Well I know that I don't even have an appointment scheduled yet, but I do know that I am definitely getting my tummy tuck done!! I have 2 kids which stretched out my stomach pretty bad.. I don't like to show ANYONE my belly so this is a big step for me haha I can't believe I'm posting pictures of it. My husband is fully on board, I told him I want to lose 10 more pounds before I get the procedure done so to motivate me, he says I am not allowed to call the doctor until I lose the weight! (I am 5'1", weigh 120 now, want to be at 110) So here my journey starts.. this website has been so helpful to me, reading all these stories and seeing everyone else's pictures, so I hope someone can read mine too and get something out of it. I would love to talk to anyone who has any advice for me as I start my adventure! ;)
2 years post op!
-
Lpatz
- Worth It
- Cost: $5,700
- Richard P. Rizzuti, MD, Greenville, NC
Well I know that I don't even have an appointment...
Weighed in at 118.0 this morning.. so 2 pounds...
Weighed in at 118.0 this morning.. so 2 pounds down, 8 to go (:
I have a question hopefully some people can give me a little insight.. I was wondering how long it took to get your appointment from when you called? Like when you first called and scheduled a meeting with the doc and then how long after that was the surgery scheduled? I'm a bit concerned because I will be moving from NC to CT in July/August. I very much want my TT done here in NC though so I was just wondering, should I be scheduling my appointment ASAP? Thanks ladies (:
I have a question hopefully some people can give me a little insight.. I was wondering how long it took to get your appointment from when you called? Like when you first called and scheduled a meeting with the doc and then how long after that was the surgery scheduled? I'm a bit concerned because I will be moving from NC to CT in July/August. I very much want my TT done here in NC though so I was just wondering, should I be scheduling my appointment ASAP? Thanks ladies (:
Well I talked to the office manager at GPS, she...
Well I talked to the office manager at GPS, she says I can get my consult within 1-2 weeks, and then if I decide to go ahead with it, the surgery 2-4 weeks after that! Seems so quick! Only problem now.. my husband is a Marine, and he's leaving for 6 weeks sometime in March. So it will have to wait until he gets back. But I'm so excited :D For those of you who already had your TT done, was 2 weeks enough time to be up and about again? We have no family anywhere close to where we are stationed, and hubby can only take 2 weeks of leave time from work to help me with the kids after the surgery. I hope that will be enough time!
Well I finally have an appointment scheduled, I...
Well I finally have an appointment scheduled, I will be seeing my PS the morning of February 19th! Yay (:
Went to see Dr. Rizzuti this morning for my...
Went to see Dr. Rizzuti this morning for my consult, and we scheduled my tummy tuck for the morning of May 8th! Would have been sooner except my husband is a Marine and he is going away for March/April. But yay! I am so excited (: pre-op is April 25. He said I am a great candidate but that my belly button sits high, so he will have to sew up the hole he cuts around it and make a new one. So I will have a small scar for that. I never really cared about the scar that much anyway, I probably won't be rocking a bikini with all my stretch marks anyway :P
Good afternoon everybody!! I haven't posted in...
Good afternoon everybody!! I haven't posted in about a month and a half.. I am getting excited though, just 5 weeks to go!! My husband will be home in about 4 weeks, so I am getting soo much done in the house to keep myself busy.. trying to clean out a lot of stuff we don't need, and thinking about what I need to get done before the surgery. Im not nervous at all, just excited to get it done already! Unfortunately, stress got the better of me and I stopped my weight loss, but I'm still only at 119 and back on track to be 110 by may 8 (: good luck to anyone going in this week!
26 days and counting... wow. My husband gets home...
26 days and counting... wow. My husband gets home in a few weeks, which makes me so happy. Up til now I have been super excited, no nervous feelings at all. While I'm still not really nervous about the whole thing, I've started to doubt whether it is still worth it.. I know this is all I have thought about for years, I'm forced to think about it every day living with my insecurity. So why now am I getting cold feet?? I guess I'm just feeling guilty about the cost, and having to be taken care of while my husband does everything. Anyone else get these feelings so close to the surgery? My pre-op appointment is in under 2 weeks, hopefully it will help remind me why I'm doing this for myself (: on the positive side I have lost 4 pounds, woohoo! But anyway, good luck to everyone still waiting, and happy healing to the rest of you beautiful ladies!
Just excited to be at the weight I'm happy with...
Just excited to be at the weight I'm happy with before my surgery! Hubby gets home about May 1, and new tummy is going on May 8.. 20 days to go!! Woohooo added pics of how I look now (: will update after my preop appointment on the 25th. Wish hubby could come, but I'm gonna have to go alone..boo :(
Well, today was my pre-op appointment, they did a...
Well, today was my pre-op appointment, they did a blood test and checked my blood pressure, then gave me some prescriptions and post op instructions. Not much else to report on that, it was super quick. So I drove the hour and a half back home, picked up my little ones and went to go fill my prescriptions when my car breaks down!! I had to have it towed home, because I couldnt pay for repairs today due to the large amount I just paid for my surgery (forgot to mention that, I paid it in full at my appointment) and there's a limit to how much I can spend per day on my card. So at least I wasn't far from home! Wish my huand was home, won't be back until the 1st. So hopefully I can figure out what to do about the car by then.. :(
Husband* lol stupid phone.
Husband* lol stupid phone.
So excited, just about a week left! Hubby gets...
So excited, just about a week left! Hubby gets home in 2 days, so I am soo happy about that. Today my dad called, I havent been able to see him in about a year and a half (due to our military station) and I have been trying to get him to visit me for ages but he couldnt because of his job. He said that he is finally able to come here in mid June. Well by that time I will be about 5 weeks post op. I have not told either of my parents about my procedure, not because I think they will be upset, but because I'm afraid they will be SUPER worried, and maybe not understanding of why I need it.. with clothes in you can't tell. The only ones who know are my friends here, and my sister. So now I don't know whether to tell him, or try and hide it.. I don't know how I will be feeling by then, I know I'll most likely still be wearing my cg still so I guess I'll just have to roll with the punches on this one. Still soo excited though!!
