31 Year Old Mom of 2, Tummy Tuck and Breast Lift (Small Reduction)

August 18, 2017

Congrats on finding a Dr and setting a date for your surgery! Very exciting! Can't wait to follow your journey :)

LJMaa

October 6, 2017

No helpful advice, unfortunately! I'll have an 11 month old at the time of surgery (12/15). My doctor said first couple of weeks are key for healing and then I may be able to carefully lift baby at that point. I'm going to try to get a full time sitter for a few weeks - we are already investing so much into this surgery so it's silly to risk complications from doing too much too soon!

October 12, 2017

I feel like leajmom has a point there. If it's in your budget I'd get help! Can your other half take two weeks from work with you? Or do you have family that can take the kiddos? I've read some women on here legit send their kids off to grandma's or their sister's house for two weeks. I don't want to scare or panic you at all but even with a 5 and 6 year old I had a rough time caring for them. Every surgery and recovery is different but if you can get help I say do it, it's worth it!

October 12, 2017

I appreciate the input!! In reading back through my post I probably should have clarified that my kids go to daycare, so outside of New Years Day (which my husband has off for) they will be hanging out at daycare from 7:30-4:30. We haven't worked out the dropping off schedule to and from daycare...and my husband has class 3 days a week, so thankfully I won't be on my own ALOT with the kids...but I'll have to figure out a plan for how to handle bedtime 3 days a week once I'm 1 week post op. How tough will it be getting a 20 month in a crib at 1 week post op?? Eek. What did you find were h hardest parts for you??

October 12, 2017

That's good news that you'll have the help! I am assuming you're getting muscle plication to tighten up the muscles? That was the worst for me. I also recall back to my breast augmentation and I remember being good for nothing for a week after that. I'm pretty fit and strong, prior to the surgery I was lifting doing kettlebells swings with a 35lbs kettlebell 3 plus times a week. I thought I was gonna bounce right back and I was wrong. I started to feel a bit better at around day 9 I think but the first week I was good for absolutely nothing. Couldn't get out of bed on my own, etc. For me, I didn't realize how much I use my core, basically to do everything lol. I think it will come down to how good ur pain meds are, how high is your pain tollerance, and what does your PS say. If it were me, I wouldn't be able to do it one week out.

October 12, 2017

Yes, definitely looking to have my muscles repaired and have heard that's the most painful! I have a pretty high pain tolerance and workout 3 times a week so I'm hoping that helps. The only other time I've ever had surgery was for an emergency appendectomy (open surgery) and I remember afterwards how much you don't realize you use your abs! Maybe I'll try to have family come help with bedtime the first few weeks. Yikes.

October 12, 2017

You won't know till you're there in it. Just trust your body and don't over do! It is not worth it!

UPDATED FROM JM1204

4 months pre

Before Pics

JM1204August 16, 2017

Sharing a few 'before' pics in my goal dress. I'd love for this dress to fit well with no pregnant looking belly post mommy makeover! Hoping that's a realistic expectation. I'm also trying to lose 15 lbs or so before surgery, so hopefully that helps since I'm currently sitting around 165 and 5'6". I'd love to hear from other ladies so had this done with similar stats!

Replies (9)

August 18, 2017

Absolutely a realistic expectation! That tummy will be flat for sure :)

August 19, 2017

Thank you for the encouragement! I really hope so! Still trying to get enough courage to give non clothed 'befores', but I've got time :)

August 19, 2017

Even if you don't post them here, make sure you still take them for yourself. You'll want to compare after the surgery!

October 12, 2017

The "I don't look pregnant anymore" is my favorite part! I am still deep in swell hell but I still look a million times better now in regards to smooth skin and not looking pregnant. It's a trip. I have the EXACT same goal, there is a dress sitting in my closet that I bought last year when Guess was having a big sale. I looked 5 months pregnant in it and was so sad. I am waiting until I am further out and have less swell (wanna be as flat as possible) before I try it back on but I am so excited!!! You are going to be so happy with your "after" I just know it!

October 12, 2017

You're too sweet! I realllyyy hope you are right about losing the pregnant look! Part of me is terrified that I'll do this, still have a bulging upper abdomen, and then they're Like 'sorry! You're just fat' hahaha You definitely need to post photos of this dress when you get into it! I'm sure it'll look amazing given how well you're healing already! Did you happen to take measurements before surgery? I am SO curious to know how many inches I'll lose. Like you, I just want to get back to my pre baby muscular 150lbs ha. I'm going to keep working out, cross my fingers, and hope this surgeon can work some magic!

October 12, 2017

The pregnant look will go away for sure! I can wear anything I want now and have no fear that I'll look pregnant! I wear scrubs to work and was asked all the time if I was expecting. Since surgery, not one patient has asked me :)

October 12, 2017

I did take measurements before hand. I use an app called Lifesum to keep my workout and nutrition habits accountable and there's a log in there for measurements so you can track progress. Like you I'm looking to build muscle and be strong not just lose weight. The scale is a liar! Lol. I still say I want to get back to 145 but honestly, if I can feel good in my body and get back into my size 6 pants and my wedding band (haven't been able to get it past my knuckle since kids and it's inscribed so i can't resize it) then if I weigh more I don't care!

October 12, 2017

Hahaha, one time, after eating something that didn't agree with me my already pregnant looking tummy swelled when I was on vacay in DC with my family and I literally had three people "congratulate" me. I smiled and said thank you while I died a little inside.

October 13, 2017

Awe I know! I sometimes felt bad telling people that I wasn't pregnant b/c they were so embarrassed when I told them "I'm not pregnant, I'm just fat"

UPDATED FROM JM1204

4 months pre

Supplies?

JM1204August 20, 2017

Ok ladies, my surgeon has an open surgery date for Dec 29th, which I'm really considering taking, but I just want to make sure I have my ducks in a row (logistically) before booking. What are some 'must have' supplies?? Should I rent a recliner/hospital bed? What are the best types of clothes to recover in during the winter? Yoga pants?? Also, how do people manage NOT picking up toddlers for a month plus?? Wondering if I can CARRY, but not lift? Not sure if there's a difference.

Replies (4)

August 28, 2017

Stacy will give you a list at pre-op and it was pretty much all I needed. I would buy lots of gauze, that was the most used item I had lol! For recovery get loose pants and loose shirts, tight is not very pleasant esp if you'll be swollen. And for the toddler I would avoid lifting if possible. You dont want to tear something or ruin your results. If they just want to be held, I sat on the couch and my son would sit with me. For the car seat I just had him climb up and get in on his own, but he was 2 and not as young as yours. You will figure it all out though b/c as moms that's just what we do ;)

August 28, 2017

Oh and I just saw the recliner question...I had one already and it was very helpful. I slept in mine for like a month! A hospital bed is not necessary though

August 28, 2017

Thank you so much for the tips!! Glad to know the hospital bed is not a must. Do you think yoga pants would be fine on the incision? Or too tight?