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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS

3 week post op pics

ORIGINAL POST

Hi im 5'7 I weight 150lbs and Im 33 years old....

Muffintop4
WORTH IT$7,000

Hi im 5'7 I weight 150lbs and Im 33 years old. I'm a mother to 4 wonderful children. and that is why Im here. Even though I would not trade them for the world they did leave a mark. A huge mark at that. When I got pregnant for the first time I was 130lbs and when I delivered I was 210lbs! i have been able to get down to about 150lbs when i would get prego again. Then back up to 200ish. So now that Im done having children Im left with a big bag of droopy skin. I just want to have my body back. Im working with a personal trainer right now that is helping me get back down to my goal weight before my surgery in january. I would like to loose about 10 more pounds before my surgery.



Im new to all this so im hoping that i get some feed back on helpful and useful information.







Updated on 13 Nov 2011:

I can't believe I have 7 weeks left till my Mommy Makeover. Yes you heard me right, I'm going to have the whole shabang!!! I decided to have my breast done to:/ they are deflated from having my 4 kids and just feel like having them put back where they belong. I thought while I'm already there they may as well just do it all:)

I've just been playing the waiting game, not much going on. I'm just continuing to work with my trainer to get in tip top shape before my surgery, so that I can have the best results possible.

I'm so excited for Thanksgiving and Christmas to come and hope that getting ready for this holiday season will help keep my mine off starting the new year with a new me. Probably not but it's worth a try:) (my husband thinks I'm a mess cause its all I think about:))



Updated on 15 Nov 2011:

Finally took some before pics...I'm so excited to have the muffin top, apron, bag, whatever you want to call it, to be GONE!!!



I've been going through the emotions of not wanting people to think any different of me. ( when I say people I mean family and friends) I feel like they will judge me and think that I am better than them, and that I am trying to become superficial. I am a people pleaser and I have a hard time when someone is having a hard time with me. I just don't want anyone thinking any less of me. I am still me! I am not changing who I am on the inside! I'm hoping that the only thing that changes is my confidence.



My husband and I have decided to "hide" this process from friends and family because some of them are being kind of harsh when we ask there opinion about stuff like this. We live in a different state than our families so it will be easy to do. My mom and dad are being supportive and they are coming to help, which I am so excited for them to come I love them so much and am very greatful for them they do so much for us!



Anyway sorry to vent but that is kind of what this site is for right?!?! So we can help and support each other. Take care and hope to talk at every one soon!



Updated on 21 Nov 2011:

Yay Im down to only 6 weeks left!!! Not much going on other than playing the waiting game:( Keeping up with my personal trainer. This week on Thanksgiving morning Im running in a 10k race, excited about that. I like to run for most of my cardio time and my trainer has me doing a lot of weight training. hoping to drop my last 10 pounds before surgery. havent had a lot of progress the last couple of weeks Im at a platue I think. dont know what else i can do other than keep doing my best. It still is fustrating though when you dont see the number on the scale change:/ And my surgery day just keeps getting closer.



Anyway I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving this week and we can all remember the many, many things that we are Greatful for! Talk at ya all later...



Updated on 1 Dec 2011:

I only have 5 more weeks to go!!! YAY!!! Thanksgiving went by way to fast...visiting with family and friends was lots of fun:) I hope everyone enjoyed there thanksgiving too:)



I'm starting to wonder if there are things that I should be doing to get ready or am I thinking to far ahead? Can anyone give me some sort of idea on this?!?!



I am still sorting through my emotions about people thinking differently about me(mostly family). Working hard to stay positive. Keeping my spirit high, and remind myself that I worked hard and have been stretched from here to Timbuktu and back.



I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season as it has officially started. I hope everyone is doing good pre-op as well as post-op. remember to take care of yourselves because your worth it. And Happy TummyTucking:)Updated on 9 Dec 2011:I have 4 weeks left. Getting excited! A little bit nervous. Mostly about my breast augmentation, I just really don't want them to be a maintance item down the road. Does anyone know much about BA. I was just reading my book that the PS gave me about the gel implants and the book makes them sound like there is a lot of risk to having this type of procedure done with maintaining down the road. Like needing to have them replaced or removed 7 to 10 years down the road. I don't know what to do, if I should just go for it or not. I've had the mentality that I only live once so I may as well have the whole shebang done and have fun with it but this dumb book kind of scared me:/



Hope everyone is doing good and continuing to heal well. I will send good healing vibes to all!Updated on 13 Dec 2011:Time is flying by! Getting more and more excited as time goes by...so excited to have my muffin top be gone! Just still hoping I can fly under the radar with Friends and family. I think about that a lot, (probably way to much) it stresses my out. I don't like people judging me:( Anyway I hope everyone is doing good...Updated on 21 Dec 2011:So Excited! I just got done paying for my tummy tuck, so there is no tuning back now:) I have decided to not have the BA right now, my husband and I were talking about it and we decided to wait until next year sometime. maybe after we have paid for the tummy tuck.



I have been slowly buy stuff that I "Think" I will be needing. My husband laughed at me because I bought a "Gofer Stick" so I can help clean up without having to bend over. With having 4 kids our house can get a little messy with toys, backpacks, shoes, ect...



Im just waiting for the time to pass hoping that the holiday will help it go by a little faster. Hope everyone is doing well and happy tummy tucking!

Replies (47)

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November 8, 2011
Hi Muffintop4 ;) well good luck with your tt journey and your weight goal ;) just had my tt nov 1st and I'm so happy. My first child which is 20 now I was 105 and was 205 when I had him .. csection .... 2nd one she is 11 gained only 30 lbs. Last year lost 60 lbs and 50 inches joined curves current weight going into surgery was 148 and I was totally happy with that. So far so good ... make sure to check out my post later tom. Going to post before and after photos ;) good luck sweetie my tt friend
November 8, 2011
Thanks Deb sunshine! I had my children c-section also. Sounds like you were stretched from Calcutta and back too;) How have you been doing so far since your tt as far as pain, or discomfort also did you have your muscles repaired too. I'm kind of nervous about that. I hear the muscle repair is the hardest part along with the back pain from being bent over. If you could give me some insight on what would be good to know so I can get a understanding of what to come that would be great. Since your dealing with this first had at the moment:)
Good job on the hard work to getting your body back. It's not an easy task to do but with some dedication and hard work it will slowly but surely come off!
Good luck with your recovery and please keep me posted:)
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November 8, 2011
Sweetie I have had little to no pain believe it or not! My pain is when I go to stand up when I have been sitting for a long time ... mostly at night when I'm a sleep. I sleep on the recliner which it is better on getting up. Laying straight down is a no no I tried it when I got home and let me just say didn't do that again lol .... I have 2 pillows behind my back you know just the normal throw square pillows and then on each side of my arms under my arms I have full length pillows ;) 2 blankets and then small throw pillow on my lap for my food plate etc.. lol honey I'm going to tell you I was so scared to have this done my face and body broke out so bad cause of my nervous and day of appt oh my god I could have ran the other way. When the door open and the nurce said my name I looked at her and said I think she went that way she said ok and went looking for her lol which then I laughed and she laughed and said sweetie you will be just fine. She took me back had me get butt naked put on some sexy blue slippers put my hair up in the blue sexy hair piece and the she walked me to the surgery room. She got my iv ready and we was just wating on doctor to come in. We talked about so much she told me she wanted a tummy tuck just general stuff in life ;) she really made me feel so comfortable. Doctor come in and was just happy as could be must have had his weaties that morning lol he had me stand up naked and he marked all me just make sure sweetie that uou tell him or her that you want a low cut no matter how many times you may say it make sure you say it 100 times if that is what you want ;) he marked me and then did little circles on my side for lipo and then he told me to lay on table so he could get a nice look at me ;) which that felt weird what you want to look at my flubber lol lol lol that is the last I remember the nurse said deb I'm going to give you some meds in your iv its going to feel warm for a min and last thing I remember is can I close my eyes and she said yea and guess what I woke up when they was taking me to my room (which I stayed over night). If you can affordn it I woud stay over cause it made me feel so comfortable and hubby and daughter stayed with me ;) please please email me ok if you have any questions out of all stories I have read which are 100 of them for some reason I just feel connection with you?? Not sure why lol email me and I can tell you like what I bought to prepare myself etc... well off to get up oh my and get my photos ready to post later. Hope you check them out. Don't worry just look in mirror and tell yourself I love you .. you have been with me for years buts its time for me now lol it helped me lol ..... xoxo
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November 8, 2011
Yep had muscle repair sorry forgot to mention that ... only lower half muscle repair my upper ab muscles were just fine ;)
November 8, 2011
Thats great that you are doing so good! with little pain too. Thats got to be a plus:) we have two recliners downstairs in our family room and my husband said he will put one in the bedroom and one in the living room upstairs. i have been telling him about different people and there journeys and how recliners have been the best for sleeping in to help with the pain and recovery. so im glad we have those. I think the dr said that both my upper and lower abs are shot and will need repaired.
My parents are flying in to help take care of my kids while my husband and I are gone. which will be a great help and my husband is taking 10 days off work so he can help me out. My kids are 12,9,7,and 2 so they are still pretty depentant on me so it will be nice to have my mom, dad, and husband to help out! I hope that will be long enough?!?! my husband works only 5 mins away so if I endup needing him he can come:) Im kind of nervous about recovering and my kids I hope they wont cause to much trouble.hehe
Im excited to get to know you better too. and any prep imformation would be awesome! I love your statement about tell your self I Love You in the mirror. I am going to start doing that!! I have also read somewhere that even though our beautiful kids have done such damage to our bodies our children are wonderful for our soul! We sacrifice soooo much for them and once in a while it IS good to do something for ourselves because we are worth it!!!
January 30, 2012
send me pic i readed your post i have meds i take i get nervies anxity atack but waiting on my ins iam 45 had lap band 08 iam happy 4 u
November 8, 2011

Hello and welcome to RealSelf.

After 4 babies I am sure your poor tummy is shot:)   I only had one and that took care of me.  You have done an excellent job with the weight loss so congratulations.  

Working with a trainer is excellent so keep that up.  Being physically strong and healthy will really help with your recovery.  I know you want to drop 10 more pounds but just focus on strength before surgery.  You will get there.

I am happy you joined us in the community and I look forward to following your journey.  

 

November 8, 2011
Kimmers25:) thanks for the support. My belly is shot. I've been working with my trainer for about 6 weeks so far and she measures me monthly and in one months time I lost 5 inches off my waist and 3 inches off my arms. I lost a total of 7 lbs and dropped 2% body fat!!! I'm well on my way to a stronger healthier me! She does have me do a lot of strength training but I also like to run so with doing both those things I'm well on my way:)
Anyways thanks for the support and keep in touch:)
November 11, 2011

That is wonderful!  Keep up the good work:)

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November 8, 2011
Congrats on your scheduled surgery, Muffintop4!! I am waiting to hear about my surgery date (looking at Jan. 9th). So exciting!!! I look forward to reading about your preparations and your surgery experience!

And Deb Sunshine - thank you for your story!! It really helps to relax those of us waiting to go under the knife!

I was planning to really jump start my weight loss (I have a few more pounds to go) and you gals are inspiring me!
November 8, 2011
Thats Great MaumeeMG! we for sure need to keep each other updated since we will be going through this close to the same time, just days apart! You can do it just keep up the hard work with exercise and eat clean and you should be good to go!
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November 9, 2011
It's official! My surgery date is Jan 9th. Holy moly now it's "real." I exercised today! :-)
November 10, 2011
That is so great to hear!!! So excited for you. We need to keep each other posted on how we are doing pre-op and post-op. today when I think About it I get a big smile on my face. I'm just HAPPY! And greatful that my husband is supporting me and going to take care of me. I hope all is well with you and your decision in reaching your goals:)
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November 14, 2011
Your welcome sweetie .. sorry so let on my post been trying to relax and catch up on my posting lol hope you continue to follow my tt journey I will try to post as much as as I can how I feel what you may feel what you made need etc... deb
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November 9, 2011
I wanted to say good morning and have a great day sweetie... go to doctors today at 4:30 maybe 1 drain out today ... YEA! Just thinking of you throught my day today ;)
November 9, 2011
Thanks DebSunshine!!! Good luck at the drs today. Hope everything goes good for you:)
UPDATED FROM Muffintop4
9 days pre

I cant believe I only have 9 days left! Im super...

Muffintop4
I cant believe I only have 9 days left! Im super excited! A little nervous about recovery. Just wondering if I will be in intense pain or just a little pain, there is such a wide range of degree in pain intensity that it is hard to know. So im just a little nervous about that. Ive had so many surgeries that I know what it is like being put to sleep, so that doesnt bother me. Im just super excited to have the outside of my body match how I feel on the inside of me. I still need to get most of my supplies that I may need. But I think I may wait till my mom and dad get here, my Mom said she wanted to go shopping with me so Ill probably wait for her. I cant wait for my parents to get here, they are the best! They will be staying and helping out with the kids and chores around the house I may make them stay forever j/k. It will be hard to let them go home though. It has been hard for me to live far away from my home town, they are my best friends next to my husband of course. oops sorry Im rambling...

Anyhoo Just playing the waiting game and wishing i was on the recovery side.

Let Get This Party Started...

Replies (11)

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December 27, 2011
Good morning ;) just wanted to say hi and I was thinking of you. Surgery date is getting closer ..... hope you had a great Christmas .. Deb
December 27, 2011
Thanks deb:) We had a great christmas except we all got the stomach flu over the weekend, it went through 5 out of 6 of us just waiting for my son to get it he's the last one left. Other then that it was wonderful. How was your Christmas holiday?
I'm super excited about next week getting antsy:)
You look great did you have any lipo done. I'm only having my flanks done.
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December 27, 2011
Hi ;) oh sweetie wish you all didn't get the stomach flu ;( hopefully your son willnt get it. I'm getting excited for you and I know how you are feeling ... day before surgery I dusted everything 3 times I was so freaking out lol .... honey I did have lipo on the flanks but when I went to see my ps 2 weeks ago I told him that I wasn't happy with the lipo area ;( he told me at the 6 month mark he would do a revision and do more lipo if I wasn't happy. Needless to say I'm not happy with the lipo area everything else looks great but he told me that he didn't take that much during lipo errrr I go back in feb for my 3 months I'm going to talk with him again and tell him I don't want to wait 6 months lol ... I'm still up 2 pants sizes ;( I read on the Q/A forum from doctors that when you get a tt with lipo sometimes revisions have to be made on lips cause not enough was taken etc.... plus you will look bigger in the flank area due to the smaller tummy ... well that is what happened to me. Other then that I'm doing great and love my tummy! I just wanted to tell you that just in case you wanted to streatch the fact about your flanks. If I had to do it over I would have told him I wanted flanks sucked dry lol lol ... he said he would fix so I'm ok just don't want to wait 6 months cause my hips are causing all my problems I have no clothes but 1 pair of jeans and like 10 in closet that willnt go over my hips ;( good luck I will keep an eye on your post .. Deb
December 27, 2011
Thanks for the tip on the lipo:) I will for sure talk to my PS about that.
December 27, 2011
Hi Muffintop4, you are going to LOVE the new you! Sounds like you have a lot of good support with your parents and husband, that is very important.
You ask about pain... I think I have a pretty high pain tollerance but I sure didnt want to try and be supper woman, when it was time to take the meds, I took them pain or not. I dont recall a time during my journey that any pain was intollerable. You will feel a lot of different things, believe me. But that doesnt mean they will all be bad or painful. I just think every week when I feel something different, I say to myself an husband... oh thats another stage of healing. Use common sense though and follow Dr's orders :-) You are really going to look great!!
December 27, 2011
Thanks colwall42- I've had my kids c-section and I have 4 of them plus a hysterectomy so I think if I can endure all of that without incident and the pain not to bad I'm pretty sure I should be ok. I just still think and wonder. I've heard that a TT is a long healing process and like you said lots of different pains, sensation, and feelings. But even with all that going on I'm spill super excited. I'm so ready to be one HOT Mama!
December 27, 2011
Wow, thats a lot!! I have only had one other surgery and that was a c-section. I know you'll be fine. I think the physical way you look after, takes all the pain away. Before surgery I compared a tt to a c-section, well the pre op nurse popped by bubble right before surgery and said, "nooooo noo nooo its not quite like c-section because of the muscle repair" But like I said, you will be so excited with your results you wont think much about pain. Anyway sounds like you have the right attitude and good support. Im excited to see your results!! :-)
December 27, 2011
Your results look great:) I try to be positive it take to much energy to be negative. I do have my moments I am human. I'd rather spend my time dwelling on positive things and I believe it will help with my healing.

