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POSTED UNDER Mini Tummy Tuck REVIEWS

48 Years Old, 5 Children Later......getting my Mini Tummy Tuck - Cincinnati, OH

Name: 48 Years Old, 5 Children Later......getting my Mini Tummy Tuck - Cincinnati, OH
Item: Michael Columbus, MD (retired)
Author: rhonda5

ORIGINAL POST

Hi! I have wrestled with wanted to have this...

rhonda5October 23, 2014

WORTH IT$5,700

Hi! I have wrestled with wanted to have this procedure done for many years. I have worked tirelessly on exercising, and eating clean and healthy to keep myself in the best shape that I can....and I'm pretty much happy with how I look, except for this ring of extra skin/flab around my middle from having my children (1 of which was a c-section). I am nervous to have this done, mostly because my "problem" is not huge.

rhonda5's provider

Michael Columbus, MD (retired)

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Replies (25)

rhonda5

October 24, 2014

Trying to load my pictures!

rhonda5

October 24, 2014

I little bit more about myself. As stated, I am 48. I am 5'2", around 125 pounds. I have had 5 children, 3 early on and then a nine year gap, and 2 more in my early 30's. I have also had several small surgeries....a tubal ligation, a reversal, and then a c-section, and another tubal, after my last 2 children were born. I have never had like an overweight problem, but after having all of those children, my weight kept creeping up. When my oldest child was 17, he was wanting to get in shape to join the service. That's when my exercising , and getting in shape became a regular part of my life. So I was in my 30's. I dropped close to 20 pounds, and have kept it off for many years. My weight was always around 118. Fast forward to today, and the past couple of years....even with working out consistently, 5-6 times a week, and my eating improved over the years....to clean eating now, I noticed my weight has very slowly crept up,,to where it is now, around 125 ish. (I don't weigh myself anymore.) Don't know if this weight gain is just from aging, and being in my late 40's?? But, it seems to have gathered more and more at my waistline. My skin has not been tight since having my children, but when my weight was lower, it wasn't too noticeable. Now, it's all I see. It bothers me. I see it in my clothes, I feel it. I don't think I'm too heavy, or anything like that, but I just don't like being an active, healthy person, and always having and feeling this ring of loose skin around my middle! So, my husband finally agreed this would be the best time to finally have a tummy tuck and get it fixed! I am nervous about such a huge thing, when I know my problem isn't very severe. I COULD live with it. But, I just feel like I will feel SO SO good if I had it done! It would make working out feel like it was producing results again! In November, I plan on getting my money together, and the partial loan. This part is scary. I will get through Thanksgiving, and then when December comes, I have all of my doctor visit's already scheduled. Pre op physical, blood work, the pre op visit at the plastic surgeons, and then my surgery on the 19th. I will keep you posted.

Kalola22

October 27, 2014

My story is identical to yours. 5 kids exercised religiously since I was 35 but have noticed weight gain slowly creeping up up despite clean eating and gym every day. I M 5'3 and weigh 130 ( used to be 120). I also had that little pooch around the middle . I am now 67 and my stomach is hanging like an old sack despite exercising my ass off. So I say go for it because it doesn't get better with age. Good luck and hug your 5 beautiful kids because they were worth it.

rhonda5

October 27, 2014

Thank you Kalola. In my mind I wrestle almost daily with whether or not to do this. I don't want to put so much into appearance, BUT I do care what I look like, and I work SO hard at trying to keep myself in shape. This extra skin thing is just that. Extra. That won't go away. -I wish I could just stop feeling guilty about doing it. My husband says the nicest things....he says he knows I've worked my butt off, trying to stay in shape, and my body has given 5 beautiful children, and he said I deserve it....So you never had anything done? --Do you think the risk for something going wrong, is pretty slim?! that scares me too!!

