POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS
30 Year Old, Athletic Mom of 2, 140 Pounds Lost and Kept off for Ten Years - Hinsdale, IL
ORIGINAL POST
Hello realself community!! When I was 15 I weighed...
lulufuzzOctober 29, 2016
$8,000
Hello realself community!!
When I was 15 I weighed over 317lbs. By 20 I had lost 140 pounds. I now stay around 170lbs for the past ten years. I workout very hard and every almost everyday for ten years. I've fallen in love with healthy eating and treating my body with kindness. At 22, I went in for my first consultation. But I ultimately decided to wait until I was finished having children. I hadn't even known if I would at that point, but figured I wouldn't want to re-do it. Flash forward eight years and two kids later, and I am freaking ready!!
I've seen three different Chicago area plastic surgeons. Two of which have many many reviews on here and one that has a couple. I've chosen to work with Dr. Saulis in Hinsdale, right outside of chicago. She is extremely talented. Her work is very impressive. And her bedside manner is exactly what I need. She understands my concerns and really listens. My surgery is scheduled for November 8th. 11 days! Omg. I'm beyond thrilled. My two biggest concerns aren't with the surgery but the time I need to take off from working out and being a mom. I have a sixth month old and a three year old. My mom is coming for two weeks to help me with everything and my wonderful husband is 100% on board. Second. The recovery time and the time off from heavy lifting and hiit workouts scares me a bit. I plan on being a point with my eating and getting the macros I need to heal and stay fit while I recover. And walking and moving as much as I can. And meditation! For real keeping your mind calm and healthy keeps your body calm and healthy.
I will be documenting in full here. I found this site so helpful the last two years. Especially the reviews that were detailed. They really helped me figure things out and make it happen. So I hope to do the same. I also look forward to connecting with an authentic community!!
I am also posting my whole journey over on Instagram, under the name @lucyscrazyhealthylife please join me there for a peak into my lifestyle and workouts!
I'm going to post daily!
When I was 15 I weighed over 317lbs. By 20 I had lost 140 pounds. I now stay around 170lbs for the past ten years. I workout very hard and every almost everyday for ten years. I've fallen in love with healthy eating and treating my body with kindness. At 22, I went in for my first consultation. But I ultimately decided to wait until I was finished having children. I hadn't even known if I would at that point, but figured I wouldn't want to re-do it. Flash forward eight years and two kids later, and I am freaking ready!!
I've seen three different Chicago area plastic surgeons. Two of which have many many reviews on here and one that has a couple. I've chosen to work with Dr. Saulis in Hinsdale, right outside of chicago. She is extremely talented. Her work is very impressive. And her bedside manner is exactly what I need. She understands my concerns and really listens. My surgery is scheduled for November 8th. 11 days! Omg. I'm beyond thrilled. My two biggest concerns aren't with the surgery but the time I need to take off from working out and being a mom. I have a sixth month old and a three year old. My mom is coming for two weeks to help me with everything and my wonderful husband is 100% on board. Second. The recovery time and the time off from heavy lifting and hiit workouts scares me a bit. I plan on being a point with my eating and getting the macros I need to heal and stay fit while I recover. And walking and moving as much as I can. And meditation! For real keeping your mind calm and healthy keeps your body calm and healthy.
I will be documenting in full here. I found this site so helpful the last two years. Especially the reviews that were detailed. They really helped me figure things out and make it happen. So I hope to do the same. I also look forward to connecting with an authentic community!!
I am also posting my whole journey over on Instagram, under the name @lucyscrazyhealthylife please join me there for a peak into my lifestyle and workouts!
I'm going to post daily!
lulufuzz's provider
UPDATED FROM lulufuzz
9 days pre
Ten days!!!
lulufuzzOctober 29, 2016
Hello realself world!!
I'm ten days out from my surgery, I'm so ready. My mom is coming for two weeks solid to help. And family will be around for thanksgiving. I'm trying to prel as much as I can before the big day. I need to get some things for sure. I've made so many list from research on realself, but I am curious if people have a simple list that's straight to the point. It's starting to feel like when you prepare for a baby and get. All. The. Things. But end up using none of it. What is the ultimate prep list of essentials????
