Patient Stories: Tummy Tuck
- 35
- Female
- Tummy Tuck
fter over 10 years of really wanting to have abdominoplasty, I decided to just go for it. I had it done on May 24th, 2007.
I wanted to surprise my husband when he came home from overseas, even though he didn't think I needed it done. I just wanted to stop feeling insecure about my body and give him my all, the way I was before having kids. I was not overweight at all, but I just wanted to get that 85-year-old looking belly off my 35-year- old body.
I had "interviewed" two different plastic surgeons in three years, and I felt very comfortable with and trusted the one I had chosen. I don't trust anybody, so this was huge for me. I asked her if she had done many abdominoplasty surgeries and she said she's done several. I'm happy with the way I look and my surgeon did excellent work!
Barbara
- Homemaker
- 29
- Female
- Tummy Tuck
I decided to have a tummy tuck because I had so much excess skin and stretch marks from having children. My skin was extremely strectched out and my belly button was deformed. The procedure was a piece of cake. I was not put to sleep for the proceudre; I instead decided to have local anesthesia. I never felt any pain during the surgery, or afterwards during the recovery period.
I am a little disappointed with the scar. I didn't know it was going to be so wide. It went from one side of my body to the other. I also wish the scar was a little lower. You may want to discuss exactly where your scar is going to be with your doctor before the surgery. I wish I would have. The surgery also did not get rid of all my stretch marks, only most of them. Other than that, I would say I am happy with the outcome, and I love my new belly button.
So far I have not had any complications, and I had the surgery seven months ago. My ASPS Member Surgeon did a great job, and I would recommend him to anyone thinking of getting a tummy tuck or any other procedure. I would definitely do it again!
Karen
- Medical Assistant
- 35
- Female
- Tummy Tuck and Breast Reconstruction
After breast feeding my son for 8 months, I decided to wean him. My husband noticed a lump increasing in size in my right breast. After a core biopsy was performed, I was diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma In-situ (DCIS). At first, I decided to go with the least invasive treatment procedure, a lumpectomy. Unfortunately, the lumpectomy wasn’t enough and I didn’t come up with clear margins. I decided, at this point, to opt for a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using expanders.
My general surgeon referred me to an ASPS Member Surgeon who is one of the best plastic and reconstructive surgeons in the bay area. Thank goodness I was referred to him; he was definitely the best! I had reconstructive surgery and he also performed an abdominoplasty on me using some of my excess skin for skin grafting my nipples. The surgeries were a huge success, and I am more confident now than I ever was.
After going through so much at such a young age, I decided to change my life plan and left my career as an insurance agent. I went back to school to become a medical assistant and now work for my plastic surgeon! I counsel women going through similar situations and offer them first hand advice of what to expect. I feel fortunate to be able to give back some of what I have learned.
Rebecca
- Auditor
- 48
- Female
- Tummy Tuckand Liposuction
I researched several plastic surgeons, and had several consultations; before I found my ASPS Member Surgeon was the best choice. I am now in my fourth week post-op and I’ll tell you I am looking terrific! My surgeon has done such a wonderful job on me. I am still swollen and also still have the drainage tube in. The tube is a bit of a nuisance, but I am living with it. Today I will see the doctor and hopefully he will remove the drainage tube, if not today then early next week. I can’t wait to live with my new figure! Good luck to all of you that are considering this surgery.
Theresa
- Medical Clinic Supervisor
- 49
- Female
- Tummy Tuck and Liposuction
I live in a small community where we have 2 plastic surgeons to choose from. I consulted with both of them before making my decision. Both had very good reputations, but the ASPS Member Surgeon I chose spent much more time explaining the procedure to me and took the time to show me before and after photos of procedures done previously.
I had the surgery done for several reasons. I had two children which left me with a saggy area below my belly button; and I had a very ugly scar from when I had an appendectomy when I was nine. I'm not a large person but I had to where pants a size larger to fit comfortably around my middle.
I had liposuction just above my belly button and around my hip area. I also had a tummy tuck. I was in surgery at 7:30AM and back home by Noon. I'm currently 13 days post op and I feel great! I used pain medication for three days. The sutures were removed after eight days which made a big difference in how I felt. I'm already very satisfied with the results even though I still have some slight swelling. Every day I see or feel some improvement. I definitely recommend this surgery to anyone who is a candidate for it.
Laura
- Homemaker
- 38
- Female
- Tummy Tuck
I thought that the pain after surgery wasn't bad, not anywhere near as painful as any of my four c-sections. I was up pacing the floor of the hospital, and ready to go home pretty early. I was very careful not to lift any of my kids - which was the biggest challenge. The pain was definitely not as bad as my c-sections. The only thing that I didn't expect was that I had to leave the liposuction drainage tubes in for almost 2 weeks.
Paula
- Actress
- 49
- Female
- Tummy Tuck
My surgeon is well known throughout the USA. I had done my research and met him several months prior to surgery and decided to travel from the UK to the USA to have my tummy tuck and liposuction done by him. My ASPS Member Surgeon was very good at listening and is what I would describe as a very hands-on surgeon; in that he is interested in every step of your progress post surgery. Today it is one week post surgery and I have one drain in. I am walking bent over, which I hate but he assures me it’s better for the outcome of the scar that will be left. His entire team visited me regularly, and was committed to my care in the hospital. I feel fine and have had little or no pain, just discomfort and sore back muscles - due to the new walk.
