POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck Reviews
Just Want to Be Body Confident - Manchester, GB
UPDATED FROM Florida31
5 months post
Almost six months since TT/Muscle Repair/Hernia repair
Florida31April 29, 2016
WORTH IT$6,750
Here are my photos almost six months since my TT/muscle repair carried out by Dr Gary Ross in Manchester, England.
I'm delighted with the results and would not hesitate to recommend him.
Recovery for me has been fine and not as bad as I imagined. I would say the worst was just the first two weeks of frustration not being in my normal routine.
My scar is starting to go white very slowly, I'm making sure I massage the area either with Dermatix scar gel or Elizabeth Arden original eight hour cream. Not cheap but, worth it. I found the scar tape made me itchy.
I still feel numb in certain areas especially the lower middle idea (directly below my belly button) and I hate massaging that area, but I just get on with it.
I'm due a check up in June and I'm going to enquiry about lipo on the top half of my legs and bum area as well as mention that my hips are still slightly wonky (one goes in more than the other) but, like I've mentioned on past posts we are not all symmetrical and maybe before the operation I was like that but didn't notice it as much.
I've increased my gym sessions and started working out with weights, as well as working on my core area more.
Weight wise I'm the same as before operation and clothes size the same.
I'm not going to lie you have to be careful as any weight I use to put on went to my tummy area which made me think, heck must stop the eating!!!!. Now my tummy is flat so it's no longer my weight guide line. Any increase now seems to go on my boobs, and more so the tops of legs.
This operation is not a quick fix for weight loss. After the operation when well enough you need to still work at keeping healthy. I would say it's more like an investment with your body and to maintain that investment you still need to work at keeping healthy.
Best Wishes x
I'm delighted with the results and would not hesitate to recommend him.
Recovery for me has been fine and not as bad as I imagined. I would say the worst was just the first two weeks of frustration not being in my normal routine.
My scar is starting to go white very slowly, I'm making sure I massage the area either with Dermatix scar gel or Elizabeth Arden original eight hour cream. Not cheap but, worth it. I found the scar tape made me itchy.
I still feel numb in certain areas especially the lower middle idea (directly below my belly button) and I hate massaging that area, but I just get on with it.
I'm due a check up in June and I'm going to enquiry about lipo on the top half of my legs and bum area as well as mention that my hips are still slightly wonky (one goes in more than the other) but, like I've mentioned on past posts we are not all symmetrical and maybe before the operation I was like that but didn't notice it as much.
I've increased my gym sessions and started working out with weights, as well as working on my core area more.
Weight wise I'm the same as before operation and clothes size the same.
I'm not going to lie you have to be careful as any weight I use to put on went to my tummy area which made me think, heck must stop the eating!!!!. Now my tummy is flat so it's no longer my weight guide line. Any increase now seems to go on my boobs, and more so the tops of legs.
This operation is not a quick fix for weight loss. After the operation when well enough you need to still work at keeping healthy. I would say it's more like an investment with your body and to maintain that investment you still need to work at keeping healthy.
Best Wishes x
Replies (0)
UPDATED FROM Florida31
3 months post
12 weeks update
Florida31February 10, 2016
It's been around 12 weeks since my operation and my swelling has dramatically gone down especially in the area of my belly button downwards and my MONS, I started noticing this after 9 - 10 weeks, so those that are worried about swelling we heal at different stages.
Don't get me wrong I still swell depending on if I've sat at work all day or TOM. My core is getting stronger and sit up's, planks easier to do, this week I'm been getting sharp twinges in one particular place where I think my stomach muscles had the repair sometimes it does make me stop what i'm doing and think ouch!!!, but, I presume its healing.
I continue to massage scar gel on my scar every night to make sure I am breaking down the scar tissue. My tummy still feels slightly numb from my belly button downwards, but, the feeling is returning.
I love my new belly button and flat tummy with no over hang, but, I have a concern that my hips are uneven, which I have mentioned in previous posts, one goes in more than the other, and different heights, I accept no one has even bodies, but it is noticeable.
I go back for my six months check up early June and I did mention the wonky hips when I went for my previous check up, but was told not to worry and could be swelling.
I know I've picked the right surgeon but I can't help but worry, I really hope its swelling as its taken the shine off things, but in my mind I have that awful feeling its not swelling.
I think I will have to email my surgeon with my concerns as it is worrying me.
I will post some photos shortly.
Dare I say this, as I don't want to come across as I'm starting the cosmetic obsession, but, does anyone now feel that their tops of their legs and sides of legs stick out /flabby and their bum is fat?.
I've not lost weight as I was at stable weight before the operation and I'm still in the same clothes as before, but they just fit me better.
Don't get me wrong I still swell depending on if I've sat at work all day or TOM. My core is getting stronger and sit up's, planks easier to do, this week I'm been getting sharp twinges in one particular place where I think my stomach muscles had the repair sometimes it does make me stop what i'm doing and think ouch!!!, but, I presume its healing.