I've found myself so nervous for the results. Not the final, will I immediately see them results. But more along the lines of will it be smooth on my sides. Will I have I have dog ears. Why do some turn out pretty rough and some look awesome? This is where my mind is these days. And I am trying to not take it there. But I can't help but wonder...
Ok! Off to clean and get things more prepared.
Later tonight I hope to read through more reviews!
I'm ten days out from my surgery, I'm so ready. My mom is coming for two weeks solid to help. And family will be around for thanksgiving. I'm trying to prel as much as I can before the big day. I need to get some things for sure. I've made so many list from research on realself, but I am curious if people have a simple list that's straight to the point. It's starting to feel like when you prepare for a baby and get. All. The. Things. But end up using none of it. What is the ultimate prep list of essentials????
I've found myself so nervous for the results. Not the final, will I immediately see them results. But more along the lines of will it be smooth on my sides. Will I have I have dog ears. Why do some turn out pretty rough and some look awesome? This is where my mind is these days. And I am trying to not take it there. But I can't help but wonder...
Ok! Off to clean and get things more prepared.
Later tonight I hope to read through more reviews!
Replies (8)
October 29, 2016
First - if you are not involved in the forum for your month TT - I would be, you will find amazing support and can ask questions there! Here is the link to yours:
https://www.realself.com/forum/november-december-2016-tummy-tuckers-check
I went with an extended tummy tuck, so glad I did! I think it's necessary for those that lost a lot of weight - it got rid of the skin not only in front, but on the side (my incision extends around my sides, almost to my back). No dog ears!
As for "essentials" here are mine:
- Comfy clothes (I didn't need a button down or purchase anything...loose pants & a tank of comfy sports bra were what I've lived in)
- Wedge pillow, must have if you are recovering in bed, I got this one:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004X7CBFS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
- About 6 extra regular pillows (I borrowed what I didn't have, just for propping up)
- Freezer meals for dinner, prepped ahead
- Soup/salads for my lunches prepped ahead
- Strong multivitamin to keep your immune system up after receiving antibiotics during surgery. I got a refrigerated one that I took 2x a day and still do.
- Travel neck pillow - for releasing pressure under your tailbone when sitting in bed. Trust me, you'll want this!
- Miralax! Started taking two days prior to surgery and every day after for a week. Had a very easy BM on day 3, thankfully! I did not take any other laxative/stool softener.
- Prune juice, berries, pineapple, spinach, apple, celery - I drank a smoothie with this from the day before to 1 week after.
- Un salted crackers - kept by my bed to eat prior to taking medicines
- Tylenol, for when you aren't on pain meds and want to switch
Helpful but could have done without:
- Breakfast in bed tray https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0046EC1D0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
- Potty chair in my room with disposable bags (My neighbor lent me this. Sounded SO gross but we only have one bathroom and it's not attached to my room - so I used this for the first 5 days or so instead of going out where my toddler could see me)
- Walker - my neighbor lent me
The potty chair & walkers a lot of senior citizen places will lend/rent to you, at least here they will.
That's it for me! I was on a budget. Good luck!
October 30, 2016
THANK YOU!!! I'm going to get the things on this list. I wasn't sure about sleeping. But I think I'll be on the couch for a while. I think the wedge pillow is a must. And the neck pillow. I knew I needed miralax, I will start taking it a couple days before! I will make that smoothie! I need to think about dinner for the weeks after. My friend offered me a walker, I didn't know for sure if I'd need it. But I'll grab it!
And I will join the forum!! I didn't realize there were month ones. I was so busy reading reviews I never really noticed that. And now that it's almost here I'm ready for something like that!!
Yes! To the extended tummy tuck. I have my pre-op on Wednesday. And I really want to go over in detail that I want an extended tt. She said she would go as far as I need. But I want to really get the nitty gritty details down.
How are you feeling?? Are you able to go for walks, how is it with your children?
October 30, 2016
I'm feeling great! It has been a roller coaster of emotions, but the whole time I always felt like it was worth it. Now I'm 16 days post op, I got cleared for walking more, light upper weights sitting down, and gentle sex. TMI sorry! While most PS require longer before light activities, my PS said to take everything slow, and go based on how I feel. I feel so much better moving. And at 2 weeks post sex felt great, helped me feel normal again, we were just slow and careful.
