I have 4 children within 6 years when gained 50+ lbs with a couple of them. I’m 5’10 and 165lbs currently. I am athletic and have tried numerous diet/workout plans and even paid personal trainers but could never seem to trim my tummy like I wanted to. I just didn’t feel like myself and I hated it. I was recommended Heartland Plastics by a friend and after considering reviews/cost/distance from home I decided to book a consult.
During the consult in sept. 2020, I had to stand completely naked while he and a nurse assessed what kind of surgery would best help me get the results I desired. He said I wouldn’t qualify for LIPO but did notice I had Diastasis Recti (I assumed but never had confirmed). A full Abdominoplasty with muscle repair sounded perfect.
I also wanted my breast, deflated after nursing 4 babies, to be full and perky again so we went with the Natrealle SRX 485cc silicone implant. I wanted to look like I had breasts in shirts again but not be like “BAM”!
Updated on 29 Oct 2020:
I arrived at the surgery center at 8:45 and got my final payments made. After a few questions and paperwork I was changed into a gown and back in pre-op talking to the surgeon and anesthesia. I was wheeled back for surgery around 9:45 and the first tine I remember seeing on the clock afterwards was 1pm. I didn’t feel a lot of pain, but did throw up when they first got me up to the bathroom. My husband was called in and I was in the car to head home by 2:15. I felt a little rushed out after surgery considering I don’t remember basically anything before getting home and settling on the couch.
I couldn’t stand up straight, which was to be expected from the muscle repair and tummy tuck. Most of the pain was associated with that and my breasts were hardly even noticeable in comparison.
I would definitely recommend a recliner or something easier to get in and out of than a couch.
Updated on 30 Oct 2020:
Early morning on day 2, around 3am, I passed out in my bathroom. Fortunately, I had called my husband in and he caught me as I sat on the toilet so no harm was done. I assume my blood pressure dropped as I got up or my sugar was low. I drank some soda and smacked before being walked back to the couch. I was weak the rest of the day.
I did manage to shower with help on day 2 and changed my dressings as directed. The pain is mainly a burning sensation throughout the abdomen and tightness if I lay causing any strain on my abs. I’m glad my doctor does did a drainless tummy tuck bc those would be a huge pain to deal with.
My appetite is still pretty small so I’m trying to make my calories count with high protein shakes.
Today is day 3 and I have my follow up appointment later. It’s a 1.5 hour drive that I’m not looking forward to. I’m felt so much better today though. I was able to have a BM with no issues this morning and get dressed alone. I feel about 50% better than yesterday and I’m hoping it’s all downhill from here!
Updated on 4 Nov 2020:
Day 4 was ground breaking in recovery. I felt so much better. Still not a lot of energy, and sleeping was uncomfortable but was far as moving around during the day, I actually could! I stopped taking the Percocet except before bed. Started on ibuprofen per doctors orders bc I hadn’t been bruising.
I sneezed on day 6 and that was brutal! I felt like an internal stitch popped. I finally moved back to my bed with pillows propping me up and slept much better.
Day 7 was fairly active for me bc my husband had to go into work so I had all 4 kids alone. I felt it by the end of the day. My boobs were sore and muscles were tight. My ab muscles frequent spasms when I lay down and relax for the night.
Swelling seems pretty significant at this point.
Updated on 8 Nov 2020:
I read on another review that a PS said to lessen the pillows you sleep on at night to help start to lengthen your tummy again. Once I started that I noticed a big difference in how straight I was able to stand! I’m able to lay flat now and stand relatively straight. I can’t over-straighten or arch just back yet of course but atleast I’m not hunched over.
My boobs are finally starting to soften up a bit. I never iced them to begin with but a friend said she iced hers for 48 hours and they never felt super sore and rock hard like I felt mine did. Almost all my steri strips are off now. I put a vasoline based vitamin A and vitamin D salve on the incisions per doctors orders after I shower every day. I’m still wearing a sports bra and my abdominal binder 24/7 except for showering.
I’m passed the point of regret and wondering why I did this to myself. I can see improvements in my results every day!!
Updated on 9 Nov 2020:
I’m feeling better every day.
My scar is a little uneven on my abdomen. I’m worried the right side might be hard to cover in swimsuits.
My BA scars are healing great and won’t even be noticeable.
Updated on 17 Nov 2020:
I’m officially allowed to start cardio and isolated muscle workouts! I’m stoked!!!
I’m also cleared to not wear a bra a night and I can wear other bras besides sports bras! I still have heaviness and numbness from about the nipple down. They are dropping and softening up more every day though.
I bought a different compression garment to wear under clothes that isn’t so bulky. I can also stop wearing that so much too if I wish but my PS said most women continue to wear it a for a few months to help the swelling continue to decrease. My stomach is tight but around my sides, back, and even down through my hips is still pretty swollen. I was worried I should have begged for LIPO but my PS assured me there’s significant swelling still. I just want to see my end result!!
Updated on 25 Nov 2020:
I started my scar treatment last week. I also started cardio and light workouts. I feel more like myself but I still can’t jump or do the usual exercise I’m use to. I still have numbness in my abdomen and lower half of my breast. I don’t wear a bra at night anymore which is nice. I bought pull-up compression garment that looks slimmer under my clothes for daytime wear but I still do the white compression wrap from the doctor most of the time when I’m home and at night.
I’m worried that my flanks and sides are just fat and not swollen. I asked my PS multiple times to do LIPO on them but he said I wouldn’t need it. I sure hope it’s just swelling that will continue to go down.
Updated on 26 Dec 2020:
My breast have dropped and fluffed. I feel I am back to normal in regards to that surgery. I was told to size up one more from what I thought I wanted but with covid and not having my husband there I rushed and got what I thought was going to be big for me. In the end, I kinda wish I had sized up one but I am happy with what I got.
Last week I got the all clear to fully resume exercising and activities. I’m so excited to get back to working out and playing volleyball! I didn’t realize how tight my abdominal muscles are until I tried to do yoga stretches! My doctor said that will take time just to stretch them back out fully but that nothing I do now will ruin the work of sewing them back together.
I have gained about 8 lbs since surgery (I assume some is the implants) but some isn’t. The tighter my waist gets the more unhappy I am that my doctor wouldn’t LIPO my flanks bc I have pretty significant muffin top now which means I STILL don’t feel comfortable and confident in jeans.
My scar can be covered if I wear my underwear a little higher than normal.
Updated on 12 Mar 2021:
I don’t wear a binder usually at this point but I notice when I do there is a significant difference in swelling. Almost an inch difference when I measured my waist.
These pictures are from 3 months post and I’m now 6 months post. I still don’t have a lot of feeling in my abdomen and I’m told it could be up to 2 years before it returns.