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POSTED UNDER Mini Tummy Tuck REVIEWS

Nervous for Upcoming Mini - Montana

ORIGINAL POST

I am 31 years old and a mother of three children...

somethingformyselfMay 18, 2012
WORTH IT$4,000

I am 31 years old and a mother of three children under the age of 10. I am an active person and workout 4-5 times per week. No matter what I did after having my 3rd child, he just turned a year in March, I can't seem to loose the belly. I weigh less than I ever have and in much better shape than before I was married, but my stomache just won't coorperate no matter how many sit ups I do! I went to my doctor for a consultation in March hoping for a tummy tuck. After looking at me, my doctor said that I didn't have enough loose skin above my belly button for a full tummy tuck. He was afraid that he wouldn't be able to strech my skin down far enough to hide the existing hole of my belly button and it would appear as if I had two! Of course I didn't want that. He did tell me that "I was a perfect candidate for a mini tummy tuck." He said I was obviously athletic and in shape and that a mini is what he would recommend if I were his daughter. I am glad that I don't have to have a full when I think about recovery, but I am so nervous that the results won't be what I am hoping for. I asked about lypo on my love handles and he doesn't want to do that at the same time as the mini because it would be too much trama to my body. My husband will not let me go back for any more plastic surgery... he's one of those "you're beautiful just the way you are" type. Though I love that, I am nervous/scared about spending $4000.00 on something that isn't going to give me the results I am hoping for. I had my mind set on a full tt and to hear that I would be getting a mini was a surprise. I have done research on the mini since knowing that would be my procedure but there just isn't much out there. I'm glad I stumbled upon this site and am hoping for some feedback! I don't want to talk to anyone in Small Town, America where I live about this if you know what I mean!!!

Replies (6)

mummy2boys
May 18, 2012
glad for your upcoming tummy tuck. however, you have more loose skin than i had and i had a full tummy tuck regardless of what anyone else thought. out of 5 consultations, 3 were saying mini at almost the same price. my mind was set on a full tummy tuck and i can't thank myself enough for following my instincts. its your body, after a mini you will never be able to adjust your tummy if your not happy. there will be no more stretchable skin.
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Great2BMe
June 26, 2012
A mini tummy tuck can later be revised to a full tummy tuck. The extra skin comes from above the belly button and that's what makes it a full tummy tuck versus a mini which only addresses the area below the belly button. I do agree that very few people are candidates for a mini and most are not happy with the results. If at all possible I agree she should get a full tummy tuck to get the best results possible.
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Angie_M
May 18, 2012

Hmm. In all honesty, I would go on another consult or two and get other opinions. I don't understand why he won't do lipo with the mini. If you look in the mommy makeover community, ladies get lipo, full TTs and breast work all the time. Yes, those three together are a lot of trauma, but the ladies do heal. If you can only do this once, make sure you do it right and talk to some other doctors.

I'm glad you found us and are sharing. Thank you for being part of the community!

Susie Q1113440
May 27, 2012
Yes, do as much as you can at once, so you have 1 downtime. To take a bunch of "downtime" for seperate procedures, especially if you are busy is a PAIN. Also, doctors will ususally give you a little bit of a discount, as you have to use the same Anesthsia & surgery suite/center. So, if I were you try to get as much done as once (as long as it safe).
jj7749
May 19, 2012
I just had a mini-TT 4 days ago with liposuction. I was prone (face down) in surgery for the lipo to my flanks/muffin tops/love handles. And then supine (face up) for the stomach work. I am only taking acetaminophen (tylenol) today--a bit sore but totally doable. 'Too much trauma' Puhleeze! I concur that a second opinion is in order. I only had excess skin below the umbilicus.
southernpecan
May 21, 2012
I am scheduled to have a mini in two weeks and also have the excess skin below the belly button and above my csection scar. I am praying that the mini is the best thing for me. I am in good shape everywhere else.
UPDATED FROM somethingformyself
18 days pre

Thanks for commenting. I have a pre op....

somethingformyselfMay 20, 2012
Thanks for commenting. I have a pre op. appointment Wednesday and am going to lay out all my concerns to my dr. I was super comfortable with him at my consultation and felt like he understood. Hopefully I get the same vibe from him this time too! I'm going to reiterate my concerns and then make a decision on going forward. I think the nerves are getting the best of me and I need to remember that I'm not going to look like a skinny supermodel no matter what procedures I have done! I really just want the front overhang to go away when I sit down in jeans! I can exercise a little harder for the love handles area if I must!!

