POSTED UNDER Mini Tummy Tuck Reviews
28 Years Old, 2 Kids Via C-section, Extra Skin and Fat on Lower Abdomen Below BB -- Need Tummy Tuck W/ No Muscle Repair! - CA
UPDATED FROM MKeo
5 months post
Done & Paid For
WORTH IT$5,600
Here we are, 6.5 months after surgery and I am feeling great, looking better each day - and the best news, I just made the final payment on my surgery. Woo hoo!
Before I got the surgery I kept reading reviews and blogs from both patients and doctors that said you don't see optimum results until at least month 6, and then all the way through month 12. Immediately after surgery I felt that to be really discouraging, but now that I am at month 7 I totally see it. There was a sizable shift at month 6 in the way my body felt, and the way my clothes were fitting. Also at month 6 I started taking Spin class, and man did that ever help. It's a good core work out, without lifting weights, and since its cardio it helps burn those calories and shed fat without bulking up. I feel like that has really help hone in on showing the true results of my surgery.
I will say that I didn't lose as many pounds as I though I would with this surgery, but I'm still working on that. I am back in the 150s, and and I'd like to get down to 145. But, I definitely see the outline of my waist shrinking, shorts and jeans I haven't worn in years fit well or are loose - and you can actually see the bonus of the breast augmentation I had 4 years ago. Before, my waist was just as big as my bust so you couldn't really tell...but, now you can!
We had an awesome beach vacation a few weeks ago, and I had taken a few great pics. But, my phone decided to have a meltdown and I lost my pictures just two days ago. But here are some pics of me from the past week - shorts and a t-shirt, NO SPANX! And a short little mini dress - NO SPANX! Man, it feels soo good. Things can only get better from here!
I'll take some pictures of my scar in the next couple of days and post back!
Before I got the surgery I kept reading reviews and blogs from both patients and doctors that said you don't see optimum results until at least month 6, and then all the way through month 12. Immediately after surgery I felt that to be really discouraging, but now that I am at month 7 I totally see it. There was a sizable shift at month 6 in the way my body felt, and the way my clothes were fitting. Also at month 6 I started taking Spin class, and man did that ever help. It's a good core work out, without lifting weights, and since its cardio it helps burn those calories and shed fat without bulking up. I feel like that has really help hone in on showing the true results of my surgery.
I will say that I didn't lose as many pounds as I though I would with this surgery, but I'm still working on that. I am back in the 150s, and and I'd like to get down to 145. But, I definitely see the outline of my waist shrinking, shorts and jeans I haven't worn in years fit well or are loose - and you can actually see the bonus of the breast augmentation I had 4 years ago. Before, my waist was just as big as my bust so you couldn't really tell...but, now you can!
We had an awesome beach vacation a few weeks ago, and I had taken a few great pics. But, my phone decided to have a meltdown and I lost my pictures just two days ago. But here are some pics of me from the past week - shorts and a t-shirt, NO SPANX! And a short little mini dress - NO SPANX! Man, it feels soo good. Things can only get better from here!
I'll take some pictures of my scar in the next couple of days and post back!
MKeo's provider
UPDATED FROM MKeo
26 days post
Almost 4 weeks post op :)
It's been almost 10 days since I've posted (oops!) but with that said, things have been pretty smooth sailing here in the healing department!
I got through the swelling rough patch, and just flushed myself with lots of water. I also wore the compression tank top with the binder and that combination kept me nice and flat. I actually threw my surgical binder away today because it was starting to rip, and had pretty much lost its elasticity. Yesterday, I bought a waistnipper by Maidenform at Kohls. This one you step into, and pull up - it is SO comfortable. I did pull out the metal boning that would usually run on either side (down your flank/hip area) and now it is just a very comfortable, very supportive binder/compression garment. Love it. It's been so hot here, and having a Spanx bodysuit on, or even the spank that you wear as panties, was driving me nuts. So this seems to be a good alternative. I sleep it in, and then wear it whenever I am home for long periods of time. It has helped tremendously in keeping the swelling away, and as many others have stated - even though I a 4 weeks out, the continued support is very comfortable.
My scar is looking really good, and I bought some strips to minimize how the scar looks... called "Scar Away." I am going to put them on tonight before bed (this weekend was spent outside ...I didn't want them to loose adhesion from sweating/activity/etc).