It sounds like you are having good results. Will you tell me what were some of the things that helped you along the way:)
December 27, 2011
Muffintop, your right! being negative takes way to much energy and yes we all have our moments.

For me I never thought oh this is too much for me to handle, I am way to happy with the results. Now I have driven my husband a bit crazy by asking everyday, does it look ok, is it redder, more swollen, do you think it looks like this or that. My husband is a very patient man.

My Dr doesnt use drains. I was happy about that, but a little more worried about fluid inside. I have a bad allergy to adhesive so after surgery my Dr left my incision bare, completely exposed with no coverings, and that was a first for him. He told me watch for redness and boy did I ever!! I have a 10x compact mirror and I looked at it everyday (way overboard)

I have thought about some things after my surgery that I didnt think before hand. Plan on going a while without sex :-( and warn your hubby. My husband has obviously been my biggest supporter. Even now sometimes when I try to get up from laying flat in bed, its just automatic he puts his arm out for some extra support for me.

You will have a much bigger challenge than I had having four kids at home. Dont pick them up! Even at 6 weeks out when I pick up something a bit heavy, I get a burning in my stomach. Not in the middle but on the sides. Some of which Dr says is normal.

Listen to your body if you feel bloated, swollen, tired...REST REST REST. Lots of pillows under your legs at night and being propped up felt so good.

You will notice, the amount you eat will be a lot less than before and stop eating when your no longer hungry or it will feel like you ate a 5 course meal! I ate/eat about half of what I use to, otherwise it is so uncomfortable. To me it felt like my incision was pulling when I ate to much.

Dr says after a tt you loose about 3-6 lbs, I have lost 14 lbs. No complaining here!!

These are some of the things that have helped me and I hope they help you.
December 27, 2011
That's so funny about warning my husband about sex, I really don't want to break his little heart:/ he is a understanding person but when it comes to that I'm not sure what his response will be, maybe he won't let me go through with it then;) just kidding they survive just like we do. Lol!
I just went out today and bought more pillows. I also plan on sleeping in our recliner for a bit.
As far as my kids go they are 12,9,7,and 2. The older three are in school all day so I just have my 2 1/2 year old with me. My hubby is staying home for about 10 days too. As long as my baby listen and does what I ask of her all will be well( ya right!) my older kids are a big help too.
Great job on the recent weightloss I only need to lose about 15 more lbs before I'm at my goal weight so I'm guessing this should get me there:) I would like to be around 135 which is a good number for me and my body type. Thanks for the tip about the food I guess when your muscles are where they should be it puts everything back into place and gives our stomach less room so we fill full sooner:) that's a good thing right?!?!
December 29, 2011
Hi Muffintop4! How exciting! Your on the way to the new YOU!!

I forgot to tell you... Get Milk of Magnesia, if you havent already.

I read somewhere on this site the anesthesia and pain killers can "clog you up" something you may already know having some surgeries in the past. I didnt know that but got the M.O.M to be proactive. I started taking a swig of it the day after surgery and took a swig everyday for about a week.

Thank goodness I never had any issues. Cant imagine being constipated on top of recovering.
UPDATED FROM Muffintop4
7 days pre

One week from today and I will be on my journey in...

Muffintop4
One week from today and I will be on my journey in recovery land. On my way to being a Hot Wife and Mama...

Replies (2)

December 29, 2011
Hi There Muffin! You're getting soo close! Very Exciting stuff & know you'll do & look great! I Definately agree with colwall re: preventing constipation-NOT fun- it was a first & hopefully a last for me lol- truly I think that was about the worst for me anyway- so YES to stool softener, MOM,LOTS of h2o, fiber & I had miralax powder also-a veritable army of items & trust me you'll be glad of it! I think another invaluable tip for me anyway was using a funnel (can make one out of paper or styrofoam (sp?) cup) for those first 2-3 days -the less up & down the easier for you :) Anyway Best of Luck to you & Happy New Year & New You!! Will look forwar to your updates!
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December 30, 2011
Muffintop4, Are you ready?? It's almost your day and then I'm next right behind you. I'm more nervous than excited but cant wait for the rewards! Good luck to us, cheers~