POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck Reviews
36 Yrs Have Had 3 C-sections. Time for a Tummy Tuck - San Luis Obispo, CA
UPDATED FROM CaliJ31
2 months post
8 weeks Post Op!!
$6,500
8 weeks post op today! Carazy! I'm so very in love with my results, for the most part! When I look at the before and after pics, I blows me away! As you get further into the healing process, it's hard to see major changes. Having pics along the journey is so important. If you asked me if I saw any changes between two weeks ago and today I'd probably say "not really" but then when I look at the pics of two weeks ago I can definitely see a bit of change and I can tell the swelling is getting less. So take pics along the way! That's my suggestion! I'm pretty much back to normal which is great, but also after a couple days of being busy I do still get sore, and I still swell especially after a run. I'm trying to be super good about listening to my body and realizing I'm still in the healing phase. My oldest is turning 16 in a couple days so we had a party this weekend and I was crazy busy getting it ready and throwing it. By the time I got home from the party last night and finally sat down...boy was I sore and so tired! I'm going to take it easy the next couple days and be nice to my poor healing body. It's hard when you feel normal to not do too much!
I do have a dog ear, which I've talked about before. It doesn't seem to be going down so I'm hoping we can figure out a solution at my next appointment in a month. It makes me sad when I look at it. When you pay this much for an elective surgery, you just want it to be perfect. I'm not letting it overshadow my excitement for the overall results, but I am looking forward to having it corrected eventually.
We are taking our boys on a cruise in a little over a month and so I've bought myself a new bikini or three! They are super cute and I'm excited to wear them! My scar is high so I've had to come to terms with the fact that it'll just have to show a bit. I really don't care if it sticks out a bit on the sides, although ideally it would have been low enough to be covered by a bikini, I'd rather have the results I have and the scar showing then a low scar and less favorable results.
I started a scar cream! My doctor said not to waste my money on a scar cream and that the scar will lighten and go down in its own. But with the vacation coming up I thought I'd give my scar as much extra help as possible, it already seems to be working :-)
Oh also...before surgery I had read so much on this site and people talking about not even attempting to weigh and first and everything so I had decided I'd weigh at 8weeks and Not before that. Well it's 8wks!! I measured and have lost 7inches around my waist at my belly button and 5 inches around my hips as well as 1% body fat. I'm very excited about that! The scale says I only lost 3.5 pounds which really seems weird to me considering the inches lost. But I'm not getting worked up about it because I'm buying smaller clothes!! Woo hoo!
So, I think that's it! I've posted a couple comparison before and after pics as well as my 8 week pics :-)
I do have a dog ear, which I've talked about before. It doesn't seem to be going down so I'm hoping we can figure out a solution at my next appointment in a month. It makes me sad when I look at it. When you pay this much for an elective surgery, you just want it to be perfect. I'm not letting it overshadow my excitement for the overall results, but I am looking forward to having it corrected eventually.
We are taking our boys on a cruise in a little over a month and so I've bought myself a new bikini or three! They are super cute and I'm excited to wear them! My scar is high so I've had to come to terms with the fact that it'll just have to show a bit. I really don't care if it sticks out a bit on the sides, although ideally it would have been low enough to be covered by a bikini, I'd rather have the results I have and the scar showing then a low scar and less favorable results.
I started a scar cream! My doctor said not to waste my money on a scar cream and that the scar will lighten and go down in its own. But with the vacation coming up I thought I'd give my scar as much extra help as possible, it already seems to be working :-)
Oh also...before surgery I had read so much on this site and people talking about not even attempting to weigh and first and everything so I had decided I'd weigh at 8weeks and Not before that. Well it's 8wks!! I measured and have lost 7inches around my waist at my belly button and 5 inches around my hips as well as 1% body fat. I'm very excited about that! The scale says I only lost 3.5 pounds which really seems weird to me considering the inches lost. But I'm not getting worked up about it because I'm buying smaller clothes!! Woo hoo!
