61 Yr. Old Had Tummy Tuck, Encouraging Other Older Women to Go for It - Fullerton, CA

I am 61 yrs. young; I've been reading TT reviews on this website for the last 2 yrs., trying to get my courage up to do this, even though I've wanted it for a decade. I kept hearing/reading about how horribly painful it is, all the things that can go wrong and all the hard times in recovery. I finally decided, the time is now, I'm not getting any younger!! So...I did my research, typed out a long list of questions for each doctor I would consult, and made 4 appointments. Two of the doctors I didn't care for all that much, one acted impatient with all my questions, but two I liked a lot. I put a down payment with one, but ended up going with another doctor who, funnily enough, I knew from way back during my freshman/sophomore year at college. He's triple board certified which I felt was very important, he also had the most experience, about 30 years. In addition, I wanted to spend the first couple of nights at a surgical recovery home, and that's just not offered up in my area, but is in Orange County. He was patient with all my questions and I felt comfy with him, so I scheduled my surgery date. He also insists that all his patients stay at least one night at a recovery facility. This was not the first time I'd stayed in one after plastic surgery, and so I'm able to highly recommend this to anyone, if it's offered in your area and you feel the extra money is worth it--I sure did, and happy I did so.

From reading all the reviews here, I bought things that I thought I'd need. I also rented a walker as I knew it would help with the bad back so many complained of from being hunched over...frankly, this was ALL that I needed as far as supplies!

Let me say that I am 5'8", I have worked out at the gym the last 7 years for 5 days per week for an hour and a half in real workout mode, so I'm in pretty good shape. However, I have a very low tolerance for pain. I asked the doctor if he'd use the Exparel injections on me, but he doesn't use it, neither does he use a pain pump. All I would have is 2 drains. So I thought I'd just have to "tough it out"...

My husband drove me to the doctor's surgical center and we arrived at 6:15 for surgery at 8:00. Changed into gown, got into a bed, the anesthesiologist came and put the needle in my hand, said he was going to give me something to relax me, and as soon as he injected it, I was out like a light! Next thing I remember is arriving at the recovery center; that day and the next I just slept and don't really remember anything, although I know that I had a catheter in me the whole time which was great as I didn't have to get up to go to the bathroom. My husband picked me up two days post-surgery and off we went. I was religious about taking the pain pills that first day back home, and also the antibiotics the doc put me on as I'm Type 2 diabetic and infection is always a worry with surgery...in any event, I can say that I stopped all pain pills on the 4th day as I just wasn't feeling any pain other than a bit of soreness from the muscle repair and that was very bearable. I did not have any lipo as the doc said I didn't need it and I didn't want it anyway. Day 4 I had first bowel movement which was very easy as the antibiotics cause diarrhea (I know, TMI, but the way some people were going on and on about how awful the first one was, which just wasn't my experience at all). I did have about 1" muscle separation. I can say that coughing/sneezing would really be painful, although I never had to do either, but then I prayed a lot to God before surgery to keep me safe and please don't have me sneeze or cough, and He answered my prayers...

By day 4, I was actually getting myself in and out of bed. I did buy a wedge online for my legs, and one for my head, but after a few days found those just too uncomfortable so just used 2 fat pillows under my legs and 3 under my head and was very comfy. I used the walker when up which helped greatly, so recommend that to everyone...it was a real back saver.

I never did drain much in my 2 drains; my first appointment with the doctor was day 5, and he took one drain out, which took about one second and I didn't even feel! He also said I didn't need to use the binder if I didn't want to. Second drain came out on day 7, again, it took one second and no pain at all.

Before surgery, I went to contourmd.com and ordered their Expand-a-Band Abdominal Binder for $31.58 which arrived on day 5, so I have just been wearing that since then as it's so stretchy and comfy. Definitely a must for me!

Day 9- I was going stir-crazy just sitting around the house, so my sister (whom I'd flown down from Idaho to stay with me that first week while my husband worked) and I went out for Mexican food and a movie-what bliss!! Didn't even need the walker by then.

I have been using cold packs 2-3 times a day inside a towel under my binder to help with swelling. I don't get upset with a bit of swelling as it's only natural and will subside with time, so no sweat there.

Although I don't have any pics to post at this time, the doctor made me a very cute new belly-button which he does from the inside so there are no exterior stitches at all so no scar on outside around the belly button. My incision line is very thin and even. Although I still have some stretch marks, I didn't expect them all to be gone anyway- I'm very happy so far and feel great. Now at least I'll never have to "hold in" my stomach again! It'll be nice and flat and my clothes will fit better.

This was a far, far easier experience than I ever thought it would be!! Wish I'd done it years ago...so if you are on the fence, just do it, you'll be so happy you did. I don't know why I've had no real pain, at worst probably a brief 2 at most. I thought since I'm older than most women on this site who have it done that it would be a much longer healing time, but actually it's been the complete opposite- my husband says it's probably because of all the working out I do, that put me ahead of the majority; I don't know if that's true, but thank goodness it's been soooo easy.

I'm finally adding a post-op photo; this was taken 3 months after TT...believe me, I had a large overhanging "apron" that was horrible!

Ok, it's been 7 months since my TT; still doing great. Doctor told me take it very easy up to a year with abdominal exercises, and so I have been, as I can still feel soreness from the muscle repair when I do them. As he said, you don't want to undo what was done. Right before the surgery, I was able to do 300 ab machine crunches in a row, now I can barely do 10 in a row! But I'll take it very easy and work my way back. Back to all my other usual exercises at the gym. Here's a pic at 7 months post-TT, looks about the same as the last pic even though I've been eating everything in sight!! My bad!