Well yesterday I took my car in to get looked at...
Well yesterday I took my car in to get looked at and everything is okay! For now. At least it is driveable. So I decided to go fill up my prescriptions today, Dr. Rizzuti prescribed Demerol and Percocet for pain, then something else for nausea.. forgot the name. Well it took me going to 3 different pharmacies to find that Demerol and wouldn't you know it, they don't accept Tricare as insurance! WTF. They ended up giving me some kind of discount on all the meds though, in the end it was like $30 for all 3. So that's good. Well I am getting super excited! I have everything I think I need in preparation, time to relax now and wait for my husband to get home tomorrow (: yay! Things are good.
Well my tummy tuck is happening on wednesday.. I...
Well my tummy tuck is happening on wednesday.. I have been taking a multivitamin plus high dose of vitamin c every morning for the past month to stay healthy. This morning I woke up with nausea and a stomach ache, and to spare details lol I've been in and out of the bathroom for the past few hours. I'm really stressing now and hope its just from eating pizza last night (I eat REALLY healthy so I don't eat out often). Praying I feel better later on and this isn't the start of a bug :( I can't postpone my surgery because of my husband being a marine, he can't just take time when he needs it. On the positive side he is home now, I'm so happy about that. But everybody please send good vibes my way that I'm not sick!!
Turns out my husband and his friend who both had...
Turns out my husband and his friend who both had the pizza last night also are sick. So it looks like food poisoning.. I really hope this passes asap! Ugh. I will be so upset if this interferes with my surgery :(
Wow, it is finally here!! We will be leaving the...
Wow, it is finally here!! We will be leaving the house at 5 am tomorrow morning, the ps office is 1 hour and 40 minutes away, surgery set to start at 8 am. Up til now I have been totally calm but wake up this morning and now my stomach is in a KNOT lol. Luckily I have lots to do today to keep busy, I know tomorrow I'll be such a wreck but I'm still super excited :D I'm praying that I can stay calm and relaxed, I just want to get it over with so I can stop thinking about it so much! Haha but anyway, good luck to my ladies who are also going in this week, its finally our time!!
LOL my husband is so ridiculous. We are cleaning...
LOL my husband is so ridiculous. We are cleaning up the house when he comes up to me, hugs me and says, "just think, tomorrow, all these doctors are gonna see you naked, then they're gonna cut pieces of your skin off, and sew you back up, like Frankenstein." Haha wow honey, thanks!! I'm like, who says that!? Haha but he made me laugh.. (: I just finished setting up my little recovery area in our room, I'm all set to go! Time to just relax with my love and my sweet little ones. Might update again tomorrow before my surgery but otherwise I will get on here for an update once I feel okay! Ttyl TT buddies haha see ya on the flat side!!!! :D
On our way to the ps right now, it is 520 am,...
On our way to the ps right now, it is 520 am, surgery is at 8. I feel alright, my nerves are calm but when I kissed my babies goodbye as they slept all I could think about was what if I don't come home again? What if something goes wrong.. my only.fears right now. Praying all goes well and I will update when this is all over and i feel okay. Thank you ladies for your support, could not have done this without this website.. see ya on the flat side xxx
Just gpt home from havimg my tummy tuck done (:...
Just gpt home from havimg my tummy tuck done (: forgive me if I am messing words up lol I'm really tired amd on painkillers. I will get into more detail on everything at a later time, but I just wanted to say I'M ON THE FLAT SIDE BABY!!! Dr Rizzuti even said there was enough skin to not do the "T" incision, so thats awesome! He repaired my muscles, did lipo on my love hamdles, and a tiny bit above my belly button. I am not in too much pain thanks to demerol, I'm expeting tomorrow j will feel it more haha. Also zero nausea for whivh I am so thankful, holy cow I can't imagine the excruciating pain if I were to throw up right now.. well anyway I'm going to sleep now (: happy healing everyone!
It's 5 am, I am having trouble staying asleep for...
It's 5 am, I am having trouble staying asleep for more than an hour at a time.. figured I would do an update since I am awake.
My husband and I left for the ps at 5 am yesterday morning. I felt totally calm, no anxiety or nerves. We got there at 630, checked in, then about 20 minutes latee the nurse called me in. They had a separate waiting area for my husband so we said goodbye there. He gave me a few hugs and kisses then the nurse told us to stop making out LOL. Then she took me into a room to put my hospital gown on, and laid me down on a stretcher. I met the anesthesiologist who put in my IV, I waited about 15 minutes then Dr, Rizzuti came in, took pictures and marked me up. I got back on the stretcher, the anesthesiologist gave me some kind of drug into my IV to keep me relaxed. Which I surprisingly was anyway! They wheeled me to the operating room, and that's the last I remember. I woke up panicking until they got ,my husband. They brought us to a recovery room and sat me in a wheelchair, and I had a little sprite and took demerol. Once we were okay to go they wheeled me to the car and helped me in. OUCH!! I slept for pretty much of the hour and a half drive home. No nausea, just a dry throat. When we got home I went right down to rest, my hubby is an excellent caregiver so far (: my kids did great, they weren't trying to jump on me or anything. Getting up from my chaise I sooo not fun.. when I'm down the pain sucks, but not too bad, like burning. When I get up my muscles at rhe top of my abdomen feel really tight, I can feel the bruising from the lipo on my sides and back. I also have stinging in one specific spot, which I assume is the drain. My wonderful husband is keeping on top of my meds, I take them every 4 hours. I'm gettig sleepy now, its getting hard to type well so I will update later. Happy healing ladies! (:
My husband and I left for the ps at 5 am yesterday morning. I felt totally calm, no anxiety or nerves. We got there at 630, checked in, then about 20 minutes latee the nurse called me in. They had a separate waiting area for my husband so we said goodbye there. He gave me a few hugs and kisses then the nurse told us to stop making out LOL. Then she took me into a room to put my hospital gown on, and laid me down on a stretcher. I met the anesthesiologist who put in my IV, I waited about 15 minutes then Dr, Rizzuti came in, took pictures and marked me up. I got back on the stretcher, the anesthesiologist gave me some kind of drug into my IV to keep me relaxed. Which I surprisingly was anyway! They wheeled me to the operating room, and that's the last I remember. I woke up panicking until they got ,my husband. They brought us to a recovery room and sat me in a wheelchair, and I had a little sprite and took demerol. Once we were okay to go they wheeled me to the car and helped me in. OUCH!! I slept for pretty much of the hour and a half drive home. No nausea, just a dry throat. When we got home I went right down to rest, my hubby is an excellent caregiver so far (: my kids did great, they weren't trying to jump on me or anything. Getting up from my chaise I sooo not fun.. when I'm down the pain sucks, but not too bad, like burning. When I get up my muscles at rhe top of my abdomen feel really tight, I can feel the bruising from the lipo on my sides and back. I also have stinging in one specific spot, which I assume is the drain. My wonderful husband is keeping on top of my meds, I take them every 4 hours. I'm gettig sleepy now, its getting hard to type well so I will update later. Happy healing ladies! (:
Today is post op day 2. My ps said that I can take...
