POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS
In need of new tummy
ORIGINAL POST
Jabba the Gut
nubbinsOctober 13, 2018
WORTH IT$7,000
I am 34, weigh 135 lbs, 5'5". Measurements for comparison: bust 34", natural waist 28", measurement around belly, just below level of navel 34-38" (depends on how much bloating I have), hips/bottom 36". I have two kiddos, age 10 and 14. Both were natural births. I had a breast reduction in Aug. 2014 (see prior realself review for those details), taking me from a G cup to B/C cup. Having that procedure made a world of difference for my self esteem and being able to exercise.
Now to explain where I am at with my Jabba the gut. With my first kiddo, I gained about 70 pounds with my weight topping out at close to 200 pounds. By belly was a disaster after that pregnancy. I lost that weight and got pregnant a second time. This time I was a bit kinder to my body and gained ~45 pounds, so closer to 170 at the end of that pregnancy. I managed not to get additional stretch marks so that was good.
On my 30th birthday, I looked in the mirror and saw that my body and weight was not where I wanted to be. I needed a lifestyle change and got in control of my diet and began running. I went from about 160 to 130 lbs. I have had a few fluctuations in weight over the past 4 years and tend to be between 135-145 lbs. About two years ago, I started lifting weights and trying to build some muscle. I eat pretty clean most of the time, have cut alcohol out of my diet entirely and work out fairly often.
However, even with the level of working out I do and the cleanliness of my diet, the abdominal area looks ridiculous. So after many years of debating, I have decided to finally go through with a full tummy tuck.
I had my consultation about 2 weeks ago and am going with the surgeon who did my breast reduction. I have a few areas in the reduction I would love to get fixed, but overall, they look really good, especially given what my surgeon had to work with. Anyhow, during the consultation, I was brought back by one of my surgeon's staff. She took basic information from me and told me I might be a good candidate for a mini tummy tuck. At this point, I was still fully clothed and in clothes, I can hide my belly pretty well. I lifted my shirt and showed her Jabba the gut. Her eyes got really wide and she said "oh, ya, you probably need a full tummy tuck. You hide it very well".
Her reaction is definitely one that helped me be more at ease with the decision to get this done. I visited with my surgeon, Dr. Chen, and he was thrilled for me to be getting this done. He said I will notice such a huge difference from the muscle repair that will be done, as well as the aesthetic of having most the stretch marks removed. I honestly didn't really think about the effect the muscle repair will have, but am excited to see how much difference it makes.
I showed him the results of the breast reduction and let him know that down the road, I might want a very small implant or something done to get the fullness back in the breasts since they are somewhat deflated. He agreed that they did look a bit deflated and explained some of the difficulty in the breast reduction process. My breasts were very large and dense and had been stretched significantly due to breast feeding both kiddos for about 2 years each. I will cross that bridge down the road. I may just leave them as they are too. They are cute and small.
Anyway, back to the belly. In an effort to ensure I don't ruin the results of the tummy tuck, I had a bilateral salpingectomy (fallopian tube removal) done two days ago. It was done as a laparoscopic procedure. I wanted to get the salpingectomy and tummy tuck done at the same time, but coordinating between the hospital and insurance for one part of the procedure, and the out of pocket for the tummy tuck, would have been a nightmare. Dr. Chen suggest I do the salpingectomy first and then the tummy tuck. I have not had any sort of abdominal surgery so I thought the laparoscopic procedure will give me an idea of what the tummy tuck will be like. I know the tummy tuck is a much more extensive surgery, so I know the recovery will be a lot tougher, but this procedure is giving me an idea of some of the uncomfort I will likely experience with the TT. I am scheduled for my TT on Dec. 19, 2018 and paid a down payment to secure my surgical spot. I will have just over 2 weeks off from work to heal, so hoping drains are out and I am walking somewhat normally by then. We shall see. I will post some pics soon.
