POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS
35 Y/o 5'2" 130-ish Lbs, TT with MR & lipo of the flanks
ORIGINAL POST
I am 34 years old. I have 2 kids, 15 & 12. i...
WORTH IT$8,425
I am 34 years old. I have 2 kids, 15 & 12. i weight 130 lbs. I had a microscopic hysterectomy 4 years ago (so no more chance of pregnancy) I have wanted a tummy tuck since after the birth of my second child. As you can see by my before photos i have loose wrinkly skin on my tummy. I didn't gain a lot of weight with either pregnancy, but apparently my skin isn't as resilient as others. Even though i only gained 25 lbs with p1 & 15 lbs with p2 my stretch marks crawled above my belly button, to both sides and even went down into my pubic hair area. Yea, there's NO way to clean that up into a nice little landing strip anymore... so it all just gets buzzed off and that's that. Nothing cute about it... sorry if that's TMI, but you'll see it in the pics so I'll just throw that out there. I also can't wait to say goodbye to that ugly belly button piercing...
I've been researching TT's for years now. different techniques, scars, pain, belly buttons, all the Dr.'s in my area. There are a lot of good ones, but i tried to narrow it down to one that has a natural looking belly button scar, that is double board certified and closest to my home because of the post-op pain i keep reading about. (travel to/from visits) Later, when i get my boobs lifted I wont mind driving further because those sound easy breazy.
I went with Dr. Gill in The Woodlands, because i love the upside down "U" technique he uses for the belly button. It has a very natural look compared to the "0" belly button scar others seem to do. He also lifts the pubic area so it isn't pudgy looking compared to your nice new flat tummy. :D
Here's a breakdown & total cost of my TT for anyone interested:
$6,000. - Abdominoplasty with Liposuction of the flanks
$1,100. - Operating Room fee
$775. - Anesthesia
$550. - Recovery Room, 1 night stay
$8,425.00 Total cost for TT
I'll have to pay for my prescriptions, but insurance should help with those. I will get these 2 weeks before surgery so i can start taking them s soon as i get home, when needed and i don't have to wait through the pharmacy line while in pain like I've had to do with other surgeries....
go for my pre op appointment on Dec 30 (2 weeks b4 surgery) and I'll have to register with the Surgery Center (and sign my life away) And everything has to be paid in full 10 days before surgery. My surgery is scheduled for January 12, 2015. My husband works from home so I will have plenty of help and my kids are old enough to help around the house as well til I'm back up & running :D I am planning on making some homemade chicken noodle soup and freezing it into small bowls so he can just throw my meals in the microwave and they can eat whatever they want. I will definately try to have the house spotless the day before because they are not the best at cleaning up after themselves but i guess the'll have to now lol
I'd like to just apologize ahead of time for you having to see my naked before pics... D:
I've been researching TT's for years now. different techniques, scars, pain, belly buttons, all the Dr.'s in my area. There are a lot of good ones, but i tried to narrow it down to one that has a natural looking belly button scar, that is double board certified and closest to my home because of the post-op pain i keep reading about. (travel to/from visits) Later, when i get my boobs lifted I wont mind driving further because those sound easy breazy.
I went with Dr. Gill in The Woodlands, because i love the upside down "U" technique he uses for the belly button. It has a very natural look compared to the "0" belly button scar others seem to do. He also lifts the pubic area so it isn't pudgy looking compared to your nice new flat tummy. :D
Here's a breakdown & total cost of my TT for anyone interested:
$6,000. - Abdominoplasty with Liposuction of the flanks
$1,100. - Operating Room fee
$775. - Anesthesia
$550. - Recovery Room, 1 night stay
$8,425.00 Total cost for TT
I'll have to pay for my prescriptions, but insurance should help with those. I will get these 2 weeks before surgery so i can start taking them s soon as i get home, when needed and i don't have to wait through the pharmacy line while in pain like I've had to do with other surgeries....
go for my pre op appointment on Dec 30 (2 weeks b4 surgery) and I'll have to register with the Surgery Center (and sign my life away) And everything has to be paid in full 10 days before surgery. My surgery is scheduled for January 12, 2015. My husband works from home so I will have plenty of help and my kids are old enough to help around the house as well til I'm back up & running :D I am planning on making some homemade chicken noodle soup and freezing it into small bowls so he can just throw my meals in the microwave and they can eat whatever they want. I will definately try to have the house spotless the day before because they are not the best at cleaning up after themselves but i guess the'll have to now lol
I'd like to just apologize ahead of time for you having to see my naked before pics... D:
EnjoyingLife's provider
UPDATED FROM EnjoyingLife
2 months pre
Do I need to rent a Lift Recliner or will my Tempur-Pedic bed be ok??
