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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck Reviews

Getting the Tummy Tuck for my 60th Birthday on February 6th - Orange County CA

UPDATED FROM Mionaka
8 months post

8 months and 1 week post op with pictures

$19,000
Sorry about not posting in the last few months but unfortunately I had no improvement to report. My stomach is rock hard and bulging out. It's better on the morning and worst at night. I have constant discomfort and when I saw my ps in September he had no explanation about the bulging. He thinks that I have scar tissue built up in my stomach and this is the reason I have discomfort and pain. I have to pull my stomach in all the time to look flat. When I had my pre-op cosultation with him I wanted to make sure that after the sx I'll not need to pull in my stomach. He told me in two separate occassions that after the surgery I'll be super tight and I will not need to pull my stomach in. He demonstrated it also by pushing my stomach in with one hand and supporting me with his other preventing me to fall back. So I knew exactly what can I expect. I'm disappointed because I paid lots of money for the surgery and I was expecting better result. My ps suppose to take pictures the last time I saw him in September but I guess because of the bad result he did not take it. He told me to wait until the one year mark to see improvement. I have dog ears but he takes no responsibility for it. He thinks that the 12-14lb weight loss causing it. Every night I'm massaging my stomach hoping that I can break up the scar tissue. I lay on my stomach at night so my stomach is completely stretched.....It feels good, but no improvement. I lay on the carpet while I'm watching tv for the same reason. I'm excercising, focusing on my core. I like my belly button and my incision healing nicely. I'm still numb but I hope it will improve. Still craving for sweet and unfortunately I'm statisfiying my craving every day. I wish I would have more willpower. I'm checking my weight and use the tape measure every day. If I see the number increase than I resume to my diet. Hubby still supporting me 100%. I'm so glad to have him in my life. I wish I can post only positive things but if I want to be honest about my progress I have to post the positive and the negative. If you compare my before pictures with today's picture I look much better now, I'm carrying myself better and I make/try to make better choices in my life. I have dropped few dress sizes, my clothes fits me better and this summer I was able to wear cute dresses. For some reasons my pictures post side ways. I'm looking forward to your input and advise.

Mionaka's provider

Milind K. Ambe, MD

Milind K. Ambe, 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
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I got a referral from a friend to Dr. Ambe. When me and my husband had our first visit with Dr. Ambe we felt very comfortable with him. We felt no need to look anywhere else. He is very easy to talk to, listened to my needs, explained everything and answered to our questions and concerns. We both trust him. He encouraged me to call him any time I have questions. His team is very knowledgeable, professional, warm and helpful. I'm very happy with my choice. I'll post again after my surgery. On the day of surgery Dr. Ambe came and talked to me, “marked” me and he made sure I have no unanswered question left. He hugged me and went off to prepare for my surgery. He is very warm and approachable. On my post op visit he was as pleasant and patient as before. He did take his time, he did not tried to rush us out from the office. Since I'm not happy with the outcome of my TT and he recommended to wait one full year for possible improvement my statisfaction rated 2 stars. I'll change it if it improves with revision.

Replies (15)

