Get the real deal on beauty treatments—real doctors, real reviews, and real photos with real results.Here's how we earn your trust.

See All Reviews
See All Reviews
POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS

Glad That my Fear Didn't Get in the Way of my Dream!

ORIGINAL POST

On 3/10/09 I had breast augmentation and a full...

Melbell28March 24, 2009
WORTH IT$16,000

On 3/10/09 I had breast augmentation and a full tummy tuck, with repair to an umbilical hernia.  I was petrified about the pain that I would endure after my surgery, that I almost didn't go through with it.  But I was so sick of having to hide my "muffin top".  I was always skinny and in shape and my two pregnancies totally stretched out my stomach, beyond self-repair.  I looked as if I was three months pregnant, even though I weighed 113 lbs.

I woke up from surgery feeling excellent.  There was no initial pain and the bindings were not too constricting.  Over the next 24 hours, I stayed in my dr.s office, with a nurse who montitored my blood pressure, heart beat and i had constant stimulation of my calves to avoid blood clots.  I was given percocets and xanax as often as needed to keep me comfortable.

On day two, getting out of the bed was tough, but once I did it, I knew that the worst was behind me.  Every day I feel better, I walk a little taller.  Today I showered and felt amazing.  I have one drain, which is totally manageable.  I thought it would be horrible to have one, but it's really no big deal.  My nurse told me to clip the drain to a long necklace while I showered so that I wouldn't need help and it totally worked!  What a great tip.

The best part of my recovery has been that my kids are staying with my parents for four days- if this is possible for you, it is an amazing gift. I'm so excited for them to come home tomorrow and plan on telling them that I hurt my back, and nothing else.  I'm still taking pain meds every 3 hours- I don't wait to feel pain, I'm staying ahead of it.  My worst pain right now is honestly a sore throat from being intebated for the anesthesia.  Totally tolerable stuff.

Anyone who is considering this surgery- do it! Just make sure you have the right doctor for you!  My dr. gave me a low, very neat incision and took extra special care of my belly button.  I know that within the upcoming weeks I will finally have the confidence in my body that i've been missing and will gain the energy that I need to be a full time Mom again.

Melbell28's provider

James N. Romanelli, MD, FACS

James N. Romanelli, MD, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.8 | 88 Reviews
PROFILE

Melbell28 rating for Dr. Romanelli:

Overall rating

Replies (33)

mommy20829
March 17, 2009
you wrote this 3 days after your procedure. Now that your a week into it, how do you feel? I'm going for a consult. Anything you would tell me to ask and/or expect, etc? How old are your kids? I'm concerned about what to tell them.
Melbell28
March 18, 2009
Hitting the "week" mark was a little tough, not gonna lie. Just a lot of stretching, pinching... but no real pain. Today I picked my 18 month daughter up for the first time. Could only hold her for a few seconds before having to sit with her. Cannot take care of her myself yet. My 4 year old daughter has been an angel! She thinks it's fun to take care of me. She wanted to be in the bathroom with me while I showered yesterday, I told her that I had booboos that I thought would upset her and I'd rather her wait outside. She seemed pretty cool with it. I told her that I hurt my back. I've been able to hide it really well, loose sweats and zip up hoodies. Had my drain taken out on Monday which made me a lot more comfortable and enabled me to "hide" everything a little better. In terms of the consult... each one ran me $150 (fyi). You should expect to be examined, they'll explain to you their procedure, where they operate, etc. Definitely pick a dr. that insists that you stay overnight. You want to be sure that they make the incision as low as possible. Find a dr. who has posted photos... recreating a belly button is an art- some docs got it, some don't. My stomach is so flat, even with the minor swelling. I am so glad that I did this. Let me know if you need any other info or have more questions. This website really helped answer so many of my questions, so I am definitely looking to pay it forward! Good luck!
cmomara@optonline.net
March 27, 2009
Had four c-sections and thankfully 4 healthy children. However, after # 4 my uterus ruptured and had to have a fifth surgery to remove top part of uterus -- with out boring you with details --it was an absolute nightmare. Prior to that experience I always promised myself I would get tummy tuck. Needless to say, my son is 19 months and I've just decided to take the plunge. Like you, I've always been fit, etc, etc. I wanted to know if your doctor did liposuction in addition to the tummy tuck and did the surgery make a difference in your waist. Thx!
Stay Young
March 20, 2009
You note that you would recomend this Dr... Did you have a referral for him before or did you find him doing research? Also, did he do any lipo anywhere? I am just trying to get an idea of his prices. I am in NJ and would consider NY if the Dr & $ are right. Thanks
Melbell28
March 21, 2009
He advertises a lot on the radio here... "mommy makeovers", so I had heard the name. A friend of mine had gotten it done somewhere else and her friend had it done with my dr. so she gave me both names. Her dr. had zero bedside manner and she wasn't happy with her belly button, she's having it redone, so I didn't want to go to him. I saw one other dr. recommended by my gyno, who I also wasn't crazy about. When I went to see my dr. there was just an instant connection and level of comfort that I only felt with him. I felt the price was right, his office was well-equipped, and he is the chief of plastic surgery at Huntington Hospital. When I went for my pre-op visit with my internist, he said that he's been working in huntington for 18 years, and hasn't met a finer surgeon. My scar is beautiful, you can tell he takes his time. The line is fairly straight and very low. I only had one drain, some drs. use two, but he's been having success with one in recent months, so that was a big +. I didn't have any lipo done. However, I did have breast augmentation and I had a little problem spot removed from my face and everything looks and feels great!!
mommy20829
March 24, 2009
did you go with saline or silicone? what was your before and after size/cup? you sound similar to me in frame and size. I'm rather small (5'7" 120) but have skin stretched above my abdomen and fat pockets on each side of my bbutton that exercise and diet is not helping. my husband and I are both aprehensive because of the cut and scar. how does your scar look now at 2 weeks post-op? do you have any before after photos you would be willing to share - of the ab not breast :)
UPDATED FROM Melbell28

Photo Update

Melbell28September 6, 2009

Replies (3)

Melbell28
September 7, 2009
Just posted 6 month post-op pics. Can't believe it's been 6 months. Will head to the dr. soon for my official before and after pic comparison, should be fun! Still one of the greatest decisions I've ever had the guts to go through with! My confidence level is so much higher, I love dressing up to go out, and I'm no longer ashamed to pass by my closet mirror naked. Still have a lot of healing to do in terms of the redness of my scar, but it's almost completely flat and my inner stomach muscles almost feel completely normal. I have almost full feeling back in my stomach and about 80% feeling in my boobs. Can't believe that I could barely walk or hold my children 6 months ago, right after surgery... now I have more energy than ever!!
bebejuicypink
September 8, 2009
You look so good! And super skinny = )! I'm glad to see your results. Thanks for sharing your pics!
Melbell28
September 26, 2009
Just went for my 6 month post-op appt. this week. My dr. was really happy with my results thus far. I had a lot of scar tissue built up in my belly button, so he gave me a cortisone shot to break up the scar tissue. He said it would take up to 6 weeks, but after 5 days it already looks so much better. It wasn't painful at all, I think because I still have some numbness in that area. My TT scar has dropped a little which is great, because I was ready to give away my old bathing suits, but now most of them work, covering the scar. I can't believe its been 6 months, I feel like a new person, and I have a body that I love. Cutting out carbs and sugar as much as possible and I'm about 4 pounds away from my perfect weight.
See More Tummy Tuck Reviews
See All Reviews