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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS

1 Month PO, more pictures added.

Name: 1 Month PO, more pictures added.
Item: P. Dudley Giles, MD (retired)
Rating: 5
Author: Carmen1

ORIGINAL POST

Finally picked my PS and scheduled my date for...

Carmen1October 24, 2012

WORTH IT$5,200

Finally picked my PS and scheduled my date for December 20, 2012. We usually close the office in December so I thought this would be the perfect time to recovery at home. I had done a Rhinoplasty in January and went back to work in 3 days. Then in August I got upper eyelid surgery and went back to work in 3 days as well. This time I want to recover for at least 10 days. As you can see from my belly it is ugly ugly ugly. I hate it so much. I work out so hard (5 days a week). 3 days a week I do boot camp and 2 days I do spinning. BTW I'm 55 years young, I'm 5' and I weight 138 lbs. I'm trying to lose at least 10 lbs before surgery. I'm trying to eat less than 1,000 calories a day. Now that I finally scheduled the surgery, I'm excited. The doctor told me not to have unrealistic expectations. I'm very wide (thick). Repairing the muscles will help some but I will never have that skinny little waist some people have after surgery. He said there's no fat so no lipo is necessary but I do have almost a 4" gap (muscle separation). Thank you for this site. RealSelf ladies are REAL. I love it here. I'm addicted to this site and it has helped me so much to make this decision. I will keep you posted and God Bless all the wonderful ladies on this site.

Carmen1's provider

P. Dudley Giles, MD (retired)

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Carmen1 rating for Dr. Giles:

Overall rating

Doctor's bedside manner

Answered my questions

After care follow-up

Time spent with me

Phone or email responsiveness

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Replies (9)

TwoPlusOne

October 26, 2012

Wow, you can see all your muscle and fascia underneath the skin because of the lack of fat. Why are you trying to lose more weight if there's no fat?! The stomach won't get smaller if it's just a severe diastasis....

Carmen1

October 26, 2012

I know, that's what my husband said as well. But I just want my muscles in my arms to come through. My legs are very muscular. My thinking is if I lose more weight then my arm muscles will come out. No logic to my thinking. Typical women, always critical of oneself. I'm just hoping that the surgery will be worth it and that you will see a difference once the muscles are tightened. Thanks for the comment.

TwoPlusOne

October 26, 2012

You do have a good point about the arms, though. You should get your body fat measured and go by that rather than the scale. At 17 or 18 percent body fat, if you are not happy with your muscle definition, you are probably being unrealistic, unless you are trying to be a fitness competitor :).

Carmen1

October 26, 2012

Body fat is 21. I think sometimes we are so critcal about our bodies that we do have unrealistic expectations. Thank you for your comment.

heavenlyangel

October 26, 2012

Hello...I agree w/the dr on having realistic expectations. Don't lose any weight! You'll be fine. I think your results will look better without the weight loss. Maybe it's more of the muscle gain from the constant workout that cause you to seem thicker or more built. Just let the dr work their magic on your mid area and the rest will fall into place. I think it will be worth it. Don't be too hard on yourself. :)

Carmen1

October 26, 2012

Thank you so much for the advise HeavenlyAngel. I will try to keep that in mind. Even now when I go to the gym and do sit ups I can feel my stomach muscles separating even more... LOL I am going to stop doing abdominal excercises until the surgery.

tum69

October 26, 2012

You can see definition on your abs / tummy area - your surgeon should be able to maximise on that (once the swelling has gone!!); not long to go.

Carmen1

October 26, 2012

Thanks Tum. Appreciate the comment. The swelling part is going to be hard and so is the muscle tightening. Oh well, we will see how it goes and I can't wait to show pics afterwards.

Metal Momma

November 21, 2012

Well Hello Carmen1, nice to see your before pics. Man, the muscle repair alone is gonna make such a huge difference for you. I think that is your biggest issue. A way to see what your waist might look like is bend over like at a 45 degree angle, then look at your backside in the mirror. That should be your natural waistline. I had no idea of the waistline I had, it was pretty straight b4 my surgery. But, I took a naughty photo for my hubby, lol! Bending over like I described. I am so glad I did because it showed the waistline I have now. It's worth a shot. Can't wait to see your results.

UPDATED FROM Carmen1

16 days pre

Just went for my pre-op and I' m getting scared. ...

Carmen1December 4, 2012

Just went for my pre-op and I' m getting scared. Excited and scared. I have to go back to work on January 2nd so I really have to make sure I'm feeling good by then. I haven't bought anything yet. For those of you who already had the surgery other than the pain meds what is a must have? 15 more days!

Replies (3)

Metal Momma

December 5, 2012

Hahaha!!! I felt the exact same way!

Carmen1

December 5, 2012

Hey Metal Momma how the heck are you? Are you feeling good? Are you back at the gym? Did you lose weight during your recovery? Sorry for all the questions.

Metal Momma

December 5, 2012

Hey Girl! I'm doing much better now! I had a set back from trying to work out too soon. Word of advice....do not rush it. I am only lifting weights and I do that at home. My routine is so quick there is no point in going to the gym until I can do cardio again w/o swelling. I have lost weight, mainly swelling. Check out my bikini pics :) I am seeing the light now, and just being smarter about my recovery. The whole 6 wks clearance release is a joke, it takes so much longer than that to be active like we are now. And you know I don't mind answering questions.

UPDATED FROM Carmen1

2 days post

Please tell me it gets better.

Carmen1December 22, 2012

Please tell me it gets better.

Replies (4)

TwoPlusOne

December 22, 2012

Of course it gets better!! You poor thing :(. But what you really want to know is, when does it get better? Tomorrow!! Tomorrow it _starts_ getting better. In three days, you'll start forgetting how awful it was. In a week, the pain will be soreness and you will feel mostly human again. Distract yourself as much as possible. Sleep, watch movies, play video games--whatever you can. And hang in there! *hugs*

Carmen1

December 29, 2012

TwoPlusOne, thank you so much. You were absolutely correct. I feel much much better. Thank you for your support.

TwoPlusOne

December 29, 2012

Thank goodness! :D

monica123456789

December 23, 2012

Pictures when your feeling better! Hope your pain gets better :c (

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