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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS

TT, MR and Lipo 50+year. Old, 3 Kids. Warrenville, IL

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Due to genetics and large babies (2 were 9lbs) I...

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napmom
WORTH IT$10,000
Due to genetics and large babies (2 were 9lbs) I have a very flabby tummy. I have always wanted my stomach to match the rest of me...I'm 5'7 #135 and in pretty good shape. Weight gain has never been an issue for me as I have been the same weight +/- 5lbs since college. I exercise and have never been able to get rid of my poochie stomach. I have to dress a certain way as to not draw attention to what is spilling over my size 4 jeans. I never tuck in or wear a belt and I have never worn a bikini- even as a teenager. I am so excited to finally be able to dress with ease in the morning, not be grossed out by my belly and to finally feel like I really am in decent shape for my age. I have the utmost confidence in the surgeon I chose ( Dr. Steven Sigalove)- I had 4 consults prior to choosing him. He seems like a real perfectionist and has an excellent bedside manner.

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Steven Sigalove, MD FACS

Steven Sigalove, MD FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.9 | 166 Reviews
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napmom

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Replies (14)

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June 28, 2015

Hi there, and welcome! Thanks for sharing your story with us. I hope you'll keep us updated as you continue your journey. Good luck :)

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July 7, 2015
You live around my area.... I totally understand about hiding the poochie and getting dress to cover it! I will be going 30 days today. Good luck to you!
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July 9, 2015
Thanks! You will be a few weeks ahead of me...I will be thinking of you and wishing you an easy recovery. I am so glad (even though it is hard waiting) that I scheduled at the end of summer. It is nice to have the summer months to enjoy and get in the right head space. What doctor is doing your TT.
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July 9, 2015
Well we haven't had summer yet?! LOL! my doc is Dr Burt in plainfield il and you?
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July 10, 2015
Dr. Steven Sigalove
Such a bummer of a summer so far! My yard looks great though with all the rain!
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July 17, 2015
I had very similar issues! I am and have always been on the thin side but even before the wreckage of pregnancy, I had a pooch. I'm almost a month pre op and I can't believe how much better I look and feel. Due to swelling I still can't fit into my pants yet:( but every week gets better. My PS said I'm still very swollen so I cannot wait to see the results when it goes all the way down. Good luck to you! This was a scary experience for me and nothing prepares me for the pain and healing after but the worst only lasts a few weeks and my best advice is not to compare your healing journey to others. We are all different and pushing yourself to "feel on track" will only hurt you! I tried doing to much too soon and hD a few seromas and even accidentally ripped out one of my drains from moving constantly.
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July 29, 2015
I will take that advise to heart. You look fantastic! I'm guessing there is a fine line between getting up and moving and pushing it too far. Luckily I have a pretty empty schedule for a few week and I will have some help. My son is driving and in high school- he is busy with after schools sports so will be gone 7am-7pm...I have lots of time to rest. I think I will be bored to tears in no time!
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July 29, 2015
Thanks for the positive support! I'm 5 weeks today and I've been doing heavy housework the entire day. I do have a small opening in my scar I noticed today which they said was normal but scared me:/ suture from the inside coming out they said? Other than that, I feel pretty close to my normal self. Just a little achy as though I worked out too long but no pain. Hopefully you find some things to occupy your time while down. I spent lots of time just staring at Facebook. I tried watching movies and shows but could never stay awake to finish one haha! Have a comfy chair ready outside to sit and get fresh air. That was very helpful to me as sitting in a chair for a week can be very lonely and make one feel depressed.
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September 10, 2015
Gosh your pictures could be of me! My babies were 10 and 9lbs respectively. I'll be following your recovery closely! i go in on the 22nd :)
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September 10, 2015
I will be following you too!
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October 12, 2015
I'm your size. My surgery is scheduled for friday 10-16
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October 12, 2015
Oh my gosh- I'm so excited for you!! Please know that it is all worth it even though the first week is rough. My #1 tip is to try to limit your use of the narcotics and manage your pain with tylenol or ibuprofen. The narcotics make you nauseous, constipated, unsteady and just generally not like yourself. I will be thinking of you- best of luck!!
UPDATED FROM napmom
3 months pre

Just wondering...

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napmom
With my surgery date being about 8 weeks out I find myself indulging a bit more with "cheat" foods- desserts more often or a bad food choice at a restaurant etc. I feel like I'm throwing caution to the wind because I know in a few weeks it should all be cut/sucked out. Did this happen to any of you? I won't go crazy, but I do feel like I may let myself go up a few lbs in the weeks to come. Right now I am 137lbs at 5'7, but I am usually around 132. The extra weight seems to be in my tummy- as usual. I actually think my face looks better with the 5lbs- especially as I am getting older. Should I be more careful with the weight gain? I feel like I don't want to be cutting calories before surgery because I want to be strong and healthy to heal properly. Comments welcome... :)

Replies (13)

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June 29, 2015
I was the exact same way. Once I paid and decided on the date I was a vulture. I literally gained 4 pounds in 2 weeks.
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July 1, 2015
Now that I'm down to my last week I have been eating donuts. I thought I'd get a last hurrah. I'm afraid to step on the scale!
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July 13, 2015
I totally understand about the extra 5 pounds making your face look better! I think as long as you are taking care of your body, a few extra treats aren't going to ruin you. I am getting my MM on Sept. 14th too.
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July 15, 2015
It will be nice to be able to compare our experiences and recovery on this site...and most of all give encouragement and support. I have only told 2 people (Mom and sister) in addition to my husband and I really plan on not telling anyone else. We'll see if I can hold to that. I would much prefer to hide out for a few weeks and get past the hard part on my own. I would feel a little guilty having my friends bring over flowers or meals for me... that's just me. Am I weird for feeling that way??
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July 15, 2015
I am not planning to tell anyone besides my mom, husband, and sister, as well. My friends don't understand, so I won't be telling them about it until after. I don't want to have to explain myself. Like you, I am planning to hide out until the worst part of healing is over. Not because I would feel guilty about the sympathy and help, but because I can be really mean when I don't feel well. I will save up all my patience for my kids, so they don't have to see Mean Mommy. I don't think it is weird that you feel this way. You don't want to burden your friends with helping you when you elected to have this done. I don't want to burden my friends with my pain induced bitchiness, which I am electing to experience. Makes sense. But if your friends are supportive, let them help you. I feel good helping my friends out, so long as they aren't acting like [RS bleep].
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July 16, 2015
Hahaha...I get that! I like to be solitary in my pain - crawl under a rock like an injured animal, I guess ;)
My friends would be outwardly supportive, but I know they would think that I was crazy for going to such "extremes" because they all think I look great. They don't know what I am hiding under my shirt!
I only have my 16 year old at home now as my older 2 will be away at college. He is pretty self sufficient so I don't envision any issues- but you're right, I will probably be cranky. Especially if I don't sleep well which is one of my fears. Ugh
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July 16, 2015
It's almost like we need to show our friends: grab a handful of belly skin and shout, "See this? It is horrible and gross and unacceptable! I work out 5 times a week and yet my stomach sticks out farther than my breasts!" Or at least that is my situation. I am pretty sure if any of them saw my profIle sans padded push up bra they would have a hard time saying I look great. Maybe I will put a "before" picture in my purse and whip it out if anyone asks why I got work done.
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July 17, 2015
I did the exact same thing! It was as if my body knew what was coming so decided to fatten up! I put on 2 lbs 6 weeks before surgery! I am almost 4 weeks post op and down 7 lbs.
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July 17, 2015
Way to go! Did you resit weighing yourself soon after surgery. I think it will be hard for me to stay off the scale.
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July 18, 2015
I was in so much pain the first week I didn't but week 2 I was on the scale!
May 10, 2016
I think u should control what u eat and stay on the healthy part
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May 10, 2016
Hi- I already had my surgery in Sept 2015.
I did control what I ate and went into surgery at 133. I now weigh 132 and am hoping to get down to 125lbs.
UPDATED FROM napmom
2 months pre

Before...ugh

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napmom
I am anxious to get rid of this view!

Replies (1)

October 20, 2015
Thats my problem too