6 weeks out from TT surgery (w/pics)!!

mjemerson

Ok so for those of you that wanted to follow my post surgery progress I have an update. Today marks 6 weeks out from surgery! woohoo! I have been taking pictures every 2 weeks so I can keep track photographically. When I compared 2 wks vs 6 wks I couldnt believe the difference so I am going to post here for all to see.

I have heard from a lot of you that have recently done or are planning on doing this surgery. I have to say I know surgery isn't the right choice for everyone but I can say definitively that it was absolutely the right choice for me!! I really started to see/feel the biggest difference once I hit about 4 1/2 weeks. My stamina was increasing, pain was almost zero, I was just able to do more all around. It doesn't feel quite so daunting now.

For those of you in the early stages of recovery, I can say without a doubt, IT DOES GET BETTER!!!!

For a quick background...I had lost 70 lbs from 235 to 165. As I lost the weight my stomach got worse and hung more. I was told the only way it would "go away" was through surgery. Due to some medical issues I was able to have my Tummy Tuck, umbilibal Hernia fixed and muscle repair on Oct 5th fully covered by insurance, I was one of the lucky ones!!!

Here is my before 70lbs lost and after: I havent taken any pics of me yet with clothes on post surgery so that one will have to wait but you can get the idea at least:


These are pics taken the night before TT surgery:


So without further ado here are my 2wk vs. 6 wk pics!

Front View (6wks out on the Left and 2wks out on the right)


Side View (6wk on Left and 2wks on right)


Leaning View (2wk on left and 6wk on right)

mjemerson

ok readjusted the size of pictures so you can actually see them, sorry!!

thedeegan4

Wow! That's awesome. I have really been thinking about it but just can't afford it.

A_New_Horizon

Looking good girl - congrats on the results, and they will continue to improve!!

ninkdole

Wow! You look absolutely amazing. I bet you're loving it Great job on the weight loss and on doing something that made you happy.

dimplzz

OMG!!! You look amazing and your scar looks great!!!!! Oh I hope that I look the same way in 5 weeks! lol

penny5

Wow, that is a major difference! I'm so glad that you have had good luck with the results. This might be a weird question but do all tummy tucks have such a big incision? I'm so happy for you MJ

jenniefromtherock

Lucky you!! How much did the skin weigh, if you don't mind my asking?

KriscoOil

I was about your age when I had my TT! You look amazing and it will continue to look better...and by the way...the scar does fade! It never goes away, but fades through the years. It has been 10 years since I had mine done and the great news is that your belly will not get fat again since the mucles inside are tightened! Great pictures! I was never brave enough to post mine!

dls06

You look great. Congratulations. :flowerforyou:

MunchkinHawk12

Awesome job...you look younger too!

dimplzz

Wow, that is a major difference! I'm so glad that you have had good luck with the results. This might be a weird question but do all tummy tucks have such a big incision? I'm so happy for you MJ

Yes, I think so.. I had mine a week ago and mine is that large as well.

MJ, I was also going to comment because going back and looking now, it looks like my scar is a lot darker than yours. Was yours already looking a lot better at the two week mark? I am hoping mine isn't infected. :-( I think that one of my drainage tube openings is. boo!

beebabe

Does your scar hurt? Is it sensitive? How about your new belly button? My SIL had surgery and has a similar scar. Sometimes if she sneezes hard, she feels like her scar is going to pop open. She is really itchy around it too. What are the disadvantages of this surgery. I really want it done.

mjemerson

OMG!!! You look amazing and your scar looks great!!!!! Oh I hope that I look the same way in 5 weeks! lol

I know it is hard now only a week out but like I said, IT GETS BETTER! you will be so happy!!

Aussie4870

wow...you look amazing!!!!

latinahada

You look fabulous!!

mjemerson

Wow, that is a major difference! I'm so glad that you have had good luck with the results. This might be a weird question but do all tummy tucks have such a big incision? I'm so happy for you MJ

As far as I know yes full TT have that large of an incision. I measured mine and it is 24 inches long. That is more then half my body, pretty crazy but i dont mind the scar.