Today is post op day 2. My ps said that I can take a shower tomorrow, so I will get to take off my binder.. thank goodness cause its pinching me and it needs to be adjusted, so uncomfortable. Speaking of uncomfortable, this morning I got up, went to the bathroom and peed.. my hubby was about to empty my drains when I got this awful nausea. I wanted to throw up but I couldnt, I could only gag.. made me shake and break a sweat, it was horrible! But anyway, taking demerol every 4 hours is helping the pain, it is getting easier to get up and down too. I feel really swollen and my back is stinging from lipo. My drains haven't been putting much out, so hopefully I can get one taken out on tuesday at my post op appointment. I'm pretty tired so I'm going to rest now. Take care, and happy healing to all (:
Morning of PO day 3. I am feeling so much better...
Morning of PO day 3. I am feeling so much better than I thought I would!! Had my first bm yesterday, I was taking peri colace at night and in the morning since my surgery. I'm able to get up and down by myself pretty well, and my drains are hardly putting out much fluid, so hopefully tuesday I can get at least one out! I've been really tired, but the pain isn't too bad, more uncomfortable than really painful. I'm going to take a shower later today and get my first look without my binder on (: I havent had much of an appetite since the TT, anyone else like that? I'm just not hungry at all. But otherwise things are going well, I'm excited to see how everything is looking so far. Hope everyone is doing well, good luck future TTers and happy healing!!!
Today was pretty good, I'm able to get around with...
Today was pretty good, I'm able to get around with just extra strength tylenol. I tried taking a shower, I'm dying to wash my hair, but my back was aching too much. But I got to take everything off and see my new tummy for the first time! I'm so happy with how everything looks, my scar looks great, I'm really excited. I'm gonna go watch a movie with my hubby now, goodnight everyone!
Oh my.. my little darlings are just too cute.. I...
Oh my.. my little darlings are just too cute.. I was on the couch and they had me laughing so hard I moved to my bedroom and put on a horror movie so I would stop giggling so much!! That is the most painful thing I've felt since this started WOW!!! Taking it easy now.. happy mothers day haha.
Today is PO day 5. I stopped taking tylenol...
Today is PO day 5. I stopped taking tylenol yesterday because I really don't need it anymore (: the only pain I'm having is the entrance where my drains are, it keeps pulling no matter how much gauze I try and put on there. It sucks!! My drains havent been putting out much fluid anyway so I'm going to see if the ps will PLEASE take them out tomorrow at my post op appointment. Also I am really short, so my garment bunches up at my hips and digs in to my sides where I'm all bruised from my lipo and that bothers me too. But theres no real pain from the TT itself. OH I also got to wash my hair yesterday, finally, which is wonderful. I will update again tomorrow after my appointment!! Hope everyone is having a good day, and happy healing (:
PO day 6. Just got back from my first post op...
PO day 6. Just got back from my first post op appointment.. Dr. Rizzuti took out one of my drains, he said that my husband can take the other one out in a few days. They took the tape off my scar, and also the tape and a few sutures from my bb. He is really happy with how everything looks, he said I had a cute little bb haha. They said my bb won't have a scar, and my tt scar will be nice and thin. So it all looks good! I don't have much pain at all, really just if I laugh too hard or something. I will post a new belly pic later on today (:
OH I forgot to say that the drain didn't hurt...
OH I forgot to say that the drain didn't hurt coming out, just felt SUPER WEIRD haha like a little snake or something wriggling around. Ew it was gross lol.
Well today is one week post op already! My drain...
Well today is one week post op already! My drain hasn't put anything out all day, so I will have my hubby pull it out tomorrow (: yay! I feel awesome today, I did the dishes, and I just got done making my family a batch of brownies from scratch. My ps said not to use any scar creams on my incision yet, but he said I could use silicone strips so I put those on today. I wish I could stand up straight because my back hurts from hunching over so much, but I'm like 90% there. I slept in bed with my hubby last night, took a little melatonin and slept like a baby ALL NIGHT for the first time since my surgery!! What a relief. I also ordered some spanx to wear (per my PS suggestion) so I can finally ditch this awful cg, hopefully they fit me better. But anyway thats about it for now, will update again soon (: happy healing ladies!!
8 days post op
Well my drain didn't put anything out yesterday, so this morning my husband pulled it out. Yay no more drains!!! It is so freeing haha. I also switched my cg for spanx, I feel SO WONDERFUL now!! (: added a few new pictures today as well. Hope everyone is doing well today, happy healing!! xxx
end of day 8.
