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POSTED UNDER Mini Tummy Tuck REVIEWS

2 Days Post Mini Tummy Tuck - Grand Marais, MI

ORIGINAL POST

I am 2 days out and see a major difference already...

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mominmi
WORTH IT$5,500

I am 2 days out and see a major difference already. I had a mini tt, with muscle repair, and lipo to the flanks. The day of surgery I spent sleeping and vomiting. Yesterday I stayed in bed almost all day. My entire stomach area was sore but, and the incision hurt so much w any movement. Today I feel great but still taking it easy. I was up and about and haven't had to pop any meds for pain control.

Replies (10)

October 26, 2012

Welcome to RealSelf.  I am sorry to hear you were so sick after surgery.  No fun at all but at least you are through that now.  

Continue to rest and please keep us up to date on your recovery.

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October 30, 2012
Thank you. As bad as the nausea was, I'd do it over again in a heartbeat. It's worth it to be able to love your body again.
October 30, 2012

I totally agree with you:)

October 26, 2012
whats the difference between mini tummy tuck and regular one?
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October 27, 2012
The incision/scar is shorter, the skin above the belly button doesn't get disturbed, and they don't stretch as much skin down or make a new belly button hole with a mini tummy tuck. The full tummy tuck also requires more recovery time.
December 11, 2014
did you have muscle repair? how high up?
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December 11, 2014
Yes I did. I believe it was all the way up to right above the belly button.
December 11, 2014
that's great! so they are able to go a little above? that's where I can feel alot of my muscle separated...
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December 11, 2014
I believe the right dr can do it. My dr was amazing. 2 other surgeons were only willing to do full tt to repair the separation. I had the separation pretty high up also.
December 11, 2014
okay, good... thanks so much. I will ask that question tomorrow...
UPDATED FROM mominmi

By day 3 I was able to stay off the pain meds. I...

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mominmi
By day 3 I was able to stay off the pain meds. I was able to walk around again with a little throbbing and burning pain at the incision sight. I was still laying down for most if the day, and the worst pain was that first few steps when getting off of the bed. Today is day 6 and I feel good. Still sore from the muscle repair and lipo but nothing terrible. I can't wait to start working out- but I know I have to. I am very happy with the results, I'm curious about how much better it will look when the swelling is down.

Replies (19)

October 29, 2012
Great results already! Congrats you are going to be so happy I am 2 months..most swelling goes down by three! Congrats again!
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October 30, 2012
Thank u :) yes I am definitely happy with what I see so far. Then again I feel that anything would've been an improvement - even when I dropped all the way down to 102, that little preggo pouch never went away. Now I understand that was all b/c of the loose abdominal muscles. Anyway, so I'm feeling like a million bucks (not really, I'm still pretty sore, but I'm really lovin the tiny waist) only to be pleasantly surprised to find out my jeans can't button up. Yes, that's right- this made me even happier! Lol. I can't beleive I'm going to get even smaller. Wow! 3 months to keep shrinking, love it. Thanks for the heads up on that- I didn't realize it was that "quick" I was expecting at least 6 months. Can't wait to keep posting pics as it continues to go down.
November 4, 2012
HI...you look really good. I am considering a mini tt seriously with lipo. How did you decide on a mini vs. full? I would get a full but would probably need vertical scar which I don't want. Did you get tightening of the muscles? I have read very few posts where they tighten the upper as well...I am looking for a surgeon that does that.
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November 4, 2012
Thank you, I finally feel great about myself again. I went to a couple of different plastic surgeons to get their opinions. The first one told me I needed a full tt, anything less would not make an improvement. I found my second surgeon by doing more research. His background history was impressive to me. He also said I needed a full tt at the consultation, but then he kept tugging and pinching my flab and said "on second thought, I'm sure you will get great results with a mini and muscle repair." So it wasn't exactly that I chose mini tt, but that I trusted the drs opinion. And yes, he did tighten my muscles, and he did do all the way to the top. He explained how he was going to lift my skin up but leave my belly button alone. He said I didn't have too much loose skin on top, so that made me a good candidate for mini. He did such a wonderful job that he didnt even disturb my tattoos. He had originally told me that the bottom half of my dragon and the little one would be removed. i was surprised to find them still in place and not distorted. Today is day 13 and I can still feel the tenderness in my whole abdominal area, top,bottom, and sides. I suggest trusting your drs opinion. If he/she suggests a full, you might want to stick to that. I've read a few posts w pics, where the people were not happy at all with the mini tt b/c it didn't make much of a difference. Good luck on finding your surgeon and getting wonderful results.
November 4, 2012
Thanks for the response. When I saw Ps, she said mini with lipo and I pushed for full. She shook her head and said she would do it, but she seemed to think mini would work better. I have a friend she did a full on and it looks awesome but she had way more skin than I do. I have been looking all over for people that got minis with full muscle repair. So far, you ate the only one that has one with out the belly button float which I don't want. How did he repair above the umbilicus ? I want to find someone to do that also. Thanks for all the great info!
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November 4, 2012
I'm not exactly sure how he did it, but from his background info, it looks as if he's very skilled and by my results, I have to agree, yes he is. His name is dr Ringler, and he is in GRAND RAPIDS, not the city listed on my post.. It was a mistake I tried to correct after the fact, but I can't change it now. But yes, it can definitely be done, but I'm sure it takes a very skilled and experienced ps. I love what my ps had done for me and I will highly recommend him.
December 10, 2012
OMG, you have the cutest (is that possible???), tiniest scar. You look amazing. I am having a mini TT with MR too (with nothing to my bellybutton) next month. I was dying to see what that looked like, thank you so much for posting.
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December 10, 2012
I'm so glad my post was able to help u :) and lol thanks- it's a bit longer than he said it would be, but that's ok. I am loving my results, and from what I hear, I am still swollen- so the results are going to be even better! Yes! But just wanted to let u know that since day 10 I have been putting "mederma" and "bio-oil" onto the scar on a daily basis about 2-3 times a day. I'm guessing that's why my scar is looking pretty decent so far. I have side view pics that I will put up- I think that shows a more drastic difference. My muscles were pretty bad, I always looked preggo :( but now I look un-preggo again for the first time in 5 years. It's wonderful!!!!
December 11, 2012
Your tummy is as flat as a board, it looks like it belongs to a teenager! I can't believe the doctor told you that the incision was a little longer than he hoped for because it is very short, even for a mini which is usually twice as long but still not as bad as the full TT which sometimes goes past the hip bone on either side. Nice and low too, it didn't even affect your tat. The whole result is gorgeous. Thanks for the tips on scar care (mederma and bio oil). I will definitely need to do something. I don't keloid but my scars last forever.
December 11, 2012
How long was your surgery?
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December 11, 2012
Good question... I have no clue- I didn't ask. Sorry I can't help with that question.
December 22, 2012
You look great! yes your scar looks nice....what are you using? and do you still feel tired....today did major cleaning and feel pooped...and kinda scared i did too much....oh yes do you still swell.?
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December 23, 2012
Ty. I use mederma and bio oil 2-3 times a day. Today is 8 weeks exactly, and no I don't feel tired. I was extra super cautious this whole time. I did NOT want to rip or loosen my muscle repair, so I haven't done anything major- not even any kind of exercise... Which brings me to the swelling, I was told by the 2nd month it would be almost gone. I did notice the first 4 weeks I couldn't wear any of my regular jeans. I was really upset about that, but about week 5 I was soo happy to be able to button my jeans again. I did notice that at night I would be more swollen. But being week 8 today, I still look "swollen"- but I will attribute that to the not working out thing. Lol. But just this week I started weaning myself back into it, I want to achieve my "fit and toned" goal. I hope to post pics of my (hopefully) bikini body, in a couple months. Wish me luck :) haha I need it!
UPDATED FROM mominmi

It's been about 13 weeks since my mini tt. I...

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mominmi
It's been about 13 weeks since my mini tt. I started working out 4 weeks ago- but notice that I look rounder now. !! I find it hard to believe that I gradually gained that weight considering that my eating habits have not changed. But of course I was beating myself up about the "weight gain" .. Until one day it occurred to me that maybe my vigorous workouts are causing me to swell up big time. I just asked this question on the board and hope to see it posted in a couple days with dr responses supporting this idea. Fingers are crossed that it's swelling and not weight gain. Lol.

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