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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck Reviews

53 Yr. Old, Four Kids, in Need of Tummy Tuck. Miami, FL

UPDATED FROM grazsix
3 months post

12 weeks

WORTH IT$4,500
Just wanted to post some before and after pics. Truly amazing! I feel great, still have swelling but I know eventually that will stop, I'm trying to be patient. I really have no limitations at this point. No regrets!!

grazsix's provider

Mel T. Ortega, MD

Mel T. Ortega, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Overall rating
Doctor's bedside manner
Answered my questions
After care follow-up
Time spent with me
Phone or email responsiveness
Staff professionalism & courtesy
Payment process
Wait times

Dr. Mel Ortega is the bomb! I did so much research on Drs and tummy tucks. I new for sure that I would def have the surgery, I just had to find the right dr. I conversed with quite a few folks on real self, and that sealed the deal on my choice of Dr. Ortega. I couldn't be happier with my results and I'm only 11 days post op. Dr. Ortega has a wonderful bedside manner. He made me feel completely at ease and his staff is super friendly if not a bit disorganized. The only criticism I will make is: I wish the website was more organized or that after your surgery they gave you a packet containing home care for after surgery and what you could typically expect. I was told many things of which I knew I wouldn't remember and could not find my answers on his website. If you want to save paper, it would be helpful to have a link for all patients post op, with answers to all questions per your type of surgery. Just saying. One other comment, I called his office twice over the weekend after surgery and nobody returned my calls. I was in his office on Tuesday for a follow up and when I got back to my hotel, I received a return phone call from my weekend message. Not cool! I would wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Ortega as your dr of choice!

Replies (7)

Wow u look amazing !!! I'm do for TT and BA I'm also your age and my biggest worry is the recovery as after 7 weeks post op I have big travel plans and a very busy schedule morning til late nights I'm now having second thoughts about theTT as I see many ladies saying your still totally exhausted after 8 weeks
Thank you. I can say this, I was an excellent patient. I took my pain meds round the clock for the first two days. I literally slept! But all of a sudden your two days into recovery and it's a big deal because this surgery is no joke. If you follow dr orders, you should heal quickly and nicely. Also, I am in very good physical condition, I don't smoke, and I'm sure this helped a lot with my recovery. I also have a high energy level so when I felt up to it, I was up and about pretty much from the start (minus the first few days, your body will let you know to slow down.). At nine days I went to a family cookout and danced a tiny bit, then had a baby shower the next day. I still managed to sit and relax the majority of the time. I'm just telling you this because it is possible to be up and about soon after. For the record, I was still a bit hunched at that point and had to make an effort to stand straight because no one knew I had surgery. Hope all this info helps. Once I made the decision, nothing was going to stop me from having this surgery. I feel so good about my body, no more self consciousness, it makes my whole being feel wonderful. I'm back to pre pregnancy size and embracing it!
Ps. I was back at my florist job part time at two weeks
So positive and encouraging! Also, did I mention,You do look amazing too!! Lol
Florist!! I should have known! I was trying to checkout you progress in your photos, but I couldn't pay you any attention, because of that lovely garden peeking out around you, lol. All I could think about was being there barefoot and talking to you plants, ha!
I LOVE to garden. I was so disappointed I couldn't garden this spring because of my TT. It brings me so much joy.
You one hot Momma, but your garden is on FYAH
Lol, my garden is my zen place! Quite a challenge this year with no rain. I found out the hard way about what I couldn't do, after I spent a day in the garden weeding etc. but that was about 4 wks p.o. It's all good now!
Simply amazing!
UPDATED FROM grazsix
26 days post

26 days PO

Hi All
Am finally posting some updated pics. Things are moving along great. I went kayaking on Saturday, relax, I didn't actually paddle, well I did a little just to see how I felt but I was in a double and my husband did almost all the work. went to a concert on Sunday and was totally fine. Shopped for a few hours today and no problems. At 3 weeks I started wearing spanx type undergarment with my binder over them and although snug, I feel so good with them on. It's even helping the puffiness in my scar. The binder is like a security blanket (even tho u should be wearing it) because it gives me confidence as far as accidentally bumping my stomach. I just bought scar away strips which I will be trying for the first time. I like the idea of them because you are not putting clothing over the wet gel. Does anybody have any comments good or bad about it?

Replies (1)

I am also planning on going back to the gym this week, but doing a VERY light workout.
UPDATED FROM grazsix
17 days post

17 days post op

Well I'm making great progress! I have always had a high energy level and I am feeling pretty energetic at this point. I went back to work 2 weeks post op. I am a florist and am on my feet all day. I worked a 5 hour shift for my first day back. I will say, my back was definitely starting to bother me, but I took Bayer back and body and it truly is a wonder drug. Took the pain away. When I got home, I was done for the day. Not that I was tired, but I knew that my body needed down time. I put my feet up for the rest of the day pretty much, and iced my belly. I have been icing it every day, late afternoon and it makes me feel so much better. The tape on my stitches is still there and I will let it fall off on its own. My drains were removed (by my husband????) at two weeks and they are starting to scab up. Today I did some weeding in my garden, planted some window boxes and cleaned my craft room. Not bad for 17 days post op. Every day is a better day and I'm looking forward to the day my belly isn't swollen and I can begin exercising again. I'm not going to rush that though, I've come to far to have any setbacks. Will post some updated pics soon!

Replies (8)

How long did you stay in Florida before you went home? I'm considering having a tummy tuck in Florida bc I vacation there but live in NYC. But worried that if something would to go wrong down the line I would be far away from my dr in Florida.
I arrived on a Monday, had my surgery Wednesday and went home nine days later on a Friday. I had 3 follow ups while I was there. I came home with my drains still in (my husband removed them
Don't know what happened to the rest of my reply.....at two weeks
My comments keep getting cut off, I will try to add more later
....
Happy you're recovering well, gardening wow; I'm sure it felt good just to enjoy that for a change. Happy healing doll.
Stupid me, I paid for that. I felt fine but my body let me know the next day that I did too much..can you say muscle spasms! They sucked, learned my lesson!
Oh no, feel better sis
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