Well today I finally took a "real" shower.. it was wonderful! (: I was feeling so good today my husband and I took the kids to the store for a little grocery shopping. My back didn't bother me at all, and it didn't tire me out so I'm happy about that. Although, there is a McDonalds at our walmart, my hubby decided he wanted to grab some for dinner on the way out. And I love my french fries. SO that was a huge mistake haha my stomach cramped up for like half an hour :p but I'm fine now. But basically a really great day (: I am feeling so much better than I thought I would after this tt, its such a relief. Hubby goes back to work next week, and I feel like I'll be just fine dealing with the kids myself. I'm just so happy (: this was soo worth it to me!!!
Day 9.
Hey y'all. So today I was changing my silicone strips when I saw that there is a stitch poking out from the end of my incision.. is this okay? Should I call my ps or is this normal? Anyway, still doing great, every day gets even better. I can't wait to see how I look and feel in a few more weeks (: my bb looks better all the time to me too. Hope everyone is doing well, happy healing tt ladies ;)
10 days post op.
Hello! I said I would update when I got my new spanx in, and they got here today. I'm wearing them now :p first of all, let me say they were NOT EASY to get into haha but now that they are on, very comfortable. I think just being new and all they are super tight. As they should be, I mean thats their job haha. They have adjustable straps, a nice padding on the tummy, the shorts are really soft and not cutting into my skin tne way my cg did. They also have an open crotch so there is no need to take it off 5 times a day. I like them! Hopefully they get a BIT easier to get on and off as I wear them more, but overall, so much better than that awful cg. Yay for spanx (: for anyone who wants to check them out, here is where I ordered from, I got a size small (I am 5'1" and 113 pounds)
http://www.mycamila.com/shapewear-braless-1385.html
http://www.mycamila.com/shapewear-braless-1385.html
12 days po.
Today I am 12 days post op. Everything is healing really well, my incision and bb look great. Last night after I ate dinner my upper abdomen was really swollen, it was almost hard to breathe in deep. It has also been a little more tender up there, though I have been laughing more since it doesn't hurt so much, and I also sneezed a few times yesterday from my allergies. So maybe the strain is just causing the tenderness and extra swelling. But last night when I was getting ready to shower, I noticed there is a small hard almost lump in my upper abs, kinda feels like it has gotten bigger but I can't say for sure. It doesn't really hurt, it's just there. I think I will wait until my next appointment to ask my ps about it, unless it changes. I'm figuring it is just my muscles getting too strained from me doing too much or something. But otherwise things are great, I'm working on straightening up more, which is nice on my back.. I drove the other day, only thing about that was it was hard to twist around to see to back the car up haha. So I think I should wait until I can do that better before driving again. I really wish I could go swimming with my kids, I hate having to sit on the side while my family has fun in the pool :( gonna ask Dr. Rizzuti about when I can do that when I go on the 30th. My husband is having minor surgery today, right now actually.. having a cyst removed from under his eyebrow. So it is my first day being with the kids on my own since the tt. And of course, they are being extra difficult just for mommy haha. I slept all night last night, only the second or third time I have done so since surgery so that was nice. I'm not sure what that's about seeing as how I am EXHAUSTED
12 dpo continuted..
got cut off there for some reason. I was going to say I don't know why I can't sleep all night seeing as how I am soo exhausted during the day. Also adding a few pictures. Nothing much different, my bb is drying up though and looking good. My skin is also smoothing out more, not so "gathered" at my incision. That's it for now. I will update after my appointment on the 30th. Good luck future TTers and happy healing ladies (:
One more thing.
Haha I just wanted to say that I just received an email back from the nurse about my stitch that was poking out, she said the stitches dissolve so it is nothing to worry about. She said if it becomes bothersome to just snip the end off. So that's good! One less thing to think about.
2 weeks post op.
Wow, time flies!! Already been 2 weeks. Today was really fun, I went fishing with my husband and his shop.. caught some fish for dinner (: I did get seasick though, threw up a little.. which hurt my muscles haha but overall it was really fun. My upper abdomen muscles have still been extra tender, and also my sides where the lipo was done has been burning a little, I think I am just getting the feeling back there. Everything looks good, I just posted pictures the other day but I figured I would put some more up since I'm at my 2 week mark. I will probably start updating weekly now. But over all I have been feeling pretty good, just get tired easily, standing up straight, and my incision/bb are healing really well. Will update next week, happy healing to all (:
3 weeks po tomorrow. Feeling awesome.
Well hello realself friends (: tomorrow I will be 3 weeks post op. I am feeling wonderful. Everything is still healing well, I don't really have much pain anymore. My sides where the lipo was done still have numb spots, but they don't really burn anymore. I love love love my new tummy, and I know it's just going to keep getting better! I hope this isn't inappropriate, but I just wanted to share that I had sex with my husband for the first time since surgery. I find it's not something that most people talk about on here, but I think it's kinda important to know! I had NO IDEA what to expect on that. But it was great, my husband is very careful about where he puts his hands haha to make sure he doesn't hurt me, and made sure that it was a good experience for us both. ANYWAY I also am totally back to feeling like myself, aside from the fact I need to limit myself on my activities I normally would not have to think about. But I do feel really really good (: I go see my PS on Thursday the 30th, I hope he takes these stitches out of my belly button, they are starting to look a tad pink around them which makes me nervous.. I am SO cautious to avoid infection, I put neosporin and a bandage on it last night, which is why there's a square around my bb in my pictures. Well that's about it, I will update again after my appointment I guess! Hope everyone is doing well, good luck to anyone who hasn't had their surgery yet, and happy healing to everyone else!! xx
I also wanted to add..
for those of you who haven't had your tummy tuck done yet, it is REALLY not as scary as it seems. Before my surgery I was seriously freaking out about everything.. the unknown, getting put under for the first time, having such a major surgery, not waking up, how much pain there would be especially... and once it was done I realized all that stressing out was for nothing. I mean yeah, there is pain, but it's nothing like I imagined it would be. I was preparing myself for horrible, awful pain, I was expecting to be completely debilitated, stuck to my chaise for weeks, not able to move by myself or get up to go to the bathroom.. but I was so thrown when I realized it was not like that at all! The pain is totally manageable with medication, and I only needed the strong stuff for 2 days; day 3 and 4 I took Tylenol, and after that I was fine. I had no issue using the bathroom, even the day of surgery. Getting up from laying down.. I did need help for the first few days but then I was good. It's really those first few days that are the hardest. But if anyone reading this is putting off this surgery because of the fear of pain, or fear of needing 24/7 assistance for weeks or months, don't!! If a tummy tuck is something you really want to do, don't let fear change your mind. I am so happy I did this, I have no regrets (:
3 weeks, 1 day update.