I bought a new bikini for vegas, and tried it out in the back yard this weekend. I LOVE it. This is the first time, I think EVER, that I've taken a photo and absolutely loved how my stomach looks in it. And the best part is, I still have 2 more months until optimum healing begins to show through - so if I feel this great, and feel like I look as great as I feel now - I can only imagine a few months from now :)
I might have a dog ear on my left side - but I still have some minor swelling on each hip, so I'm not getting too stressed about it yet.
I've been back to full activity at home - kids, cleaning, working full time and the other night finally stepped back into those...ahem, wifely duties. Poor guy, it had been nearly a month! Haha -but feel totally fine. Today I also started back at the gym. I hate the gym - but I did 15 minutes level 1 on the elliptical, 10 minutes level 1 on the stairmaster, and 15 minutes level 5 on the stationary bike, and then I was just totally uninterested and left to go home. But, it's a start!!
Ive posted some recent pics :)
I got through the swelling rough patch, and just flushed myself with lots of water. I also wore the compression tank top with the binder and that combination kept me nice and flat. I actually threw my surgical binder away today because it was starting to rip, and had pretty much lost its elasticity. Yesterday, I bought a waistnipper by Maidenform at Kohls. This one you step into, and pull up - it is SO comfortable. I did pull out the metal boning that would usually run on either side (down your flank/hip area) and now it is just a very comfortable, very supportive binder/compression garment. Love it. It's been so hot here, and having a Spanx bodysuit on, or even the spank that you wear as panties, was driving me nuts. So this seems to be a good alternative. I sleep it in, and then wear it whenever I am home for long periods of time. It has helped tremendously in keeping the swelling away, and as many others have stated - even though I a 4 weeks out, the continued support is very comfortable.
My scar is looking really good, and I bought some strips to minimize how the scar looks... called "Scar Away." I am going to put them on tonight before bed (this weekend was spent outside ...I didn't want them to loose adhesion from sweating/activity/etc).
I bought a new bikini for vegas, and tried it out in the back yard this weekend. I LOVE it. This is the first time, I think EVER, that I've taken a photo and absolutely loved how my stomach looks in it. And the best part is, I still have 2 more months until optimum healing begins to show through - so if I feel this great, and feel like I look as great as I feel now - I can only imagine a few months from now :)
I might have a dog ear on my left side - but I still have some minor swelling on each hip, so I'm not getting too stressed about it yet.
I've been back to full activity at home - kids, cleaning, working full time and the other night finally stepped back into those...ahem, wifely duties. Poor guy, it had been nearly a month! Haha -but feel totally fine. Today I also started back at the gym. I hate the gym - but I did 15 minutes level 1 on the elliptical, 10 minutes level 1 on the stairmaster, and 15 minutes level 5 on the stationary bike, and then I was just totally uninterested and left to go home. But, it's a start!!
Ive posted some recent pics :)
Replies (5)
Brown_eyes28
June 2, 2014
Thanks for the updates! Glad you are feeling better. Do you notice that you get tired just doing the daily stuff or is it k? BTW you look great!!!
June 4, 2014
momma you look GORGEOUS!!!!!!!! i just had my first baby 7 months ago and i have extra skin (less than you had) but i think a mini tummy tuck would be GREAT! are you planning on having more kids? or are you done?
June 4, 2014
I am happy I went with the mini tuck - it was definitely more painful and a longer recovery than a c-section, but I am so so happy to have that extra skin gone. I still have stretchmarks - but honestly, I couldn't have handled any more pain going for a full tuck.
I'm not sure if we are done having kids - but it'll be at least 5 years (hubby is active duty military, and will retire in 5 years after 26 years)...and I didn't want to deal with the skin for that long.
I loooove the results!! Totally worth the investment :)
June 14, 2014
My tummy is similar to you--I am in the process of setting consult appt w diff des. I also live in San Diego. I do not want a full TT, just a mini. I have a feeling though the dr will say I'm better candidate for full. But I do not want full TT. Did you experience that? I have the "fold" on the lower part of my stomach that I cannot stand!!! Ever since 2 kids with c section. I have stretch marks over my BB but I do not care about that , just dang fold!!
Any other advise? What other doctors did you consult with in San Diego? Happy eith dr available?
I would really appreciate a response . Thank you!!!
You look great!