I'm thinking of renting a lift recliner. I'm not sure if I'll need it. We bought one of those Tempur-Pedic beds a year ago. It lifts your head and/or feet and vibrates. But it feels a little too high off the floor for after TT use. I'm not sure if I can get in & out of it if my tummy muscles are going to be full of pain. :( has anyone used their bed or had any problems while sitting up, being able to turn and put your feet on the floor without help? As you can see by the pictures the bed sits high. My feet are about a foot from the floor. The mattress is memory foam, so if I sit there like that for about a minute I will sink down lower some. Also, the feet and head of the bed lift more than I have it in the picture so I can sit up more and/or prop my legs up more. Please let me know what all of your thoughts or experiences are with bed vs lift recliner.
Replies (17)
December 2, 2014
Don't rent any special equipment. I was able to get myself in and out of my bed by Day 4. I just propped pillows for my head and tucked one under my knees. I also just used a metal bistro stool in my shower for my first 3 showers. I know sow rent fancy recliners too but it's only 3-4 days that you need help and if your hubby is helpful you will be fine. Good luck!!
December 6, 2014
thank you :) I've tried sleeping on my back raised and I felt so achy... So this won't be very fun, but I guess I'll have to tough it out to have a tight tummy again.
December 6, 2014
I never sleep on my back and I am 3 weeks post op and can sleep on my side but it gets uncomfortable because the sutures are right there.
December 6, 2014
Is it hard to roll from back to sides? I'm going to have to try that for sure. :)
December 6, 2014
Yes. I just do it slowly. I have not slept 8 straight hours in almost a month. Its amazing how you forget those things.
December 2, 2014
I used my bed it was great. Still needed lots of pillows and a good heating pad for my back. I would not bother renting a bed you will be fine.
December 11, 2014
Looking forward to seeing your results. My surgery isn't far behind yours. I too have really bad stretch marks that go really high above my belly button, so I know they'll still be there, but I'm looking forward to getting rid of the belly :) Good luck to you and best wishes!
December 23, 2014
I had stretch marks above my belly button that were
spread out like the rays of the sun and they are all gone. The Dr. Had to do a lot of stretching my good side belly skin to get rid of all those stretch marks.
I believe that I paid $2,000.00 more for him to go up that high and remove those high stretch marks.
December 14, 2014
If you have a recliner, that should work. I'm not renting anything special because the only time we might even need it is the first few days and we can get thru that. Just use a bunch of pillows and arrange them how you feel comfortable. Do some practice trials, pretend you have an incision in your lowere abdomen and fix the pillows up how you would feel best to sit in the recliner, or on the sofa. Me and hubby did some practice trials with him helping me out of the chair and off the sofa to see which was easier. Also he's going to be my walker, I'm going to walk hunched over with my hands on his sides. I hope this works because we have a small apartment and don't have the room to put another recliner or bed in here!
December 15, 2014
Sounds good! I'll see if my hubby can be my walker too :D we just don't want to spend a bunch of extra money for something so temporary
December 15, 2014
that's true! I'd rather spend the money on clothes after I'm recovered!! :o)
December 19, 2014
Thats a perfect post op bed! You may need a wide step to help you get up but once your in it'll be heaven!
UPDATED FROM EnjoyingLife
1 month pre
One month away from a flat tummy :D
I haven't been to the gym as much as I'd like lately. Im still trying hard to eat healthy. I got a few new things to make sure my body is full of the nutrients it needs in hopes that that will help my body heal quicker. I got a meal replacement protein shake, woman's multi-vitamin, chewable vitamin C, probiotics & greens powder. I mix the greens powder (yuck) with my fresh banana/blueberry smoothie everyday. I've been eating well enough that I haven't used the meal replacement shake yet, but it's there when I need a fast meal on the go and for after surgery to make sure my body gets enough protein.
I've been too busy (homeschool my 13y/o son & small business owner) to stress over my TT, so I guess that's a good thing. I find time before bedtime to read through RealSelf blogs and I'm grateful for all of you ladies. you've given me so much info so I hope I completely understand what I'm dealing with as far as pain, achy back and mood swings...
I took a few I picturs at the gym today. The front view clothes doesn't depress me, it's the side view that I hate to look at. -__- my butt has always been huge. Even as a skinny teenager. I'd like to somehow loose that chunk of fat under my butt, probably just need to loose the weight. If anyone knows any excersizes that targets that area, please leave a comment & explain :)
I've been making lists as I think of things I need to stock up on or do to be prepared. I Need to buy my low cut panties my PS said to wear day of surgery. I didn't realize all my panties go up to just below my belly button, this way I can tuck the loose skin in and my tummy looks a little flatter in jeans. I can't wait till I never have to do that again...
I wish I was doing my breast lift now, but I just don't have the funds for both so that will be done in a couple years. Hopefully less but we'll see :)
I've been too busy (homeschool my 13y/o son & small business owner) to stress over my TT, so I guess that's a good thing. I find time before bedtime to read through RealSelf blogs and I'm grateful for all of you ladies. you've given me so much info so I hope I completely understand what I'm dealing with as far as pain, achy back and mood swings...
I took a few I picturs at the gym today. The front view clothes doesn't depress me, it's the side view that I hate to look at. -__- my butt has always been huge. Even as a skinny teenager. I'd like to somehow loose that chunk of fat under my butt, probably just need to loose the weight. If anyone knows any excersizes that targets that area, please leave a comment & explain :)
I've been making lists as I think of things I need to stock up on or do to be prepared. I Need to buy my low cut panties my PS said to wear day of surgery. I didn't realize all my panties go up to just below my belly button, this way I can tuck the loose skin in and my tummy looks a little flatter in jeans. I can't wait till I never have to do that again...
I wish I was doing my breast lift now, but I just don't have the funds for both so that will be done in a couple years. Hopefully less but we'll see :)
Replies (13)
December 12, 2014
Soooo exciting! I'm 4 weeks post op today and I feel wonderful. Some tips for recovery that really helped me :for the first 5 days, I made a gallon pitcher of lemon water, and made sure I drank it all, each day. Also, I did not eat any heavy foods. I had home made chicken noodle soup, and a home made veggie soup, both made with no salt, and I ate on those for the first 5 days. I had very minimal swelling. Best wishes, and thanks for keeping us informed. :-)
December 12, 2014
Thanks! I was planning on making the same 2 soups but I'll make sure to omit the salt. And I love lemon water so that's no problem :) if you think of any other advice please let me know :)
December 12, 2014
Check with your PS but I am pretty sure there are certain vitamins you should not take. I know vitamin e is on the list. I thought the pain would be from the incesion, but not at all. My pain was in my upper abdomen and my lower back from being hunched over. I used a chair in the shower and dry shampoo is a good thing to have. Bm's are not fun!!! I was disappointed because I thought I should heal faster. Give yourself a month. Truthfully. I was up and about in a week but was not myself. Get off the pain meds asap! Good luck
December 12, 2014
Yep! What she said.^^^ It's best not to take any supplements. I stopped all supplements for first 2 weeks. They usually do give you a list of stuff not to take and vitamin e is one of them because it impedes healing. I also started a stool softener the morning of surgery, because like Jennifer said, bm's are awful, and the stool softener helped a ton.
January 5, 2015
You can get a greens+ powder that is berry flavor and its not so bad. There is greens+ multi as well that will help on the vitamins.
January 5, 2015
I'll have to try that. The one I have "tries" to taste citrus-y but it's just gross. It says to mix it with orange juice. I've don't that and it really helps. But since I make the smoothies everyday I've just been toughing it out and mixing it in that :/
January 5, 2015
That is what I do too and I have to add berries it hides the green color. My trainer told me to start with half scoop first. She is all about the New Zealand Whey protein, which does taste a lot better then most protein powder. Trying to get over 100g of protein a day is so hard.
January 5, 2015
I do 2 full scoops. I'm pretty good about gross flavors. I just do it because it's good for my body whether my taste buds agree or not. Lol I did a 7 day liquid detox where it removes everything from your system and replenishes with all natural nutritious things. It was horrible. But I got rid of my acid reflux. And don't have to waste he $200 a month on Nexxium anymore :) and I was so hydrated and full of energy. I didn't have any more sugar cravings. It was all worth it in the end.
January 5, 2015
I'd like to know about the 7 day detox so I can try it to see if I can get rid of my reflux and cravings before surgery
January 5, 2015
I had a health coach. She's actually a really good friend of mine. She didn't charge me any fee and ordered all the stuff for me. I paid around $200. It was not by any means tasteful. So you've been warned. If you want her info I can send you a private message. Here is the website the brand I used:
http://www.genesispure.com/products
The 7 day detox is through "Genesis pure". You can also do a 28 day detox that isn't as hard but I wanted to get it over with faster.
I bought the following: complete shake (vanilla-was powder-y but ok), metabolic boost, fasting solution (sweet & syrup-y, ionic blend (I had to pinch my nose to drink this-no lie!! -gag) , capsule cleanse & appetite chews (taste like tootsie rolls, you will be thankful to have these). It's all under the "health trim" line on the website. Do not sign up for reoccurring shipments. I hear it's a pain to cancel the monthly shipments.
Click this link for detailed instructions on what to drink and when.
http://www.genesispure.com/templates/genesis/public/pdf/7_day_detox.pdf
Have fun! It is with it when you're done, but I'm telling you by day 5 you're gonna be so completely over it, it's not Ben funny. Day 6&7 were the hardest because I knew the end was near and all I wanted to do was not drink that liquid stuff anymore. I actually craved vegetables and appreciated the flavor of fresh fruit after this :D I also lost 6 lbs.
Replies (103)