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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck Reviews

Umbilical Float TT with Full Muscle Plication

UPDATED FROM JDen
1 month post

7 weeks

WORTH IT$8,000
Well, nothing really new to report. I'm running most days, playing tennis on the weekends, and did some strength when it rained the other day. It was a Jillian Michaels video, and it kicked my butt! I steered clear of the crunches. I tried a few push ups, but it didn't feel right. I ran 3 miles yesterday. My lower tummy has been tender and puffy since, so I'm not exercising today. I'm watching calories to try to get rid of the excess fat I have hanging around the lower tummy and back. I think I'm slimming down, though I still feel swollen most days. I try to wear silicone sheets all the time, except when I'm working out or showering. Overall, things are good!

JDen's provider

George Kouris, MD

George Kouris, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Replies (5)

Your abs are really popping! I spy a four-pack!
hello I am having a mini tummy tuck with muscle repair July 16. I am really nervous about my belly button and the scar placement. Do you have any tips? How are you liking ur results? I am like you pre-op, not much loose skin, just need my muscles repaired.
I just saw this! I would say do a full if you are able. I'm really happy with my results but have second guessed the mini tuck so many times. The only thing that makes me comfortable with my decision is that my doctor really didn't think he could/would do a full on me. That said, make sure your doc marks you in a pair of your panties or a bikini bottom worn however you like. If it's not low enough, speak up. You will live with the scar for the rest of your life. I was really worried about the bb, but as long as I don't compare to preop pictures, I think it looks good. I'm not as thin as I would like or as many of the full TT ladies, but I seriously love my results and will get there in time! Don't compare to others. Don't expect perfection. Give yourself plenty of healing time. I took it so easy, and I still felt like I backtracked from jumping into running asap. Ease back. Relax. You will get back to it in time. It just doesn't make sense to jeopardize your results over impatience. Good luck! I bet you will love your results!
Ok thank you! I know for sure I am not a candidate for the full TT, I barely have any loose skin. Muscle separation is my main problem, thats why my doc suggested the mini but with full muscle repair. He did show me briefy where the scar would be and said it will be low, but I will def make sure I say something again on my surgery day before he marks me up. Thank you so much for your insight!! It is really helpful to hear from someone who has gone through this first hand:)
Happy 4 month, my dear! I hope you are well and close to 100%!
Thanks, buddy! I really am. How about you?
Hello, when were you able to pick up your kids? I have a 8 month old and am 3 weeks post op. The doc said at about 4 weeks, but I feel nervous at the thought.
I started carefully lifting at 5 weeks po but not lifting or doing stairs with a kid. 6 weeks is when I started doing more carrying.
Ok thank you! I have thought of a few ways to lift her carefully and am definitely going to put my leg muscles to work lol.
Hello, how are you doing? Has all your swelling gone down yet? I am 8 weeks post-op and still have some swelling in different areas. When did the soreness go away for you?
I'm doing really well. I'm really happy with my results. I can still get swollen if i have alcohol or too much salt, but it's gone mostly (I'm 5 months po). As for soreness, I can still feel a little tender down my midline if I use my core much, but on a day-to-day basis, I don't feel it. I'm cleared to start lifting weights and doing core next month (my doc is being extra conservative with my hernia repair), so hopefully that can strengthen things up. I've been running 4-6 miles a day, and that's great-no soreness or discomfort. I use a turmeric and bromelain capsule that a friend on here recommended for swelling. I take it at night and first thing in the morning when I'm feeling swollen. I really do feel like it helps.
That's great to hear! Thank you for your response. I have heard that swelling can take approx 6 months to fully be gone so I am trying to be patient. My actual muscles look more swollen then the skin so it bothers me by the end of the day:( But I know I just have to wait it out! lol
UPDATED FROM JDen
1 month post

Products I'm Using 6 Weeks Post

Okay, so here's what I'm using at this point. I take one turmeric and bromelain capsule when I wake up and before bed. It really seems to be helping with the swelling. I attached a pic. I got this bottle with 90 capsules at Whole Foods for $18. I honestly didn't want to spend money on it and wasn't sure it would make much difference, but mamaoffour said she could tell the difference when she didn't take hers, so I decided to give it a shot. It's possible that just starting back up running helped me slim down some, but it was so rapid that I have to believe the supplements are making a good difference. I also started up Scar Away silicone sheets that I got on Amazon. They're making a crazy difference already! I attached a pic of these also.

Replies (1)

What an inspiration with the silicone tape. I just applied it to my incision now hoping it will make a difference. Do you remove it every day to clean or not? You look really hot by the way. ;-)
I'm glad you're trying it! I actually have been taking it off when I workout. When it gets wet (sweaty) it doesn't stay on, so I take it off before and wash it. I leave it to dry, and after I shower, I put on a different one. I'm alternating two sets.
UPDATED FROM JDen
1 month post

Officially 6 weeks and things are looking up

Today is officially 6 weeks, and I feel great! I've started running again. I started with a half mile jog to test the waters. I took a couple days off to make sure I was okay. Then I did a mile and a half and played tennis. The next day I did 2 miles and tennis again. The next day I ran 2 miles again. It all felt good. I'm definitely not in the shape I was but am moving the right direction! I started the turmeric and bromelain also, and between that and resuming exercise, I am seeing good changes. I also see some good progress on my scar now that I've started using silicone sheets. I still swell, I'm careful lifting my kids, and my abs are often tender and sore, but overall things are really good!

Replies (2)

Wow! You are doing great! I can see so much definition in your abs. Glad you are taking the bromelain and seeing improvement. I am such a copycat that I ran out and bought silicone scar sheets to start last night. I took a few close ups so I have them to reference later. Love what they are doing for your scar. It's going to be invisible by next year.
Thanks so much for posting about bromelain! So helpful! And thanks for noticing the definition. I don't understand really. I have a pretty thick layer of fat going on, but somehow it looks contoured. I'm not complaining. It's just weird. The sheets are Scar Away, and the difference is crazy. I assume it will slow down, but I will take it! I'm still struggling with wishing I'd been able to have the full tuck (your skinny minny pictures aren't helping me!), but I'm overall quite happy with how things are turning out. It's exciting to be where we are, isn't it? Thanks for your support and friendship!
Holy cow, you look awesome & that scar treatment looks amazing! I did a month's worth & didn't see thstuch improvement! What on earth are you using? Also, what is the turmeric & bromelain for?
Thanks so much! I'm using Scar Away silicone sheets I bought off Amazon. It was cheaper than the brand my PS office recommends, but he told me he really didn't care which brand as long as it was silicone sheeting. The Bromelain helps with swelling, and mamaoffour recommended the turmeric & bromelain combo. The turmeric aids in digestion, too I believe. It's been really helpful!
I posted pics of both above.
I used scar away too for a month. I guess I need to get another box, your scar responded beautifully to them! I was just at sprouts today but I'll try to go again for that turmeric & bromelain stuff :) thanks! Your results are awesome!!!
I think my scar will darken up again before it lightens, but I do feel like the strips have helped it flatten out a lot! Thanks for the compliments and good luck to you! I have thought about some lipo but am not so sure anymore. Your review is very helpful.
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