Well today I am 3 weeks and one day post op. Went to see Dr. Rizzuti earlier, he took out the last 4 stitches from my bb finallyyy. I will post pics next week probably. My incision had a spot that was redder than the rest, he thought it was a spitting stitch but it wasn't.. he just popped it and put a bandaid on it. He also said that I can go swimming in pools or the ocean (YES!!) and he also said I can start ab workouts in 3 weeks. Awesome!! Another update... if you read my earlier posts you know my hubby is a Marine. Well, he is getting out end of July, he is finishing up his 5 year active service! Which means getting to move home (: I've decided to move early to find a job and a place to live, so I'll be moving in just 2 weeks with the kids. Holy cow I have a lot to do haha. I will still update every week on my tummy and post up pics though! So thats about all I have to say for this update.. I'm healing super well, feeling awesome, just excited about these upcoming weeks! Hope everyone is doing great, and happy healing (:
3 and a half weeks PO.
Just a quick update. I forgot to mention yesterday that Dr. Rizzuti also told me I am clear to start using scar creams now, he said to just get like Walgreens brand or something.. but I was wondering if anyone knows of one that they swear by? I would love to fade my scar as much as I can lol. I had Bio Oil already so I put that on this morning. I also still have my silicone strips, are those better than the scar creams? But anyway, I am so happy for my hubby, he is getting promoted to Sergeant on Monday (: I have so much more energy this week, I haven't been getting tired during the day to the point where I am falling asleep or anything like I was before. Also still not really swelling up much at all, once in a while I will have some at night but not bad. My dad is coming on the 9th, then he's helping me move back on the 14th. So I gotta go start packing and stuff ;) I will update next week! TTYL xx
Well, I like pictures haha.
Eh I decided to just put up some new pics to celebrate my stitches coming out of my belly button haha. Also I can totally see the definition in the sides of my muscles, Dr. Rizzuti is awesome. I can't wait to start working out, and toning everything up (:
4 weeks post op.
Hello! I am 4 weeks post op today.. WOW time flies! Not much new to report, things are still going well.. my incision is healing nicely, nice and thin. My bb looks so much better without those darn stitches in it haha I love it. Although I have been standing straight for a while now, I find that sometimes if I am sitting down for a bit then get up, it takes me a few seconds to get all the way straight lol guess I just need to keep working on getting those muscles stretched out. My sides where the lipo was done still sting, and are still numb in spots. It really hurts if I accidentally bang my hip on something. That's been the most painful part of this whole process, the lipo! Darn those love handles. Without it I think I would have felt better a lot sooner. But I love my new belly so much (: new pictures to come at my one month po. Happy healing TT ladies, and good luck you future TTers! xx
5 weeks + 1 day post op.
Helloooo so I meant to update yesterday but my dad is here visiting and we have been having an awesome time (: I am 5 weeks po, and went to the pool in my bikini today!! I was so proud of myself haha it has been almost 8 years. Anywho, still doing great, no pain and I hardly wear my spanx.. even eating fast food I havent gotten that crazy "swell hell" I see on here. I do swell a little sometimes at night but mostly not an issue at all. Just a little bloated. Next week I get to start ab exercises which is awesomeeee, OH I did tell my dad about my tummy, he totally understood and basically was like, "whatever makes you happy." (: love my daddy. We leave tomorrow night for CT so I wanted to just pop in on yall and share some pics. Will update again in about a week!!
ddiscouraged.
Hey realself. So today I am 5 weeks and 5 days post op. Dr. Rizzuti said I was okay to start ab exercises at 6 weeks. I just tried to do a situp and could barely get my shoulders up off the floor.. soo discouraging! I did a few like that anyway and just didn't feel comfortable so I stopped. When were you post op girls able to do simple workouts again? I feel like I'm gaining weight :( this really sucks.
On a positive note, the kids and I are safe and sound at my mom's house in Connecticut, missing my hubby but he will be here in August. Time to find a job and a house, busy busy busy!! But I wont forget to update and add new pics. Have a great day everyone and happy healing (:
On a positive note, the kids and I are safe and sound at my mom's house in Connecticut, missing my hubby but he will be here in August. Time to find a job and a house, busy busy busy!! But I wont forget to update and add new pics. Have a great day everyone and happy healing (:
6 weeks post op!!
Wow time flies!!! 6 weeks is what I've been waiting for and now its here. Not much new to report, but I took new pics. It looks better to me all the time, and I'm still healing but feel awesome. I still can't hold my son because his knees against my stomach feels sore. Lipo feels much better but once in a while burns slightly when I get up from sitting. Gonna wait another week probably before trying a situp again, but I realize I need to be patient and take it slow still. Being in CT is wonderful, just can't wait until hubby can come too. 6 more weeks for him. But here are my pics, hope everyone is doing well, and happy healing!!! Never regretted this for a second! !
6.5 weeks.
Well things have been going great since moving to CT. Even though I've been out and about with friends and family almost constantly lol I have no more swelling, and I feel just fine. I stopped wearing my spanx a week ago, and don't feel like I need them anymore. I went out in the pool with the kids today, then laid out my towel on the grass to lay down and was very happy to see that I could easily lay on my stomach flat out with no pain or strain. Yay!! I feel 100% back to normal, it is amazing. Haven't tried a sit up yet, but I'm not worried. My tummy is beautiful amd flat and I watch my diet so I wont gain weight during this healing process. My 22nd birthday is on Friday, my friends and I are going out to drink and dance and have a good time so I bought myself this dress and new shoes. Check out that figure! ;) I am so happy.
7 weeks, 2 days post op. Happy Birthday to me!!!