Kalola22

October 27, 2014

I know how you feel but I think if you are strong and healthy going into the operation you should do well. Let me tell you staying in shape will put you miles ahead of your peers in looks vitality and over all good health. After my 5th child my boobs looked like melted silly puddy so I had them done with implants and now 22 years later they are still magnificent, best thing I ever did. What you are looking at here is quality of life and your happiness. Keep in touch, we must become good friends.

rhonda5

October 28, 2014

Thanks!! I do believe I keep myself in very good shape. I eat clean, drink tons of water, exercise.....the whole thing. My boobs also went south, after my 5th child! I had breast implants 11 years ago, and also have loved the results of that! We do have a lot in common!

Kalola22

October 28, 2014

I was looking in the mirror this morning and everything looks tight and toned except my hanging down flap of skin. I do tons of ab exercises but. Like you said it's just loose skin. Please keep me informed about your surgery, maybe I will do it too. Yup 67 years old and still vain lol.

rhonda5

October 28, 2014

You give me hope, that at 67 and you're still feeling tight and toned!! That's awesome! It's hard NOT to do something about just one spot on your body, that doesn't match up with the rest of you. I will keep you posted. November gives me time to get my money together.....and then December will start all of my checkups and appts. And surgery for 19th of Dec. -what kind of exercising do you do now? I do weight lifting, hiit cardio workouts (lots of Beachbody tapes/programs). I like to jog on weekends, usually around 4 miles. I work out 5-6 times per week. I've often wondered how long I will be able to workout like that. (Oh, and I also do yoga). Just curious at your age, what you do! :)

Kalola22

October 29, 2014

Good for you I will be thinking of you on December 19 th and will be sending you good thoughts and prayers.

qtrhrse15

August 25, 2015

Its so nice to see someone who had the same feelings as I did. I gave myself till 50 an if by then I still looked and felt the same I promised myself a mini. Its nice to know I wasnt alone. You look great. I am 11wks po.

rhonda5

August 26, 2015

Thank you qtrhrse15. 11 wks out, you must be excited! I think I am finally at the point where things have maybe changed/healed again, a small bit. I am coming up on 9 months po. there was a long spell with pretty much no change. (talking mostly about swelling). But here in the last couple of weeks, I think it has maybe gotten a tiny bit better. I still feel the swelling there some. But my dr. has said it can take a year and sometimes even more. So, I have stopped fretting over it. I think it's a very long process. In the last couple weeks, I have gotten super serious about my eating habits. I'm trying to eat only clean, healthy foods, lots of vegetables, lots of water....and of course exercise (6 times a week)....and with my food getting better, I am finally thinking I am looking better. So, while I"m waiting on nature to heal and fix my swelling issue, I am working on what I can do, which is my food and exercise. -anyway, I wish you the best! Let us know how your recovery goes! :)

raquelatx

December 11, 2014

did the dr. suggest muscle repair? I know some do and some don't....

rhonda5

December 28, 2014

Sorry I am just now seeing this!! - well I asked my doctor if I was going to have muscle repair, and he said yes I was. I think he determined that after my consult . He had me lay down and then do like a half sit-up while he felt around on my stomach.

realself2008

January 16, 2015

Hi rhonda5 thanks for the post on my review. You took the words right out of my mouth. I am trying to keep the faith that the ridge is swelling. I had a friend who went thru it and she said it will go away. I see your pics and you look awsome too. I am glad to see your pics cause it reminds me of me. we appear to be about the same size and age. I cannot find to many to compare my self too in that bucket. I had tt with muscle repair. PS did some lipo on upper abs. but thats it. I wanted a little in the flanks done too but he dosent do the two at the same time. My muscle seperation was 2 inches. I can believe i had that much seperation. this thursday i get a 6wk followup. so I am going to start working out again, I guess i will find out my restrictions. hopefully it is not to much cause i am ready go full out in working out again. I will keep posting updates on my review to keep all the ladies informed. maybe it will help answer someones question. good luck to you.

raquelatx

January 16, 2015

Out of curiosity why does he not do the flanks and tummy tuck at the same time?

