POSTED UNDER Mini Tummy Tuck REVIEWS
Scheduled for January 5th - Mt. Pleasant, SC
ORIGINAL POST
So I am now scheduled for a mini tummy tuck with...
WORTH IT$5,700
So I am now scheduled for a mini tummy tuck with lower ab muscle repair. I've had four consultations and have decided on a doctor. I've been advised by one doctor to have a full tummy tuck but have decided on a mini because I think (hope) I will be able to get the benefits that I desire. I've also opted against lipo... seems everything I've read about it is negative. I'm not expecting to be a super model just a loss of the excess skin. I excercise often but like most can't lose the weight around my belly. I have two children 3 and 7...both c sections and now have the sagging skin and the "shelf".
I have ITP (low platelets) so I have been working with my hemotologist also to manage any blood treatments prior to my date. I have an appointment with them on December 23 to obtain my clearance.
I'm feeling a whole range of emotions... scared about the surgery, guilty for time away from my family, and anticipation of feeling better about myself.
I will be 40 in April and hope to have a better body than when I was 20! :)
I'm so thankful for this site. I've learned so much on here. I will post some pictures soon.
Mount Pleasant6706's provider
Replies (1)
UPDATED FROM Mount Pleasant6706
2 days pre
Two days pre-op. Really nervous. Just posted...
Two days pre-op. Really nervous. Just posted some pics. During my pre-op visit with the PS, he highly recommended that I have a small amount of lipo around my hips and upper abs. He said I would have "bat wings" otherwise where the incision meets the hips. He told me he would be very conservative so I've agreed to that. Wish me luck!
Replies (21)
January 4, 2012
Thanks Angie! I'm scheduled for tomorrow. I'm trying to stay busy and keep my mind busy. Nervous but excited.
January 5, 2012
Good luck, I am almost 2 weeks post op, every day i see changes! You will do great and hope to your after shots. Just think in a few months , spring and summer will be here and we all will have new bodies for new swim suits!!
January 6, 2012
Made it out! Had surgery this morning and feeling pretty well overall. I ended up renting a hospital bed and I am so glad I did! My doctor called earlier and couldn't believe I answered the phone. I can't get out of bed by myself. Doc says I need to be up and walking around tomorrow.
The girdle is really tight but glad it is there. I go back to the doctor tomorrow to have dressing changed. He said I will get to see my stomach...little nervous.
Anyway probably not make a whole lot of sense as I've been taking my pain meds. I'll keep you posted!
The girdle is really tight but glad it is there. I go back to the doctor tomorrow to have dressing changed. He said I will get to see my stomach...little nervous.
Anyway probably not make a whole lot of sense as I've been taking my pain meds. I'll keep you posted!
January 6, 2012
Glad you are doing so well! Stay on your meds and get rest! Can't wait to see your flat tummy!
January 8, 2012
Glad to hear you are doing well. I really enjoyed reading your story. I'm excited about spring!
UPDATED FROM Mount Pleasant6706
5 days post
So it really is true when they say it gets better...
So it really is true when they say it gets better each day. Yesterday I got my drain out and feel like a new woman. I was really nervous about getting it out but was so ready. The drain was one of the most stressful things for me. Anyway, I felt like such a baby when she took it out because I held onto her arm but it was a whole lot of anxiousness for nothing. There was just a little pinching and it was over. Mind you, I could not watch though! I also am out of the binder and into the girdle which feels SO much better. I was also able to drive yesterday since I am no longer taking pain meds. I ran a few errands and then came home and walked up to pick up my son from school. They said walking and water really is the best way to keep the swelling down. Last night I took a shower and got the girdle on all by myself. I'll be honest, I wasn't a 100% comfortable with the shower because I was tentative about the water hitting the incision and reluctant to bend over because I didn't have any protection on (ie girdle) so anything that fell stayed there. But I got (mostly) clean, got out and even blew my hair dry after! Last night I was able to sleep on my side which felt so good. My back has been hurting from laying on it so long at night. Anyway, that's the latest. I hope you are all healing well out there!
Replies (11)
January 10, 2012
Hey MtPleasant, have they removed your drain? How was that? Also, do your have external sutures that have to be removed? When will they do that if so? I am still having to take my pain meds. I have tried not too, but end up paying for it. My shower went ok yesterday and I was pleased with what I saw. Do you have a burning sensation at your incision? I am so ready to get to feeling better! Hopefully not to much longer. My Dr told me we may remove the drain this week or next. I wish I new what the deciding factor was, casue I want this thing gone!! Its hard to remember why you did this when your hurting!! I'm trying to keep my eye on the prize. Your post op pics look great!
