Tummy Tuck

[mla2177]

After two beautiful children and two C-sections, I have been left with a pouch of a stomach! I run a mile ever couple of days, go to the gym (lift) and do about 50 sit ups a day, and nothing changes. Has anyone had a tummy tuck and can shed some light on it? I have started reading up on it online and I keep reading about drains and hip to hip cuts! Is this true in every case? I think I just have a lot of extra skin! Any comments?

 

[Disney Doll]

I'd learn to love my body the way it is. Any surgery has risks.

 

[saremca]

One of my girlfriends had a TT a few years ago. She was cut hip to hip and came home with drains. They removed the drains when she went back for her follow up visit. She walked all hunched over for about a week, but she didn't have any big complications or anything. She's very happy with her results.

 

[Ohiodislover]

Drains are not nearly as scary as they seem. And the scars heal up nicely-and are made to be hidden by clothing.

One of my good friends had a lot of work done after her bypass surgery--You can hardly tell.

 

[TinkerbEllnor]

A full tummy tuck is hip to hip. You can have a FTT with or without abdominal muscle repair. A mini-TT is about the length of a C section scar. The mini is skin only, no muscle repair.

ftr: I had the FTT with muscle repair after 2 C sections myself, but I had a considerable muscle separation from 9+ lb babies on my 5'0" frame. YMMV.

May I suggest a TT forum?
http://messageboards.makemeheal.com/viewforum.php?f=8

They were very helpful to me. And you can see lots of before and after shots from real people.

Feel free to PM with any questions.

eta: I believe that the mini-tuck leaves your belly button alone and just deals with skin under the belly button. The full tuck will cut a small circle around your belly button, pull the skin down and cut a new hole for your belly button.

 

[mla2177]

A full tummy tuck is hip to hip. You can have a FTT with or without abdominal muscle repair. A mini-TT is about the length of a C section scar. The mini is skin only, no muscle repair.

ftr: I had the FTT with muscle repair after 2 C sections myself, but I had a considerable muscle separation from 9+ lb babies on my 5'0" frame. YMMV.

May I suggest a TT forum?
http://messageboards.makemeheal.com/viewforum.php?f=8

They were very helpful to me. And you can see lots of before and after shots from real people.

Feel free to PM with any questions.

eta: I believe that the mini-tuck leaves your belly button alone and just deals with skin under the belly button. The full tuck will cut a small circle around your belly button, pull the skin down and cut a new hole for your belly button.

Do you still have the drains with the mini?

 

[TinkerbEllnor]

Do you still have the drains with the mini?

That I don't know. Hopefully someone who has had the MTT can chime in.

I did have the drains, one at each hip. They weren't too bad when they were in. They were gross to look at, but they didn't hurt. I pinned them under my clothes and had to empty them a couple times a day. They came out on my 5th day post op (this is different for everyone, usually when you are draining less than a certain amount per day- I think 30cc?) Getting them taken out hurt a bit but was over quick. Not to make fun, but I equate it like Steve Carell getting his chest waxed in the 40 yr old Virgin- a quick pull, an ouch, and it's over.

 

[paintnolish]

I'd like to have one but EWWW! My dd likes to comment on how my belly button looks like a "frowning" face. Thanks, kid. It's your fault!

 

[MagicalMom]

After 2 c-sections I have been wondering the same. I hate the thought of spending the money for a tummy tuck and am realy hoping I can get rid of it myself. I've lost 50 lbs in the last 2 years and am really hoping that if I keep working hard then the tummy will eventually go flat.

 

[Ember]

I have no experience, but I wanted to say that if you can afford it, you're in good health, and you're in good shape and still feel you want it - go for it!! It is not horribly vain to want to feel good about yourself. When you feel great it affects every aspect of your life. You'll be more positive and cheerful and that's a great thing.

I had a breast reduction 8 years ago and it was the best thing I've ever done for myself!

 

[almburr]

I have had 5 kids 3 were c-sections. I have been loosing weight at a reasonable pace. But that tummy flap is not shrinking,over stretched skin.

In a few years I will have a TT. From what I have read that it is not healthy to have that excess skin hang there, they can be a cause for infection.

I dont think some one should just learn to love themselves and live with it, it can be a medical problem.