I continue to massage scar gel on my scar every night to make sure I am breaking down the scar tissue. My tummy still feels slightly numb from my belly button downwards, but, the feeling is returning.
I love my new belly button and flat tummy with no over hang, but, I have a concern that my hips are uneven, which I have mentioned in previous posts, one goes in more than the other, and different heights, I accept no one has even bodies, but it is noticeable.
I go back for my six months check up early June and I did mention the wonky hips when I went for my previous check up, but was told not to worry and could be swelling.
I know I've picked the right surgeon but I can't help but worry, I really hope its swelling as its taken the shine off things, but in my mind I have that awful feeling its not swelling.
I think I will have to email my surgeon with my concerns as it is worrying me.
I will post some photos shortly.
Dare I say this, as I don't want to come across as I'm starting the cosmetic obsession, but, does anyone now feel that their tops of their legs and sides of legs stick out /flabby and their bum is fat?.
I've not lost weight as I was at stable weight before the operation and I'm still in the same clothes as before, but they just fit me better.
Replies (1)
UPDATED FROM Florida31
2 months post
7 week update.
Florida31January 7, 2016
It's now been 7 weeks since my operation and I've had my check up this week.
I'm still swollen on my lower part of my tummy and also my MONS is swollen, my hips are still different shape, although I know your body isn't symmetrical anyway, but, I have been reassured it could be swelling and until the 6 months mark has passed its best not to worry.
I have been told to make sure I massage my scar tissue by pressing firm on the scar line and pushing along it to break the scar tissue, not the nicest feeling, as my tummy feels numb, but not numb if that makes sense, but it has to be done.
I have purchased some scar gel tape to put on as well as the gel I already use.
I don't have to wear my compression garment anymore, but when it's not on I don't like the feeling, so I will perhaps just wear it at night when my swelling seems worse.
I went back to the gym this week, and the only thing I did struggle with was the plank position as felt my tummy pulling down, but, I presume it's the muscle repair I can feel, and I need to build up my strength. I've put on a few extra pounds over Christmas as not been back to gym until this week so hopefully once I'm back in my routine this will drop off.
My next check up will be in six months time, but any concerns I can go back at anytime.
Anyone thinking of having it done go for it, but you need to have patience with the swelling, and make sure you research your doctor well. Xx
I'm still swollen on my lower part of my tummy and also my MONS is swollen, my hips are still different shape, although I know your body isn't symmetrical anyway, but, I have been reassured it could be swelling and until the 6 months mark has passed its best not to worry.
I have been told to make sure I massage my scar tissue by pressing firm on the scar line and pushing along it to break the scar tissue, not the nicest feeling, as my tummy feels numb, but not numb if that makes sense, but it has to be done.
I have purchased some scar gel tape to put on as well as the gel I already use.
I don't have to wear my compression garment anymore, but when it's not on I don't like the feeling, so I will perhaps just wear it at night when my swelling seems worse.
I went back to the gym this week, and the only thing I did struggle with was the plank position as felt my tummy pulling down, but, I presume it's the muscle repair I can feel, and I need to build up my strength. I've put on a few extra pounds over Christmas as not been back to gym until this week so hopefully once I'm back in my routine this will drop off.
My next check up will be in six months time, but any concerns I can go back at anytime.
Anyone thinking of having it done go for it, but you need to have patience with the swelling, and make sure you research your doctor well. Xx
Replies (1)
January 9, 2016
Hi
I am going back to the gym this Monday I am 7 weeks post op tomorrow and the time has flew by I was wondering if you wear any sort of support now through the day ie ( Spanx or Binder) I no we keep on about it but by the time night comes I look pregnant.
I only have 1 week left wearing binder and don't no how I will cope without it.
I don't see my surgeon until Feb he doesn't see patients post op until 12 weeks.
I hope you are well and getting back to normality
Sarah
Xx
I am going back to the gym this Monday I am 7 weeks post op tomorrow and the time has flew by I was wondering if you wear any sort of support now through the day ie ( Spanx or Binder) I no we keep on about it but by the time night comes I look pregnant.
I only have 1 week left wearing binder and don't no how I will cope without it.
I don't see my surgeon until Feb he doesn't see patients post op until 12 weeks.
I hope you are well and getting back to normality
Sarah
Xx
January 10, 2016
I've just been wearing spandex or similar during the day, as well as during the night, but, today i tried again just wearing my normal underwear.
I'm still swollen though and worse during the evenings, like you have said looking pregnant. I really do hope it is swelling, as side view is not what I expected.
Take it easy at the gym my gym trousers are high waisted and tight Lycra so this helped with the swelling. Listen to your body as I was a little shakey whilst doing the classes. Xxxx
I'm still swollen though and worse during the evenings, like you have said looking pregnant. I really do hope it is swelling, as side view is not what I expected.