January 11, 2012
Hi forme2012. Yes they removed the drain on Monday. It actually wasn't as bad as I thought. Just some pinching and then it was over. They told me if it was less than 25 ml(?) per day then they would remove it. I feel so much better now that it is out. Don't worry about taking pain meds. Everyone is different. Just make sure to be up and walking around and if the meds help then keep taking them. That will help so much with your recovery. I also have a burning sensation at times at my incision. I mentioned it to the nurse the other day and she said that is normal. Definitely keep your eye on the prize. Each day it has gotten easier for me. I took a shower last night and actually felt ok with having the girdle off and cleaning my incision. I'm still extremely swollen and bruised (I will post some pics) but just know in a couple months it will look completely different based on what I've read. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Hope you are recovering well.
January 11, 2012
Also about the external sutures... I do have them but not sure how those will come out. I had actually forgotten about those until you mentioned it! I have an appointment with the doc on Friday so I'll ask then.
January 11, 2012
Sounds like you are doing better. I am going on 3
Weeks Thursday and still take a shower with my back to water. I wash my tummy with a mild soap and I didn't have drains. I am starting to walk on the treadmill and will go back to work next week. I wear my binder 24 /7 still.
Weeks Thursday and still take a shower with my back to water. I wash my tummy with a mild soap and I didn't have drains. I am starting to walk on the treadmill and will go back to work next week. I wear my binder 24 /7 still.
January 20, 2012
hey Chandleranch! Hope you looking good! i had a question for you. Has your swelling went down alot? I'm 2 wks post op and have swelling around the incision. The bottom half of my stomach if further out than the middle. Its down by my pubic area. I just feel like its puffed out and when I tried to get my jeans on they were to tight, where normal they're not! Just wigging out a little. Went to PS today to get the last of my stitches out and asked him about it and he said it wasent that swollen and it should go down "some." Just wasent the most assuring, but he's kind of weird about giving you any definate answer. Any words of wisdom you could give me would be great!! Thanks girl! I have been doing ice too, but I'm not feeling the "front butt!"
January 20, 2012
I am going on 4 weeks now and it is slowly going down. I am walking on my treadmill for a mile and going back to work. I am active at my job , I stand all day. I come home from work and walk , then put a small bag of frozen veggie , like peas down there for about 20 minut on , 40 minute off. My PS said it would take longer with swelling I that area. I had alittle lipo down down there. But it is going down. I wear cg still 24/7. Move it down lower if I have swelling. Hope this helps!
January 12, 2012
Its been great havingn you all to talk to. Thnaks for answering my questions. I go to see dr tomorrow afternoon. Hope to get the drain out! I am so impatient and just ready to get back to normal. Well, UK and /auburn's playing, so i'll update tomorrow!
January 12, 2012
Keep me posted! Wishing you the best tomorrow. Oh yeah, and war eagle! I went to school at Auburn. :)
January 17, 2012
ok...just read your last post and the friend I have who also lives in mt. Pleasant went to Auburn!! Too weird! I hope you are doing good. I am little over a week out and man what a post op week! I was questioning why I did this to myself the first few days. The pain has gotten better. I am off the pain meds and actually had my oldest sons birthday party Friday nite. I go back to work this Thursday. I am nervous. You know, my Dr called it a "mini" but he did alot more than you see others do. He tightened my muscles (ouch!) and removed skin and shaped up my belly button. He also did great on my scar, but longer than you see many of them. Looks very similar to yours. Id love to see an update. Hope this finds you well!!!
January 13, 2012
Mt Pleasant6706, are you please with your mini tuck? I am getting the same. you look good!
January 16, 2012
I am pleased so far but still have a lot of swelling. I'm anxious to see it in a few weeks when the swelling subsides and I have a better idea of what I will look like long term. I still have a good bit of stretch marks but understood that going in. Good luck with yours. Let me know if you have any questions.
I'm glad we've been able to be here for you! Thanks for paying it forward and sharing your own story. Your emotions are all very normal. Try your best to keep your eyes on the prize and not get bogged down by guilt. I know it's hard.
Happy early birthday! I look forward to following along on your mini tummy tuck journey.