POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS
Trying to Decide - Asheville, NC
ORIGINAL POST
Ok, so I will be fifty next month and I always...
fiftyniftyFebruary 10, 2015
$10,000
Ok, so I will be fifty next month and I always said that at fifty I would do something cosmetic wise for myself. I have had a consult for a full adominalplasty and looking at the date of 3/11 or 3/18. My PS also said she would do some lipo on my flanks and thighs! (always hated my thighs) I have 5 children, all grown and 9 grand babies so I stay pretty busy! :) My question and decision is that standing straight up my skin doesn't appear very saggy at all but as soon as i bend, or lay on my side the excess skin hangs terribly. Most people I tell that I'm considering a tummy tuck thinks I'm crazy because the appearance doesn't seem to warrant one. I'm a very active and outgoing person and as far as I know, very healthy. My concern is the healing process and taking enough time to heal and let others take care of me! ( I don't do that very well, I"M the caregiver. So what do you all think? Would it be worth it? Is there anyone else that has a similar case like mine? The youtube videos and some of the post on here have great photos but it seems as their "need" is more apparent than mine, and just wondering if I'm just being overly vain? I've posted pictures of me standing upright and then one of me hunched over a little. Please let me know what you think?
Replies (8)
March 27, 2015
Did you decide? I think anything that makes you feel great you should go for it! I live in Asheville too. Which doctor are you considering?
March 28, 2015
I used Dr Brenda Draper, and I loved her. My surgery was this past Wednesday, the 25th. Still very sore, but manageable with the pain meds. I've been amazed how well I do feel after such an extensive surgery. Still walking very hunched, but my PS said that she wanted me to at least until I come back on Tuesday. I have one drain and I hope to get it out on Tuesday as well. As soon as I take the binder off I will post a pic. I did sneak a peep before she put the binder on in recovery and from what i could see, I was very pleased. Thank you for asking.
March 28, 2015
did you get your tummy tuck? I had mine done on March 24 and wondering how you are making out?
March 28, 2015
I did, March 25th. All seems to be going well so far. Back very sore from the hunched walk. Pain is manageable, learning to move using arms and leg muscles helps a lot. Starting to feel kinda like I'm out there by myself. I think peoples attitudes are a little different when its an elective surgery you choose to do to yourself. :( Maybe it's just the emotional roller coaster everyone said to expect. I'm truly amazed how well I do feel though in between rest. Thank you for asking, I will be glad to answer any other questions you may have. :)
UPDATED FROM fiftynifty
Made it tot he flat side! 4 days post
fiftyniftyApril 1, 2015
My surgery was 3/25/15. Everything has gone exceptionally well. Got my drain out today and go back to see my PS on Monday the 6th. Have to say the worse part has been the back pain. I'm still not able to stand up straight, so you learn to maneuver in some very unusual ways. The first pic was 2 days post with drain and the other is today after the drain was taking out. Seems more swollen today, but it was a long day out and about to the doctor and some errands. Hope everyone else is healing well. Any suggestions on this back pain? It's only when I'm up and moving around but it's pretty intense.
Replies (4)
April 8, 2015
The back pain will go away. It's from stooping and laying all day I'll bet. I had it too. The back pain was worse than the front for a few days. I'm 20 days postop and I think the back pain subsided around day 14
April 8, 2015
I'm 14 days post today, and you are correct, my back is feeling much better! I'm just about standing upright and if I push it, I can completely stand upright but I certainly feel the pull (not in the incision area) the abdominal muscle pull! I think I actually feel too good because I tend to want to do too much and then I definitely feel spent! How are you feeling?
April 16, 2015
Wow your incision looks great!
April 17, 2015
Thanks, it's definitely been a roller coaster of emotions. I just posted a three week update and that makes me feel better knowing that time is healing!! :)
UPDATED FROM fiftynifty
Three weeks two days post
fiftyniftyApril 17, 2015
Can't believe that it's already been three weeks. Even though my family says it's seems like much longer!! LOL Just a few pics of three weeks in! I've ordered my scar treatment and it's suppose to be here today so excited to see the difference that makes. The picture I took of my scar looked much worse on the camera than it does in person so going to wait and get a better pic and post later. I had to have a small vertical incision in the middle of my horizontal incision, still not crazy about that, but my PS says it will lower and fade as well. Hope all the other three week in girls are healing well. I still can't say that I'm 100%. My body definitely tells me when I've done too much and when I need to rest. :/ I keep telling myself that it's only been three weeks, that things can only get better from here on out!! :) Love to all!!
