50th Birthday Present to Myself - New York, NY

I was lucky enough to have my slim body & flat belly even after 2 children. I've always worked out but after 35 the older I got the harder it was to lose or maintain the proper weight. My belly was expanding and nothing worked. I lost 20 lbs on the HCG diet and I decided to treat myself for my 50th birthday to a tummy tuck. I am so happy I did. I now have the flat tummy I had when I was young. I know my scar will take about 1 year to even out but I'll probably treat myself to a tattoo anyway. I feel young and attractive again!

I was lucky enough to have my slim body & flat belly even after 2 children. I've always worked out to maintain a nice 36-29-36 figure but after 35 the older I got the harder it was to lose or maintain the proper weight. The inches were pilling on and my belly was expanding. Exercise no longer worked and I was becoming depressed. I lost 20 lbs on the HCG diet and my stomach was now loose and hanging. I decided to treat myself for my 50th birthday to a tummy tuck. I had my tummy tuck on Jan 10, 2014. I cant say it was painful because the painkillers really worked. I guess the hardest part for me was the fact that I could only lay on my back, I couldn't stand up straight, I was very slow and couldn't do anything. Within 2 weeks of surgery I started having terrible muscle spasms. Some were so bad my hips would literally lift up off the bed. This worried me because they were painful and scary. My Doctor had no idea why this was happening. The spasms continued for 3 months. I learned to deal with them by pushing down on my belly or contracting the stomach muscle. Happy to say the spasms have stopped to maybe 1x per week and they are no longer painful. I healed nicely and quickly. The scar is thin and still pink. I know it will fade with time so I am not worried. I started the gym again 2 months after surgery. No heavy lifting, just to tone up the rest of my body. I am 4 months post op and sometimes still get a little swollen. I still wear compression garments but not all the time. definitely for the gym but it depends what I'm wearing when going out. This helps with the swelling and the occasional pain I feel. I have a dog ear on my right side but hope exercise will smoothen that out. I am so happy with the results of my tummy tuck. I feel young and attractive again and my husband loves my smaller waist! I recommend this to anyone. Just make sure you have a great Dr.

I've been feeling some pain on my right hip by the scar where the drain was. No idea why since its been 5 months and I seem to have healed nicely. Hate the dog ear on my right side and exercise hasn't helped diminish it. My stomach and muscles feel tight sometimes to the point of being uncomfortable. I do still feel as if I am slightly swollen. Thinking about getting lipo on my thighs. I guess it's true when they say once you get a procedure you want to continue doing so. LOL. Look forward to the results but not the inactivity during recovery.