Now to explain where I am at with my Jabba the gut. With my first kiddo, I gained about 70 pounds with my weight topping out at close to 200 pounds. By belly was a disaster after that pregnancy. I lost that weight and got pregnant a second time. This time I was a bit kinder to my body and gained ~45 pounds, so closer to 170 at the end of that pregnancy. I managed not to get additional stretch marks so that was good.
On my 30th birthday, I looked in the mirror and saw that my body and weight was not where I wanted to be. I needed a lifestyle change and got in control of my diet and began running. I went from about 160 to 130 lbs. I have had a few fluctuations in weight over the past 4 years and tend to be between 135-145 lbs. About two years ago, I started lifting weights and trying to build some muscle. I eat pretty clean most of the time, have cut alcohol out of my diet entirely and work out fairly often.
However, even with the level of working out I do and the cleanliness of my diet, the abdominal area looks ridiculous. So after many years of debating, I have decided to finally go through with a full tummy tuck.
I had my consultation about 2 weeks ago and am going with the surgeon who did my breast reduction. I have a few areas in the reduction I would love to get fixed, but overall, they look really good, especially given what my surgeon had to work with. Anyhow, during the consultation, I was brought back by one of my surgeon's staff. She took basic information from me and told me I might be a good candidate for a mini tummy tuck. At this point, I was still fully clothed and in clothes, I can hide my belly pretty well. I lifted my shirt and showed her Jabba the gut. Her eyes got really wide and she said "oh, ya, you probably need a full tummy tuck. You hide it very well".
Her reaction is definitely one that helped me be more at ease with the decision to get this done. I visited with my surgeon, Dr. Chen, and he was thrilled for me to be getting this done. He said I will notice such a huge difference from the muscle repair that will be done, as well as the aesthetic of having most the stretch marks removed. I honestly didn't really think about the effect the muscle repair will have, but am excited to see how much difference it makes.
I showed him the results of the breast reduction and let him know that down the road, I might want a very small implant or something done to get the fullness back in the breasts since they are somewhat deflated. He agreed that they did look a bit deflated and explained some of the difficulty in the breast reduction process. My breasts were very large and dense and had been stretched significantly due to breast feeding both kiddos for about 2 years each. I will cross that bridge down the road. I may just leave them as they are too. They are cute and small.
Anyway, back to the belly. In an effort to ensure I don't ruin the results of the tummy tuck, I had a bilateral salpingectomy (fallopian tube removal) done two days ago. It was done as a laparoscopic procedure. I wanted to get the salpingectomy and tummy tuck done at the same time, but coordinating between the hospital and insurance for one part of the procedure, and the out of pocket for the tummy tuck, would have been a nightmare. Dr. Chen suggest I do the salpingectomy first and then the tummy tuck. I have not had any sort of abdominal surgery so I thought the laparoscopic procedure will give me an idea of what the tummy tuck will be like. I know the tummy tuck is a much more extensive surgery, so I know the recovery will be a lot tougher, but this procedure is giving me an idea of some of the uncomfort I will likely experience with the TT. I am scheduled for my TT on Dec. 19, 2018 and paid a down payment to secure my surgical spot. I will have just over 2 weeks off from work to heal, so hoping drains are out and I am walking somewhat normally by then. We shall see. I will post some pics soon.
nubbins's provider
UPDATED FROM nubbins
1 month pre
Before Pics...
nubbinsNovember 10, 2018
Sigh...the dreaded before pics.
All of them make me sad. Tons of stretch marks and no real ab definition to speak of. Laparoscopic procedure done 4 weeks ago left very minimal scars, so that is good.
In clothes is not as bad, except having to tuck belly into pants.
Very excited to be getting close to the procedure, but starting to get really nervous about healing time and swelling.
All of them make me sad. Tons of stretch marks and no real ab definition to speak of. Laparoscopic procedure done 4 weeks ago left very minimal scars, so that is good.
In clothes is not as bad, except having to tuck belly into pants.
Very excited to be getting close to the procedure, but starting to get really nervous about healing time and swelling.