Replies (9)

whiterose2
May 22, 2012
I just had a mini tummy tuck and lipo on my love handles and re did my breast augmentation, I had some complications right afterwards, a collection of hemotoma and liquid but we waitied 2 weeks and took out excess blood with needle under belly button, it didn't hurt at all but recovery has been slower, now at almost one month I already can see the difference and it was really worth it but I seriously couldn't lift up my small children and didn't feel well for 2 weeks. But I agree to do it both together.
whiterose2
May 22, 2012
I just had a mini tummy tuck and lipo on my love handles and re did my breast augmentation, I had some complications right afterwards, a collection of hemotoma and liquid but we waitied 2 weeks and took out excess blood with needle under belly button, it didn't hurt at all but recovery has been slower, now at almost one month I already can see the difference and it was really worth it but I seriously couldn't lift up my small children and didn't feel well for 2 weeks. But I agree to do it both together.
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Great2BMe
May 27, 2012
I will be at one month tomorrow. I am so swollen. How is your swelling and pain now. Would really love to see your updated pics!
whiterose2
May 29, 2012
@Happy Jappy, On 25th I was 1 month, my main swelling is on belly still, pain has seem to come back to lipo area (love handles) I am 41 with 2 small children, I hardly had excess skin, but the doctor cut off about 1.5 inches of skin and tightened muscles inside (mini tuck), I can't wait to really see if my belly will be flat! my scar is looking great. I would post lics but not sure how to!
1of5
May 28, 2012
You could def have a full and lipo at the same time!! Get some other opinions!! Check out my pics, we are very similar.
Finallydidit5412
May 28, 2012
I would also get a 2nd consult I am 32, (3 c sections) 5'2 120 pounds...had a lot less skin than you...actually people were in shock that I was getting a full tt... I hid it well....don't want you to regret it...you look like a perfect candidate for a full.
Susie Q1113440
May 29, 2012
Hi: I see that you had a tummy tuck. What was the pain like? I am planning on having it hopefully this year. How much time did you have to take off from work? Thanks,
UPDATED FROM somethingformyself
2 days post

I went ahead with my surgery on June 7. So far,...

somethingformyselfJune 9, 2012
I went ahead with my surgery on June 7. So far, from what I can see when my husband changes my bandages, I am happy! I have had very little bleeding in my drain tube and hardly anything from my incision! My skin look wrinkly and weird from the compresion garmet, but I'm sure that will smooth out when I can take it off from time to time. I was really sore the first evening after the pain meds wore off, but on day three I am doing well. I can walk around upright for short bits of time and the only thing that slightly hurts is the area where my drain is. I can't wait to get that out! I am off my pain meds and just taking Tylenol during the day and Tylenol PM at night to help me sleep. So far I am happy with what I am beginning to see! The worst part of the whole procedure was numbing me. I didn't elect to go completely under and apparently I have really hard fatty tissue so it was a little painful while they were numbing the area. After that was done though the lypo and tt was smooth sailing. I have noticed a few hard, lumpy spots in my stomach from the lypo. I hope that goes away. Has anyone else experienced that? Is it normal. I go in for a post op. this coming Thursday and will ask my doctor about it. I heard that you should massage your stomache but I'm not sure if it's too soon to start three days out. Any advice? I'll post pictures when the drain is out and it's easier to show results!

Replies (5)

jj7749
June 11, 2012
When I went in for my post-op approx 9 days out from my mini-TT and lipo they gave me a small paint roller to roll on my areas that the lipo was preformed. Literally, a paint roller from the hardware store. It was labeled as 'small area' paint roller so that made me feel good. So, I had my spouse or my 5 year old daughter roll my back and my flanks a few times. It is very common to have lumps and bumps after lipo.
Collage
June 26, 2012
hope all is well can't wait to.see the new tummy :)
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thtgrl09
July 13, 2012
Im geting my tt on july 20 and lipo to the flanks. Im built with a straight high waisted frame. I have loose skin in the tummy due to lipo 2 years before. Wasted money as i was over 40 and my skin never retracted. I have been wearing a compression garment for two years just to give me a firm shape. Im hoping with this surgery i can eventually give up the garment long term. I still need lipo in my flanks and upper torso.
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cjm2005
February 8, 2013
would you ,mind posting recent pics? i'm schedueled for a miny tummy tuck in a month.
momofboys111
April 26, 2013
Would love to see your results pics, as we are about the same looking in the stomach area! Or at least we WERE.... I am sure you look awesome now!
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