One Year Later!!! Extended Tummy Tuck African American Woman - Maryland

One Year Update - bikini

1 Year Update

So its been one year since my circumferential (360) tummy tuck with muscle repair. For this update I have separated my response in headers regarding the most frequent questions I get in case you don’t want to read the entire thing, you can just go to the topic you want info about. They are in no particular order. I have of course attached pictures at every single angle possible because that is the important part :)!! Keep in mind I had liposuction 10 months prior to my tummy tuck so the conturing I have is not from my tummy tuck, it is a result of good lipo. The short response, I regret nothing and I am still extremely pleased a year later!

Is My Stomach Still Flat?
The answer is yes, a year later my stomach is as flat as it was post surgery. Even as I gained 5 pounds then lost it, my stomach remained flat. The fat did stick but to other places like my face, butt , or arms. I do however maintain my weight so that helps. But yes still flat!

Scar
My scar is a little bit lighter (on one side and the back) than my 6 month update but not much. I stopped any scar treatment at the 6 month mark because it was one too many extra steps in the morning when I am rushing off to work or events. And to be honest I don’t think the creams and such were helping. My scar is extremely flat. It originally healed that way. My surgeon also placed it very low, which I am pleased with. I began using Merderma PM twice day 2 weeks after surgery for 2 months straight. I don’t know if it helped or not because scars have always healed flat on me. I did have a small raised scar from where my belly button was originally at, but my surgeon showed me how to massage it the first couple of weeks post surgery and it is now flat. The scar never bothered me from the beginning so I guess that is why I have not put much energy into it. I will not be covering it with a tattoo or having any “repair” surgery. It will remain there. Sometimes I wear very low cut bikini bathing suits and you can see it, but as I mentioned, I don’t care, nor does any man I date who may see the scar. Regular undies and most string or thongs covers the entire scar front and back. I will post pics of both so you can see what I am referencing. Confidence starts mentally not physically :). More important things in life than a scar.

Swelling
Pretty much non existent at this point. I tend to get swollen anyway during my period so typically that is the only time I see it.

Weight
I have been able to maintain my goal weight with a 3-5 pound fluctuation up and down. I am down to 175 and have been there since I lost weight pre and post surgery. That was also my goal weight. I still do not eat much processed food and I have cut out fast food, including pizza all together. I no longer eat it and in fact the thought of it makes me nauseous and very sick. I cook pretty much everyday. I enjoy cooking and often plan my meals weekly. I travel a ton for work, but I am still able to eat my own cooking and smartly by properly planning. I I want to be clear that cosmetic plastic surgery is not weight loss surgery! I’m never preachy about weight loss, but if you have bad eating and exercise habits pre surgery, it will carry over post surgery. Your body will continue to store fat, just in different places. Healthy eating habits and exercise are always the best remedy, just my thoughts. It works for me, so I thought I would share.



Clothing Size & Measurements
I am often asked my measurements pre surgery and post but unfortunately I don’t have pre surgery because I never took them, however I'm sure they were not that great because I had a ton of loose skin. In fact 5 pounds of lose skin was removed during my tummy tuck. . The only measurement I have are my breast because they have been big all my life! I was a 38GG prior to surgery and I am now a 34GG or 34H. I did not lose any skin around my upper back, it is purely from the weight loss. It would have happened if I had surgery or not. Prior to surgery I was a size 10 in skirts and bottoms, letter size was Large. As far as tops and dresses prior to surgery I wore XL letter and 16 number (because of my breast). Post surgery for skirts and bottoms I am a size 6. As far as tops and dresses I am a Small, Medium if I need room for the girls. Number size for dresses is a 6 but I get a 8 for the girls. I My new measurements are 34-31-43.



Butt
I often get questions regarding my butt and if I had that done cosmetically. The answer is no, its a gift from my mother and grandmothers on both sides :). The women in my family are heavy in the breast, hips, and butt. I have always had all three along with a gut :). At least I got rid of the gut! I will say that proportion is everything. The smaller your waist is the bigger your butt will look. I often get comments that “your butt got bigger!” My response is always “ no it didn’t, i just reduced my butt to gut ratio!’ I have always stored weight that I gained in my stomach, butt, and face. My butt may have one inch added, as I gained weight in the past but not much that is noticeable by the common eye.

Belly Button
I like it, its a belly button. I don’t understand all the hub bub online about belly buttons, seems pretty trivial. That is all.

Sex
I mentioned in my 3 month update that sex is a lot better post tummy tuck and that statement still stands. There is some science to the slight lift (so I read) of your lower stomach once the skin is removed which raises your pelvic area (leaving the clitoris exposed a bit more) a half a inch or so (according to doctors). I’m pretty sure that has added to joys of sex these days. Another part and likely the biggest part I think is the comfortableness with my body. I am at peace with my body. In the past the small act of removing my clothes for a shower ignited a war of love and hate with my own body. I didn't like what I saw in the mirror and that trickled over to all aspects of my life including sex. Now that I am at peace with my body, my comfort level during sex has sky rocketed. The result of that is a very enjoyable sex life, a happier him, and a happier me!

