I'm getting a tummy tuck!!

[ebtbmom]

What do I need to know? Tell me the good, the bad, and the ugly.

 

[Handbag Lady]

What do I need to know? Tell me the good, the bad, and the ugly.

I have no idea, but I am jealous! Good luck and I hope others have more information for you.

 

[sookie]

the ugly is that you are off my christmas card list. - BECAUSE I AM JEALOUS!!
How much did it cost you?!

 

[JessicaR]

WooHoo you! When ya doing it? To what extent?

 

[njmom47]

Sigh...jealous here too.

 

[low-key]

I want that, a butt implant and a face transplant

 

[ebtbmom]

My date is June 22, and it's going to be a full tummy tuck with lipo. It's costing about 6000. I lost 50 lbs in 2010 and I've maintained it. Sadly I still have quite a bit of residual fat and skin. At 5 4' and 135 I still have to wear a 12 or 14 stretchy size pants!

How lOng will I have to not exercise after? I've never had surgery, what kind of pain are we talking here?

 

[low-key]

Sadly I still have quite a bit of residual fat and skin.

pic

 

[ebtbmom]

pic

Of what? My heinous looking abd? No way!

 

[joviroxx]

My sister had one done. What I remember was that it was painful and she rented a recliner and was SOOO glad she did. The first few nights she slept in the recliner and she says it was the best decision ever . She rented it from a medical supply so that it was electric and would help her get up .

Don't rush the recovery, rest and get people to wait on you !! It wasn't the easiest procedure but she has never regretted it!

 

[canadianjovigirl]

I'm jealous to and dream about a 40 year tune up and while they are doing my tummy i'll take a **** lift too!!!

No experience so no words of wisdom from me, but good for you for your weight loss.

 

[plutolovr]

I had one about 2 years ago. Best thing I ever did. This was 22 years after having my twins, which I carried a full 9 months. I had lots of stretch marks and excess skin. I worked out regularly so there wasn't much fat there.

The doctor told me my abs were fabulous and it was mostly just pulling the skin tighter and tightening up the ab muscles a little more than they were. I had no drains, which most get.

I slept with a wedge pillow because I did not have a recliner and I was back at the gym in less than 2 weeks using the elliptical and spin bike. I was very careful but I felt great. The first couple of days you are not able to stand upright, don't even try. By day 3 I was able to stand, but my back was sore. Make sure you get a good post surgical garment to wear. I had one that had straps and it was very comfortable.

I have maintained my exercise and I actually have muscle definition in my abs. I also take a killer ab class twice a week. I look at it as an investment that needs taking care of.

 

[Holly]

A good friend just had this procedure in the fall.
Getting up was the hardest for the first few days so the suggestion of the recliner that helps you stand is a good one. She said the worst part was the drains (I don't know if everyone has drains for this procedure, but she did) because they felt funny and pulled if she moved wrong.

I'm excited for you!

 

[jujube]

My date is June 22, and it's going to be a full tummy tuck with lipo. It's costing about 6000. I lost 50 lbs in 2010 and I've maintained it. Sadly I still have quite a bit of residual fat and skin. At 5 4' and 135 I still have to wear a 12 or 14 stretchy size pants!

How lOng will I have to not exercise after? I've never had surgery, what kind of pain are we talking here?

Congratulations on maintaining your weight loss! My friend had one with lipo and a bb job and as others have posted, getting up is the hardest for the first few days.

 

[arminnie]

Just to prepare you - the pain is going to be HIDEOUS beyond belief.

I have not had a tummy tuck. I lost a lot of weight and only had the excess skin removed.

Everyone told me that it was a hundred times easier than a tummy tuck as no muscles were involved.

It was AWFUL!!!!!!!!!! Hurt like hell. I had drains for 16 days. Imagine two places with 6" of tubing stuck up you. It hurt for days (weeks) after they were removed.

It's a year later and I still am not allowed to do ab exercises. Good news is that I don't need them.

I love the results now - but I am hesitant to recommend it.

I am not a weeny about pain. I had some major surgery for sleep apnea where my entire tongue was moved. I spent two days in ICU - as opposed to outpatient for the skin removal.

 

[happymommy]

I had one done about 7 years ago, full tummy tuck with muscle reconstruction.

I had a recliner in my bedroom - best thing ever. I slept in it for a month. I padded the back with a couple of old quilts.

Drains for a week - my husband stayed up with me the first night to empty them frequently. The first few days, I needed help to get up and use the toilet. No shower till after the drains came out. Yuck.

I agree about getting some good garment. I like Lipo in a Box ones. Wore them for at least 6 weeks all the time, then most of the time for a while. But at first you should be in a garment that they'll send you home in. It has velcro and holds your abs tight.

I would have a small fridge in your room for ginger ale, have some crackers (I couldn't eat for a day or so after the surgery, and got sick to my stomach from the pain med so switched to advil after a day or so).

They should put you on antibiotics that you'll start a day or so prior, just as a precaution.

I couldn't drive for two weeks. Then no exercise at all for at least 6 weeks. I really took it easy. I started working out with a trainer a year later, and my abs were much stronger after the surgery and recovery. Oh, and you will feel like you just did a million sit-ups for a long time after. It is sore, but the worst was the first 48 hours.

I also hired a friend to come take care of me and the kids for two weeks. I really couldn't even take care of myself for the first week, much less two small kids. You definitely will need help all the time at first. They'll need to track your pain medicine and drainage.

 

[bazz]

Hello

I am quiet amazed by the casual way everyone is talking about getting a tummy tuck.

Yes it is a sure way to lose weight and get a flatter yummy, however I personally think it is still a very dangerous procedure that could be avoided.

Sure the only other options are exercise and a healthy diet[both of which I am sure everyone on this thread has tried at one time or another], but losing the weight threw these two methods means your body naturally adapts to weight loss. Not only do you lose unwanted weight from all over your whole body[instead of one area] but your body also increases its own ability to burn fat as a source of fuel by exercising - safe and long lasting!

If anyone has questions about exercise or diet I would be happy to answer them on this thread. I am a personal trainer with just under 10 years experience in how to exercise.

Regards

 

[happymommy]

A tummy tuck does not make you lose weight at all. I weighed about 127 when I had mine, at 5'7" I was not overweight. What it did was to remove 7 inches vertically of skin (about 12 or 13 inches horizontally) due to bedrest pregnancies, as well as totally repair the muscles underneath that had separated due to the pregnancies. In my clothes, you couldn't tell afterwards (I don't dress skimpy).

It did correct my back pain and abdominal problems. I had worked out on my abs daily prior to the surgery.

So please, understand that what you may be talking about is bariatric surgery, not a tummy tuck.