4 months POSTOP*** Had my Tummy Tuck on Feb 14th! Can't Believe It! - South Korea

I'm a 35 yr old mom of 5.  I have four girls and one boy, ages 19, 15 (boy), 13, 8, and 2.   Needless to say I started off a very young mom and married early at 19..  It has been a long, crazy, rough ride LOL but worth it as it has been (continuing to be) a blessing raising my children and just had my oldest go off to college last summer.  

Unfortunately I'm not in a great marriage but trying my best to remain positive and be the best mom I can be.   So anyway, I've never really had any serious weight issues but having 5 kids has done a serious number on my belly.  I'm 5'6 and weigh about 160 which is ok, but normally I am 145-155 pre and post pregnancy so I will work on that ;)  We are a military family and stationed overseas,  so I went to my pcp on base and asked for a referreral to see a dr. at the surgical clinic about getting a tummy tuck.  She told me there was no way they would do it because they were cutting down on the number of procedures they were doing, but nonetheless, she said she would still give me a referral.  

I have to add that even though my stomach was never completely flat after having my first four, I was ok with it as it was no where near what it was after having my fifth child. And I still looked pretty good in my clothes without as much hanging belly and muffin top! I went to my appmt on Jan. 18 and was shocked when the Dr. said he could do it for me and could schedule as early as Feb. 14!!!  I was shocked as I thought he was  only going to "look" at me and see if I was a good candidate.  

Now the interesting part was he told me that he was NOT a plastic surgeon but a general surgeon but that he has done many many tummy tucks over the years.  He also told me he has had no deaths or serious complications, but one infection and that was resolved and the lady turned out to be just fine. He told me it was no pressure and that he could do it or I could go off base. So at this point I was conflicted and I just told myself that I would keep the appmt but if I didn't feel right about it then I could cancel and move on.  

After that appmt I met a few ladies who had tummy tucks and their breast done at the military hospital and told them about my situation.  They let me see their scars and told me their experiences, which were good.  Some of them had surgery with him and others had surgery with other surgeons, but their results were good and no major complications.  I do realize that sometimes things do happen and it really isn't always the fault of the dr. or even the patient sometimes.  Of course I had many questions so I would call and leave tons of messages with the secretary and he would ALWAYS call me back within the hour and answer all my questions honestly.  He did also say that some people may need some kind of small revision, maybe close to half. From doing my years of research I have read from many people's experiences who have needed minor revisions.  

So at this point I commenced to getting everything in order for the big day.  I also have to say that months back I changed my diet and started eating green leafy veggies daily and drinking more water and getting exercise in.  Once we came overseas I gained about 15 pounds not really from overeating but the quality of my meals.  I frequently skipped meals and would live off starbucks for a whole day believe it or not.  I was so depressed...  But I knew I had to somehow snap out it and get back on track, after all my kids need me to be 100% and quite frankly I wanted my life back.  So I lost the 15 I gained and done a host of other things to help keep me on track.  

I had my surgery on Feb. 14 and everything went pretty good.  I stayed in the hospital about 2 nights which was a tremendous help.  I thoughts I would be in so much unbearable pain and couldn't walk.  But I guess it's true what so many ladies have said: It's nothing like you imagine it to be or not nearly as painful as you think it will be.  I've been off pain meds since yesterday and even then it was mostly to help me sleep.  I've been walking many times a day and going to the bathroom on my own. Also my Dr. had awesome bedside manners!  I was taken great care of at the military hospital, it was a pleasant experience.  

I still have my drains in but it's not that bad, just annoying lol but tolerable.  And my drainage output is minimal, under 20 ml but not completely clear so hopefully these will come out within the next week!  Even though I'm feeling fine I have been taking it easy and just sittin/sleepin in my recliner.  I must admit it has been difficult to get comfortable but the recliner and lots of pillows help.  For the most part I am upright with just a slight hunch so I am happy for that.  But as I said I'm taking it slow as I realize at any moment during these early days that things could take a turn for the worse.   I know this is super long but I really am thankful and happy I have this support forum.  As my family members don't really know and not even most of my friends, just my kids and husband, my sister, and a few ladies stationed overseas here who has had the surgery too.  Good luck to you ladies who will be having surgery soon and congratulations to all those who have made it to the flatlands!  :-) I will post after pics soon as I'm still bandaged and bound up all tight.  But I'll post a few yucky befores :/ And I guess I will be able to comment more on things once everything comes off and I see how it looks!  Thanks again! 

I added some pre-op pics. Today I am FOUR days post-op and still feeling fine pain wise but ugh these drains..so annoying... I will take some post op pics once I am about a week or two out. Still bandaged and binded up tight. I had to take off one of the panels to my binder because I felt like I was gasping for air (just briefly tho, lol) but it helped. Happy healing to everyone and good luck to those coming upon surgery soon!

Ok so I am 7 days post op today. These drains are driving me MADD! I am draining very little, less than 20ccs in a 24 hr period. And one of them didn't really put out anything over last night. I still don't know when my appmt is... I called of course but have to wait for them to call me back...ugh.. But I will be going n this week though. Painwise I'm still doing pretty good, no pain pills. Except I took one because my cycle came :/ in which I honestly didn't know how that would go. One thing is for sure, I'm glad I came on after scheduled surgery date and didn't cut it too close. All seems normal though as far as that goes. I am cramping about the same I usually am, the pain is not amplified because of tummy tuck.
Been doing light cooking and washing (couldn't help myself and didn't have too much of a choice). Good thing is when the older kids are home they can wash and cook etc... Even though I've been doing a little, I have not been doing any lifting (husband and kids do that for me) . As I said I'm ready to get these drains out THEY NEED TO COME OUT!!!
When I get appmt I will update and post pics after all that which will hopefully be within the next few days.