POSTED UNDER Mini Tummy Tuck Reviews
Mini with Lipo and Muscle Repair - Texas
UPDATED FROM kimbochisan
It's been quite a while since I provided an update...
kimbochisanApril 28, 2013
WORTH IT$5,500
It's been quite a while since I provided an update. I was avoiding it because I got into a bad eating habit and coupled with swelling, was less than satisfied with how my midsection looked. I'm happy to report that I've stopped eating like crap, am working out 4 to 5 days a week again and am happy with how things are looking at the equator.
I am 4 months out of surgery as of yesterday. I still have a slight amount of swelling that you can see in my updated photos I took this morning. I saw my PS two weeks ago, and she confirmed there is still some swelling.
As I mentioned, I work out 4 to 5 and sometimes 6 days a week. I can tell you that my abs are still sore from surgery. My skin and tissue feels very sore the morning after I work out. It's not my abs that hurt...no no...it's the skin and tissue around them that become inflamed. This is usually only when I first wake up, and doesn't hurt that bad.
I'm still very happy with my decision. The scar has gotten thicker and a bit darker, but it's not that noticeable. I am embarrassed by it. I had my well womens exam, as well as an ultrasound (cysts) last month. I was asked by the doctors both times what the scar was from. I don't know why, but I'm ashamed to say I had a tummy tuck. The frustrating part is that both doctors said "well, it doesn't look like you needed one". Well, duh! Of course it doesn't! It's done now, so you can't see why I would have done it to begin with. I have a feeling I will have this reaction for years to come since I am a petitie and thin woman. The stigma is that only large women have tummy tucks. Not true!!!
Please feel free to ask questions. I'm happy to help. If you think a different angle of photo will help too, please don't hesitate to ask for one.
I am 4 months out of surgery as of yesterday. I still have a slight amount of swelling that you can see in my updated photos I took this morning. I saw my PS two weeks ago, and she confirmed there is still some swelling.
As I mentioned, I work out 4 to 5 and sometimes 6 days a week. I can tell you that my abs are still sore from surgery. My skin and tissue feels very sore the morning after I work out. It's not my abs that hurt...no no...it's the skin and tissue around them that become inflamed. This is usually only when I first wake up, and doesn't hurt that bad.
I'm still very happy with my decision. The scar has gotten thicker and a bit darker, but it's not that noticeable. I am embarrassed by it. I had my well womens exam, as well as an ultrasound (cysts) last month. I was asked by the doctors both times what the scar was from. I don't know why, but I'm ashamed to say I had a tummy tuck. The frustrating part is that both doctors said "well, it doesn't look like you needed one". Well, duh! Of course it doesn't! It's done now, so you can't see why I would have done it to begin with. I have a feeling I will have this reaction for years to come since I am a petitie and thin woman. The stigma is that only large women have tummy tucks. Not true!!!
Please feel free to ask questions. I'm happy to help. If you think a different angle of photo will help too, please don't hesitate to ask for one.
kimbochisan's provider
Replies (2)
April 24, 2017
Thanks so much for your story! I am having my mini tuck next week and the nerves are really kicking in. Everyone who knows about it keeps telling me I'm crazy (I look good standing up...but sitting or bending over in a bikini is a whole different story!) I am very concerned that the swelling will bother me as much as my extra skin does. How long did you feel the swelling was a major concern for you?
UPDATED FROM kimbochisan
Something else I forgot to add...finding pants...
kimbochisanApril 28, 2013
Something else I forgot to add...finding pants that fit sucks for me. From my pictures you can see that I have a somewhat curvy bottom half for being petite and thin. I have a size 2 waist and size 6 thighs. If you are a curvy woman, I highly recommend finding a reliable seamstress. You'll need one.
Replies (5)
April 30, 2013
Excellent review!! Thank you so much for sharing it all. These are things we need to know. You look fabulous!!
May 8, 2013
Thanks for the detailed review. I am scheduled for a full TT with Dr. Rich in a couple a weeks. Your results are awesome and it sounds like you had a good experience with her. This really eases my mind as I am getting pretty nervous about the procedure. Please pass on any other information you think I should know.
May 8, 2013
You looked good going into surgery, but you look amazing now, and that scar. I cannot believe how low it is, and how clean the cut was. I have seen some post op scars on here which look like death (I've become addicted to Real Self), and I must say you have the best looking scar...and it will only get better. Its also nice to hear how you are getting back into exercsising. I have jotted down a few of your excercises for future reference. Keep up the great work
UPDATED FROM kimbochisan
45 days post op: I still have slight swelling on...
kimbochisanFebruary 9, 2013
45 days post op: I still have slight swelling on a daily basis. Overall I'm thrilled with my results and don't regret the surgery. I still wear my compression garment day and night. I just feel more secure in it, and I notice I'm less sore if I continually wear it. It's going to feel weird not wearing it. I'm very numb below and around my belly button. That's a odd sensation. My belly button has started to elongate more, which I'm happy about. I think as the swelling continues to decrease it will look better and better.