Hello everyone! Today is my 22nd birthday! (: if anyone is curious as to why I'm 22 and married with 2 kids already, here's my story. My husband and I met in high school through friends. We started dating when i was 15 and he was 16. A few months into our relationship I got pregnant.. he said he loved me and wasn't going anywhere. So we had our beautiful daughter (: at 17 he decided to join he Marines to support our little family. At 18 we got married and wanted another child. So we had our sweet little boy at 19. I know none of this is relevant to my tummy tuck, but I wanted to share anyway (: I like people to know I didn't "get knocked up" with 2 different guys and none of them are around anymore. My husband and I are mature, we are very much in love and doing well for ourselves. That's also why I'm 22 and already having a tummy tuck, I'm done having kids and I want to have my body back! Which Dr. Rizzuti did an awesome job with. I'm so happy with my life right now. My tummy is doing great, I'm in zero pain.. did a few full situps the other day! So I'm happy about that. Really not much to report, things are stil going great. Have an awesome day ladies. Happy healing (: I will post more pics at 8 weeks po xxx
8 weeks post op!!!
Holy crap time just flies right on by now.. I was 8 weeks po on wednesday, 2 days ago. Nothing has changed.. still feel good, zero pain, even went running around in the backyard with my 2 year old haha and I felt fine (: some new pictures for ya.. scar slowly getting better, I need to start working out though cause I'm feeling "flabby".. its been nice to sunbathe in my bikini while my kids splash around in our kiddy pool hehe dream come true right? Hubby gets out of the Marine Corps at the end of the month so I can't wait to see him. Hopefully the days keep moving as fast as they have been. Anyway, like I said nothing new to say because I feel great, so here are my promised pictures (:
8 week pics
Oops I hit the wrong button. Wish you could edit this thing!! Here's he rest of my 8 week pics.
9 weeks po.
Tomorrow I will be 9 weeks po.. went shopping for pants today to wear to prospective interviews, and OMG these are a size 2.. with room.. there werent any in a smaller size so I got them anyway. I can have them taken in. I'm so excited!!!
10 weeks post op
Well I don't have much time for an update because I'm putting a deposit on a condo this morning, so excited! It's so nice to be back in Connecticut. My hubby gets here in a couple weeks. Anyway, things are still going well, I've started doing ab exercises (slowly but surely) so I can't wait to start seeing results on that.. here are a few pics I just snapped, no difference in my scar. Hope everyone is doing well!!
11 weeks post op.
Yesterday started week 11. I wanted to update yesterday but for some reason my tablet isn't letting me sign in so I am using a computer instead. Things are still going well for me, I feel like I definitely need to start stepping it up with the workouts, feeling a little 'round' in the belly ugh.. I stopped waking up looking like a supermodel lol. I have been working on the ab exercises, taking it slow, just doing what I can throughout the day. I know it will continue to get easier as I keep healing and strengthening. It's hard to feel like things are going to get better when I already feel so back to normal, in my head I feel like I'm at a standstill with the healing. I'm still numb from below my belly button to my scar, will the feeling ever come back? It really kinda sucks.. my scar doesn't seem to be progressing either it still looks the same as it as the last few weeks. I am still using silicone strips as well as Mederma Advanced every day. I know, I know, I still am early on in my healing. Wait for 6 months right? ;) anyway, the condo didn't work out for us.. the owners went with someone else so I'm still stuck staying with my mom until I can find my own place. So frustrating. My husband comes home in a week and a half so I can't wait to see him! But yeah anyway, tummy is doing alright, still pink around my bb but I think it's slowly getting better.. still have my scars from the drains, nobody seems to mention that on here but they are still alive and well. Two little pink dots looking like eyes on my vag. Kinda weird. But you know what, I am so so happy I did this, I'm a whole lot more confident in myself, and I don't try on 20 different tops in the morning to hide my belly, I would do this all over again. So worth it! I am gonna wait til 3 months post op to do more pics (2 more weeks) so until then, happy healing to all you beautiful ladies, and good luck to anyone still waiting for their day!
15 weeks post op!
It's really hard to update on my cell, but we are in our NEW house in CT finally and have no internet yet (or furniture... wahhh) but i wanted to put up a few pics for yall, things are great, scar is getting lighter and I think my numb area is starting to maybe get some feeling back?! It's been slightly tingly there and a couple of quick stab like pains so I take it as a good sign (: good luck future TTers and happy healing to all!!
5 months post op (:
Sorry I missed last month's post! I have been so so busy with my new job and new house and my daughter starting Kindergarten... anyway! Things haven't really changed, still absolutely wonderful, I think I gained a couple of pounds ugh I gotta start working out before the holidays come and I explode. The feeling in the area below my belly button I still think is coming back, at least some.. my muscles feel good, my scar is getting much lighter! Pretty much just the best decision of my life ;) I am still in awe!! :D
6 months post op.. and still so happy I could cry (:
WOW 6 months has flown by.. seriously, where did the time go?! I remember before my procedure, reading through probably HUNDREDS of reviews on here, doubting that I could really go through with it, and especially doubting that I would look half as good as some of the fabulous pictures I saw. But this website is seriously a godsend.. it's the sense of true community and real care and honesty that really pushed me to move forward with my decision. I'd entertained the thought about doing it for a few years, but never really thought I would get it done! Then tax return season rolled around, and my husband and I got a nice amount of money back and I thought, wow, maybe I can really make this happen.. if anyone reading this has read back to my previous entries you'll know I had my first child at age 16. Being 16 and having a child is no easy task, but being 16 in general is no walk in the park either! My self esteem plummeted when I realized my stomach was not going to shrink back to where it used to be. I suffered silently with my depression, and being forced to think about it every day when I got dressed, or took a shower, just - for lack of a better word - sucked!! I'm sure many people on here felt the same way. And that's why we all eventually stumbled upon this website. I realized through talking to people who had already had their tummy tucks done that it was a very real idea to get mine fixed too. And so I did the research, found my AMAZING doctor, and made the call. And since my surgery I have never once doubted my decision. I do understand that sometimes, things go wrong, and there's always that chance.. sometimes it doesn't turn out the way one might have hoped. But for me, it was even more than I had imagined. And it still is. I used to get anxiety about taking my clothes off in front of my husband. And that's so not healthy in a relationship! I felt ugly, and disfigured, and even though he assured me I still looked just as beautiful as I always had to him, I couldn't shake the thought in my head that all he saw was my flab. Now, you can't keep me from walking around the house in my underwear hahaha I'm constantly strutting around with my sports bras on, (even in this cold weather)! I keep checking myself out in the mirror, and my mind is just still blown at how my tummy looks. The scar is fading still, and my belly button to me looks AWESOME. I'm happier than I have been in so many years. Seems like such a small thing really. And people who don't have the extra skin just don't understand that it won't go away on its own. But for us, we know what it's like. And I wouldn't ever take back my decision; I stopped feeling bad for spending the money on it because I feel so freaking good about myself, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Dr. Rizzuti is fantastic. I would very highly recommend him to anyone. I am about to take some pictures, so keep an eye out!! I hope everyone is having a wonderful week, healing fabulously, and keeping warm ;) love!!