I'm able to sit on the floor and play with my kids. Sitting is easy. I let my toddler start sitting on my lap about 7 days post op if I'm on the floor or couch (not a hard chair, that pulls my skin). I was able to have dinner w/my family about 4 days post op. My daughter (8) has been hanging with me since day 1, watching I Love Lucy with me :) My 2 year old I had to be strategic about. On day 2, I sat at the kitchen table and ate a cookie with him, first time I saw him since my surgery (that was tough not seeing him the night of). But we told him "Mommy has an owie", and he actually understood pretty quickly. He has only cried once or twice for me to pick him up (shocking), as I sit and give him lots of attention and love. But in the beginning, it's just for a little bit and then back to the bedroom to rest, a lot.
My mother in law came for two weeks and just left yesterday. So tomorrow is my first day on my own with the kids. I'm going to have my neighbor help lift my son into the car, and my daughter can help get him out of the crib. While she's at school, I'm going to have him climb on a chair and gently lift him into his crib just a couple feet. He's about 30 lbs so I can't lift him much if at all yet.
I can see a light at the end of the tunnel for sure. It goes slow at first then quick.
I'm able to sit on the floor and play with my kids. Sitting is easy. I let my toddler start sitting on my lap about 7 days post op if I'm on the floor or couch (not a hard chair, that pulls my skin). I was able to have dinner w/my family about 4 days post op. My daughter (8) has been hanging with me since day 1, watching I Love Lucy with me :) My 2 year old I had to be strategic about. On day 2, I sat at the kitchen table and ate a cookie with him, first time I saw him since my surgery (that was tough not seeing him the night of). But we told him "Mommy has an owie", and he actually understood pretty quickly. He has only cried once or twice for me to pick him up (shocking), as I sit and give him lots of attention and love. But in the beginning, it's just for a little bit and then back to the bedroom to rest, a lot.
My mother in law came for two weeks and just left yesterday. So tomorrow is my first day on my own with the kids. I'm going to have my neighbor help lift my son into the car, and my daughter can help get him out of the crib. While she's at school, I'm going to have him climb on a chair and gently lift him into his crib just a couple feet. He's about 30 lbs so I can't lift him much if at all yet.
I can see a light at the end of the tunnel for sure. It goes slow at first then quick.
October 31, 2016
Seriously I'm so happy you are candid. This is exactly what I needed to hear. I've been worried a ton about intimacy being lost. And being out of my life for a lot longer then I wanted. One of my friends had a mommy makerover and her tubes tied and fat injections, and it really wiped her out for eight months. And omg I started to panic!
However I think your experience is amazing and gives me a ton of hope. You're athletic and I'm athletic and I think that lends itself to a smoother recovery. Hearing you can walk and lift gently is so hopeful. I've been telling myself by two weeks id air squat and lift gently. I can tell I sound crazy but these things keep me sane!!
I'm happy to hear you've been able to be around your kiddos. I was thinking a similar thing with my three year old. Having him help me get him into his bed. And explaining I have an owie. My sixth month old is 16 pounds, my doctor said I could lift her around two weeks post op. I am sort of sad I won't be able to be their go-to person for a little bit. But I know this is so important to get done.
Thank you again!
October 31, 2016
Anytime! Feel free to pm me any questions, I'm a very open person. One note - you won't be "lifting" 2 weeks post op. Squats build pressure in the abdomen so they're not advised for closer to 6 weeks I believe. I'm allowed to do light upper body...i.e. a couple 8 lb dumbbells sitting down, doing shoulders, biceps, triceps. But I'll take it! I honestly don't think I have the energy to do anything more. Your surgery is so close! Woo hoo!
October 31, 2016
I'll take it too!!! I didn't think lifting with squats. Just was hoping like pulses or anything!! But arms stuff is amazing. And for real I'll take it!! I might pm you!! I'm so curious how the healing journey is going??
October 31, 2016
Going well so far, I still have scabbing on my belly button and some on my incision but most has fallen off. I had drains but since they were removed life is so much easier! Showering is easy now too. Two weeks post op feels like a turning point to normal everyday life, with the exception of exercise. I hear that six weeks is a turning point for exercise.
