Tummy Tuck

[tiggerlover]

Have you ever had a tummy tuck? If so, what can you tell me? Is two full weeks off from work (desk job) reasonable?

 

[chell]

I haven't had one but a girl I work with just did. She had lipo and a tummy tuck. She took about two weeks off from work and we do work in an office. She had her procedure done on a Wednesday and by the next Monday she was doing some stuff from home. She did have trouble sitting all the way up because of the muscles pulling. She could sit up a little more each day. When she first came back to the office she still had in 2 drain tubes. She is still wearing the body suit, but it should be coming off soon.

Are there specific questions you would like for me to ask her since she just went through it?

She had her procedure done in the office, which was a surgery center instead of the hospital. That kept the cost WAY down.

We were just talking about it all this morning because another lady at work wants to have it done now since she looks so good after her procedure.

She did have a lot of bruising and soreness.

 

[tiggerlover]

I am curious how long she had swelling and when could she really notice the results of the tummy tuck? Also, After two weeks was she able to sit at her desk without any discomfort, if not how long did it take for her to feel comfortable sitting upright?

Thanks for the help!

 

[chell]

I'll ask her tomorrow.

 

[blowinbubbles]

I had a tummy tuck on April 1. The experience varies so much from person to person. I only took pain pills for about five days, but there is still some discomfort that stems from the muscle repair, for example, when I sneeze. Oh, and the itching is starting. . . it's an awful itching under the skin, but you can't scratch it because it's numb! I did take two weeks off work, and even after that, my doctor insisted that I take it easy. Even too much walking can cause seroma formation, which means multiple trips to the Dr's to have fluid drained off.

Still, I love my results and can't believe I did it! Of course, there is always a chance of complications, some that are very serious. So, since it's an elective procedure, that needs to be taken into consideration.

 

[tiggerlover]

Thanks!

 

[chell]

This morning I emailed the lady I work with because she worked from home today. I don't have a response yet but I'll post it when I do.

 

[wide awake]

I had one in 2005. Great results. I actually went to work 4 days later...because I'm a dingdong. I had at least one drain for about 3 weeks, think I had to wear the garment 6 weeks. It is hard at first to sit up, because all of a sudden you're using muscles you should have been using all along. My stomach is beautiful, and it makes a huge difference in what clothes you can wear. It is an incentive to keep the weight down too. I don't know about you, but if I look nice it is much easier for me to be careful about eating, and to exercise regularly. There was pain, but I'd have put up w/ 10x the pain if necessary to get the results.

 

[tiggerlover]

Thanks, chell.

wide awake, I am definitely getting the feeling that it is a different experience for everyone, every story I hear is a little different. However, the bottom line everyone says is that it is well worth it! My surgery is in three weeks, I am excited and nervous all at the same time!

 

[Disfan3]

Hi! I had a TT in 2006. It was painful!! I did not take the pain meds for too long but there was NO WAY I would have been able to go back to work at any job...you wear a garment for 6 weeks and you don't really even stand or sit up straight for a couple of weeks. The burning was crazy and getting up or down is quite difficult, you will need pillows and a recliner for your first few days or weeks, even. Everyone is different I know.

I have heard some say its not as bad as a C-section but I DISAGREE!! It was 100 times worse (I know because I just had one AFTER my tummy tuck!!! ) WOOPS!!! Tummy held up pretty well though, the nurses helping me during recovery kept marveling at how flat my tummy was right after a c-section....

My tummy is STILL numb below my belly button. It was even hard to be on the computer those first couple of weeks...sitting is a pain....you forget how much you use your core and ALL core muscles until something like THAT.

I am not trying to scare you...believe me...I would do it again and again...in fact I might go have a little revision after I lose the baby weight from surprise baby, it may droop a little bit (but I can tell you those muscles are STILL TIGHT.) Before I would exercise constantly and never felt that truly tightening of my core muscles...now I do.

I saw results IMMEDIATELY because I had a huge apron (skin that folds and hangs down) but the swelling was pretty bad for a few months. I had a couple complications too (had a hematoma and they had to drain blood every day with a huge horse needle...no biggie cuz you are so numb!!)


I only wish I had done somew lipo on my hip and side areas to give me a more sculpted look.

I see you have lost weight!! I lost 40 pounds with Weight Watchers! Went from a sz 16 to a 6 (after tummy tuck!)
but have gained a lot back due to my pregnancy...so now I am back at it, hoping to lose the 30 I need to get back there!

Anyway...I never once regretted it and would and might do it all over again. It changed my life! I could wear things I never thought I would ever wear again...even though I stayed the same in weight, clothes fit me so differently.

Even bikinis

Belts!!

tank tops!!!

I then went back and had a breast lift and reduction (from a DDD to a D) a year later...

lHope that helps...I have some tricks for swelling and a great internet site if you would like more info.

google
tuck that tummy and they even have message boards with before and after pics

 

[tiggerlover]

I've never had a c-section, so I really have nothing to compare it too. I am just going to have to wait and see how my body responds to the surgery and hope and pray I am one of the lucky ones!!! (Still glad to hear you would do it again even though it was a rough recovery!)