POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS
8 weeks PO feeling like a million bucks - Rhode Island, RI
ORIGINAL POST
I have finally decided to go for it! I have three...
WORTH IT$7,100
I have finally decided to go for it! I have three beautiful kiddos. #2 did a real job on the belly! I'm in good shape, daily yoga, and the extra skin, detached belly button, and diastasis keep me from feeling confident in my tummy. I've got abs of steel, shouldn't I be allowed to wear a bikini or cropped tank in the summer? I was going back and forth trying to decide whether to have a TT (the recovery scares the bajesus outta me!) or a breast life since those poor girls have had some serious nursing wear-and-tear.
After careful consideration, I'm confident that I'd rather put my money and recovery time into the surgery that will yield the most dramatic results, and for me, it's going to be the belly. I have a wonderful doctor who performed "miracles" on my mother and older sister. Even the lady who scheduled my blood work over the phone was so excited she confided she'd gone to him for her a TT and her results are amazing. I'm beyond confident that I'll get great care and results.
I'm less confident about recovery! Drains, being laid up, no yoga for months? EEK! I'm not afraid of it hurting (I had two of my kids at home and am no stranger to pain!) but I am OCD about cleaning, cooking, being active, etc. It's going to be a JOB to sit still! Plus, I'm going to have minimal help with the kids. My BF is bringing me in for the surgery and she and my hubby will be home with me for 2 days post-op, but then I'm on my own. I'm also returning to my part-time night job about 1.5 weeks post-op, depending on how I'm feeling. That's not really a worry as long as the drains are out. It's a *very* low-impact job.
I have my blood work and final consultation on 4/4, my birthday the 6th, surgery 10 days later! It's coming up so quickly I cannot believe it. A month from now I will have the belly I've been missing for the past 8 years!!!
After careful consideration, I'm confident that I'd rather put my money and recovery time into the surgery that will yield the most dramatic results, and for me, it's going to be the belly. I have a wonderful doctor who performed "miracles" on my mother and older sister. Even the lady who scheduled my blood work over the phone was so excited she confided she'd gone to him for her a TT and her results are amazing. I'm beyond confident that I'll get great care and results.
I'm less confident about recovery! Drains, being laid up, no yoga for months? EEK! I'm not afraid of it hurting (I had two of my kids at home and am no stranger to pain!) but I am OCD about cleaning, cooking, being active, etc. It's going to be a JOB to sit still! Plus, I'm going to have minimal help with the kids. My BF is bringing me in for the surgery and she and my hubby will be home with me for 2 days post-op, but then I'm on my own. I'm also returning to my part-time night job about 1.5 weeks post-op, depending on how I'm feeling. That's not really a worry as long as the drains are out. It's a *very* low-impact job.
I have my blood work and final consultation on 4/4, my birthday the 6th, surgery 10 days later! It's coming up so quickly I cannot believe it. A month from now I will have the belly I've been missing for the past 8 years!!!
UPDATED FROM j_lab80
15 days pre
a little snag in the plan ... and having second (and third) thoughts
So my BF texted me today that she won't be able to take me to the surgery. I'm kind of annoyed because her excuse is pretty lame, and she could totally get out of her other obligation. We set this up months ago. The plan was for my husband to stay home and take kids to school and not mess up their routine too much, and she was going to bring me to the hospital and then stay at my house with my family for a couple days for some help. I appreciate that she has a life too but come on, this is major surgery and I was relying on her. I do not have any family to help and honestly she's pretty much the only friend I trusted enough to involve. I'm private about my decision to have this surgery and am not telling anyone who doesn't need to know. So, not sure how we're going to get around this but my husband is telling me to stop worrying so I guess I'll just obey orders on that one ha!
I am second-guessing this whole thing, to be honest. It's so expensive and I keep thinking there are so many other ways my family could use this money...
I am second-guessing this whole thing, to be honest. It's so expensive and I keep thinking there are so many other ways my family could use this money...
Replies (11)
April 1, 2014
It really isn't that bad. The most pain I had was from the muscle tightening and hernia repair. I had no pain from my incision it was almost as if it wasn't even there. I had those same thoughts you're having about getting the procedure. We all know the money can be used for quite a bit of things besides enhancing ourselves. The way I see it is we have sacrificed a portion of our lives and bodies so we deserve thid reward! ;)
April 2, 2014
Thank you for saying that :-) I know I have done a lot for my kiddos and I should feel like this is a well-deserved reward. I feel like it's now or never to do this thing for myself and I'll end up regretting it if I don't follow through.
April 1, 2014
The same exact thing happened to me!!! My mom hurt herself 3 days before my surgery and she was planning to stay with us for 2 WEEKS while I healed up!!! Hubby totally stepped up (in ways that I never knew possible) and honestly it has been way easier than I imagined!!! I'm 6 days PO. The hardest day to juggle was the morning of surgery. We had to get the kids up and ready for school at 4:30 AM, drop me off at the surgery center at 5:30 AM, and then hubby took them out to breakfast. They thought it was so fun and honestly was a nice change if routine for them!!! We don't have other family here either, so I have a few moms who's kids are in my kids' classes who have dropped our kids off from school each day. But, starting today, I think I'm
Ready to take back all my mom duties! Oh, thevothercthhingvibdudcthstvwas a life saver is I figured out 2 weeks worth of meals and prepped what I could ahead of time and put freezer kits together with instructions so even hubby can pull something out and get dinner at least started for me.
Sorry your friend bailed on you, that sucks!!! But, I bet you are a strong woman like me who just needed a little challenge to prove it to myself!!!