7 months post op
Well! Not much has changed in the last month.. maybe a few pounds gained over Thanksgiving ;) but other than that everything is A-OK! Still working on strengthening my ab muscles, if I work them too hard they get sore for a day or two. Thought I would add a new pic though, my pre-op to 1 month post op, to today at 7 months post! For some reason the pic today was a little bigger but whatever ;) Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!! xx
okay one more picture, @ 7 months post
it would be nice if you could edit your posts, and be able to add more pics and stuff! *hint hint at realself managers*
9 months post op
Hello my realself friends!!
I am just past 9 months post op. WOW. It's amazing how fast time goes once you're all healed up. So much has happened in the last few weeks.. CT has been getting slammed with this harsh winter weather, and unfortunately our car we bought in NC is not well equipped to handle it.. so we ended up sliding off the highway and slammed into a cliffside. Fortunately we are all okay, except I've been in some pain which has made it hard to work out. Between my shoulder/neck pain and being stuck inside with the snow, I feel like I'm putting on some fat so no pics this month :P haha. I have also made the decision to talk to an AF recruiter. I miss the military lifestyle, being home has made me realize how much I want to go back. Plus the awesome benefits! So anyway, tummy is fabulous as always, once I kick my ass back into high gear I'll post more pictures. Can't wait to be done with this stinky weather! I hate it!! Good luck to anyone just starting their journey!! It is truly amazing!!
I am just past 9 months post op. WOW. It's amazing how fast time goes once you're all healed up. So much has happened in the last few weeks.. CT has been getting slammed with this harsh winter weather, and unfortunately our car we bought in NC is not well equipped to handle it.. so we ended up sliding off the highway and slammed into a cliffside. Fortunately we are all okay, except I've been in some pain which has made it hard to work out. Between my shoulder/neck pain and being stuck inside with the snow, I feel like I'm putting on some fat so no pics this month :P haha. I have also made the decision to talk to an AF recruiter. I miss the military lifestyle, being home has made me realize how much I want to go back. Plus the awesome benefits! So anyway, tummy is fabulous as always, once I kick my ass back into high gear I'll post more pictures. Can't wait to be done with this stinky weather! I hate it!! Good luck to anyone just starting their journey!! It is truly amazing!!
10 months post!
Hello fellow tummy-tuckers!!
I feel awesome today, got in a great workout this morning.. I really need to start doing more cardio because I hate my thighs!! Bikini season will be here before we know it (even though we are still getting SNOW here......) and I fully intend to strut around and show off my $6000 well spent. Feeling a LOT better than I did before, went to the ER to get my pain checked out but I'm totally fine (: yay! Putting up my promised pics for this month. As always, good luck to you ladies with future sexy tummies, and happy healing to all who are still in their first few months! You'll be up and about before you know it!!
I feel awesome today, got in a great workout this morning.. I really need to start doing more cardio because I hate my thighs!! Bikini season will be here before we know it (even though we are still getting SNOW here......) and I fully intend to strut around and show off my $6000 well spent. Feeling a LOT better than I did before, went to the ER to get my pain checked out but I'm totally fine (: yay! Putting up my promised pics for this month. As always, good luck to you ladies with future sexy tummies, and happy healing to all who are still in their first few months! You'll be up and about before you know it!!
11 months post op today (: amazing!!
Hi everyone!! I can't believe it's been almost a year since my life-changing surgery. Incredible.
I still can't stress just how much this has improved the way I feel about myself. I couldn't go a day without thinking about my tummy. It affected the way I dressed, the way I carried myself.. every time I sat down I thought, can anyone see my roll? I felt thin but if I sat down or bent over it all sagged out and I remembered it was there. When I got undressed it was there. When my husband wanted to make love to me.. it was there. All just hanging out. He understood that I needed this and I can't thank him enough for his support. I feel amazing, and I can't wait to go to the beach this summer!! It's funny, now my tummy is fixed I'm trying not to focus on the other parts of my body that need work.. like my thighs.. ugh! ;)
Good luck to all you ladies who are just getting started!! Just keep your head up - the beginning is the hardest part but it DOES get better (:
I still can't stress just how much this has improved the way I feel about myself. I couldn't go a day without thinking about my tummy. It affected the way I dressed, the way I carried myself.. every time I sat down I thought, can anyone see my roll? I felt thin but if I sat down or bent over it all sagged out and I remembered it was there. When I got undressed it was there. When my husband wanted to make love to me.. it was there. All just hanging out. He understood that I needed this and I can't thank him enough for his support. I feel amazing, and I can't wait to go to the beach this summer!! It's funny, now my tummy is fixed I'm trying not to focus on the other parts of my body that need work.. like my thighs.. ugh! ;)
Good luck to all you ladies who are just getting started!! Just keep your head up - the beginning is the hardest part but it DOES get better (:
One year post - op! I finally made it.