So, I think that's it! I've posted a couple comparison before and after pics as well as my 8 week pics :-)
CaliJ31's provider
Replies (4)
October 26, 2015
Well done! Today I had my 6wk check up. He said I'm doing amazing...I feel great. He said I can stop wearing my cg/binder/spanx. So today is my first day without anything...it feels so strange. I feel like I am more aware of swelling now-and I have that "phantom belly" phenomenon. I feel huge, but look down and I'm really not. So my ? to you is- are you completely out of your compression wear? How long before you started to feel used to the scar being uncovered and unprotected? I was given scar gel (Skinmedica) at 2 wks and my ps said to continue that and to massage the scar more aggressively. I have a tiny bump at the end of my incision- is that considered a dog ear? Sorry so many ?'s but you seem to be doing so well I wanted to pick your brain. Thanks!!
October 26, 2015
Yay for hitting the 6 week mark and being out of your CG! Way to Go! That's so funny, I totally get that phantom belly feeling and I find myself thinking "Ugh I feel so fat!" then I look down and just laugh at myself. I find it's worse when my bowels aren't moving as regularly as they should. I am completely out of my compression garment and have been since about 5 1/2 weeks, it definitely felt weird having the scar unprotected for probably a week or so. Jeans felt strange on my tummy, like they were irritating my scar if I wore them too long. I have been able to wear jeans for longer periods of time for about 5 days now. I was just wearing my pre surgery jeans to give the scar some extra room, but I just bought a smaller pair of jeans Saturday and wore them all day Sunday and it felt fine. A dog ear is extra skin at the end of the incision, mine I can actually pinch and get a chunk of skin between my fingers without much effort. When I feel the left side of my waist, it's smooth and flat, but when i feel the right side, it's not smooth and flat because there is an extra flap of skin. I hope that makes sense? If you look at my side view pics you can tell how the right side protrudes at the end of the incision. I was't told to massage my scar, but I have had c-sections and a hysterectomy and massaged my scars after that, so I am doing that now too. Pick my brain anytime you want! :-)
October 26, 2015
Love you- Thanks!! I can still "pinch an inch" at my sides...do you think that will go away? My ps said a lot of it was swelling but I just really think it is mostly "fluff". Which I guess is ok- its a lot better than the love handles I had. And I will start working some of it off soon if it is fat. Thanks for your help!
October 27, 2015
anytime!! haha I can pinch an inch at my sides too, I'm pretty sure it's swelling. Heck, even if we can still pinch an inch, we can work that off a lot easier then before surgery when I could grab a handful, not just an inch ;-)
November 15, 2015
I am so happy for you!! You look amazing :) congrats!! You are definitely beach ready!!
UPDATED FROM CaliJ31
2 months post
Six weeks?? What?
Wow! I'm at 6 weeks post op! I gotta say I wasn't real sure this day would ever come! Haha seemed so very far away! This last week has quite honesty been a rough and frustrating week! Last Wednesday I got to take off my compression garment that I've been wearing nonstop since surgery. While it was wonderful to finally take it off, my body also had a hard time adjusting. I've been walking on the beach and worked myself up to 2 miles in the last couple of weeks. Well after two days of morning walks without my binder and just being busy, I swelled like crazy! I was swollen for 2 days straight and have been super sore and tight. It's been super uncomfortable and mentally frustrating as well. I kept thinking that 6wks would be the magic number and I'd be all "good to go" by 6 weeks, like with my c-sections! I guess I forgot this week that this is a marathon and Not a sprint! Also, as my dr so kindly reminded me, I did Not just have a c-section!! I had a tummy tuck! Luckily I started feeling better Sunday!
