POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS
35 Year Old 3 Kids (10, 7, 2) 5'4" 145 Lbs
ORIGINAL POST
I began this journey in the beginning of 2013. At...
WORTH IT$8,900
I began this journey in the beginning of 2013. At the time I only had my 2 oldest and a full TT was only 6500. In just 5 years I have had 1 more kiddo and the cost has increase 2400!!! I wish that I spoke Spanish and just planned on going to CO or DR. But due to a million personal reasons I have to do it local instead. I chose Melissa Johnson of Pioneer Valley PS on both recommendations and after meeting her. She is the most expensive in our area which hurts my purse, but she is the BEST in the area. When I went in for my initial meet and greet I was at 165. She wants me at 145 for surgery. I am currently at 151 and I only have 18 days to go, so I most likely am not going to make it to 145, but ill be pretty darn close.
christina91182's provider
UPDATED FROM christina91182
16 days pre
Before Pictures
Before babies I wore a 6. Right now I'm in a 10. I still have about 10 pounds to lose to be at my ideal weight and then of course there's the belly that 3 pregnancies so graciously left me with. Without my belly I would be able to fit into an 8. I can't wait to get rid of it and heal so I can continue my fitness journey.
Replies (11)
March 5, 2018
I am scheduled on the same day as you are! The wait is almost killing me!:) I am a little nervous, excited but mostly ready to get rid of this flap and extra skin. My pre-op is Wednesday!
March 5, 2018
Yay for you! Don't be nervous. Not sure if ure a believer, but God will take care of you. :-) You'll feel so confident after! Where are getting it done?
March 5, 2018
yes! I a very excited about that! I am self conscious about my tummy so I am glad it will be gone!:). I am in DM with Dr Robbins. how about you?
March 5, 2018
My surgery is in Springfield, MA with Melissa Johnson. I am really looking forward to not being self conscious myself. Being able to buy clothes and not having to worry how my tummy looks/fits is going to a blast from the past!
March 5, 2018
My pre-op is Wednesday. have you had yours? I feel like i getting myself prepared but sure I am missing somethings. how long off work are you taking? I am excited to follow your journey since we are on the same day!
March 6, 2018
I did my pre-op way back in January. I am taking only 2 weeks as I have a desk job. I bought my immediate post surgery abdominal binder, my compression garment for once my drains are out (I made sure it had a way to unfasten from the groin so I dont have to take it all the way off when I need to go to the bathroom). I also got my silicone scar sheets and gel. I bought a wee-she, which is something you can use to stand up to pee as I heard sitting and standing on and off the toilet suck real bad for the first week especially. I got stool softeners, as I was warned about constipation after surgery too. That's all I have done to prepare as of right now. Oh and of course I hired someone to take the kids to and from school and my in laws are taking my 2 year old to their place for a entire week following surgery. :) I have also been eating SUPER healthy to prepare for surgery. Green juicing and smoothies, minimal animal products, LOTS of veggies and some fruits, along with nuts and seeds. I have been working out twice a day, once endurance cardio and the other power yoga. I am getting everything waxed 3 days before surgery, but this normal for me on a monthly basis anyhow. Oh and I have a gift card to a neighborhood nail and hair salon where I am going to go get a mani-pedi the day before surgery. :)
March 6, 2018
Oh, and I couldn't find a silicone belly button ball, so I just got some 10mm silicone beads off of amazon that I heard work just as well. You can start putting the bead inside your belly button once the scab has completely healed to prevent the scar from contracting and therefore needing belly button revision surgery. You wear it 10-12 hours a day once healed and can tape it into place if need be. Some people use glass marbles.
March 6, 2018
sounds like you are on the right track! my sister in law is a nurse and is going to live with me for 3-5 days then have 2 other sisters and 2 girlfriends that are all going to take their turn. I need baby sitters as they all know I tend to try to jump up and get moving quicker than I should...:). But I am planning on following orders to a T! I am meal prepping now in plans of having quick and easy meals in the freezer. what type of compression garment did you get? I have read such good things about the Bonito so I think I am going with that one. I have a recliner, walker, pillows, and stuff to keep me entertained. that is great our in laws are keeping your 2 year old! that will help a ton! Mine are 18, 16 and 12 so pretty self sufficient! Do you feel anxious? it’s all I can think about! lol. in a good way of course but it sure is consuming my brain!!.
March 6, 2018
My mom is also a nurse and staying with me for the first 3 days :)
I got a maiden form as I hear they are pretty good without a giant price tag. I got the correct size as a lot of people buy to fit their bloated p.o. selves, but they usually end up returning it for a smaller size. I dont have a recliner, so that part sucks. Tons of pillows, and I may rent a walked for getting around the house. As I read more recovery stories I find that a walker is a lower back saver for sure. I am so thankful they are taking him, I wouldn't be able to recover with him around! I am not too anxious... yet. I work full time with the 3 kids with a hubby that works over night 14 hour shifts, a home to keep up, all while getting my master's degree so I dont have time to stop and think and be anxious. haha.