realself2008

January 16, 2015

he said it was blood flow. to many areas disturbed at the same time can cause seromas. but My firends PS did them at the same time. I guess it depends on each dr. Some play it safe. I wanted a mini but my abs were stretched under the bellybutton and not down low.

rhonda5

January 17, 2015

I can't wait until I'm at 6 weeks and can work out again! While I love my new look, and not having that extra skin....I feel soft, and loose, sort of. I want to workout and tighten back up! The doctor also told me some of that "looseness" is still from swelling. -I am relieved to hear you say that you know someone that has gone through this, and that that ridge DOES go away! ha! I keep wanting/needing to hear that, for some reason! Wonder why they don't do flank lipo at the same time as a tummy tuck? I wonder if that's why my dr didn't say yes to that, when I asked him about it. He just said, NO. You don't need it. But I honestly feel like I did need a little of that done. Oh well.....it's ok....I will be happy with what I got. :) -Good to talk with you! Keep us posted on how your exercising goes! I can't wait to hear what you get to do!

raquelatx

January 17, 2015

Wondering the same thing... I had both done at the same time. My fat naturally collected in the muffin top area and around my belly although I'm still a thin girl.

realself2008

January 16, 2015

oh forgot to tell you it was a full tt. with muscle repair.

UPDATED FROM rhonda5

2 months pre

My before pictures

rhonda5October 24, 2014

Replies (2)

nadine1965

July 16, 2015

So happy for u..been following this site for the or more years really want mini tummy tuck.I'm 49 with 4 kids.

rhonda5

July 17, 2015

Hi Nadine. My mom's name, and my middle name is Nadine! :) -I am glad I had my surgery. I am now 49, and had 5 kids, one of which was a cesarean. I do think my expectations were probably a little high, on what I was going to look like afterwards, maybe my age has something to do with that. I was thinking my stomach was going to look 25. lol! And it doesn't look bad! But, I think it could still be tighter, flatter.?? BUT, the doctor said there is STILL swelling above the scar....and it's been 7 months. So just to say, if you get it done, just realize it does take a LONG time to heal. I work out 5-6 times a week, and really work on watching what I eat....so I'm just going to keep trying. And also trying to be patient with myself....and know that I'm not totally healed yet. I had wanted my tummy tuck for many years...always talked about it. I finally told my husband, Look, I"m not getting any younger! I want to be able to enjoy it while I'm still fairly young! We had gotten our daughters braces paid off, and I told him, this would just be like paying for that! A monthly payment, of which we could handle and get it done! I am very glad I did!!! Good luck to you!

UPDATED FROM rhonda5

2 months pre

My before pictures

rhonda5October 24, 2014

Hoping that a mini tummy tuck is all I need. That's what the dr told me.

Replies (5)

rhonda5

October 24, 2014

sorry, I know my picture quality is not good. I have really bad lighting where I can take pictures.....and I'm just not very good with this camera phone. ;)

CarsonisMe

October 27, 2014

I am having a mini TT on December 18th!

rhonda5

October 27, 2014

Hi CarsonisMe. I just wrote you back on this thread, but not right here! ha! I'm still figuring this website out! Maybe we can stay in touch!

CarsonisMe

November 3, 2014

I don't know why a reply didn't show up in my email or anything. I just happened to pop back over here. I had lipo a year ago and my stomach looks pretty good. I still have a ring of extra skin below my belly button (3 c-sections from 3 big babies). My plastic surgeon was the one to suggest a mini TT to complete the process. He's charging me $1500 which seems practically free considering plastic surgery prices. I'm having a little bit of a dilemma because I had a gallbladder attack two weeks ago and I'm having my gallbladder removed November 21. I really hate having both these surgeries back to back, but if I don't do it now I will never do it and probably regret it.

rhonda5

October 27, 2014

Hey, CarsonisMe.....our procedures are just a day apart! Are you comfortable that a mini is all you're getting? Maybe we can stay in touch through this! good luck with yours!

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