Ok enough bitching! :-) I had my 6wk check up yesterday and was very excited to have been cleared for what I'd call "life" haha basically my new instructions are "if it feels good do it, if it doesn't feel good, stop doing it!" Pretty simplistic instructions. My first question was.."can I run?" He just looked at me and repeated the above instructions ;-) he said that on the beach is a good place to throw a little jogging in with the walking to build up to running. So that's what I did this morning! I only jogged a little because my hubby ended up meeting me at the beach and he was in jeans and not prepared to jog with me. It worked fine because I want to ease into it and not overdue too quickly. It felt really good to stretch my body a bit when jogging! It also felt strange to not have my stomach jumping or have to stop to readjust my shirt! I can't wait to build back up to real running! Tomorrow I will try a bit longer stretch of jogging. I think my body has adjusted to no CG as the swelling has not been so bad the last few days. It's there, but not too horrible. I also talked to my ps again about the dog ear on the right side. Last appt he didn't seem to concerned with it, which really bothered me. This time he looked real close at it and said its extra skin and it's a wait and see thing and we will discuss options at the next appt depending on how it's looking. He said he wants to see me again in 6 weeks! What?? That seems like so far away but it's so exciting to know that I'm doing well enough that I don't need to be seen for a while! Overall, I'm doing great and am so ridiculously stoked I had this surgery!! It feels so amazing to put my jeans on and have no muffin too and to have to buy smaller clothes!! :-)
Ok enough bitching! :-) I had my 6wk check up yesterday and was very excited to have been cleared for what I'd call "life" haha basically my new instructions are "if it feels good do it, if it doesn't feel good, stop doing it!" Pretty simplistic instructions. My first question was.."can I run?" He just looked at me and repeated the above instructions ;-) he said that on the beach is a good place to throw a little jogging in with the walking to build up to running. So that's what I did this morning! I only jogged a little because my hubby ended up meeting me at the beach and he was in jeans and not prepared to jog with me. It worked fine because I want to ease into it and not overdue too quickly. It felt really good to stretch my body a bit when jogging! It also felt strange to not have my stomach jumping or have to stop to readjust my shirt! I can't wait to build back up to real running! Tomorrow I will try a bit longer stretch of jogging. I think my body has adjusted to no CG as the swelling has not been so bad the last few days. It's there, but not too horrible. I also talked to my ps again about the dog ear on the right side. Last appt he didn't seem to concerned with it, which really bothered me. This time he looked real close at it and said its extra skin and it's a wait and see thing and we will discuss options at the next appt depending on how it's looking. He said he wants to see me again in 6 weeks! What?? That seems like so far away but it's so exciting to know that I'm doing well enough that I don't need to be seen for a while! Overall, I'm doing great and am so ridiculously stoked I had this surgery!! It feels so amazing to put my jeans on and have no muffin too and to have to buy smaller clothes!! :-)
Replies (5)
October 13, 2015
Nice flat tummy hot mama!!! Good for you! Sounds like you are good to go. ;)
October 13, 2015
Thanks! Fit27! I'm loving my results! I'm going through my closet today! Love the way my old shirts look in my new body ;-)
October 13, 2015
You look great! So excited that you get to run again! What did your dr say about the slight dog ear? I have one too but haven't seen my ps yet to ask.
October 14, 2015
Thanks LeeLee! My ps said that it's a wait and see thing at this point. We will look at it closer and decide what needs to be done at my next appt, which will be at 12wks PO. It's too early to know how it will look once the healing process is finished. I was happy that he paid attention to it tho, last appt he kind of blew me off about it, so I do feel better about him paying more attention to it this time :-)
October 14, 2015
Fantastic results! Running on the sand is tough, I bet your calf muscles are rock hard. I don't go in to work until 1:00 today, so I will go out for a run once it warms up a little. 45 degrees in Michigan. Enjoy!
October 14, 2015
Thanks! I'm loving my results. I find the beach to be easier on my body then the road. That's funny you are having to wait until the day warms up, I have to get my run in before the day gets too hot! We've been having 100 degree days here in Cali! Enjoy your run today :-)
UPDATED FROM CaliJ31
2 months post
Week 5!
So here is my 5 week update...
Some of my fav changes since surgery..I used to spend so much time and energy pulling on my shirts to keep them in the right place because they were always riding up! Now I can throw on a shirt and it stays in place! Love it! When I look down, I can see my cooch! This has been a big surprise for me! I guess I didn't realize how hidden it was below the c-section flap! Confidence! In loving feeling good in my clothes and out of my clothes!
My doctor has had me in a CG 24/7 minus a shower and it getting washed for the last 5 weeks. My CG starts under my breasts and goes all the way to right above my knees. I've had a love/hate relationship with the thing! I know it's been doing an important job, but it would sure be nice to throw on a pair of shorts in this heat wave! Plus at night, it's just so tight from the swelling! Well, the last few days I've been allowed to have it off at night while I slept, which was lovely. Today....I got to take it off! Like all day! Like forever! Sorry, I'm excited! My doc doesn't suggest replacing it with spanx or anything else, he says it's not needed. I was scared that with it off, I'd feel like I was falling apart. I did feel that way, but only for about an hour! I went and took my walk on the beach this morning, which I've been doing regularly, and it felt so great to walk with out the CG!
