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POSTED UNDER Mommy Makeover Reviews

52 Y.o. Grandma, Four Kids, Years of Yo-yo Dieting, GW for 3 Years, but Super Flabby - Leesburg, VA

UPDATED FROM Geddygirlknits
4 months post

Four Months from der Tag

$15,000
I feel bad about being MIA for so long. The truth is that I have been feeling a little conflicted about my tummy tuck. Does my abdomen look better than it did pre-surgery? Yes. Does it look the way that I had hoped? No.
I'm still experiencing a lot of swelling even though my PS says that I don't have any significant fluid between my muscles and skin. He asked if I have issues with constipation, which I don't, and seemed a little perplexed. My abdomen pooches out and feels full, sometimes uncomfortably so. I have tried to reduce the time that I wear my binder, but the swelling gets so bad that I cave and put it back on especially while I take my daily five-mile walk.
I accept that I still have some saggy skin between my belly button and breasts because of my age, pgs, and weight loss. It's the swelling of the lower abdomen that is so frustrating and discouraging.
I think that I will go see my PCP and have her take a look because I am worried that something else is going on. :-(
My breasts look pretty good. I probably should have chosen larger implants to take up more of the loose skin, but I didn't want my breasts to get in the way of my activities. I still feel it when I make certain movements, but nothing unusual.
Anyway, I'll try to be better about updates and look forward to any feedback on this situation.
Have a great weekend!

Geddygirlknits's provider

Behzad Parva, MD

Behzad Parva, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

So far I am very pleased with my PS and his staff.

Replies (24)

I'm not as flat as I thought I would be either. I think it may be prolonged swelling that my ps can't explain because he says I shouldn't be seeking very much at his point (7 months), but he's sending me to get a Ct scan this coming week just to rule out a hernia, muscle laxity, etc. my doctor lipoed the top of my abs also, so I think that may be why I'm still look puffy there, but I'm not sure.
You go see your PCP and get another opinion on the swelling. I hope you find nothing but time will help and the swelling is normal for this type of surgery.
Yeah, I was freaking out a little bit until I came to RS to check in and searched for posts about swelling four months post-op. I feel a little better about it now. :-)
it looks like to me he didn't pull your muscle tight enough which is exactly what happened to me only way to fix it is to have a revision which I still haven't done but to be total sure you will have to wait a year I wpuld address this witj the ps next time you go ( the ps I used was 3 board certified go figure ).it's a waiting game for now keep us posted
Yes, I was thinking about a revision, but you're right that I should wait at least a year and give everything a chance to completely heal. Good luck to you!
Did your PS charge you for the revision?
From what I've read, it's not uncommon for massive weight loss patients to have prolonged swelling after a TT. I'm 8 months out, and although I wake up nice and flat, by the time I eat, I get that little lower belly fullness like in your pics....and it seems worse after a workout. I thought at first I might have residual fat, but given the times of day when it's most noticeable, I'm pretty sure it's just swelling....well I say "just", but I still hate it, lol! By all means, have your doc check it out, but hopefully it's nothing. Keep on keepin' on hun! ;)
Good points! I do wonder if I just have some visceral fat hanging around and causing the poofiness.
I hadn't really thought about visceral fat, but it's certainly possible, since even thin people can have it. I don't know any way to detect it's presence other than something like a CT scan, which in the absence of illness would be super expensive. I'm curious to hear your doc's thoughts on that...do keep us posted :)
I think you look fantastic from the front view! Your waist is tiny and has the curve. The side view does look like the swelling I had 2 weeks post op. Everyone should expect that the belly will expand some throughout the day by eating and even more so, I notice it during my menstrual cycle. I even get the upper abdominal muffin a little. When anyone sits we flab out some. I've noticed my skin has more elasticity now too. We can't be completely flat 24/7. I hope the results with your PCP show nothing is wrong and you may just be taking longer to heal. Good luck!
Thanks so much for the reminder that there are factors that affect swelling that we just have to let time take resolve. I get really focused on the pooch sometimes.
UPDATED FROM Geddygirlknits
2 months post

Pics of some new bras

I've been on a bit of a bra buying jag lately. I'm like the woman on the Just Fab commercial except with bras instead of shoes!

Replies (16)

I love the new bras! A 52 y/o grandma thats looks 40 y/o and getting her sexy back.
Nice bras! I have been fighting the urge! I only bought one normal one so far to get me through the one day a week I go into the office. I think I may be hooked on these sports bras & pull overs though - so comfy.
Hot stuff! You look amazing. congrats!
You look so amazing!!! Congrats to you.
You are looking great!! I have to say I love Victoria secret now!! I always seem to find something there I need!!:)
UPDATED FROM Geddygirlknits
2 months post

Eight Weeks Today!

Holy smoke! In some ways I can't believe that it's been eight weeks already and in others it seems like forever. On Saturday I started incorporating some jogging into my walks. It went well, although my breasts did feel a little uncomfortable and my tummy a little strained so I kept it as low impact as possible. I felt it the next day, though!
Yesterday, I walked only because I had my grandbaby and had to push the stroller. Still a little sore today, but I jogged a little more today than I did on Saturday. It's shocking how quickly one loses fitness. Prior to surgery I was jogging five to eight miles per day. It's going to take me a while to get back there, but I know that it will happen. :-)
I'm wearing a binder during the day, but sleeping without one. I'm still pretty swollen at the end of the day, but my PS said that I'm healing well when I saw him last Thursday so I'm just going to accept it and hope that it recedes ASAP.
I'm slowly getting stronger. I can carry my three-month-old grandson in his car seat now for short distances, closing car doors feels almost normal, and I was able to move my kitchenaid mixer from one countertop to the other. I can do some things with the horses, but I have to be careful. As everyone says, it's the little things - LOL.
All-in-all, things are getting slowly better. But I'm really over the swelling - have I mentioned that? ;-)
Take care of yourselves and KCHO.

Replies (6)

Happy eight weeks!! Good to see you are doing well!!
Thanks! Hope you are doing well, too.
Happy 8 weeks! :)
The swelling is a real biatch!
Yes, yes, it is!
Woot! Woot! Big congrats GG!! I hear ya about losing fitness and am hopeful my results can be improved upon returning to full on activity and classes... feel sooo squishy! LOL Planning on losing my garment for sleeping tomorrow and cannot wait. You're flying now girl!! (oh, and the bras - and girls - are fabulicious!). hugz
Slow and steady, right? Glad things are going well, but never fast enough, right? :-) Hang in there & thanks for continuing to share.
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