Replies (10)
April 17, 2015
Wow you have the body of a 20 year old! Did you get that bathing suit from Venus Swimwear?
I use coconut oil to massage my scar and silicone strips but they annoy me because the come off whenever I shower. What scar treatment did you order?
April 17, 2015
Yes, I got the suit from Venus. I actually ordered like four and love them all. I have several suits from VS and even ordered one before the ones from venus, but the ones from VS are a little skimpy for my scar. I was very impressed with the quality of the ones from Venus also. I'm using a mixture of coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, vit e and a few other essential oils that my daughter (esthetician) mixed together for me and it has really soothed my scar. My dr recommended me to use the new gel E, so that is what I ordered. It was a little pricey but the before and after pics were impressive. You would have to reapply the gel after you showered, but after it dries you can use moisturizers or sunscreens on top of it. This is also the first time that I've went without any kind of tefla pads or anything in between my scar and panties so waiting to see if thats an irritant to my scar. When did you start doing any light cardio or light weights with your arms. This is killing me doing nothing! Thankfully I've not had much of an appetite so I'm not gaining any weight! :) You too look amazing!! You can tell you take very good care of your body! :)
April 18, 2015
You look fabulous. Our surgery was the same day. I feel the same as you. Some days I am doing great, can't believe how good I feel, then at the end of the work day, I am exhausted. Some days I wake up a
more puffy then others, and other days completely flat. I got those stitches out yesterday and now there are a couple more popping out. Are you getting the same? Love your bikini, I am gonna get me one too!
April 19, 2015
Yeah, every now and then I see a little stitch poke out, but I just leave it alone and keep doing my scar therapy. I think the biggest part of being exhausted is not getting to exercise that helps with giving you energy. It's seems to be going by pretty fast now, just can't wait to be able to lift a little bit, which is a big part of my job, so still having to depend on a lot of help with that. I've been wearing a bikini for the past few years but now I'm excited about getting to sit in the beach chair or bend over and not be self conscious about my pouch hanging down! :) Love the new profile name change. You look awesome!!!
April 19, 2015
Hi, fiftynifty...damn girl, you look GREAT! wow, wow, wow, anyway wanted to know your stats...how tall and what were your measurements before as compared to now? I just turned 50 and am going to do a mini tummy tuck on may 7th... along with some lipo....
April 19, 2015
Hey! Glad to answer any questions you may have. I'm 5'7 and weighed 127 prior to surgery, I now weigh 121. Not sure why particularly the weight lose except for possibly the lipo plus my appetite for the first few weeks wasn't great! My waist was 27, now its 24 and my hips was 37 now 35. I had lipo on my outer thighs and flanks. I never measured my thighs but I can tell a big difference in the shape of them. Very happy with everything. My PS went back and forth on doing a full or mini, but I had some loose skin above my belly button that I didnt like so we went with the full. I do think now, I would of just gone with the mini, because theres really not that big of difference in the area above my belly button, plus having to have the new belly button made. Are you having muscle repair also? The first few days were the worst but not near as bad as I had anticipated. At this point, 25 days post, the most annoying thing is just the continuing discomfort of the whole area! Every move you make, you are reminded that you had surgery. But all that is getting better day by day. Please let me know if you want any other information. Good Luck, you will be happy you did it!! (even though there are a few days in the beginning that you wonder! LOL)
April 19, 2015
My gosh, your measurements most high school girls don't even have....You were tiny to begin with and than you are tall also...got both things going your way...I am a 28 waist and I would love to come down to a 26 but I am going to do a mini with lipo and I don't know if you loose in your waist with a mini...I am short 5'3" and my measurements are 38-28-39...Hopefully when I get done I will look like a miniature Sophie Vegara.....wishful thinking...lol...by the way thanks for the wonderful feedback....by the way just realized you were gonna be 50....absolutely CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!
Welcome to the community. Yes, this surgery is completely worth it and I would do it all over again if necessary. It will make you feel like a new woman and you will love it. Try not to listen to others and keep your chin up. Can't wait to see your results.
That is on my 51st Birthday! Very exciting days ahead for you.