First tummy doctor said I did not need the belly button detached, but I did, so doing it for a second time nine years later. New doc is going to use scar outline. I don't know why the after photos from first one is so different to know. I still work out the same and still weigh 97 lbs
Updated on 17 Jun 2022:
Surgery scheduled for July 25
Updated on 23 Jun 2022:
I keep looking at the pictures and I’m assuming the first tummy tuck was done loosely and I didn’t really notice until at least a year later
Updated on 26 Jul 2022:
In pain of course. Hard to walk. To shower after the first 24hrs. Had to put binder on quick as possible . I’m very shaky . Stomach feels super tight. I was too shaky to get a photo . Maybe tomorrow .
Updated on 28 Jul 2022:
Day 1 post op, everything was good because I couldn’t feel anything. Only 2 hrs of sleep . Day 2 post op, asked myself why I did this again , cried for a while that night because I was so tired and in pain. Got 6 hours of sleep in 2 hr increments. My back is in serious pain for having to sleep on my back. Day 3 post op , 6 hrs of sleep in 2 hr increments. I’ve been shuffling around on my own, but wear out quick. Took a shower on day three , while sitting on a stool. Wearing binder and compression socks. Wore electric leg compressors for first 2 days . On day 2 accidentally twisted my mid section twice and it was so painful I thought I ruined something . My drain pump is draining about 45 cc a day. Go back to docs after 8 days to get drain removed .
Updated on 29 Jul 2022:
Feel so much better today . Walking upright a little more. Had first bowel movement . I only took 1 500 mg of Tylenol for three nights. After I pulled my stomach muscle and my back pain , I broke down and took the Tylenol . Will post photos when the upload icon lets me select new photos from my camera roll
Updated on 30 Jul 2022:
84 hrs and 108 hrs post op. Roughly at day 5 . Was able to finagle my own way out of bed without help this morning. Muscles that were pulling the last 4 days while walking are no more bothersome . I should be fully upright walking by day 7 .
Updated on 1 Aug 2022:
Should be completely walking upright by tomorrow . My stomach has had horrible gas since surgery and was made worse when I ate and if my binder pressed too much on my stomach. But this morning, I just ate and my stomach is finally not attacking my food. Hopefully doc will remove drain tomorrow .
Updated on 1 Aug 2022:
Updated on 2 Aug 2022:
Drain removed. Not walking completely upright as I thought I would be by now.
Updated on 4 Aug 2022:
Updated on 6 Aug 2022:
Updated on 8 Aug 2022:
Updated on 10 Aug 2022:
If I had a desk job I could have returned to work today, but I don’t. So I’m going back to work at week 3. For the most part this morning I’m walking 90% upright, but come this evening , when the swelling increases the 90% will be 75% .
Updated on 13 Aug 2022:
Updated on 15 Aug 2022:
Went to work today. I made it six hours of my 12 hr. shift and went home. If I had a desk job, I would had been ok. Taking another week off. Accordingly to Doc, I had quite a bit of muscle repair and that’s the reason for the longer recovery.
Updated on 17 Aug 2022:
Updated on 23 Aug 2022:
Updated on 29 Aug 2022:
Just started walking up right at 5 weeks. Still hurts to laugh. Have avoided a cough and sneeze for 5 weeks now. Have to wear compression garments for six weeks.
Updated on 13 Sep 2022:
So now am and pm shots seem to be similar. Had 7 week post op today. Measurements around abdomen were 1 to 2” smaller. Doc said there are roughly 500 stitches in there . Most permanent. I’m now unrestricted but have to start out with 2.5 lb weights to see. Don’t have to wear binder anymore, but I still feel more comfortable wearing it. This past Saturday I felt a stitch pop and then that area was sore for 24hrs. Doc said it could have been one of the dissolvable ones as long as I didn’t swell or get a lump it was fine. Starting about two weeks ago my body stretches uncontrollably when I wake up and adjust my position in bed. That’s what popped the stitch. I read articles that bodies with potassium deficiency do that. The articles are false, I had a full blood panel done before this surgery , unrelated, and I do not have any deficiencies.
Updated on 20 Sep 2022:
Trying to ween myself off the binder. I don’t wear it to the gym in the morning, I wear a tight one with bones all day at work and then take it off when I get home until I go to bed. At night I wear the Velcro one the doctor gave me to sleep in. I still can’t turn over in my sleep normally. I still can sit straight up from laying down. I went to the gym twice last week and twice so far this week. The first day back I only could lift 2,3,5 lb weights comfortably . This week I lifted 8 lbs ok and held 12 lbs without feeling any uncomfortable pulling. I noticed I’m really still not standing straight up like normal . I’m up, but my butt has to remain turned in and flat still to be comfortable .
Updated on 3 Oct 2022:
Still wearing binder at work and one to bed. Just makes me feel better . I can now turn over in bed without making 5 mini maneuvers before getting to one side.
Updated on 4 Oct 2022:
I think week 10 is the week you feel pretty much back to normal with some residual tightness and swelling. I can sneeze, cough and turn Over fine. Picking up 15 lb weights again. I Can not work out my core or obliques , not comfortable at all. Still swell more as the day progresses. I still wear a binder to work and to bed .
Updated on 20 Oct 2022:
All is good. Still wearing binder to work, but that’s because I wear a gun belt . I tried to nix the binder at night, but still prefer it. I’m now picking up normal weights at the gym as before, but swell like crazy afterwards. Through this whole ordeal I proved to myself cardio is not necessary to lose or maintain weight. No cardio in over three months and I lost 3 lbs.
Updated on 15 Nov 2022:
Back to working out normal. Things still pull in my stomach though. I still wear a binder during the day. Just makes me feel more secure or supported.
Updated on 6 Jul 2023: