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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS

Tummy Tuck on 6/1/12 - Lovin' the flatside, hate my belly button!

ORIGINAL POST

I'm a 34-year old mom of 2 girls, both born...

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daniela326May 16, 2012
WORTH IT$6,590

I'm a 34-year old mom of 2 girls, both born via section. My belly is a travesty to say the least! I'm desperate to have a flat tummy, never had one. I've struggled with my weight most of my life and in the last year or so, I've lost over 60 lbs. Now my tummy is still a mess - hanging bag of fat and skin as I call it.

My TT is schedule for 2 weeks from this Friday - only like 17 days away. I've never been under before and the only surgery I've had were my c sections - those cont right? My doctor does twilight sedation and doesn't think I need to go under general or stay in the hospital after my tummy tuck. How many others have had twilight versus general? I've never had either.

I really want to do this to improve my body and self image. Eventually I'll get laser lipo on my thighs and saddle bags, maybe my bat wings too. I chose to do my tummy tuck 1st b/c it's what bothers me the most.

I am SO incredibly scared, I wont lie. I'm also very, very excited. I'm not scared of the recovery - I recovered from my c sections wonderfully. I'm scared of the anesthesia and of something going wrong during surgery, of having blood clots after or any other complications that might kill me. I know, pretty ridiculous lol. I have 3 friends that have had tummy tucks and all of them with very different stories to tell. I'm fairly certain that it's just like anything else, every single person has a different experience.

Any words of encouragement to get me calm - please share! :)

I'm excited about the doctor I chose, he is really amazing. I have a friend who used him for laser lipo and can't say enough good things about him. Everyone in his office and my surgical coordinator have been so sweet and patient, answering all my questions and talking me off the ledge.

daniela326's provider

Navin K. Singh, MD

Navin K. Singh, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

daniela326

daniela326 rating for Dr. Singh:

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Replies (10)

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jacklin72
May 16, 2012
:) we're in this together!
Mom of 3 boys
June 9, 2012
Oh wow do I ever need this procedure. I have three boys via c sections and a complete hysterectomy and I have and continue to workout forever oh did I mention I have a personal trainer. So this may be a little backwards! But what are the true facts about tummy tucks and liposuction? My main question is, if you do not keep up with diet and exercise the tummy tuck will be waisted money because the fat will come back in the same area? Oppose to liposuction where the fat cells a re being sucked away? This isn't a definite fact of mine just what I read on? I am slowly becoming depressed you know what scratch that I am so depressed over my tummy!
PacificNW
May 16, 2012
I'm 8 days PO. I feel your fear. Even tho I've had 4 procedures under the twilight anesthesia. But I would be more afraid of having the general cuz of the complications, blood clots, pnuemonia,vomiting, even scarier etc. I've never had a c section but weren't you awake for that? I always feel like I'm sleeping thru most of it and it goes by so fast. If you have any more questions I'll be happy to answer anytime.
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daniela326
May 16, 2012
Thank you so much PacicifNW! :) I've never been under general or twilight, it's what scares me the most. I don't want to be sleeping for most of it - I want to be sleeping for all of it!

I didn't go under for my c sections, just had spinal blocks - but fully coherent. I keep telling myself that I lived through those and they really weren't that bad, so I can live through this -- right? Tell me I'm right lol

Have you had a TT? Under twilight?
PacificNW
May 16, 2012
When you're under its the ultimate "I could care less" feeling you can have. I just had my tt,mr,lipo while under the twilight sedation 8 days ago. Plus I had 3 prior procedures with the same sedation. The worst part you are going to go thru is your fear leading up to it. I was still scared and after it was done I thought I'm so glad I didn't have to wait longer because the fear is the worst.
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daniela326
May 16, 2012
that's SO refreshing to know! My fear is terrible... I'm not scared of the recovery at all --- I figure I'll rest and be in pain and pop some pain killers and have my mommy take care of me. I survived 2 c sections and those incisions are pretty damn painful. I healed pretty quickly and was back to bouncing around in well under 2 weeks. I know this is obviously different, but it's got to be similar.

Were you actually coherent while you were "under" twilight? From what my doc says, I'll be sleeping and not aware at all
PacificNW
May 16, 2012
Yeah, I was always coherent, I don't remember much, tho. Its funny, one thing I remember very well is toward the end I had to pee so bad, It was like hurry up. The emotional rollercoaster before is awful. On my profile, the day before I wrote I couldn't eat or breathe, and I'd been thru it before. I can laugh now at how unnessesary it was. But I highly recommend renting a fully electric hospital bed. I paid 195 per month, they set it up and take it down. I also bought a used easy lift recliner that I will resell. I also bought a used walker for 10 bucks and a toilet seat riser. These have all been life savers for me.
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Lushis3117
May 16, 2012
I am 11th of June and I cant wait. What exactly are you getting done? is it a TT? or TT w/lipo? Ia m getting a TT with hernia reapir muscle repair and lipo (inc. flanks)
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daniela326
May 16, 2012
I'm getting just a TT, nothing extra. One bit at a time I think is all I can handle lol. Is your tummy tuck covered b/c you're having hernia repair too?
UPDATED FROM daniela326
15 days pre

Well, I'm 15 days away and have to pay my whole...

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daniela326May 17, 2012
Well, I'm 15 days away and have to pay my whole balance in full tomorrow - GULP! That makes it so real lol! But I'm gonna do it and that's that. My mom already bought her ticket to come and take care of me, so there's really no backing out now.

2 questions for the ladies that have had TTs already:

If you had stretch marks above our belly button - how do they look now? I have a few, but nothing major. I'm curious to know how far up they go to pull it all back down? Does it vary case by case?

Did you need to get any hospital supplies for your recovery? I've seen some people write about getting shower seats and something for their toilets and walkers... is that necessary? I didn't have any of those things for my c sections?

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UPDATED FROM daniela326
15 days pre

OH! And how much time do I need to take off of...

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daniela326May 17, 2012
OH! And how much time do I need to take off of work? My PS said that I really only need a week to recuperate, but I haven't seen ANYONE here say that they were back in total business in a week. I can work from home, so maybe I'll take a full week off and then work from home the second week so I don't have to drive in? Thoughts??

Replies (16)

Geneiveve
May 17, 2012
Hi Im from NZ and Im having a full abdominoplasty and lipo to all my body at the same time as this will compliment the tummy tuck. Im not sure what twilight sedation means as I have never heard of it and if you were having a full abdominoplasty a general anesthetic I beleive sounds more logical. Whatever you doI wish you well and go in thinking and being positive but I would ask about the twilight sedation and remember the tummy tuck would look fab with the other things to follow. Im so looking forward to my OP Im going in thinking positive knowing if God is for you who would be against you right? All the best
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Lushis3117
May 17, 2012
@daniela I hear ya. I am going to be under twillight sedation as well. I am not worried a long as I dont feel anything its all goood! My first born was 10lbs (c-section) I was put under (it was an emergency) and I never want to experience that again because I had memory loss for a few hours after having my first child. Didnt remember what where or y I was in the hospital. SO naturally I have no issues with twillight.
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Lushis3117
May 17, 2012
Also ...Nothing is covered because my doc does not do the surgery in a hospital facility however he has an OR in his establishment thus getting the insurance to pay would be a hassle. BUT he did give me an excellent price for all that he is doing .
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daniela326
May 17, 2012
Awesome! My doc has an OR in his facility too, so no hospital. I've read lots of stuff online about some doctors insisting on a hospital and an overnight stay and general. My doc says that that's a way for them to make more money. I can't find a bad word about my PS anywhere. I checked the Maryland board of health and have searched him high and low and he's got rave reviews! Plus a friend of mine referred me b/c she used him. I've never been sedated at all - only spinal blocks for my c sections - I just don't want anything to go wrong during the surgery I guess, that's why I'm so nervous. I think it's fear of the unknown.
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Lushis3117
May 17, 2012
Oh I understand completely. I just have my religious beliefs that help me to get through and you may not agree but "We all MUST die and when it happens is out of my control and only my higher powers control"....So I guess this keeps me from being so nervous BUT I am still 24 days away so who knows how my attitude will change as we get closer. I remember my first c-section I had alreayd killed myself in my mind because I knew I had to go under but I ended up with a 10lb baby and a lil memory loss for a few hours LOL!
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daniela326
May 17, 2012
Yeah, I'm trying to think of it that way, and leaving it up to a higher power --- but I don't wanna go this young! LOL I know in my heart of hearts that I'll be just fine, but still scared!
scal
June 16, 2012
I have an umbilical hernia from 2 pregnancies (csection on the 2nd) and I was wondering if you know if it's possible to get your insurance to cover a TT if I'm already getting my hernia fixed? I'm in California...does anyone know the guidelines? Thanks!!
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Lushis3117
May 17, 2012
I feel ya all the way. ....its the HUMAN nerves! I bet when you see that flat stomach you will forget all about them nerves. Oh yea My doc gave me a script for ativan (i think it is to calm nerves) to be taken prior to surgery. Did or will your Dr do the same?
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daniela326
May 17, 2012
I haven't had my pre-op yet to have all my scripts filled to be ready for post surgery, I hope so! lol I do know that on my list is valium, so I assume I can take one before surgery too lol I just don't want to have too much stuff in my system and go out like MJ or a Heath Ledger cocktail or anything. Silly I know, but you can definitely get TOO relaxed lol
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CarJen
May 30, 2012
I'm cracking up about MJ and Health Ledger!
ruthyb
June 16, 2012
Oh my gosh....I am 5 days post op, and I keep telling my hubby I don't want to Heath Ledger or Anna Nicole myself so we keep track of the pain meds...lol!
kathy is ready
June 16, 2012
I know what you mean, my husband charted every pill he gave me !!!!!!!!! It worked well that way !!!!!!!
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