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POSTED UNDER Mini Tummy Tuck REVIEWS

31, 3 Kiddos and Finally Taking the Plunge. Albuquerque, NM

Name: 31, 3 Kiddos and Finally Taking the Plunge. Albuquerque, NM
Item: Neil T. Chen, MD
Author: rin2721

ORIGINAL POST

So I'm kind of nervous.... I Met with Dr. Chen...

rin2721February 14, 2016

$5,300

So I'm kind of nervous.... I Met with Dr. Chen last week and he seems amazing. Was very clear on all I needed to know and answered every question I had. I was having a hard time deciding on either the mini or the full tummy tuck. I went with the mini as my lower abdomen is what I am unhappy with. My question now is..... Was that the right decision? Any feedback on the two is welcomed.

rin2721's provider

Neil T. Chen, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Replies (13)

dentat04

February 14, 2016

I also had this same question. So, I went to two different doctors for consultations. Both answers were the same. It depends on how far your abdominal muscles are separated. You can get rid of the saggy skin (which I also have from 2 c-sections) with a mini, but the top of your abdomen will always pooch out and you'll never really have the flat tummy if that is what you desire. I am opting for the full. If I'm going under they might as well take all the loose skin and pull my muscles back to pre-baby. Good Luck!!

Littledetails

February 22, 2016

You are lucky if you can go with just the mini. I have such large abdominal bloating (loss of muscle) that my doc said I had to have the regular because he has to peel back the skin almost all the way up to under my boobs in order to sew me up like a corset =/ .. Doesn't look like you have so much bloating to your belly - do you ever get a 'pregnant' looking puffy belly?

jesica0304

February 23, 2016

Question, did the Dr tell you why you get bloated or do you know why you get bloated. I have been bloated since I had my son almost 3 years ago. I am also getting a full tummy tuck, do you know if that will help?

Littledetails

February 23, 2016

Hi Jesica0304,
I think a lot of my bloating is from IBS and food sensativities. I have found over time that I CANNOT drink milk products without huge bloating, gas and discomfort. But then even restaurant food and processed foods result in bloating. Basically I have to eat clean, natural food without additives at home in the right combinations in order to avoid huge stomach (in addition to my regular lax muscle hanging from pregnancy). So I am really worried that because of my food issues that the bloating will blow out my results. I guess paying that much money should be motivation to eat healthier to avoid the bloat lol. I'm sure the stomach will look totally better from the muscle repair and loss of all that extra skin. I just want to avoid stretching it out again! DO you have the same issues?

jesica0304

February 23, 2016

Hi Littledetails! YES! Everything you just mentioned I have noticed as well. I just find it weird that right after I had my son the bloating came as well as the gas. So I thought it had to do with my delivery since I had a complicated Csection. Just as you did, I had to cut a lot of foods :(. But not only processed, I also get it with soy milk, bananas, berries, even home cooked beans after soaking them to realease the acid and lentils. I'm hoping this TT helps because it is out of control. I have been drinking this tea and it seems like it is helping but it is expensive and I would hate to do it for the rest of my life. Not that I'm glad you get the discomfort, but I'm glad I saw your post. I was thinking I was going crazy. I'm hoping with the tightening of the muscles it will help, I also have a small hernia that will be repaired so let's hope this will be the end of our bloating and you are right it will keep us on track to keep eating healthy as well. Keep us updated on your TT.

Littledetails

February 25, 2016

Hi Jesica0304 I am just doing some more research on the whole bloating and gas thing. Apparently the combo of foods makes a difference too. I guess some foods do not digest well together, like proteins and starches. Who knew?! I've just been shoving 'healthy' food in thinking I was doing well and wondering why the hell I am so bloated and gassy. If you just google food combining and click on images there are a whole bunch of charts on the topic. I am so desperate I am willing to try almost anything. I don't want to pay a boatload of $ for this surgery and then blow it. Literally

jenifr26

February 22, 2016

I just got a mini 14 days ago. I look similar to you..lower abdomen very stretched out from my 4 large babies. I was not expecting perfection..just removal of the overhang of skin and fat in my lower abdomen. I am happy I got a mini..recovery is not a cake walk but with a full tt it is considerably harder from what I understand.

mariana022513

February 23, 2016

I just had a mini tummy tuck done 5 weeks ago and I had less lose skin than you and I regret not getting a full tummy tuck because my stretch marks are more noticeable than they were so I recommend you a full tummy tuck.If your going to spend $$ and be in pain do the full

rin2721

February 23, 2016

Hi little details, I don't get bloating ever maybe like very mild during menstruation but very minimal.

Littledetails

February 25, 2016

Hi Rin2721, it is great that you don't get bloated. I would be so happy! All the best with your procedure :)

UPDATED FROM rin2721

1 day post

The big day & day after

rin2721March 6, 2016

So yesterday was the big day. I was kind of nervous but also just very excited because this is something I have been working towards. Dr. Chen did an amazing job. In and out in an hour. He was able to remove far more than he thought he would be able to. He also tightened my ab muscle which he said he didn't have to very much because my abs were already tight and solid. He also made my scar a little longer than normal because I told him I absolutely did not want dog ears.

So far the pain has been minimal. As long as I can keep up with my pain pills then I feel like I am ok. It is hard to get up out of bed or from my recliner. I feel like I use my ab muscles a lot more than I knew lol.

No I just have to find a new garment for post op which I'm hoping it would make it easier to move around in at work. Any recommendations?

Replies (2)

Fitbutflappy

March 7, 2016

I used marena stage 2 garment. It has hooks at the crotch so you do not have to take it on and off to go to the bathroom. I ordered it from Amazon.

rin2721

March 7, 2016

Thank you!! I will look at them now. @fitbitflappy

UPDATED FROM rin2721

3 days post

Day 2 Post op

rin2721March 7, 2016

So far day 2 was the worst. I couldn't really get comfortable and my pain pills were making me more loopy than they were helping me with pain. I can usually handle my pain pretty well. But right now it's more of a dull ache. The worst part for me is getting up and moving from either sitting or my bed. Once I am up and about my body just kind of adapts. I'm on day 3 post op I already feel better today then the last couple of days. I can't wait to get my bandages off. Also I'm a HUGE fan of showers so for me not being able to shower for a couple of days is one downside.

Replies (4)

melanya1

March 7, 2016

No drain?

rin2721

March 7, 2016

No drains.... I had a mini and with mini's you most likely will not get drains. It's very rare to get them with the mini from my understanding.

Littledetails

March 10, 2016

Looking wow already!!!

rin2721

March 16, 2016

Thank you!!! I feel amazing already lol

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