Take it easy at the gym my gym trousers are high waisted and tight Lycra so this helped with the swelling. Listen to your body as I was a little shakey whilst doing the classes. Xxxx
January 21, 2016
I am missing gym but I'm no where clothes to going back yet. I'm working on the second week. I hope the hanging skin I see now is just swelling. My Dr assured me it'll get better
All those emotions you have mentioned above are perfectly normal and I also experienced them. I was petrified of dying on the operating table as thought I was just selfish, leaving my hubby and child if something went wrong, but, no matter what I did the idea of a TT would pop back into my head. I, like you, thought it was now or never as I am 38 years old and I suppose the older you get the more risks involved and harder it is to recover.
When I went for my pre assessment I was informed by the nurse I was NO RISK on the risk assessment sheet, but, I still had the fear of something going wrong. I have only had a general anaesthetic when I was a child for a tonsil operation. I am also petrified of needles as well, but it was something I needed to do. I can't praise the staff highly enough as they were brilliant. As stupid as it sounds I also picked a hospital that wasn't just for cosmetic surgery but a full working hosiptal with a ICU so if anything did go wrong I was in the best place. Perhaps that seems extreme but it gave me reassurance. I also made sure that the surgeon I chose had fantastic reviews, I could not find one negative review of my surgeon despite searching on the web.
With regards the pain, I would not call it painful, just discomfort especially when you move about or getting in and out of bed, but, take it slowly listen to your body, walk abit then rest, don't try and do things like a bat of out hell. Sitting in bed also will not help as they encourage you to get walking about. I had no drains either so I suppose this helped painfree wise.
The worse bit for me was frustration and having to rest. I'm normally very active and like to keep busy and have a tidy clean house, bless her, my mum popped and helped with the house work, but, I was following her around the house telling her how I normally clean!!!!!
It drove me nuts but if you don't take your time it may affect your results and recovery. Coughing, laughing and sneezing is also out of the question as it will burn. I had to stop taking my antibiotics as this was making me sick and the pulling in my tummy when being sick which was a killer after stopping the antibiotics I was fine. The hospital will also give you anti sickness drugs as well so make sure you have some.
You should not be in pain at all as the hospital will give you medication (I stayed one night) they will give you strong pain killers to take home. I didn't need to take them nor did I want to as they were very strong and didn't want that spaced out feeling.
I just had paracetamol and ibuprofen and took Arnica after the operation to help with the swelling and that was fine for me.
Just remember everyone is different and recovery will take time.
Best of luck x
My scar is fading very slowly, there is a scar (circle) around my belly button, which is also fading.
I didn't get to chose the type of belly button I wanted, I was just shown the different types he had done, but, to be honest anything would be an improvement from my sad faced one (it was just like a line going downwards) My scar is very low, as I made sure that when I researched the surgeon I looked at all his previous patients and he also showed me more photos when I had the consultation. Make sure you are happy with your surgeon and he shows you plenty of previous patients.
I can not see my scar with my underwear on, I've tried some bikinis bottoms on and they hide the scar, the only bottoms that might show is perhaps the bottoms that you tie on each side the the hip or ones the raise slightly higher each side of the hip, if you understand what I mean.
Sometimes I feel my scar pulling but this seems to occur after I have massaged the area hard, I still massage it with scar gel and I have also started using Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream which someone recommended to me, I think that using both is helping but the EA cream smells horrible and very thick. I have also increased my gym classes to try and get some abbs, one thing I have noticed is that before the operation I was super, super careful on what I ate to try and keep my tummy looking flat, now Ive had the operation I started to notice I wasn't as strict with what I ate, as my tummy is nice and flat with no over hang but I put the weight on the tops of my legs and boobs, so I've now taken back control of this.
It would be nice to have some lipo done on the tops of my outer legs as they seem bumpy like a second pair of hips, I will have a word with my surgeon when I have my 6 months check. Having this done is what I would call an investment on your body and you have to look after it to maintain the investment. I know thats sounds crazy but that is how it is.
Take care xx
thanks for taking the time to reply , and for the advise . I cant find one bad review about the doctor , I have seen him twice now and he showed me one photo of a woman who he said was the nearest to me in size and shape etc. he did say on the morning of surgery to bring in bikini bottoms and underware that I liked , will be taking in the lowest smallest pair ive got . im actually the heaviest ive been in my life at the moment . normally aroun 8 1/2 stone but now 9st 5ls as usual always goes to my tummy. if this surgery goes well I plan on having my ff boobs reduced with him . just helped the kids with the last easter egg . then hopefully will find some willpower ( something ive not had in a long time ) to get my diet and arse in gear to lose that extra weight before surgery . good luck still with your healing and if you decide to get the lipo done .
take care xx