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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

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R
RPMsMom
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!

RPMsMom's provider

Dr. George Chatson

RPMsMom

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There's not a single negative thing I can say about my experience with Dr. Chatson! From my first consultation, to the multiple post-op follow up appointments I've had with him, it's been nothing but very positive. I find him to have a kind, caring, easy-going, yet confident personality. He's knowledgable, highly professional, and he's skilled through years of experience. He's answered all of my questions and concerns. Most importantly, he's made himself available to address any concerns, should they arise, between scheduled appointments. Thankfully, I haven't had to take advantage of that! When I set out to find a plastic surgeon after years of wanting to have abdiminoplasty, it was fate that brought me to his website. I'd been sitting in my car that morning, parked on Prospect Street in Nashua, across from the old YMCA building. I'd been feeling badly about myself and my body, having just left the gym around the corner, so I was sitting there in my car to say a prayer to my dad. He'd been the Physical Director at the Y and had suffered a heart attack and died there early one October morning in 1983. His name was George. I was 15 then. Anyway, I asked him to help guide me to just the right surgeon who could help me get my old body back. From there, I drove home, dropped my workout bag and picked up my iPad. I googled "Nashua Plastic Surgeon" and the very first name and photo to come up was Dr. GEORGE Chatson ... Located on ... wait for it ... PROSPECT STREET in Nashua! Little had I known I'd been sitting literally a few hundred feet from Dr. Chatson's office just a half hour earlier! So, I called and booked my consult and the rest is history! (Thank you, Dad! You were right!) After I had the initial consultation, I felt confident enough to book my surgery date. I was thrilled to finally be moving forward for myself, confident in my choice of surgeon, and both excited and nervous about what my outcome would be. About a month before my procedure, I had an annual appointment at my OB/GYN. When I told her I was scheduled for abdominoplasty, she asked who my doctor was. As soon as I said, "George Chatson," she told me that I'd be "in EXCELLENT hands" and that she'd seen his work and that she suspected I'd have great results! Now that I'm 9 weeks post-op, I can fully say that I have ZERO regrets about my choice to have the surgery or for having selected Dr. Chatson to perform it! He and his staff have ALL been considerate and kind, and I couldn't be happier! All follow-up appointments are covered in the overall cost of the procedure, including any future minor revisions - which is GREAT! ... I do have small 'dog-ears' at the ends of my incision, but Dr. Chatson told me in advance of my surgery that it was a possibility, so I was informed. And at my follow ups, has assured me that they are easily revised right in his office within a few months. At my pre-op appointment, I'd also asked Dr. Chatson to draw on my tummy where he thought my incision might be so that I could kind of get used to seeing where my scar would be. It was pretty much right on, and I also appreciated that he told me in advance about potential surgical complications. I felt I went to the surgery canter well prepared. I look forward to continuing to see Dr. Chatson, and would HIGHLY RECOMMEND him to other patients seeking plastic surgery!

Replies (5)

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H
January 12, 2020
Amazing results cosmetically--sorry to hear about the aftershocks. I'm considering the procedure at age 66 and it's a huge decision.
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R
January 13, 2020
Good luck to you in your decision-making process! When I did this at 48, I wished I’d done it at 30-35! It was a LOT to go through, physically and mentally. I credit being an avid gym enthusiast at the time to my recovery being doable. It was still taxing as a fit woman! I didn’t take the decision lightly. Glad you’re educating yourself! You need a reliable support system depending on how involved your surgery will be! The muscle repair made it MUCH more of a challenge than just the tuck would have been! Thanks for the comment!
V
January 15, 2020
Thank you for continuing to post. And u r correct, the site has a lot of early post surgery posts but probably because everyone is anxious to figure it all out and once they do they stop posting. I am 2 months post op (50 years old) and although one helluva improvement in my tummy the whole process is very consuming. Like you stated in one of your posts. It's a big decision and a life changing one too. Do you mind me asking if the surgery messed with your hormones? I feel like it zapped my sex drive (in a bad way) also hot flashes seem to be more often than prior to surgery. You look great!
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R
January 15, 2020
Thanks! And I can’t say I feel like my hormones fluctuated earlier on... I’m headed toward 52 now, 4 years later, and still no hot flashes, but definitely changes in my regular cycle. Perhaps it was just the timing of it all for you! Nothing really changed in the bedroom, except taking it slow and easy for a while during recovery! I can’t say my interest in sex or drive have changed too very much ... just more tired these days! Maybe talk to your GYN about the drive issue! Could be a fixable imbalance! Stay positive and eat right. Take time to relax. Don’t put pressure on yourself to be perfect! Aging - and all that comes with it - isn’t easy! Change what needs changing, when it needs changing... and accept the rest! (Easier said than done, right?!)
V
January 15, 2020
LW
January 14, 2020
Has anyone thought to check for an entrapped nerve? It happened to me after a different surgery and sounds extremely like what I went through. Surgical correction needed for it. Good Luck!
H
January 15, 2020
You are such an inspiration to me. Thank you for all your information, I am scheduled for t/t 2/17/2020. Nervous and excited to start new chapter . I am saddened for you. You can see you have worked so hard and look amazing! Please keep us posted on your continuing journey. You have calmed my nerves. Thank you!
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R
January 15, 2020
Thanks, Heather - I wish you the best of luck and a great outcome! It truly IS a new chapter! Sometimes, when I read back over my posts from early on, it’s hard to believe it’s really me that went through with it! If you’re in a good mindset, you’ll do well! I’m glad I could help you. So many other women’s stories inspired me, too!
G
January 15, 2020
Thank you for sharing your journey!!!! I can see your progress each week. You are beautiful!!! I love how the scar has healed and you are looking really fit and toned too!! Good for you!
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R
January 15, 2020
You’re welcome! And thank YOU! Compliments are great gifts! And great motivation to keep active & healthy! It’s a lot of work!
UPDATED FROM RPMsMom
3 years post

3 YEARS POST-OP CONTINUED!

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RPMsMom
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!

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UPDATED FROM RPMsMom
3 years post

3 YEARS POST-OP!! 1/11/16 - 1/11/19

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RPMsMom
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!

Replies (2)

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J
January 14, 2019
You look amazing!! Happy 3 year anniversary! :) and congrats on welcoming to the world your precious grandaughter! How exciting!
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R
January 14, 2019
Loving almost every minute of life these days! Thank you! ❤️
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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
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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