June 16, 2014
Hi there! Sorry for the delay in responding, wasn't online much over the weekend. So..I was told by a few different surgeons that I needed a full TT in order to get the "desired results," but what I was finding is that the surgeon's desired results and my desired results were two different things - I didn't care about stretch marks, I didn't want a 6 pack, I just wanted the fold GONE. So, I explained all of this to Dr. Alavi and he said if I didn't care if I had left over stretch marks, and I was ok with no muscle revision, then a mini TT was the procedure for me. However - I had minimal stretch marks above my belly button, and that makes a big difference from what I've heard from surgeons and in my research. I went to two different surgeons in the Temecula area (where I live) and both suggested a full TT, or if I opted for the mini it was going to be the same price as the full. I heard of Dr. Alavi through a friend of a friend and decided to go for a consult and I am SO glad I did. He did suggest Lipo at my pre-op appointment, and while it was kind of a last minute surprise I am glad I did it, it has given me some curves in my hips and taken some of the "chunk" out of my back - lol. Just know going into this that it is not an "instant gratification" kind of process. As you may have read already, optimum results aren't seen until month 3 with final results after a year. I am 6 weeks out, and I am already LOVING my results. Even though Dr. Alavi doesn't have the best ratings on yelp (yelp is a scam anyway,) his results on google review are fantastic and I highly recommend him myself. I did a lot of research on him - I pulled his medical license, reviewed his credentials, checked to see if he had any complaints with the medical licensing board (I work in the medical field, so I was being thorough) and did not find a thing. I honestly highly recommend him :)
UPDATED FROM MKeo
17 days post
Woohoo, its Friday!
I hit the worst swell-hell this week, and it was totally self inflicted. Now that I am back on my feet, I'm also back in the kitchen. I made my hubby bbq pulled pork in the crock pot (one of my favorite dishes) and without thinking I had a small serving to myself - picture a balloon being inflated, and that was my stomach. The salt from the bbq sauce blew me up the next day. I had all kinds of swelling around my incision and across my abdomen in general. I took one quick look at myself, and quickly put my foam, compression top, and then binder back on and didn't look at myself again for two days because I was so disheartened about what I saw!
So, I was on a mission to flush flush flush. I ate clean for the following two days: lots of spinach, tomatoes, apples (with a tiny bit of peanut butter for added protein) and I drank water like you wouldn't believe. It totally helped! This morning I woke up totally flat, and I am even wearing leggings today with no support! Things are looking really, really good.
During the day I have been wearing the compression tank top with the foam, and then at night I sleep in the compression top, foam and binder. As of today, I ditched the foam because after 16 days of use it's getting pretty gross, and also big on me. I work from home and so I'm wearing my binder over a regular cami today since my compression tanks are in the wash.
I am really looking forward to getting back to working out. Ive been riding horses for over 20 years, so my thighs and butt are very musclar - but since they are so musclar once they start to lose a little tone, they just look big. Not flattering! I called the doctor today to see if I can start back to the gym, but they said I have to wait until week 4. For now, I can go on walks with the baby, but no hardcore work outs for 10 more days.
I'm totally off the pain meds, and I don't feel all that tender any more. I was having a burning sensation in the lipo spots, but that too has really died down. As I've said before each day just keeps getting better and better.
And now, I need to start shopping for a cute bikini for Vegas - 2 weeks from now we will be on the road to our little weekend get away and I can't wait!
So, I was on a mission to flush flush flush. I ate clean for the following two days: lots of spinach, tomatoes, apples (with a tiny bit of peanut butter for added protein) and I drank water like you wouldn't believe. It totally helped! This morning I woke up totally flat, and I am even wearing leggings today with no support! Things are looking really, really good.
During the day I have been wearing the compression tank top with the foam, and then at night I sleep in the compression top, foam and binder. As of today, I ditched the foam because after 16 days of use it's getting pretty gross, and also big on me. I work from home and so I'm wearing my binder over a regular cami today since my compression tanks are in the wash.
I am really looking forward to getting back to working out. Ive been riding horses for over 20 years, so my thighs and butt are very musclar - but since they are so musclar once they start to lose a little tone, they just look big. Not flattering! I called the doctor today to see if I can start back to the gym, but they said I have to wait until week 4. For now, I can go on walks with the baby, but no hardcore work outs for 10 more days.
I'm totally off the pain meds, and I don't feel all that tender any more. I was having a burning sensation in the lipo spots, but that too has really died down. As I've said before each day just keeps getting better and better.
And now, I need to start shopping for a cute bikini for Vegas - 2 weeks from now we will be on the road to our little weekend get away and I can't wait!
Replies (0)