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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS

Tummy Tuck Scheduled -- 12 weeks post-op!

ORIGINAL POST

I delivered my son via c-section 10 years ago, and...

surromom2fourNovember 6, 2011
WORTH IT$7,400


I delivered my son via c-section 10 years ago, and gained 60lbs during that pregnancy (started at 110lbs, 5'0" tall). I lost most of the weight by his first birthday, but then when I was 36 I became a gestational surrogate, and ended up delivery two different sets of twins, 17 months apart. I gained over 50lbs with each pregnancy, and was 53 inches around my waist at each delivery. I've lost much of the extra weight, though now I fluctuate in the low 130's. I have a large diastasis recti as well as an umbilical hernia, and some excess skin.



I had a consult for a tummy tuck two weeks ago, and I've scheduled my surgery for Jan. 3rd. I'm fairly active -- I run and do P90X (though not regularly recently), and I'm hoping to lose a few pounds before surgery. My ps said I don't have a lot of excess fat or skin to remove, and he doesn't think I need lipo. I'm a bit nervous about the major surgery, as I'm a single mom, but my sister will help me out during recovery, and I've recovered well from all the c-sections I've had.



I've gained a lot of knowledge from all the reading I've done here, now I just can't wait to get to the day of surgery! I'm ready to be on the other side! I'll post before pics at some point -- they're not pretty!

surromom2four's provider

Daniel Kwan, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

surromom2four rating for Dr. Kwan:

Overall rating

Replies (8)

Kimmers25
November 6, 2011

You are a very special lady being a surrogate:)  That is the most selfless thing any woman could ever do for someone.  WOW..

Soon you will have a beautiful new tummy and be bikini ready for summer.   As far as the pre op pics...Ah don't worry we have all posted ours and survived.  It's all good:)

I would love to hear how you found RealSelf and your doctor.  Please keep us up to date on your journey and let us know how everything is going step by step.

surromom2four
November 7, 2011
Thanks for the welcome, Kimmers! I found RealSelf when I googled "tummy tuck recovery" -- before I could make the decision I had to read honest accounts of what recovery would be like. Its been two years since I delivered the girls, and I've put a lot of thought into this. I'm less concerned with wearing a bikini than I am with having a strong core to improve my running. :) (But the bikini doesn't sound bad either!). So, 58 days to go until I get a belly that doesn't flap in the wind when I run!
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MaumeeMG
November 8, 2011
Congrats on the scheduled surgery! I am hoping mine will be schedule early Jan 2012 as well. I am just waiting for the docs to coordinate their schedules. I am having a TT done as well but I have two hernias - umbilical and ventral - and my ps doesn't perform the hernia repairs, a general surgeon does. Will your ps repair your hernia??
Looking forward to reading about your preparations, since I'll be on your same schedule!
surromom2four
November 8, 2011
My ps will repair the hernia, and even better, my insurance will cover that part! I have to admit, the more I read here the more nervous I am about the TT. I'm taking 4 weeka off work to recover, but I'm still a little scared that I'll never be able to stand up straight again!
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Kelly Cookie
November 8, 2011
we want to see the before pics! It shows how far you've come from where you started. I posted some particularly unflattering ones of myself! The bending over pose is not pretty. I felt like I had a cow's udders hanging down!
UPDATED FROM surromom2four
2 months pre

48 days until the TT! To say I'm excited is an...

surromom2fourNovember 16, 2011
48 days until the TT! To say I'm excited is an understatement -- besides getting my abs back, I'm taking the whole month of January off from work, and I cannot wait for that break. I'm an attorney, but I don't consider my job to be a desk job, since I'm constantly running from my office, to the courthouse to the jail, and I'm generally on my feet and moving for much of the day. I keep joking to my colleagues that I'm using the TT as an excuse to take a month off work and get opiates. :)



I scheduled my pre-op appointment for Dec. 19th, and I have to pay two weeks before surgery, so by the 20th. I'm waiting until December to do my pre-surgery shopping. I have sweatpants in sizes that are currently too big for me, so I think I'm good there, but I'm planning on buying a couple bigger zip-up hoodies for the days following surgery.



I'm trying to be good about exercising and eating healthy from now until surgery, but I have to say, I'm pretty sure I won't be tempted to eat junk food after the surgery, so I'm indulging here and there now. Nevermind that the holidays are approaching....but I am working out diligently, and keeping my protein intake up.



I still have to take some before pics -- it'l happen, hopefully this weekend. I'm so excited to get this done, and thankfully time flies where I work, so Jan. 3rd will get here in no time!

Replies (0)

UPDATED FROM surromom2four
2 months pre

39 more days! I can't believe how excited I am! ...

surromom2fourNovember 25, 2011
39 more days! I can't believe how excited I am! I totally gorged myself yesterday at Thanksgiving, now I plan on being careful about what I eat until Christmas. Then the week before surgery I'll make sure to eat low sodium and fairly light meals. I've been waiting for December to roll around before I start buying everything - my doctor's office really didn't give me a list, but I'll go by what I've read here. I do have some questions for my doctor, so I'm going to give the nurse a call after next week. I've been writing down questions as they pop into my head so I won't forget. I have a feeling the next month will fly by, especially since its the holiday season.

Replies (1)

LeannaeL
June 26, 2016
Your doctor was Daniel Kwan? Is he a small asian man with spiky black hair? I believe he was my daughter's surgeon for her breast reduction but we are in a different state.
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