About meal planning - I am sticking with a liquid diet 2 weeks prior and 2 weeks after to avoid constipation and make getting my nutrients as easy as possible. I have an organic raw vegan protein by ideal raw that I love. I currently use their peanut butter chocolate and power berry. Delicious!
I got a maiden form as I hear they are pretty good without a giant price tag. I got the correct size as a lot of people buy to fit their bloated p.o. selves, but they usually end up returning it for a smaller size. I dont have a recliner, so that part sucks. Tons of pillows, and I may rent a walked for getting around the house. As I read more recovery stories I find that a walker is a lower back saver for sure. I am so thankful they are taking him, I wouldn't be able to recover with him around! I am not too anxious... yet. I work full time with the 3 kids with a hubby that works over night 14 hour shifts, a home to keep up, all while getting my master's degree so I dont have time to stop and think and be anxious. haha.
About meal planning - I am sticking with a liquid diet 2 weeks prior and 2 weeks after to avoid constipation and make getting my nutrients as easy as possible. I have an organic raw vegan protein by ideal raw that I love. I currently use their peanut butter chocolate and power berry. Delicious!
March 6, 2018
I haven't tried the raw. I do have the idea lean ones. Which one is your favorite and most versatile? I got my walker off of craigslist for $10 and am borrowing a recliner from my parents. I figure I will need the recliner as from what I read my Dr suggests it. You are busy!!
March 6, 2018
The most versatile is definitely the vanilla, but it doesn't blend as smooth. Super busy! I'm totally going to check with my nursing friends to see of I can get a walker cheap or free. :) we have recliners as part of our sectional downstairs, but I don't want to be banished to the basement. Lol
UPDATED FROM christina91182
Day of treatment
Recovery
Surgery was this morning at 830. I lost 20.4 pounds in the 10 weeks before my surgery. My initial predicted skin weight was 5 lbs but because I lost so much it ended up only being 1.5. :) surgery was just under 3 hours. My surgeon was so friendly! And her P.A. too! I have a weird reaction to so many meds so I ended up with morphine. Moving around sure isn't easy but I can manage a trip to the potty and back. I've attached my drain pics. Not really collecting much, which they said is a GOOD thing. I'm an hour away from my next pain med dose, but I really need it now. :(
Replies (6)
March 22, 2018
I made it to the flat side with you!! didn’t boot which is great for me!! I am doing pretty good myself. I have been able to drink about 100oz today so I have peed a lot! lol. can’t wait to see the final product!!PS said he thinks I will be really happy with the results! happy healing to you!
March 22, 2018
Thank you! You as well. No vomiting for me either, thank God! Laughing and coughing hurt like hell. Just woke up from a 4 hour nap crying from the pain. Hooray for morphine. Hubby stayed with me last night. Going home this afternoon. Not draining much, which PS and RN said is great. We have a bumpy road ahead over the next few weeks, but I know we will both think it's worth it. Happy Recovery!
March 22, 2018
so are you in a hospital overnight ? I am sooo fortunate. my sister is a nurse nd she is moving in it’s me for 3/5 days. I am completely letting her take care of me. I don’t have to worry about meds or drains. she wakes me and hands more pills to take and does all my drains. I’m am so lucky for that!! we do have s bumpy road but it will be worth it!! keep our eyes on the prize right?? I’m hoping for a great day for both of us! when can oh see for the first time? I have 48 hours. so far it’s not bothering me to see the end result. but I sure can’t wait to see it!!:)
March 22, 2018
Yes, I opted to stay the night. Totally worth it!
Yes, your sister and my mom both nurses! My mom is staying with me until Monday then my girl friend, who is also an Rn is staying with me for a few days, then one of my coworkers, who was a PCA for years will stay with me after that until Easter. My PS took off my binder to peek yesterday and my hubby got to look and said it was great . I didn't want to look yet.
I'm going home later today once my power lift recliner gets delivered. I rented one for a month. :)
Yes, your sister and my mom both nurses! My mom is staying with me until Monday then my girl friend, who is also an Rn is staying with me for a few days, then one of my coworkers, who was a PCA for years will stay with me after that until Easter. My PS took off my binder to peek yesterday and my hubby got to look and said it was great . I didn't want to look yet.
I'm going home later today once my power lift recliner gets delivered. I rented one for a month. :)
March 22, 2018
awesome!! we have it made for all the medical people taking care of us!! it’s amazing to not worry about any of it!!
Replies (8)