I had muscle repair and so everything is still a little tender, but I didn't have Lipo, and I think that really helped me to not have too much pain after day 4 or 5. First 4 days were rough. I was off of the strong narcotic medicine by day 6. After that I took Tylenol for a couple of days, but haven't used it since post op day 9. Not at all because I think I need to stop it, just simply because I have not had much pain besides my back, which Tylenol didn't really help. But as of 2 weeks post op I am standing almost fully straight and my back no longer hurts. The muscles in my stomach are starting to wake up, so there's little twinges and some uncomfortable moments, but no real pain.
I had muscle repair and so everything is still a little tender, but I didn't have Lipo, and I think that really helped me to not have too much pain after day 4 or 5. First 4 days were rough. I was off of the strong narcotic medicine by day 6. After that I took Tylenol for a couple of days, but haven't used it since post op day 9. Not at all because I think I need to stop it, just simply because I have not had much pain besides my back, which Tylenol didn't really help. But as of 2 weeks post op I am standing almost fully straight and my back no longer hurts. The muscles in my stomach are starting to wake up, so there's little twinges and some uncomfortable moments, but no real pain.
October 31, 2016
It's very cool to hear at the two week mark you felt a lot better. I am getting muscle repair. I'm going in on Wednesday for my pre-op and I am hoping to discuss details. I guess she uses a pain pump?? I've read about them. It's all very interesting. It's really nice to hear that around day six you felt good! I'm hoping not to have to be on the super heavy ones too long. I can't wait for the week six exercise turning point! Haha.
I'm a bit nervous about the drains, mostly cause of my kids. And my surgeon mention she keeps one in there pretty long.
UPDATED FROM lulufuzz
8 days pre
Nervous about the recovery!
lulufuzzOctober 31, 2016
Hello realself world!
Dropping into say I am nervous about taking time off after. I literally have workEd out six days a week for ten years. It's my medicine. I'm know a 100% staying healthy in the head and eating right is where I need to be. I was so off all day thinking that in nine days I would be getting my excess skin removed and muscles repair, not because of that, upset about the recovery Time. But! After talking to some realself folks I'm waaaay more hopeful! I'm hoping by two-ish weeks I'll be able to lift gently and go on longer walks. Ahhhhh so happy. And so freaked out. And so stoked!!!
Tomorrow my two year old turns three!! Halloween baby! But the day after that I'm going to tackle the rest of the things on my prep list! Yay! Timing worked out that this is one of the busiest weeks we've had in months, immediately followed by the surgery. My son's bday, my pre-op appointment, nephew's bday, daughter's baptism, Elle king concert, son's friends bday, family in town for baptism and then surgery Tuesday after that weekend! I'm babbling. Mostly because I've worn out my husband's ear and don't want to overwhelm my friends with my neuroses. Everyday is jammed packed. And this is probably a good thing. It will keep my mind off the fact that I am totally crazy excited while also bummed about the down time and recovery. What is wrong with me!? I should be ????% stoked! Ahhh. I am. Breathing. Ok... I'll leave you with few photos of my Extra skin! LOL
Dropping into say I am nervous about taking time off after. I literally have workEd out six days a week for ten years. It's my medicine. I'm know a 100% staying healthy in the head and eating right is where I need to be. I was so off all day thinking that in nine days I would be getting my excess skin removed and muscles repair, not because of that, upset about the recovery Time. But! After talking to some realself folks I'm waaaay more hopeful! I'm hoping by two-ish weeks I'll be able to lift gently and go on longer walks. Ahhhhh so happy. And so freaked out. And so stoked!!!
Tomorrow my two year old turns three!! Halloween baby! But the day after that I'm going to tackle the rest of the things on my prep list! Yay! Timing worked out that this is one of the busiest weeks we've had in months, immediately followed by the surgery. My son's bday, my pre-op appointment, nephew's bday, daughter's baptism, Elle king concert, son's friends bday, family in town for baptism and then surgery Tuesday after that weekend! I'm babbling. Mostly because I've worn out my husband's ear and don't want to overwhelm my friends with my neuroses. Everyday is jammed packed. And this is probably a good thing. It will keep my mind off the fact that I am totally crazy excited while also bummed about the down time and recovery. What is wrong with me!? I should be ????% stoked! Ahhh. I am. Breathing. Ok... I'll leave you with few photos of my Extra skin! LOL
Replies (9)