POSTED UNDER Mommy Makeover Reviews
Momma of Big Babies Needed a Tummy Tuck! - Melbourne, FL
UPDATED FROM Phatpatswife
3 months post
Update with explanations
WORTH IT
I decided to have a tummy tuck specifically because I had the "apron". You know, that layer of skin that just hangs over the top of your underwear, that will never go away regardless of doing a billion crunches. It was disheartening to have to wear oversized shirts so people couldn't see the lump of skin under my pants that was my stomach. I was still wearing maternity shorts and bathing suits and my youngest will be 4 in November. I couldn't stand the way I looked and knew early on that I wanted a tummy tuck. I wanted to feel comfortable in my own skin. It affected my self esteem in so many ways that I found myself avoiding gatherings, especially if they were at a pool or the beach. I just had absolutely no self esteem.
I have to say as well, the best advice I can give anyone to prepare for surgery is to eat clean. 2 weeks prior to surgery I completely changed my diet. I chose to eat nothing but fresh fruits and veggies, boneless/skinless chicken breasts and egg whites. No coffee, no sweet tea, no soda. No artificial sweeteners, no processed foods....nothing but the things listed above...and lots of water. By seriously sticking to this every day for two week prior to surgery not only did I lose 15 lbs. I also eliminated that swelling that occurs between the breast and belly button. If you eat processed food you will 100% see that swelling. Stop eating it and I guarantee that swelling will go away. My surgeon said because I did that and reduced that swelling it made it so much better for him to give me the best results possible in regards to my muscle repair.
There are no cons to this surgery! I had no complications. I had the utmost faith in my surgeon and his entire staff and I did exactly what I was told to do. The hardest part was the drains after surgery. They were uncomfortable and because of them I didn't sleep too well. But they were out completely by day 9 and things got so much easier. The part that I think most people will have a hard time with is sleeping. You can't lay flat on your back (or on your sides if you get lipo because of bruising) so sleeping upright in a chair is the best option but certainly not very comfortable after the 4 or 5 day. I used an electric recliner and it was a blessing not to have to tighten my core when sitting up. Not everybody has one but hey, if you can borrow one I would! Or even rent one from a medical supply store. I looked into that and it was like $120 for a month. I only needed mine for about 2 weeks.
The recovery process itself is different for everyone but mine was easy peasy. My husband took off for a week and a half to be with me and our 4 children (yes 4 kids running around during the recovery process). You can expect to sleep a bit the first few days but be sure and get up and walk around every hour or so to help with the circulation in your legs afterwards. VERY IMPORTANT TO AVOID BLOOD CLOTS! I chose to eat soft foods the first week or so to help in case of constipation...which is likely considering the anesthesia and the pain pills. I did buy some iron pills for after surgery because I started my period two days after and between the draining from the lipo tubes and the menstrual bleeding we had to make sure I had enough iron. So I bought iron pills...which can also make you constipated. By day 9 I hadn't had a bowel movement and the doctor wanted me to get a suppository on the way home from his office.....I went with apple juice. I had ample amounts of it at home and I just didn't want to use the suppository. So I drank a very large glass of apple juice....waited an hour and attempted to drink another smaller glass and didn't get to finish it before I was in the bathroom and going. Lots of people suggested all kinds of over the counter pills to take to avoid constipation but I don't like medicine so I went the natural route and used the apple juice.
If you are thinking about having this procedure just follow the doctor's suggestions and you won't regret it. I didn't mention my breast implants much because they were a bonus for me. I wanted a tummy tuck. I needed a tummy tuck. I didn't need implants. I was a full D before my procedure and now i'm a DDD. I wanted something nice and natural looking and that's what I got going with 425cc silicone high profile unders. I love my breasts, I love my tummy, my sides and my overall look. I can't imagine having waited any longer or backing out and not getting it done. I'm so happy with my decision and wouldn't have changed a thing!