Waist Trainer or Binder
I had been wearing a waist trainer at night for comfort reasons all the way up to 8 months. Around that time I felt I was using it as a crutch because I simply forgot what it felt to sleep without it, so I begun wearing only 5 nights a week. The first night was weird, but once I got used to it, I quickly went down to only 3 nights a week, and now I am done to just once in a while. It actually feels better to sleep without it. Yes my waist is still the same size, it didn't grow ;) so you will be fine. I did have lipo 10 months prior to my tummy tuck and that shaped my curves. 2 years later, all my curves are still there. So I guess I can say that the lipo surgery and weight management have done the job, so put the cheese curls down and breathe girl! ;).


Numbness
It took a very long time for the numbness to go away for me. I think part of the reason was because I had lipo the year prior and the nerves were just trying to recover from back to back trauma. It took 8 to 9 months but I now have feeling in all of my stomach except for a very small 2 inch spot from where my belly button used to be. It is possible it will come back, its possible it will not. It doesn't bother me because no one touches that spot except the OBGYN. Its so low it’s just not a common space that is often touched even during sex. Prior to the 9 months however, it did make me flinch when pressure was applied to that area. Again, it didn’t hurt, just felt weird enough to make me flinch.


Muscle Repair
I had muscle repair with my tummy tuck and a year later I am as tight as I was post surgery. My surgeon says this is good because that will help keep my tummy flat. It still feels funny to sneeze or cough hard. It does not hurt, just feels weird, I can’t describe it. I still brace myself when I sneeze because post surgery it hurt like hell. I think its just a defense mechanism. In my 6 month post I mentioned that I used to sleep with my arm over my head and could no longer do that comfortably due to the muscle tightening and that is still the case. I am an all over sleeper, straight, fetal position, stomach, back, you name it. The most comfortable position for me still is on my side in the fetal position. I can not sleep straight or with my arm over my head. It does not hurt, but is extremely uncomfortable to do so. Im ok with that, it doesn’t bother me one bit, I still gets my sleep in! :) I am very happy with the muscle repair and have no regrets.

Finding the my Surgeon
This is the most private question I receive online and offline, “can you help me chose a surgeon?” And my answer is always “no.” Surgeon and patient relationships are very arbitrary and personality driven and what works for me may not work for you. You have to meet with surgeons and determine who your comfortable with. Some people may meet with my surgeon and not like their consult because again relationships are arbitrary. I will tell you that when I went searching for a surgeon I had 2 criteria. One is that they actually listened and connected with me and the second was that they educated me. and I could cross reference what I was being told. 2 years prior to my surgery I considered getting a breast reduction. I met with a plastic surgeon and he treated me like a number. Spent a total of 5 minutes with me during an in person consultation and then told me to go to the front desk and schedule an appointment. I knew nothing about consultations and how long they should be but I knew I didn't like the way I was treated so I went with my “gut” and walked out the door and never looked back. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand if your being treated fairly or not. Prior to finding a surgeon you need to know your non-negotiables and list them. If a doctor hits even one of those on the list, then keep it moving. A consultation is a just like a job interview, this will be the best time you will see your doctor’s performance. If he or she is shaky then, it will not get better! Understand and be knowledgeable consumer, facts trump all!! If you can not verify it, then it is not a fact and your gut tells you that all the time, pay attention! Its not a secret that many “social media popular” plastic surgeons pay or offer free goods to patients in exchange for “excellent” reviews.’ YES I SAID IT!!! And if you don’t believe that happens, then thats your prerogative because the evidence is pretty clear but some of us are so wrapped up in the visual and the want, we skip whats important. Some doctors are even stealing pictures from others and posting them as their work. These folks will definitely do the most for a dollar honey, so don't be so naive! Im not saying “all” surgeons do this practice, I’m simply saying don’t let your naiveness and urgency blind you from the facts. Some of these surgeons are dollar hungry and its cruel. They are killing and causing permanent and life threatening damage to beautiful women. And when some women stand up and tell their story, these doctors send their hounds to come bash them for breaking their silence or create fake pages and bully the person back to silence. It’s absolutely absurd and cowardly! Well I could really care less, so yes I am calling them out because they are killing and destroying women! So if this message saves at least one person from meeting these jerks, then Im fine with that! Meet with your surgeon in person if you can, if not request a webcam, FaceTime, or virtual consultation. Request to see their “professional” resume of work not listed online. Every good board certified plastic surgeon has a compilation and resume of their work in a book, etc to show you during the meeting. We are such a microwave society with online exposure we forget the basics, ask for the book! Are they educating you on your decision or simply rushing you to schedule an appointment? Do you get preferential treatment if you pay cash, big red flag!! My first consultation with my surgeon was not only free but he spent 1 hour with me! Yes 1 HOUR! And never during that time did he try to sell me anything. He instead educated me on my decision and what I would be doing with my body if I chose plastic surgery. I later had to contact him during a different time and day to schedule my appointment. No harassing reminder calls or emails, just giving me space to make an informed decision. Take your time and chose the surgeon that is right for you not because someone told you to do so.

What’s Next
Enjoying life! I am still just as happy with my results as I was when I first had surgery. Chose what makes you happy, however remember that true peace and happiness starts within and nothing will change that except you. Perfection can never be achieved, but true peace is right in front of you if you just look! Be blessed ladies and gents!

**I hope this answers all your questions. Feel free to ask if I missed something, but remember reading is fundamental :)**