Replies (0)
UPDATED FROM nubbins
1 month pre
More specifics about the procedure and wish pics!
nubbinsNovember 16, 2018
Hard to believe the procedure is about a month from now! I am trying to be good and eat somewhat clean and get in some weight lifting and cardio. Definitely a challenge.
1. I was able to confirm some information about my upcoming procedure. I will not be getting any lipo (extra cost). I am actually ok with that. Bit of a tangent...I had lipo with my breast reduction and the recovery felt worse than the reduction itself. Also, I swear I now have more fat directly under my armpits. I had lipo of the bra bulges on my sides, but wish I wouldn't have. I would rather have a bit of fat there than it migrating to the armpit area.... Anyway, I think having no lipo is better for me because I will get to see exactly what I am working with once I heal.
2. I also learned I will see a moderate amount of lift in the mons area. That is really exciting because that will give that area a more youthful appearance. Bonus.
3. May end up having a vertical scar from old belly button. Really depends on how low the scar will be placed. I definitely do not want a scar that I cannot cover easily. Pretty sure that is every person's wish who is planning on a tummy tuck.
I have included some wish pics. These are pics from other lovely ladies reviews, so if yours is here, please let me know if there are any issues with them being posted in my review. I think the results of these procedures are unbelievable and am thankful to have found some results to aspire towards.
1. I was able to confirm some information about my upcoming procedure. I will not be getting any lipo (extra cost). I am actually ok with that. Bit of a tangent...I had lipo with my breast reduction and the recovery felt worse than the reduction itself. Also, I swear I now have more fat directly under my armpits. I had lipo of the bra bulges on my sides, but wish I wouldn't have. I would rather have a bit of fat there than it migrating to the armpit area.... Anyway, I think having no lipo is better for me because I will get to see exactly what I am working with once I heal.
2. I also learned I will see a moderate amount of lift in the mons area. That is really exciting because that will give that area a more youthful appearance. Bonus.
3. May end up having a vertical scar from old belly button. Really depends on how low the scar will be placed. I definitely do not want a scar that I cannot cover easily. Pretty sure that is every person's wish who is planning on a tummy tuck.
I have included some wish pics. These are pics from other lovely ladies reviews, so if yours is here, please let me know if there are any issues with them being posted in my review. I think the results of these procedures are unbelievable and am thankful to have found some results to aspire towards.
Replies (3)
November 21, 2018
Congratulations on your upcoming surgery!!! So exciting!! I had a mm in July 2017. Best thing I’ve ever done for myself!! Just curious, does your dr not do lipo on flanks atleast included with a full TT. I thought that was pretty standard procedure. I don’t mean any extra just the little bit on flanks to contour a bit. I only had lipo on my flanks during my mm(BL/BA, full TT). I think either way you’ll have great results!! You have nice curves already. I was 134 before surgery and I am almost 5’2”. You will look stunning. And just to help with swelling stay away from salt and too many carbs. ready4nextlevelme has some great recipes on her profile(I noticed you had some pics of her as your wish pics) I did too,lol. Believe me “she” is one of my goals for sure. Feel free to look at my journey. It is a real transformation but be careful, there are some rough pics as I had some issues along there way:/ good luck hun, can’t wait to see how it goes for you!!!
November 22, 2018
Thank you so much!!! I am super nervous about getting this done. For the lipo, it is an extra fee for that part of the procedure. I agree that it would give some better contour, but as a bonus, since I am not getting lipo, I think the recovery will honestly be a lot easier without that pain. I had that with my breast reduction and I thought it hurt worse than the rest of the procedure.
It is really hard to think of what it will look like after. I am trying to mentally prepare myself for the months of swelling. I just have to be sure I maintain healthy eating and try to do some light working out when I am allowed. I for sure will be checking out your journey! I am always excited to see how others transformation went. I will definitely keep posting as this journey progresses :-)
It is really hard to think of what it will look like after. I am trying to mentally prepare myself for the months of swelling. I just have to be sure I maintain healthy eating and try to do some light working out when I am allowed. I for sure will be checking out your journey! I am always excited to see how others transformation went. I will definitely keep posting as this journey progresses :-)
Replies (2)