, and for 20 years covered it up with Miraclesuit brand swimsuits and cute beach dresses. I told my husband years ago that when the time was right I was putting things back where they belonged. I knew my ab muscles had separated but didn't know how much, and it never mattered how much weight I lost I always still had a hanging pooch in front. In fact at one point my husband told me to stop loosing weight because things just looked worse! I saved and saved for years, and when I had the money the hunt for the right surgeon began. The third time was the charm and well worth the wait! I had surgery with Dr Benjamin Mandel on January 3, 2023. And I get more excited about the results every day! I'm 5'1 and went into surgery at about 137lbs. I had been at 130, but ended up gaining a few right before. I had a tummy tuck with muscle repair - turns out I had about a 3 inch muscle separation! The worst part of recovery was definitely the ab repair. I also had some lipo of the flanks (not quite as much as I would have liked but they say it takes months to see the full effect). I also had a breast lift. I told the doctor that I was all in for high and tight and them not falling into my armpits when I laid down! Dr. Mandel seriously under promised, bluntly stating the things he could change and the things he could not- and incredibly over delivered. I am 10 days post op today and beyond excited about what is to come. Recovery has been a BEAST! I am a go- getter, no slacking kind of gal and cannot believe how exhausted I am all the time still. I developed a hematoma in my right breast the first night so I was back in surgery to get that fixed less than 12 hours after I was discharged. But both Dr. Mandel and his assistant Michelle showed up first thing and worked their magic. My incisions looked excellent and they're concern for my overall health is a top priority. I would recommend them to absolutely anybody.Updated on 14 Jan 2023:
When I posted my first post I didn't load pictures so I wanted to add some now. There are several from the weeks before and also several from one week post op. Lots of bruising and I can barely stand, but want to document week by week.Updated on 18 Jan 2023:
As many of the other reviewers said, days 10-13 were hard. I was emotional, feeling ridiculous for putting myself through this, feeling like a burden on my husband (who has been the most supportive and fabulous nurse, however unqualified and unprepared!). My binder has never really fit correctly and now it’s quite noticeable. It’s way too big above the belly button so I was not getting the support or compression I needed there, especially considering how much muscle repair they did on my abs. I also got a bare minimum of lipo on the upper hip area which has had no compression and seems to be swollen and popping out from where the binder ends. After chatting with a super helpful nurse, we’ve begun using an ace bandage to create compression and support between my boobs and my belly button and I decided on my own to start wearing tight bike shorts as underwear for hip compression. It seems to be working as the swelling is moving from those two areas to the lower part of my belly now. The bruising has lightened up considerably. I’m still not standing up straight yet. Still sleeping in a recliner. I’m cleared to drive but have been either too nervous or too tired to venture out. Started working from home this week. That’s been great to keep my mind busy but my body still. I’m sick of the binders and the twice daily bandage changes and the overall recuperation- but am reminded of why I did it all when I feel and see the nice tight skin on my stomach. I’m reminding myself to trust the process. I have my next post op next week where they will likely remove the stitches in my breasts. I’m super excited for that. I have a lot of sensation in my nipples and the stitches poking into the bandages is weird. I’m very neutral on my belly button so far. It was covered in gushy floppy skin for so long I have no idea if it used to look like this or not!Updated on 25 Jan 2023:
They say the first few days are the worst, and then around 2 weeks your emotional, well let it be known that 3 weeks out isn’t that great either. Pros: at day 19 I started sleeping in the bed again and it’s wonderful to fall asleep next to my husband. At 3 weeks out, I’m able to go to work and stay all day and do my job at a basic capacity. I’m able to help around the house and drive myself. Im able to shower and wash my own hair. Cons: I’m still sore, stiff, uncomfortable, walking bent over, emotional, exhausted, tired of asking for help. Between the binder and the swelling I feel so fat! I’m eating high protein and low sodium, I never feel hungry because the binder is so tight so I eat just healthy bits throughout the day- and feel like a stuffed sausage. I still have some brain fog (been off pain meds since day 4). Everything I read says it really is better by week 5. Hate to wish away time but I am counting down the days!
Had my 3 week post op with the nurse. She says I’m right on track and doing great. Hmm. Super. I don’t feel great and if that’s the case I want to be ahead on this track. She removed the stitches from my breast lift. Because Dr Mandel is amazing, I have ALL the feeling in my breasts so that hurt like a son of a beaver and that day after work I just cried in the recliner until I fell asleep. But, they’re healing wonderfully and that’s what’s important! One more week of wearing this binder and then I’ll change to some spanx. Im told i don’t have to use anything after next week, but I’m still so swollen I want something for compression- but something more comfortable and easier to dress around than this bulky and ill fitting binder. Updated on 2 Feb 2023:
Hooray! So exciting to say the first month is behind me!! About day 27 I turned a corner and finally REALLY started to feel better. I realized it when I was folding laundry while I had dinner cooking on the stove and I didn’t feel overwhelmed or tired. Last week - my first week back in the office- I came home and crashed hard. But this week I’m able to come home, take a little relax, and then do some errands and cook dinner. I went to a friends house for a fabulous dinner and felt pretty good the whole time. I’m wearing all these layers now- the faja, foam padding, and ab board- instead of the waist binder. It’s all doing a much better job on the swelling and it’s actually quite comfortable. But it hard on my vanity as when I’m at the office dressed for work, I look 20 lbs heavier! The opposite of what I was going for- but it will be short lived and so worth it. I’m definitely getting my energy back and sleeping pretty well. I jut have the one faja so I wash it every night and wear my binder to bed. Technically the doctors office has said I can go without anything all the time. I’m sure I’d feel so skinny and fabulous- but I’m so nervous!! And the swelling! I stood for 2.5 hour straight the other day and my mons and inner thighs were gigantically swollen. So, the healing continues.
