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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS

Tummy Tuck with Hernia Repair 2/22/12 - 3 months 3 wks PO

Name: Tummy Tuck with Hernia Repair 2/22/12 - 3 months 3 wks PO
Item: Daniel J. Pyo, MD
Rating: 5
Author: NJ33

ORIGINAL POST

I am 34 yrs old and have 3 children ages 6, 4 and...

NJ33January 21, 2012

WORTH IT$9,400

I am 34 yrs old and have 3 children ages 6, 4 and 20 months. My pre-pregnancy weight was 143 and I gained 50lbs with my first, 40 with my second and 35 with my third. I am 5'7 and currently weigh 138. I am about a size 4-6. I carried all three pregnancies way out front causing a big separation in my muscles and a lot of extra skin. After losing all of my baby weight while running and taking bootcamp classes, I cannot seem to get rid of this extra skin. It hangs out over my jeans and you can always see it through my shirts / dresses. I am so self conscience about it that I think about it constantly. I am also frustrated that I don't have the body that I deserve after working out and eating well. Every doctor that I spoke with told me the only way that I would ever fix this problem is with a tummy tuck (after looking at the cost, I figured that it would never happen). I was trying to find a way that insurance would help me cover the procedure or at least part of the procedure. When I asked my OBGYN if she thought I had separated muscles she told me that I definitely did and I also had an umbilical hernia which would need to be fixed through surgery at some point in the near future. The hernia gave me the boost I needed to start looking into a tummy tuck. After a few consultations, both plastic surgeons telling me that I was a perfect candidate for this surgery and a few discussions with my husband, here I am. My tummy tuck is scheduled for 2/22!! I am really excited, nervous and anxious all at once. I definitely feel like cleaning and organizing everything in sight before the big day. My husband will be with me for the first 5 days and then I will have my mother here for the next week. After that, I will hopefully have a nanny that will be able to help me with the kids and some of the housework. I am so worried about my little guy and how he is going to react when I tell him I can't pick him up or hug him as much as I would like. I definitely go back and forth with whether this is the right time to be having an elective surgery like this, but I have been trying to tell myself that I deserve this and that there will never be the perfect time. I am so excited to be able to wake up every morning and have a normal belly! About 1 month to go!!

NJ33's provider

Daniel J. Pyo, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

NJ33 rating for Dr. Pyo:

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Replies (5)

MaumeeMG

January 24, 2012

Hi NJ - congrats on your surgery date! Your story sounds similar to mine in that you gained weight from pregnancies, worked your butt off, but still have a belly. I had my surgery Jan 9th - and I also had muscle repair and hernia repair. I've still got some swelling but I can already see the vast improvement and am thrilled with the prospect of a flat belly! If you are anything like me you have scoured this site for similar stories. ;-) I just wanted to let you know I've detailed my experiences and have added some pictures.

And yes, you deserve this! I know sometimes guilt is the hardest part. ;-)

NJ33

January 26, 2012

Hi MaumeeMG! Thank you for sharing your story. I have been reading the comments on the January TT Forum and it has been so helpful with all of the detailed info that I would not have known before this. You look awesome! How are you feeling? It is so scary to go into something like this not having a clue how your body is going to respond. I can't wait to have a flat belly and be where you are right now!

I have my Pre-op appt on Feb. 7th which seems so far away. I am sure the time is going to fly between now and then, but this surgery and preparing for this surgery is all I think about.

Did you have c-sections with your pregnancies? I have never had any type of surgery so I am not really sure what to expect.

I hope you are feeling well and loving your new belly!

newmomat37

February 1, 2012

Oh..you are going to look great. I also have young children, a 4 yr old and a 18 month old, both boys. I also carried all the weight in my stomach and was left with severe diastasis and a possible hernia.

I have also gone back and forth on waiting until the kids are older but really, there is never a good time for surgery so I decided to get it over with and enjoy my new body while I still have some good years left! ;) I am 40 yrs old.

Excited for your journey. I go in on Monday, Feb 6!!

NJ33

February 1, 2012

Thank you for being so sweet. I can't believe that you go in on Monday!! So exciting...I feel like it is taking forever for the big day to get here. Do you have any help with the kids? My little guy has been extra clingy lately because he is getting all 4 eye teeth at the same time. Hopefully, they will all be in by surgery time. Good luck on the 6th!! You are going to look awesome!!

newmomat37

February 1, 2012

Yes, very lucky that my husband is able to take 3 weeks off. He is great with our boys so that is a huge relief.
Your big day will get here fast! I booked my date in November and the time flew by..between the holidays, all the day to day duties of caring for my children and the household and then all the things you want to get done before you go in. I just finished my last big grocery stock up this a.m.
Best wishes and believe me, your day will approach quickly! :)

UPDATED FROM NJ33

15 days pre

15 days until my surgery!! I had my pre-op...