WOW. What a year it's been. I can't believe how fast it flew by. We're already getting ready to move again, and I'm about to celebrate another birthday next month. I did miss my surgery anniversary, it was last week, but the pictures I took on the actual day. I've been SUPER busy with work, and finding a new place to live, and our new puppy!! We got a german shepherd puppy a few weeks ago, and he's been keeping us pretty active haha I love him so much. Anyway, it's been a great year, I won't be updating as much but I will get on here maybe for 18 months, 2 years? We'll see! Good luck to all who are starting this process, it's incredible. Feel free to contact me (:
Since my 1 year post update...
HI all! It's only been 2 months since my last post but a lot has changed so I decided to update again.. hubby and I are separated so I live on my own now, which gives me a lot of time to work on myself! So I'm happy (: I have been working out a lot more, eating fairly cleanly, and unfortunately work is pretty slow right now but should be picking up again soon. So that will be awesome. I'm at about 14 and a half months post op now, my tummy looks incredible to me so I'm busy working hard on everything else now haha my thighs still need work and my arms and all that. Still not ready to rock a bikini bottom (shorts all the way!) but I do wear my bikini top at the pool to show off my efforts. So here's where I am at so far. Hope all you lovely ladies are feeling good, no matter what stage you are at in your tummy tucks, and I will update again soon! Hopefully next time my legs will be looking a little trimmer ;) love!
21 months post op update! (:
Wow. My life has been crazy this past year!! I actually forgot about this page until I had 2 newer users comment on it and realized people still check it out! So I figured another update was in order ;)
Hubby and I have been separated for 9 months and decided 6 months ago to file for divorce. We have not filed yet but definitely intend to after we do our taxes lol.. But I'm really okay about it, I met a man at work who treats me like the sun shines out of my ass and I'm happier than I've ever been (: besides being totally broke of course haha still looking for a better paying job but have something that hopefully works out so PRAYERS on that! But yeah he doesn't see my scar he sees me and thinks I'm beautiful, I'm so crazy happy.
Also got myself 2 beautiful kittens to keep me company when my ex has the kids and they are so sweet!
My sister got married this past October and my other sister in Japan is pregnant due in May!! So I'm super happy for them both.
So anyway, about the tummy, still looks wonderful, my boyfriend motivates me to work out (I have been slacking since it got cold) but it looks pretty good still ;) gotta get into shape for the summer!! Put a few pics of the tummy up, enjoy haha. I'll update again in another few months I'm sure, probably this summer (: good luck ladies and happy tucking!!! xxx
**** Well I tried to upload my pics but my phone won't let me at the moment, when I go somewhere with wifi I will definitely get them up!! So frustrated.
Hubby and I have been separated for 9 months and decided 6 months ago to file for divorce. We have not filed yet but definitely intend to after we do our taxes lol.. But I'm really okay about it, I met a man at work who treats me like the sun shines out of my ass and I'm happier than I've ever been (: besides being totally broke of course haha still looking for a better paying job but have something that hopefully works out so PRAYERS on that! But yeah he doesn't see my scar he sees me and thinks I'm beautiful, I'm so crazy happy.
Also got myself 2 beautiful kittens to keep me company when my ex has the kids and they are so sweet!
My sister got married this past October and my other sister in Japan is pregnant due in May!! So I'm super happy for them both.
So anyway, about the tummy, still looks wonderful, my boyfriend motivates me to work out (I have been slacking since it got cold) but it looks pretty good still ;) gotta get into shape for the summer!! Put a few pics of the tummy up, enjoy haha. I'll update again in another few months I'm sure, probably this summer (: good luck ladies and happy tucking!!! xxx
**** Well I tried to upload my pics but my phone won't let me at the moment, when I go somewhere with wifi I will definitely get them up!! So frustrated.
2 years post op (:
Hello tummy tuckers!!
I finally got around to getting some pictures, took them this morning for y'all since I just passed 2 YEARS post op. Crazy.
I am currently sitting at a desk on my laptop at SCHOOL because I decided I needed a new direction in my life. So I am studying to be a Medical Assistant, due to graduate in January (: (: my life is finally feeling together, I'm happier than I've ever been. I filed for divorce with my lawyer, my husband gets served very soon.. so that's going to be stressful but I'll be okay! I moved back in with my mom so I can live rent-free while in school and working part-time, so that works out really well for me now. I am still with my boyfriend, and still insanely happier with him, I can't believe I spent so many years unhappy. Life is TOO SHORT so if you're on the fence, GET THAT TUCK! Get out of your unhealthy relationships! Life your life, and be true to yourself, I smile all day knowing I am on my way to greater things. Just signed up my youngest for kindergarten so I'm freaking out about that but he will do great (: Loving life.
Be back for another update in a few months.. good luck to all future tummy lovers! (: (: xxx
I finally got around to getting some pictures, took them this morning for y'all since I just passed 2 YEARS post op. Crazy.
I am currently sitting at a desk on my laptop at SCHOOL because I decided I needed a new direction in my life. So I am studying to be a Medical Assistant, due to graduate in January (: (: my life is finally feeling together, I'm happier than I've ever been. I filed for divorce with my lawyer, my husband gets served very soon.. so that's going to be stressful but I'll be okay! I moved back in with my mom so I can live rent-free while in school and working part-time, so that works out really well for me now. I am still with my boyfriend, and still insanely happier with him, I can't believe I spent so many years unhappy. Life is TOO SHORT so if you're on the fence, GET THAT TUCK! Get out of your unhealthy relationships! Life your life, and be true to yourself, I smile all day knowing I am on my way to greater things. Just signed up my youngest for kindergarten so I'm freaking out about that but he will do great (: Loving life.
Be back for another update in a few months.. good luck to all future tummy lovers! (: (: xxx
I actually found this doctor through realself.. I spoke to a girl who got her tummy tuck done by them and she looked amazing! So I went for a consult and knew I wanted it done with him. Everyone at GPS is so nice and it is very comfortable there.
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