I have to say as well, the best advice I can give anyone to prepare for surgery is to eat clean. 2 weeks prior to surgery I completely changed my diet. I chose to eat nothing but fresh fruits and veggies, boneless/skinless chicken breasts and egg whites. No coffee, no sweet tea, no soda. No artificial sweeteners, no processed foods....nothing but the things listed above...and lots of water. By seriously sticking to this every day for two week prior to surgery not only did I lose 15 lbs. I also eliminated that swelling that occurs between the breast and belly button. If you eat processed food you will 100% see that swelling. Stop eating it and I guarantee that swelling will go away. My surgeon said because I did that and reduced that swelling it made it so much better for him to give me the best results possible in regards to my muscle repair.
There are no cons to this surgery! I had no complications. I had the utmost faith in my surgeon and his entire staff and I did exactly what I was told to do. The hardest part was the drains after surgery. They were uncomfortable and because of them I didn't sleep too well. But they were out completely by day 9 and things got so much easier. The part that I think most people will have a hard time with is sleeping. You can't lay flat on your back (or on your sides if you get lipo because of bruising) so sleeping upright in a chair is the best option but certainly not very comfortable after the 4 or 5 day. I used an electric recliner and it was a blessing not to have to tighten my core when sitting up. Not everybody has one but hey, if you can borrow one I would! Or even rent one from a medical supply store. I looked into that and it was like $120 for a month. I only needed mine for about 2 weeks.
The recovery process itself is different for everyone but mine was easy peasy. My husband took off for a week and a half to be with me and our 4 children (yes 4 kids running around during the recovery process). You can expect to sleep a bit the first few days but be sure and get up and walk around every hour or so to help with the circulation in your legs afterwards. VERY IMPORTANT TO AVOID BLOOD CLOTS! I chose to eat soft foods the first week or so to help in case of constipation...which is likely considering the anesthesia and the pain pills. I did buy some iron pills for after surgery because I started my period two days after and between the draining from the lipo tubes and the menstrual bleeding we had to make sure I had enough iron. So I bought iron pills...which can also make you constipated. By day 9 I hadn't had a bowel movement and the doctor wanted me to get a suppository on the way home from his office.....I went with apple juice. I had ample amounts of it at home and I just didn't want to use the suppository. So I drank a very large glass of apple juice....waited an hour and attempted to drink another smaller glass and didn't get to finish it before I was in the bathroom and going. Lots of people suggested all kinds of over the counter pills to take to avoid constipation but I don't like medicine so I went the natural route and used the apple juice.
If you are thinking about having this procedure just follow the doctor's suggestions and you won't regret it. I didn't mention my breast implants much because they were a bonus for me. I wanted a tummy tuck. I needed a tummy tuck. I didn't need implants. I was a full D before my procedure and now i'm a DDD. I wanted something nice and natural looking and that's what I got going with 425cc silicone high profile unders. I love my breasts, I love my tummy, my sides and my overall look. I can't imagine having waited any longer or backing out and not getting it done. I'm so happy with my decision and wouldn't have changed a thing!
Phatpatswife's provider
Replies (1)
ORIGINAL POST
Best decision ever! My last 3 children were 9.5...
Best decision ever! My last 3 children were 9.5 lb, 10.1 lb and 10.10 lbs. And all were born within 4 years. Needless to say my stomach was not going to shrink. Dr. Diaz and his office are amazing. I knew I was going to get the best results! Beautiful scar lings, wonderful results. Couldn't be happier!
Replies (1)
Welcome to the community and thanks so much for starting your review.
It would be great if you could give us a little more detail about your experience, like why you had the surgery, your tips for getting good results, pros/cons, and info on the recovery process.
Our community members especially love seeing photos from before, during, and after — a realistic look at what they can expect. Photos grab the attention of the community and encourage more support for you.
As a community manager, I get requests all the time from other members who want me to to keep encouraging people to share their experiences, which are so helpful for others considering these procedures. So please accept this as a well-intentioned request from thousands.
Thanks for sharing your story in such detail. It sound like you're thrilled with your results, and you should be because you look great. How long did it take for you to feel completely healed and back to 'normal'?