NJ33February 7, 2012

15 days until my surgery!! I had my pre-op appointment this afternoon! I am so excited about having a flat belly for the first time in 6 years!! The doctors and staff answered all of my questions and really put me at ease with everything. I received all of my prescriptions and pre-op instructions. I also just found out that he will be doing any lipo necessary to my abdomen and my flanks. I am definitely still nervous about the recovery, but it will all be worth it in the end.

Replies (7)

yogamomx5

February 16, 2012

We go the same day. Our little ones are almost the same ages. We will have to stay in touch. What are you going to do about getting the little one in and out of crib when you don't have "help" around? I have help the first two weeks. It's when he wakes in morning and down/up from nap I am trying to figure out.

NJ33

February 17, 2012

I am so excited that I have someone on the same day as me! I thought I was all alone. I just read your review and it sounds like you are having all of the same thoughts as me. My husband will be helping me for the first 5 days, I have my mom for the following week and the first three mornings of the 2nd and 3rd week. Luckily, my husband has agreed that I will probably need someone here to help at dinner and bedtime since he doesn't get home from work until 8 every night. As for getting my little guy out of the crib when I do not have help around, I have taught my 6 year old daughter how to pull him out. I lower the side (not sure how painful that will be) and then she lifts him out. Luckily, he can make it down the stairs by himself. Hopefully, I will always have someone here to get him into the crib. Would your 5 year old be able to do that if you got stuck? I would rather not pay someone to help out after putting all of the money into the surgery, but I am just too nervous that I will screw up my results. The natives are getting restless...I will have to write more later.

yogamomx5

February 18, 2012

How are you doing? I am getting anxious.
I haven't been bit by the cleaning bug as it seems most of the other ladies did. If anything I have done less than usual.
All 3 kids are sick. Yes, I am popping zicam.
I will work on my 5 yr old helping get the little one out. I am also considering using the pack and play along with a step stool for nap time. Do feel ready? I am definitely preoccupied. And feel on edge. I'm sure it's normal.
Take care. Chat soon.

NJ33

February 18, 2012

I was an absolute wreck before my pre-op appt. I was on an emotional roller coaster and I wasn't sleeping well. My PS made me feel very comfortable by answering all of my questions and concerns. This website and especially the girls from the January forum have really helped me to prepare myself with the help I need and the supplies. Don't get me wrong, I am still a nervous wreck, but I don't think it has really hit me that this is happening in less than a week.
I was hit by the cleaning bug before my pre-op...wiping down baseboards, light fixtures, organizing every closet and drawer, washing windows, stocking up on everything, etc... I am spending the weekend cooking meals to put in the freezer to try and make it easier on everyone who is helping. I told my two older kids that I am getting my belly fixed...they know that it hurts me when they sit on my belly from the hernia. My 6 yr old asked me if they were also going to fix the "extra space" that I have in my belly.
I am preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. I am trying to keep all of the bad thoughts out of my head.
I read your review about your MIL and I would be thinking the same thing if mine was coming to help out. She offered and I turned down the help...I would have taken it for sure if my own mom was not available. Luckily, she lives a few states away.
Everything is going to work out and we are going to love our new flat tummys. Most people seem to say that the waiting and the anxiety is one of the hardest parts of this process. Take care.

yogamomx5

February 22, 2012

Good luck tomorrow, everything will go well and you will be on the healing side very soon. Sending you all my best. You are going to look beautiful:) you already do. Stay in touch.

NJ33

February 22, 2012

Thanks, Yogamomx5! I am really excited, but also very nervous. I hope you are hanging in there.

MaumeeMG

February 22, 2012

NJ - Very excited for you tomorrow!! Best wishes and let us know how you are doing when you are up to it!

UPDATED FROM NJ33

1 day post

I am 1 day post-op today and everything went...

NJ33February 23, 2012

I am 1 day post-op today and everything went really well. I had a tummy tuck, MR, Hernia repair and lipo of the flanks. The surgery took 2 1/2 hrs instead of the 4 they told me. They ended up taking off 14 inches of skin!! So far so good. The percocet and valium are making me feel as if I have no pain. The hardest part is getting out of the recliner to go to the bathroom every 3 hours or so. I only have one drain and so far it hasn't been an issue. I have a binder on with white foam pads in the back. I am not supposed to touch it or shower until after my drain comes out which my PS said should be on Tues at my pre-op appt. The suspense is killing me...I definitely feel some swelling today because my binder feels tighter, but nothing too bad yet. We'll see how the next few days go. My husband has been awesome waking up with me to pee and setting his alarm for my pills. Thank you everyone for your support and prayers. I hope you are all recovering well.

Replies (2)

newmomat37

February 23, 2012

So glad to hear all went well. Percocet and Valium were the same drugs I was given..good stuff! ;)
Looking forward to see pics when you are ready. The first few days are tough, just getting up to pee is really all you need to do so take it easy, rent some movies you have missed. Best wishes!