Debbe2

Thanks for sharing the pictures! You look great!

summer827

Wow!! What a change!! Congratulations!!

dimplzz

OMG!!! You look amazing and your scar looks great!!!!! Oh I hope that I look the same way in 5 weeks! lol

I know it is hard now only a week out but like I said, IT GETS BETTER! you will be so happy!!

Thanks bunches! I want to answer a few of these questions that they are asking you but it is your post. lol I will just look at your responses as I am sure they would be the same as mine.

To everyone else that reads this. I had one done a week ago. If you look at my profile, I posted a before picture and a 6 day out picture.

mjemerson

Lucky you!! How much did the skin weigh, if you don't mind my asking?

He took 7lbs off my, I got to the see the pictures of what he took off. NASTY!! My doctor was very surprised actually he thought it would only be 3-4lbs.

kaits108

Thanks for sharing! What a huge difference already!

mjemerson

Wow, that is a major difference! I'm so glad that you have had good luck with the results. This might be a weird question but do all tummy tucks have such a big incision? I'm so happy for you MJ

Yes, I think so.. I had mine a week ago and mine is that large as well.

MJ, I was also going to comment because going back and looking now, it looks like my scar is a lot darker than yours. Was yours already looking a lot better at the two week mark? I am hoping mine isn't infected. :-( I think that one of my drainage tube openings is. boo!

The 2 week pics my scar is actually covered by steri-strips so it doesn't look like much! It is dark though but gets better. I am using aloe on it everyday until I can afford to get scare-fade which is a little expensive for me right now.

penny5

Wow, 7lbs is a lot of weight! How awesome! If I ever lose as much weight as you did (your starting weight is my current weight) I hope that I can find a way to get a TT. I'm sure that I wouldn't mind the scar either. I would just be happy knowing what it feels like to have a flat stomach!

penny5

How long do you have to be off work/activity?

robinogue

you look amazing!! I had a TT almost 4 years ago and let me tell you, your life will forever be changed! It's the best thing in the world not only health wise but for your self esteem! It just gets better and better....

mjemerson

Does your scar hurt? Is it sensitive? How about your new belly button? My SIL had surgery and has a similar scar. Sometimes if she sneezes hard, she feels like her scar is going to pop open. She is really itchy around it too. What are the disadvantages of this surgery. I really want it done.

No the scare doesn't hurt. I am mostly numb which I am used to because after my 2 c-sections I have been numb on my belly. it is a little sensitive on the ends but nothing real significant. I have been coughing and sneezing for about 3 weeks because of a cold so I understand what your SIL means but it does get better. Yes the itchiness is normal :-)
As with any surgery there are risks, getting the right surgeon is the most important. I had complications and had to stay in the hospital for 2 days instead of it just being a day surgery. I was the exception though. You have drains the first couple weeks but I didn't find them to be too bad. I wasn't able to take a shower for 3 weeks because of the drains. I havent found any disadvantages just a long healing process. You have to be really really careful and listen to everything your doc tells you.

yusineddy

Woooo Hoooo! Looking better everytime.... Im glad you are feeling much better, trust me you'll be saying the same as I did, best thing I ever did for myself... Congrats..

mjemerson

How long do you have to be off work/activity?

I am a stay at home mom and watch kids occasionally in my house. My mom and husband each took a week off work to stay with me. Then I slowly started back to my old habits. I really didn't feel like I could do a lot until about 4 weeks though. Official recovery is 8 weeks. I am not allowed to push/pull/lift more then 10 lbs for that 8 weeks. So in 2 weeks I am going back in to re-evaluate and hopeing that the doc will tell me I can start exercising slowly again.

mjemerson

you look amazing!! I had a TT almost 4 years ago and let me tell you, your life will forever be changed! It's the best thing in the world not only health wise but for your self esteem! It just gets better and better....

Thanks I love hearing things like that because I already feel so good!

cweiler4

Congrats!! It looks awesome!! Happy that it turned out well for you. It was the best decision I ever made.

The scar will lighten as the years pass. I have had mine for 4 years and you can barely see the scar now. Its just gets better and better from here!! :bigsmile: