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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS

Almost a skinny mini :)

ORIGINAL POST

Hi, I am 29 yr old SAHM mom of a 4yr old and...

MytummytimeSeptember 26, 2013

WORTH IT$7,000

Hi, I am 29 yr old SAHM mom of a 4yr old and 16month old. I have severe muscle separation from childbirth (10 1/2 pound and 9.14 pound babies) and I gained 60 pounds with both pregnancies quickly (5'3" started at 110 pounds Pre pregnancy, lost the weight after both kids) and now I'm at 120 (I'm trying to lose last little bit). I'm training for a half marathon and want to be in great shape for my surgery (so my saggy skin will be stretched and not get loose if I lose weight after surgery). I have three weeks until surgery and I am not telling most of my family and friends. (I don't think they would understand unless they saw how saggy my skin is and how I bloat out like I'm pregnant if I don't wear a binder every night...ugh! My D.R. Separation is from my boobs to my csection scar and I can fit my hand inbetween it's crazy! I've tried everything tupler technique, different exercises it won't go back!) I wear lose shirts and spanks so I don't think it is too noticeable but I'm tired of wearing spanks under my swim suit and feeling embarrassed in front of my husband!
I am getting ready for surgery and I wanted to know how long recovery takes and how much help will I need? My husband can only take two days off of work and I'm worried bc I stay home with kiddos and I don't know how much I should ask for people to come help watch them? (Plus since I'm not telling most people I won't have much help.) I recovered really fast from both c-sections and was off meds early. Just wondering if this is similar or worse?
Thank you.

Replies (28)

September 26, 2013

Hey. I had 3 c sections n I had my surgery on the 17th n my husband was only with me for the day of my surgery all thru that weekend. I do have a 9 month old that I'm unable to pick up until my 3rd week. So I would be concerned with your 16 month old unless they do everything on their own now. I started driving on Monday and I stopped taking my pain meds tuesday of this week during the day n only took them when I slept to get a good night's rest. Pain wise I was fine but I tolerate allot of pain so that will be up to you on how much you take the pain meds. I feel that this procedure is comparable to the c section but of course that's my opinion. Please let me know if you have any questions. And good luck.

September 26, 2013

Thanks for sharing your experience with me! You seem like you're recovering really quick! I've heard it's hard to stand up straight (has that been the case for you? And how long did it take?). Also do you have help every day with your nine month old? My daughter always wants to be held and I don't have help every day so I'm nervous! Also (sorry for the million questions!) are you able to hide the drains I don't want anyone to know or see them

September 27, 2013

Hey. Standing up straight isn't hard to do just hard to do it constantly. Your back will start to hurt more than your stomach or that's what happened with me. As for my 9 month old I do have a friend that comes to my house every morning to help me with her since I can't pick her up until the 3rd week which even my PS said even then I'll need to use my legs instead of my stomach. I am able to hide the drains pretty well. I do wear large shirts to help. I'm not about fashion right now so. No reason to be sorry about asking questions .I'm glad to help any way that I can. I do understand that you don't want to ask friends to help you but you will need it for a little bit and more than the 2 days that your husband will be there. Please don't worry about there opinions on why your getting the surgery. Just know that your doing it for your self and if there truly your friends they will support you. Let me know if you have any other questions.

September 27, 2013

Thank you! You are lucky to have such a great friend to help you I'm sure it's hard with a 9 mo old. I've been trying not to pick up my daughter to prep her but its so hard! Thanks for all the advice!

September 27, 2013

You are very welcome. Good luck! Let me know if you need to talk at all.

September 27, 2013

Thank you!

September 27, 2013

Your welcome!

JudyWantsaBooty

September 26, 2013

We're having surgery on the same day. Sorry I can't help much with preparing for after. Wishing you all the best.

September 26, 2013

It's nice knowing you're having surgery the same day! I read your bio I love your shirt in your treadmill pic! Can't wait 19 more days!

September 27, 2013

With children as young as yours and the fact that you will not be able to pick up the youngest one for several weeks. You will need help longer than a couple days. Please do try to get some one there while you husband is at work. At least for a couple of weeks. Best wishes to you. See ya on the flat side.

September 27, 2013

I'm afraid I will need more help its just hard because I don't want everyone to know. Your scar looks great btw did you use anything on it after your TT?

October 1, 2013

I did use a scar treatment called Kelo Cote, I found it on Amazon much cheaper then at a local store. I understand not wanting people to know, because I really didn't keep it to myself like I guess I should have now looking back. Seems like some people I know are jealous for some reason. I know of one that had a tt, but we are not really close so I haven't said anything to her, but I think she looks great and am happy for her. There is a few that I am closer to that seem cold. If I ever have anything more done my husband is the only one I will tell I think.

October 1, 2013

Well the people that are jealous are not true friends so they are showing their true self I'm sorry :( you look fantastic btw! Thanks for telling me I feel better with my decision not to tell too many people! I just saw my dr today and I'm getting super excited!

September 27, 2013

Good luck. From what I've seen those that are active before the TT recovery quicker and easier. I'm 6 days po and am just starting to stretch out. My PS took off 10.5 inches so he said that's a good bit to adjust too. I do trust he didn't go overboard. My kids are 18 years old, but i think i could have managed kids the age of yours. But, it maybe good to have a back up plan! There's a lot of good information on rs! You'll look great.

September 27, 2013

Thank you! I loved reading your story! I can't believe you had so many inches taken off! That's awesome!

September 27, 2013

Your story, and photos are nearly identical to mine. I had a TT 11 September 2013. I was able to stand fully erect about 10 days PO. I have a 4.5 yo and 6 month old. I had planned a TT for late next year, but due to multiple hernias giving me serious problems, I was forced to have and operation which involved (more or less) half a TT, so to save some cash, I decided to have the excess skin removed since muscle tightening would be part of the hernia repair. My hernias were a result of severe DR, so I can totally relate to your situation. I had a 4 inch separation. Embarrassing, my husband had seen my stomach in 4 years! Any how, I had a c section with my last, I have to say, my TT recovery was quite a bit more intense. Definitely get help if you can. You will NOT be able to lift your toddler if need be. AT ALL! For at least the first week. If you would like to see my post OP pics I do not mind sending them in a private email. My stomach literally looked IDENTICAL to yours, my weight even... My only advice is make sure you incision is where you want it. I did not realize how important this was and I think mine may be too high.

September 27, 2013

I would love to see pics. I've searched the website to find someone who has my same belly. Sometimes I felt like I was the only one who had this crazy belly after kids! Did you bring in bikini bottom to your pre op?

September 27, 2013

I did not but I told my PS that I wanted a low scar and as low as he could go. He already does them low whether the patient said to or not because he wants to make sure it's hidden. As for pictures I have posted some already on my page. Let me know if you have any other questions that I can help you with.

September 29, 2013

Your scar looks really good. Do you pin your drains up or what do you do with them? Thanks for sharing your story! You look great!

UPDATED FROM Mytummytime

16 days pre

Getting excited!

MytummytimeSeptember 29, 2013

I have my Pre op on Monday! Yay! I know I should bring a swim bottom and they will tell me to get a blood test. Is there anything else I should know or ask before I go? Thanks ladies I appreciate all the advise! And reading all your stories and seeing your pics. Hope you're all recovering well!

Replies (2)

September 29, 2013

I agree with all the girls who offered advice about extra help with kids. You will be very limited with what you can do. I am 3 days post and I don't know what I would do without my mom and husband. My kids are a little older 4 & 7 and still meals and baths need to be attended to both theirs and yours. Do not underestimate the pain, disconfort, lack of sleep and limitations doing daily things. Planning is key.

September 30, 2013

Yikes! I am scared for the after the healing process! Your pic looks great! Looks like you're tiny tiny! Hope you're feeling well!

UPDATED FROM Mytummytime

14 days pre

Dr appointment today! Yay!

MytummytimeOctober 1, 2013

I met with my dr today! I'm so excited! We went over the risks and what's going to happen. He did say he's going to wait to see if my D.R. is bad enough when he's doing surgery then he will sew it up if he needs to (which scares me because that is the main reason I am doing this my muscles are not together and I look prego) my husband reassured me that he thinks the dr will do it. But there is no guarantee until day of...pray that he does! He says he does two different types of stitches and he sounds like he's very concerned about how I will look and feel after. My husband met him and approved (he has a good sense of people after first meeting them)so I trust his judgement. They didn't have me do my before pics or mark me (I guess they do that day of) I do need to go get blood drawn but other than that I'm ready! I am going to make freezer meals and I have my half marathon coming up then I'm ready actually. He also said he didn't think my recovery would take very long (drains out 5 days or so) up and walking day after and I just have to wear my garment forever j/k! He even said I could pick up my kids just to be careful. I'm excited!

Replies (13)

October 1, 2013

You will have great results :) Just listen to whatever your doc advises, but most importantly listen to your body. There are so many different doctors that give a variety of post op instructions. My doc said no picking up kids for quite awhile, but I could run if I "felt like it" at 4 weeks. Well I certainly did not feel like running again until several months post op. Just listen to your body and be smart and rest, rest as much as you need. Excited for you...I really think you will love your results :)

October 2, 2013

Thank you! I'm hoping my after pics look as great as yours!

October 1, 2013

Also....I don't know if anyone has prepped for you for the back pain...but in my experience and many other gals who were in the same month as me.....we all said the back pain was probably worse than the incision site or tummy pain. The back pain can get pretty bad from being hunched over for so long. Just giving you a heads up :) You take your meds for as long as you need them

October 2, 2013

Good advise I didn't even think about back pain! Thanks for all your support! Your story really helped me decide to do this thanks again! :)

October 1, 2013

Good Luck!! My doc said her fit patients seem to heal quicker...hope that is the case for both of us!! Can't wait to see your pics and follow up since we are going under the same day!!

October 2, 2013

What time is your apt they moved mine to 10:45 yikes! I'm not sure I can't drink water for that long! Let me know how yours goes! Can't wait to share after pics!

October 2, 2013

Actually, no I take back the back pain.....not drinking water prior to surgery was the worst part for me!!! haha

October 2, 2013

I hear you!! My surgery doesn't start till Noon!!!! I go to my doc at 9:30 to get marked then head to the hospital (across the street)... No coffee or water is going to be sooooo hard!!!

October 2, 2013

I'm not looking forward to that and not to be able to run after!

October 4, 2013

I had my surgery today and it is similar to c section but the tightness is much higher. I also got a pain pump.

October 4, 2013

Congrats on your surgery today! How are you feeling?

October 4, 2013

I survived the first night. I got up twice and walked around. They gave me a catheter to keep in until today. I also have a pain pump. Definitely making life more bearable!!

October 6, 2013

My dr doesn't do a pain pump but it sounds like everyone who has one really likes them! Good just walking around I heard it helps. Keep me posted!!

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