April 2, 2014
I really hope at 6 days PO I'll feel as good as you do! I remember reading that in your review about your mom! It really stinks to be left flailing in the wind. Luckily (or very unluckily, depending upon how one looks at it) I'm having the surgery the week before April vacation, so I don't have to worry about the logistics of getting kids to and fro school.As far as the day of surgery, I'm staying positive about that. My husband is my polar opposite when it comes to planning stuff, meaning he never stresses about the details and somehow he always manages to pull things off (usually better than my type-A ass!).
April 1, 2014
I understand. My mom said she would stay and help as long as I needed her to, but she ended up having to leave after a couple of days. My husband was fabulous. He helped so much…to the point where I almost felt threatened a little. Why do the kids always love what he cooks but rarely what I cook? Either way, it ended up working out in the end and I am SO glad I went ahead with my TT. I knew it wasn't the best time for my mom to stay because it was right before her birthday and Christmas, but it was the best time for my husband work wise. Hang in there. I'm sorry your friend bailed, but you are right. She has a life too, and sometimes it's hard for us to balance our family and our friends at the same time. :) You are going to look amazing!! I can't wait to see your after photos!
April 2, 2014
My kids just loooove everything Dad makes too, so don't feel bad. It's a huge conspiracy ;-)
I know I'm going to be very, very happy just one month from now with my decision to have the TT. I just wish I could maybe take a very long nap until then?
April 5, 2014
You are so sweet! Thank you for your kind words on my page. It is so nice hearing that I'm not alone in the struggle about priorities, etc. I'm sorry to hear about your friend bailing. You're right-you're just going to have to trust your hubby and roll with it all :) I'm glad you opted for the TT first, and breast lift possibly later. I would have suggested the same thing. Your results are going to be wonderful! You have a great shape. And please….it'll be so good for you to sit still for awhile. Us go getters NEED to have some quiet time every now and then. Yoga can wait. You have the rest of your life to be active and fit. You only get one shot at recovery…and you don't want to jeopardize it by over-doing it with your body. Take your time to recover and heal. I've got loads more advice but I'll stop because you didn't really ask for it lol. Haha. But no seriously, please let me know if you have any questions or fears and anxieties leading up to your surgery. I completely get it. It's a serious decision, a lot of money, and good amount of down time. But the decision is between you and your hubby alone and if you guys have made your peace with it, then as the second-guessing starts to plague your mind…try your best to push it out. I'm here if you need anything! Best of luck to you! xxoo
April 7, 2014
Thank you so much! I appreciate all advice, so if you have anything you want to share that you feel you wished you'd known beforehand, or what have you, share away!
I also wanted to ask how your husband is doing?
April 8, 2014
You are so sweet to ask. He is perfectly fine. Although I still booked him an appointment with his doctor just to be safe. But he says thank you for your concern…he appreciate it haha. Ok…couple things…take a stool softener with EVERY PAIN PILL you take. So the first couple of days when you're round the clock taking meds…every 4-6 hours….every time you pop a pain pill take a stool softener. Sometimes I even took too. The recommended 1 a day is not sufficient at all…and the last thing you want in addition to the pain is the pain of constipation and then possibly straining your stomach muscles. Also, pick up a tea called smooth move and drink that at night. That gets the bowels flowing, while the stool softeners counter act the the side of effects of narcotics. Let's see…what else….have the little packets of emergenC on hand. You do not want to be getting sick…plus they're great with all the electrolytes as your body will need them. Saltine crackers and/or bread and cold sparkling water for the ride home. Even if you get the e-mend pill or if they shoot with up with anti-nausea stuff you will still likely get sick as the car gets going. The suppositories for nausea were wonderful and worked so fast. You probably won't have much of an appetite the first couple of days, if not weeks. But have bland food handy. Let's see…what else. The medical rocker was a lifesaver for me. I slept in it the first week. It sits you up and even stands you up all on it's own so you don't have to use your stomach muscles. Get or borrow and old lady walker if you can, and possibly a stool for the shower. I'll recommend some scar tape when it's that time…right around 3 months is when you'll want to start it (no need really before then). There's also these special Mediterranean meal replacement shakes I buy online…packed full of good quality herbs and nutrients and many of them are anti-swelling properties. I can send you the link if you want. Ok I think that's it for now…if I think of anything else I'll let you know! 8 more days!!! I hear ya about writing the check…nearly killed me too haha.
April 8, 2014
Phew, glad he's doing well. I am also lucky to have a wonderful and supportive husband; I don't know what I'd do without him!
Thank you for the advice, especially about the stool softeners. I will have to set a reminder on my phone so I don't forget! What compression garment did you use?
April 8, 2014
Oh shoot I'm not at home to look and another gal just asked me that too. My PS supplied all the medical garments at the various stages. When I get home I'll look for you. I'd like them (well...as much as anyone can like a CG)...but it zipped down the side as well as button hooked, and then had a hole in the crotch for going to the bathroom. Took some getting used to but it did just fine. I'll check the name tonight for you :) xxoo
UPDATED FROM j_lab80
8 days pre
Paid in full today - feeling real now!
Yikes. Every. Check. Hurt. (One written to surgeon, one to hospital, one to anesthesia...)
But, I am excited! I have it worked out with the ride situation and think I'll be OK for help. My best friend is going to come up after all, just not as soon as I'd hoped but better late than never! Hubby just called to say he found a "decent" recliner on the side of the road. So, I'll come home to some curbside luxury on the flat side! I can't believe I'm only 9 days away. Deep breathes!
But, I am excited! I have it worked out with the ride situation and think I'll be OK for help. My best friend is going to come up after all, just not as soon as I'd hoped but better late than never! Hubby just called to say he found a "decent" recliner on the side of the road. So, I'll come home to some curbside luxury on the flat side! I can't believe I'm only 9 days away. Deep breathes!
Replies (6)