I'm still only allowed to walk with many restrictions, although I have been working up a sweat with these walks and slowly walking faster and longer. Today, I wore a tank top to walk in that I used to have to tug at like crazy, and I didn't tug at it at all! I am really hoping that Monday I get approval for normal workout. I'm anxious to get back to working on my muscle toning.
I am loving my results...for the most part! I'm pretty sure I have a dog ear which really makes me sad! It's a spot I've been watching for a few weeks and I mentioned it at my last appointment. I asked him what the spot was and if it would come down, the response I got was "wow you are looking at it critically". Well hell ya I am! This wasn't a cheap surgery and I want it just right! Please don't get me wrong! I really love my results, but I think now that I'm healed more and happy with the flatness of my stomach, the dog ear seems to be glaring at me and taunting me lol. I go back in on Monday and I will be pressing him a bit more. I plan on asking Will it go down? Does it need to be corrected? What is it? Extra fat? Extra skin? I really know very little about dog ears so I just need more info I guess and to know what to plan for.
I'm posting pics in one of my old favorite bikinis. I wore this bikini before surgery. And I won't wear it anymore, it just fits different and doesn't even begin to cover my scar. It's weird that it seemed to cover more when I had that big ol tummy then it does now. Well I guess it was my belly that covered my coochie when I wore the bikini! Ha
Some of my fav changes since surgery..I used to spend so much time and energy pulling on my shirts to keep them in the right place because they were always riding up! Now I can throw on a shirt and it stays in place! Love it! When I look down, I can see my cooch! This has been a big surprise for me! I guess I didn't realize how hidden it was below the c-section flap! Confidence! In loving feeling good in my clothes and out of my clothes!
My doctor has had me in a CG 24/7 minus a shower and it getting washed for the last 5 weeks. My CG starts under my breasts and goes all the way to right above my knees. I've had a love/hate relationship with the thing! I know it's been doing an important job, but it would sure be nice to throw on a pair of shorts in this heat wave! Plus at night, it's just so tight from the swelling! Well, the last few days I've been allowed to have it off at night while I slept, which was lovely. Today....I got to take it off! Like all day! Like forever! Sorry, I'm excited! My doc doesn't suggest replacing it with spanx or anything else, he says it's not needed. I was scared that with it off, I'd feel like I was falling apart. I did feel that way, but only for about an hour! I went and took my walk on the beach this morning, which I've been doing regularly, and it felt so great to walk with out the CG!
I'm still only allowed to walk with many restrictions, although I have been working up a sweat with these walks and slowly walking faster and longer. Today, I wore a tank top to walk in that I used to have to tug at like crazy, and I didn't tug at it at all! I am really hoping that Monday I get approval for normal workout. I'm anxious to get back to working on my muscle toning.
I am loving my results...for the most part! I'm pretty sure I have a dog ear which really makes me sad! It's a spot I've been watching for a few weeks and I mentioned it at my last appointment. I asked him what the spot was and if it would come down, the response I got was "wow you are looking at it critically". Well hell ya I am! This wasn't a cheap surgery and I want it just right! Please don't get me wrong! I really love my results, but I think now that I'm healed more and happy with the flatness of my stomach, the dog ear seems to be glaring at me and taunting me lol. I go back in on Monday and I will be pressing him a bit more. I plan on asking Will it go down? Does it need to be corrected? What is it? Extra fat? Extra skin? I really know very little about dog ears so I just need more info I guess and to know what to plan for.
I'm posting pics in one of my old favorite bikinis. I wore this bikini before surgery. And I won't wear it anymore, it just fits different and doesn't even begin to cover my scar. It's weird that it seemed to cover more when I had that big ol tummy then it does now. Well I guess it was my belly that covered my coochie when I wore the bikini! Ha
Replies (1)
October 7, 2015
You look great! I love and can totally relate to the top pulling/tugging comments :) Happy your doing so well! What did the doc say about the possible dog ear? I'm worried i might have one as well but have heard you can't really tell for 6mo?
October 7, 2015
Thanks LeeLee! I do feel great! When I mentioned the dog ear casually at my last appt, doc didn't really say much. I have another check up this coming monday and I will be pushing for a better response from him! I was doing some reading on here and also saw that most docs wait until 6 months, I guess to make sure the initial healing is all done. I will definitely post an update after my appt. :-)
Don't let the scar have sun on it for your vacation, protect it with tape, it will help it heal better x