Replies (5)
February 9, 2013
I'm getting a BA and mini TT on Feb 18 and troll this site quite often to make me feel better about my choice. You look great!
February 9, 2013
OH, and I wanted to ask...all in all are you very satisfied with the outcome ? I too have rolls when I sit and they really make me crazy. My mom and husband think I'm crazy for doing this (thus making me feel selfish) and I just keep saying I'm doing it for me. BUT, I hope that it pays off like yours!
February 9, 2013
I am satisfied but I still have some rolls when I sit down. It's important to remember that having a mini doesn't address the skin above your belly button. If you have any loose skin there it will still be loose after surgery. It's not highly noticeable, and when I stand, I look great. If I had a full TT, this could have been easily addressed but I wouldn't have had nearly as natural a look or as quick of a recovery. I'm glad I chose a mini and not a full.
Congrats on your choices. I was interested in a BA too but wasn't a candidate due to family history of breast cancer. Could have done it but was advised by my PS that if it were her, she wouldn't. I will say my breast look amazing now, and I attribute that to the narrowing of my waist. I'm a 34D but have lost some volume since gaining and loosing so much weight.
I'm sorry you aren't getting full support in your decision. I only shared my decision to do this with my husband and sister, because I knew I wouldn't get full support beyond that. My husband was the one who pushed me to do it because he knew how unhappy I was. You have to be happy in your own skin, and if you're able to do something about it, you should.
February 10, 2013
Kim thank you for sharing your experience. Your results are amazing ! I had lipo of up and low abs four months ago, and I was left with loose skin. My PS said no need for TT or mini from the beginning but I am the one with the loose skin.mtoday I look exactly as your pre op picture. When I sit down I have the ugly roll of loose skin :(
I am going to give myself until September to see is it disappears, and if it doesn't I'm considering mini TT.
Thanks for addressing that only lower abs get help with mtt, I also have some loose skin on upper abs. I'm working out cardio and weights. I will follow you to see how you are doing. Thank you again.
February 10, 2013
I am 13 days post mini abdominoplasty and outer thigh liposuction. I was really sore for the first week in my tummy, especially when trying to turn over in bed. I saw my scar for the first time on day 11 and was quite shocked how thickened it was so there's lots of work to do on it. How long did it take for your scar to settle down? I am back to work this week and ready for it. I have not yet been back to the gym but I have been out,walking for the last 6 days and doing Pilates based exercises. Really happy with the,results so far, I find my pressure garment really comfy and due to the Lipo I have to wear it for 12 weeks. Your photos look great, hope I get similar results!!!
February 12, 2013
My scar was swollen for a good two or three weeks. It finally flattened out around week four, and now at nearly seven weeks, it is completely flat. I would go back and forth on if I did the right thing, if I was going to look deformed and bad but it DOES improve. It's hard to believe at first but it does.
February 12, 2013
Thanks for great responses This board has been so helpful in helping me prepare. In seven days, hopefully I am home and getting ready to report my progress to this board. I am so nervous! I wanted to ask, did your ps do lipo on bottom and upper abs or only bottom? I was told she would suction some , but not a lot because she didntz want me to look unnatural, but I didn't have her follow up on that as I was still stuck on saline vs. silicone! Btw, you do NOT need boobs....it would b a waste as u a,ready have them! Save ur $$$
February 12, 2013
Thanks! She did light lipo of my upper abs. I didn't have much fat, just some right under my breasts. She made an incision in my belly button to reach my upper abs, which was nice. I didn't have extra incisions from my lipo, so unlike others, I wasn't leaking everywhere. I was already relatively thin too so that may be why my lipo was minimal. I'm excited for you. Your emotions will go up and down but it will be worth it in the end.
I am 4 weeks post op. I have a couple questions. I as well work out a lot. Or did before my tummy tuck.
Long story short I had a 6 pack before a doctor botched my abdomen for a fat transfer to my breast that ended up a disaster.
I have 4 kids all breast fed. I had no stretch marks or scars and worked hard for my fit body. however now I have had to have a tummy tuck.
People tell me the same thing. I didn't need it. Until I show them a pic and then they are like oh wow yeah..
Anyways I hear you.
My questions are..
Did you have muscle repair? A mini tummy tuck or a full?
(I had a full with muscle repair)
When did you start walking long distance, without hurting?
(Ive had a lot of pain issues) but I so badly want to go for a long walk, I'm scared I won't be able to get back lol..
When did your doc clear you to work out? At what times frame for what stages of working out?
What did you use as a binder while working out?
and last what scar sheets did you use?
Thank you so much for your review!