I go see my doctor again this week to have another drain removed. I have no doubt I will be happy as he is so professionally reassuring and my confidence in him and my decision to have the reduction has not wavered.
Maryann
- Executive Administrator
- 50
- Female
- Tummy Tuck and Breast Lift
My ASPS Member Surgeon is absolutely wonderful. He has bedside manner and excellent surgical skills. I am 50 years old, had 5 pregnancies and have not had a flat stomach in many years. Now that my children are all grown up, I decided it was time. I was nervous at first, but I did not even need any pain meds the day I went home (1 day in hospital). Not only was it a pleasant surprise, it really did not hurt more than a little. I am 1 month out and my breasts are back in their place. I have to say the only downside to this was how long you have to keep the binder on and trying to sleep on your side.
Sharon
- Nurse
- 47
- Female
- Tummy Tuck and Lower Body Lift with Liposuction
I chose my surgeon by three criteria, friends who had seen his work, through his reputation in our community and his credentials. He was more expensive but worth every penny. I had the procedure because after the birth of my second child I had the pooch around my middle and a big butt that wouldn't go away no matter what I tried. I had an abdominoplasty and lower body lift and liposuction - side of breasts, hips, outer and inner thighs. My procedures cost roughly $16,000. In the hospital my pain was controlled by a pain pump and oral medication.
I must admit the first week after the procedure was awful. When I went home, I had problems getting comfortable in bed, even with mountains of pillows. I finally went to my parents house for a few days because my mother had a hospital bed I could use. I would strongly recommend to rent a hospital bed for a few days if you are having an extensive procedure, it sure helped me with my comfort level. I was stooped over which is a result of the surgey and that was expected. I had 3 drains down low that were cumbersome to manage. So getting in and out of bed was a chore, but after I was up I could walk with the help of a walker for the first day or so. By the third day I was walking very slowly on my own. I also was very tired from the lack of sleep.
I stayed in loose night gowns for the first days of recovery at home. I wore overalls when I had to go out because they were easy to get into, loose fitting and had the pockets I needed for my drains.
As each day went by I started feeling a little better. By the end of 2 weeks I got all my drains out and that was a big relief. My total recovery from surgery took 4 weeks. My surgeon had told me I could go back to work in 3 weeks, no way - I have a very strenous job.
My scars took a full year to fade. I really didn't know my final results for a year, which my surgeon had told me. I am very happy with my results even 4 years later.
I have gone from a size 16 to a size 12/14. I have a flat stomach. The one leg where I had my liposuction is a little dimplely, which can happen. It doesn't really bother me.
Even with the slow recovery I would do it again, it made such a big diffence in how I look in my clothes and how I feel about myself.
Michelle
- Stockroom Clerk
- 36
- Female
- Tummy Tuck
I found my surgeon by my good friend. Reason for my surgery - because I had a c-section and appendix scarring from when I was 7 years old. My experience was great, my recovery was great, and I had a very good doctor. When I first started this journey, I was 200 pounds wearing an 18/20 in clothes and 38DD in bras. Now I'm a 5/6 in cloths, I weigh 145lbs and my bra size is 36C. I've never been this small my whole life and I still work out on a regular basis at Curves from Jan. to Aug. I lost a total of 19 inches, 3% of body fat and 2lbs. So, I'm very pleased.
Shannon
- High School Teacher
- 37
- Female
- Tummy Tuck
I looked up surgeons on the Internet that were specifically board-certified plastic surgeons in my area. I visited a few with consultations to do a tummy tuck. The doctor that I choose spent a lot of time with me, talking about the procedure, analyzing my health, and answering questions that I had. He was also very open about his experience with this type of procedure. I was able to look at pictures of previous surgeries he performed. The other two doctors I visited were not like this doctor. They were very quick to get me out and take my money. I felt like a whirlwind in their office. I am very satisfied with my tummy tuck and I feel that I have chosen the right doctor for me. He has continually been great during my recovery and I would definitely do it again!
Jamie
- Homemaker
- 42
- Female
- Tummy Tuck
When I decided to have the tummy tuck I was at the point of total frustration! Pants and jeans just did not fit comfortably....always pinching my waistline and causing painful pressure. I had irritable bowel syndrome which only seemed to increase the pain of wearing pants. Now, while there is no medical proof that a tummy tuck will alleviate this problem I can say that for me it did. After the surgery I experienced no more problems!
I would highly recommend this procedure to any woman who has had children. I had 2 c-sections and 2 normal births which totally wrecked my flat stomach. I was a size 7 when I went in to have the surgery. After a year of working out, I was in a size 3 at the age of 38 and my stomach was as flat as a seventeen year old girl's! The recovery time and pain was well worth the results and I am so happy with my plastic surgeon. Every doctor who has asked to see the scar were amazed to see that there was NO scar! Am I satisfied? That is an understatement.....I am ECSTATIC! This procedure should be mandatory after childbirth!!
