POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck Reviews
47yrs Old & Have Wanted to Do This for 25 Years! - Nashua, NH
UPDATED FROM RPMsMom
4 years post
4 YEARS POST-OP! - 1/11/16 - 1/11/20
WORTH IT$7,525
Final check-in... I’m now 51 years old ...
While I’m still pretty thrilled with my aesthetic results and enjoying the whole not-having-to-hide-my-belly anymore, this past few months has been a roller-coaster.
In May, I began a new diet - counting macros specific to me. I was very successful with it through early November. I actually got down to about 126lbs and was feeling ok. It was a LOT of eating for me, but I stuck with it! But, sometime in mid-May, I started to get more than just occasional little electrical shock feelings in my low/mid belly. These have progressed to full-on, unexpected, persistent full-abdominal-wall muscle spasms/contractions ALL OVER AGAIN.
If you read back, you’ll see that I dealt with them for months and months after the original surgery. It’s so discouraging! Some of them can double me over! The worst of them happen as I’m sleeping and I wake so disoriented! Oddly, the most painful areas when it’s happening and even after is the fronts of both of my hips, where they meet my quads. It’s almost like I was reattached too tight there, is the best way I can describe it.
I don’t know. The doctor couldn’t explain them and had never heard of them. But now it worries me. Not only are they disruptive, they can be strong and painful. :( I don’t tell my family or anyone else, because I don’t want to worry them ... or see the look of, “why did you go through with this?” I feel very alone in this because I’ve never read another story like mine. I’ve actually considered talking to a therapist about it. It helps to actually write this out.
I also never got the feeling in my abdominal muscles back. I can still feel the skin of my belly, but nothing beneath it. I’m worried some damage was done that will never heal or go away. My little granddaughter is 16mos now and very actively climbing all over me, and that means a LOT of contact with my stomach. Every time she (or the little one I babysit 2 days a week) touches it, I get a really nauseous feeling - like, GROSS, nauseous. Sometimes I try to keep her a bit distant which I don’t want anyone noticing - and I HATE doing because I love having her close to me and playing with her! It makes me sad. Other people I can keep at bay. Not so easy with little toddlers!
Despite all this, I’d still recommend tummy tuck and / or muscle repair. Just be sure to ask your doctor about ALL potential risks! I had read up and knew the BIG risks, like anesthesia... but the surgeon kind of skimmed over “numbness” as in, “you could have some numbness around the incision site that may or may not go away.” But, I never would have imagined It changed how I live my life. ESPECIALLY my “summer” life!
Anyway, here are some pictures from last summer and from today.
I hope all are doing well with your journeys!
While I’m still pretty thrilled with my aesthetic results and enjoying the whole not-having-to-hide-my-belly anymore, this past few months has been a roller-coaster.
In May, I began a new diet - counting macros specific to me. I was very successful with it through early November. I actually got down to about 126lbs and was feeling ok. It was a LOT of eating for me, but I stuck with it! But, sometime in mid-May, I started to get more than just occasional little electrical shock feelings in my low/mid belly. These have progressed to full-on, unexpected, persistent full-abdominal-wall muscle spasms/contractions ALL OVER AGAIN.
If you read back, you’ll see that I dealt with them for months and months after the original surgery. It’s so discouraging! Some of them can double me over! The worst of them happen as I’m sleeping and I wake so disoriented! Oddly, the most painful areas when it’s happening and even after is the fronts of both of my hips, where they meet my quads. It’s almost like I was reattached too tight there, is the best way I can describe it.
I don’t know. The doctor couldn’t explain them and had never heard of them. But now it worries me. Not only are they disruptive, they can be strong and painful. :( I don’t tell my family or anyone else, because I don’t want to worry them ... or see the look of, “why did you go through with this?” I feel very alone in this because I’ve never read another story like mine. I’ve actually considered talking to a therapist about it. It helps to actually write this out.
I also never got the feeling in my abdominal muscles back. I can still feel the skin of my belly, but nothing beneath it. I’m worried some damage was done that will never heal or go away. My little granddaughter is 16mos now and very actively climbing all over me, and that means a LOT of contact with my stomach. Every time she (or the little one I babysit 2 days a week) touches it, I get a really nauseous feeling - like, GROSS, nauseous. Sometimes I try to keep her a bit distant which I don’t want anyone noticing - and I HATE doing because I love having her close to me and playing with her! It makes me sad. Other people I can keep at bay. Not so easy with little toddlers!
Despite all this, I’d still recommend tummy tuck and / or muscle repair. Just be sure to ask your doctor about ALL potential risks! I had read up and knew the BIG risks, like anesthesia... but the surgeon kind of skimmed over “numbness” as in, “you could have some numbness around the incision site that may or may not go away.” But, I never would have imagined It changed how I live my life. ESPECIALLY my “summer” life!
Anyway, here are some pictures from last summer and from today.
I hope all are doing well with your journeys!
UPDATED FROM RPMsMom
3 years post
3 YEARS POST-OP CONTINUED!
And just for fun ...