I am 5.5 months... and have similiar results. My before/after from 6 weeks to recent are not very different. I weigh exactly the same as I did pre-surgery so I have not dropped any sizes but my clothes do fit better. I have to hold my stomach in as well to be flat. At this point, I think I need to lose weight--I'm 5'2" and 112 lbs, I would not call that overweight but I bet 5-7 lbs would make a difference. I have been trying to lose it, with no success. At 56 it's like my body isn't giving up any of it. I am grateful I look better than a year ago, but I - like you- thought I'd have that flat stomach i had in my 20's. So now, for me, it's either facing up to unrealistic expectations that I had, or the fact I need to drop weight. I can't come up with any other explanation. it's hard when you read about all the women on here that have dropped several sizes and having better than expected results. I wish you the best and if you get a true explanation for this, I would be very interested to hear!
Sammy, thank you for your reply. I don't think that I had high expectation based on what my ps told me thats why I'm so disappointed. I've read your review and I think you look very nice. Seems to me you have swelling on your lower tummy. Maybe you can get benefit from the lymphatic massage? Above the bb you are flat. Your "girls" look nice. Will you see your ps at 6 months po? If you do probably he'll clear you for unrestricted excercise and it will make a big difference. Good luck, focus on the positive because you look very nice.
Thank you for your kind words. Did you try lymphatic massage? I have not but at this point I would try it if anyon ehas had a positive result, my ps had not initially felt they were worth it. I do hope its swelling below the BB but to be honest, I have not been flat EVER so its not like I wake up looking flat some days and not others. I will be seeing my PS next month, I"ve kind of put it off since I don't look as good as I had hoped :(
Hi,keep looking for the positives like your last paragraph. I went back over your review from the start and noticed some changes in your photos over the last 9mths. The immediate PO photos show some swelling, (to be expected), but in the following photo sets, the stomach area is not flattening (as you expect) and in fact if the weight loss is PO, then I suggest you print out your photos and record the dates, and show them to your PS. The weight loss would generate an all-over looseness of the skin and not a local area. As there was some muscle tightening as part of the procedure, I would get an opinion from your PS as to what he expects your final result will look like and in what time frame. You are doing the right things by diet (including the occasional splurge) and exercise and looking after your overall health, so please push your PS for an explanation. Don't be confronting, but ask for a reason for the non-achievement of your expectations and what can he do to improve the situation. I hope to hear some feedback soon, stay positive.
Thank you for your advise. I'll make an appointment with him and also want to get second opinion. Imath, I'm so happy for your success.
Have you considered posting pics with questions here on RS for the docs or getting a second opinion from another PS? I wish you speedy resolution!
Hi Awake, I've been thinking about it.
I know exactly how you feel! I'm 8 mos po and I have a seroma that makes me look like I have a beer gut and makes me hold my tummy in too! Unfortunately I can't go back to Miami to see my original PS so have been seeing a doctor here after months of being drained and nothing working, a doctor suggested laser lipo to break up the seroma pocket and he would take a little more off my flanks abdomen lower back and bra roll. I'm not looking forward to being in pain again or wearing compression garments but I just hate the way my belly looks!
I'm glad you've find a ps to work with you. Good luck with your lipo. Have you tried wearing compression garment while you are excercising. Seems to me it help me with the swelling during/after excercise. I have not tried crossfit yet but I see people doing it and it looks like a "killer" excercise.
I have worn compression garment when I workout but sometimes because it's so intense I sometimes feel like I really can't breath!! lol So I have to rip it off! What I'm not looking foward to after lipo is back to 24hr compression garments, thought I was done with that! Oh well
I hate that you are unhappy, but I do agree that you can tell a difference in your before and after pics. I say keep doing what your doing and try and get in some sort of exercise 5 days a week if you can. I need to post an update as well.. I have some time off coming up and I may do that later this week. It was great to see my Feb. 2015 TTers updates! Keep your chin up and see what the 1 year mark brings!
Thank you Rusty. I do excercise 4-5 days per week and after my ps lifted the restriction last month on the excercise I'm focusing on my stomach alot hoping it will break up the scar tissue. I'm wearing a waist chincher during my workouts except during yoga hoping for comfort.
UPDATED FROM Mionaka
3 months post

“Almost” 14 weeks post op pictures.

I had an appoinment with my ps couple of days ago do to my constant swelling. I showed my pictures I took right after getting out of the bed so he can see the swelling. He told me that I might have blood collection and I need to put warm compression on it, take ibuprofen, sleep on my stomach and start using spanx again. He told me he tightened my muscles as much as he was able to. This sentence made me a little concerned. Why did he say that? Is it the best I will be? I hope not. He also said that I will be “shrinking” more but the swelling could last 8 months. For the blood collection he did not even mentioned the possibility of a surgery/procedure to remove it. He also told me that by the afternoon my muscles are fatique so its spasm (I don't remember the exact words he used) and it causes the pain. As far as exercise I could do anything except crunches. I need to listen to my body. The healing is a long process and sometimes I panic. I know I need to be patient (I am most of the times). I know I look better now... it's all good. I'm not happy with the inner tighs and honestly I didn't even bothered to take pictures of it. It's lumpy and wrinkly. I need to put warm compress on it also. I hope it will get better. This post is switching back and fort from negative to positive but this is how I feel now and I know you understand it. I'm attaching the pictures my ps took at the last visit...you can see my swollen tummy. Happy healing to all of you.

Replies (14)