I’ll include a couple of pics of my granddaughter, because she’s too ridiculously adorable not to share! We’re having more fun being grandparents then we ever would have imagined!
Hope you all Enjoy!
I’ll include a couple of pics of my granddaughter, because she’s too ridiculously adorable not to share! We’re having more fun being grandparents then we ever would have imagined!
Hope you all Enjoy!
Replies (0)
UPDATED FROM RPMsMom
3 years post
3 YEARS POST-OP!! 1/11/16 - 1/11/19
3 years ago this moment I was in some serious pain, scared of what the next minutes, hours, days would bring, yet TOTALLY CONFIDENT that I’d made the right choice and done the right thing for me!
Fast Forward 3 Years: I wasn’t wrong!!
I’m STILL just THRILLED with my results! And I still believe I’ll never do anything more brave in my lifetime!
This year has been a real doozy! My mom has some health issues that required my time and attention, my daughter & her husband moved in for 10 months while their new home was being fully renovated - and in that time, they gave us our first Granddaughter! ... But worst of all — “THE CHANGE” has begun. Before hitting 50 this past summer, my body was pretty regular and predictable. Let me tell you, that has ALL changed! Suddenly, in September, my hormones (thereby, my cycle) went absolutely HAYWIRE! The two downsides: I feel like I have a period more than I don’t monthly. And I put on weight (despite no change in diet or exercise) and I can NOT drop it! I’m up about 7-8lbs from my post-surgery date weight of about 131. There’s an up side though! The gain hasn’t impacted my tummy AT ALL. Still flat and tight!! My hips, thighs & arms took the hit!
But, I’ve decided to take it easy on myself.
In 2018, I accomplished my New Year’s Resolution and completed 400 “Yoga with Adriene” home practices. Yes, it sounds like a LOT. And, yes. It WAS a LOT! But it was awesome - and did wonders for my attitude overall. AND, my core is insanely strong from all of the planks, ab work and balancing! I love the feeling of strength!
I do still feel some residual effects of my recovery, but it’s minimal. My sides still can get really itchy from the lipo, and every once in a great while, I’ll get a weird twinge or cramp... and it’s likely I’ll never regain the feeling of my abdominal wall, but like I’ve said before, I’m used to it and can live with it!
That’s it for now.
Over these three years, I’ve learned that I’m still a work in progress. There are some things we have less control over than others, and that’s ok!
Wishing everyone who stops to read this well! You all deserve whatever happiness you desire!
Fast Forward 3 Years: I wasn’t wrong!!
I’m STILL just THRILLED with my results! And I still believe I’ll never do anything more brave in my lifetime!
This year has been a real doozy! My mom has some health issues that required my time and attention, my daughter & her husband moved in for 10 months while their new home was being fully renovated - and in that time, they gave us our first Granddaughter! ... But worst of all — “THE CHANGE” has begun. Before hitting 50 this past summer, my body was pretty regular and predictable. Let me tell you, that has ALL changed! Suddenly, in September, my hormones (thereby, my cycle) went absolutely HAYWIRE! The two downsides: I feel like I have a period more than I don’t monthly. And I put on weight (despite no change in diet or exercise) and I can NOT drop it! I’m up about 7-8lbs from my post-surgery date weight of about 131. There’s an up side though! The gain hasn’t impacted my tummy AT ALL. Still flat and tight!! My hips, thighs & arms took the hit!
But, I’ve decided to take it easy on myself.
In 2018, I accomplished my New Year’s Resolution and completed 400 “Yoga with Adriene” home practices. Yes, it sounds like a LOT. And, yes. It WAS a LOT! But it was awesome - and did wonders for my attitude overall. AND, my core is insanely strong from all of the planks, ab work and balancing! I love the feeling of strength!
I do still feel some residual effects of my recovery, but it’s minimal. My sides still can get really itchy from the lipo, and every once in a great while, I’ll get a weird twinge or cramp... and it’s likely I’ll never regain the feeling of my abdominal wall, but like I’ve said before, I’m used to it and can live with it!
That’s it for now.
Over these three years, I’ve learned that I’m still a work in progress. There are some things we have less control over than others, and that’s ok!
Wishing everyone who stops to read this well! You all deserve whatever happiness you desire!
Replies (2)

J

B
January 24, 2019
Hello my sweet Belly Sistah! It was so great hearing your news and sharing in the auspicious three-year anniversary (mine's soon!) Who could have ever guessed we'd be this far out and just living our new normal. It sounds as though all is wonderful-well in your world... the new grand baby... All.That.Yoga!!! (You are a machine, my sweet!)... and that beauuuutiful belly (screw the few pounds... life is far too short!!). I applauded you ever step of the way on your journey and I applaud you still. You were always an inspiration to me (Plank? Is that a piece of wood? *wink*). I wish you only the very best this life has to offer. CONGRATULATIONS and Huge-a-ceous Hugzzzzz!! xoxo

R
January 26, 2019
Oh, BuhBye ... 3 words:
I. LOVE. YOU.
YOU are the embodiment of the word “supportive”! You undying encouragement and colorful and uplifting comments have brought me real joy over these years through this journey!! As always, THANK YOU!! And I wish YOU nothing but the VERY VERY BEST!! xo
I. LOVE. YOU.
YOU are the embodiment of the word “supportive”! You undying encouragement and colorful and uplifting comments have brought me real joy over these years through this journey!! As always, THANK YOU!! And I wish YOU nothing but the VERY VERY BEST!! xo
Replies (5)