Hi, stay positive, it will get better. The PS may resort to draining that problem area like mine has, with a syringe. It is a nuisance and not a painful procedure, so don't worry over the possibility. Your photos look fabulous and I am happy that you are shopping and reaping the rewards for your recovery progress. As it is only 3mths, there are still improvements to come and your final great shape may take the full 12mths and at our age, things heal more slowly. Be positive for the next update, -OK?
Thank you Imath. Generally I'm positive and happy about the sx, but I have my moments....I definetely shrank and look better, I see it on my clothes and in the mirror but I'm anxious to see at least one flat day.
I am 10 weeks behind you and noticing the same thing with my stomach, its always protruding. I realize I have a way to go but like you said, it has the same shape as before but without some of the flab. I have an eery feeling I may never be flat--I haven't been flat once since surgery. All that aside, I think you look fabulous!!
Sammy, thank you for your compliment. I checked out your pictures and you look amazing. Don't worry about the swelling because you are "only" one month post op. It will improve.
Give it a full 6 months and then check again. Don't let it get you down - start your workouts. If the blood collection stays, it'll have to be drained - hopefully it goes away on its own. Keep healing well :)))
Thank you Awake. I've been active since day one (if you can call walking at the speed of a snail at the beginning), started elliptical and treadmill at day 25 and added weight around 2 months post op. I do everything in my power to get better.
I still think you look fabulous! Give it some more time.. Hopefully in the next few months you will see that the swelling is getting better.
Well first off I think u look amazing! Although I'm notsopatient myself I do know u have to give it a full 6 month to a year for swelling to fully resolve. My dr told me to use spanx also. I actually bought a waist trainer. It's super tight like the CG and feels good when I wear it, just got it a few days ago. That's an alternative to a spanx undergarment. The spanx I have cover my chest & truthfully id prefer my chest bigger to give the smaller waist appearance! (soI don't wear them) My swelling is between my chest & BB. Wishing u the best, keep positive. U look terrific!!!!
Thank you for your kind and encouraging words. I also have an Ann Cherry waist trainer. My hubby put it on me because it requires manpower. Ha ha ha. It feels good to have it on for a little bit but it's pushing my boobs up (36DD). Does your swelling causing you discomfort/pain?
Yes mine pushes my chest up also when I sit! But I do still I'd I put it on just a slight bit lower the. It doesn't push me up aa much cause although wed all like our chest non saggy raises high is also just as bad as saggy!!!
UPDATED FROM Mionaka
2 months post

I LOVE MY MIRRORS....

With big capitals. Normally I'm humble but in this site I write about my feelings as is.....bad and good. This time is all good. I LOVE what I see in the mirror. Even that I'm swollen almost constantly I do look good. When I go shopping trying on tops, dresses and pants everything fits me well, therefore I'm ended up purchasing a new wardrobe. Before my TT I went to the dressing room trying on a zillion things and came out empty handed and feeling discusted. Now it is the opposite. This sx made me look good and made me feel good...... and its not the final result yet. I watch what I eat and exercise. My goal is to loose about 10 lb but I will be happy if I just break #130. Unfortunately it is not easy because I have no willpower when it comes to sweets. I'm not posting pictures this time because nothing changed in my apperance.

Replies (10)

Nothing wrong with being proud of your new body CONGRATS celebrate anyway you want:-)!!!
Thank you
I am so happy for you! I feel the same way about looking in the mirror.. I am also STILL and ALWAYS swollen...I have tried NOT to buy a bunch of new clothes until this swelling goes away.. however, I ran across a sale the other day and bought 2 new Bikini's and a new bikini top to go with my black bottoms I already had. Who would have ever thought we would be buying bikini's?!!?!? I have a question for you- Have you gained weight with all the swelling?? I initially had lost 5 pounds with surgery @ week 4, and ever since the swelling kicked in I am up those 5 pounds and sometimes even more... What the heck?? Think its the swelling??
Since the sx My weight is fluctuating between 5-8 lb. Right after the surgery my body fat % dropped by 10% but than went up about 5%. I watch what I eat and try to be as active as I can but I'm not able to lose weight or fat %. I'm measuring myself with the tape, my waist is 30-32" and I can't break the 30". Few year ago my waist measured 28.5". I'm disappointed that I'm not even close to that. I'm hoping once the swelling goes down my measurements will improve. I was told that by the end of the 3 months the swelling will go down by 75%. Unfortunately it's not happenning. Hopefully few month from now we'll dance the happy dance. My next apptmt is at the end of May. Rusty you look awsome, enjoy your new bikinis. You should be proud of your accomplishment.
Thanks Mionaka, I will keep you posted! I will be doing my 12 week update this week. I hope this weight gain is swelling also.. It's stressing me out! I see no end in sight either with the swelling- my PS office told me to expect it most of the 6 months :(.
Hi, I know you are impatient for results, but it is only 2mths and your Lymphatic system has not yet adjusted to your new stomach muscle re-alignment. It will happen and the swelling will settle down (go away), but don't overdo the gym work as this will build up muscle (and weight), so take it easy. You have achieved a great result so far, just look at your bikini photos, they are not the body of a typical 60yr old. Your family must be proud of you, well done.
Thank you Imath for your kind words and encouragement. I'm 3 months post op already. Where the time went?
LOL....just getting ready to post my 5 months post op today... but first i had to eat a box of cookies!!!
Hi, glad to see you have your priorities right! Looking forward to resd how you are coming along.
I've read you post and commented on it. You look absolutely gorgeous. I'm glad you are moving on with your life. About sweets.....This is something I can't live without, so I'm making desserts with zucchini, almond milk and chia seeds. Not bad. Try it, hopefully you will like it. We have to be careful not to gain weight....we invested a lot in this sx emotionally, physically and financially.
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