Tummy Tucks... was it worth it?

Bump

curious also.

haven't had one myself but my friend has. it made a huge difference to her confidence. IMO she has a very noticeable scar, but for her this is a huge improvement on the 'apron' she had previously.

I havent had one but I have went in for the consultation. I was actually going to do it but the doctors availability never matched my work schedule availability. Honestly 2 of my closest friends have had them and they look amazing. I can tell you my friend told me that it sucked as far as recovery time and that she had to wear her drainage bag a little longer than the norm. After 2 weeks she was back at work but she said it took more than that before she could fully function. They gave her vicodin I believe and the garments wear somewhat uncomfortable. I went to the same doc for my consultation that did hers. Do your research and consult with a few docs to see who youd be more comfortable with. She had her husbands help because they had small kids. She has a flat stomach now and aside from a noticeable scar she says it was worth it. The doc told me however that just being black the scar would be more noticeable so I wouldnt count that as a negative. I wish you good luck and hope that if thats what you want it will work out for you.

Go to realself.com There are reviews/photos on various procedures. Very informative.

I had one three weeks ago and It was so worth it for me. I had 4 kids and didn't need to lose weight but my stomach was a mess..loose skin and stretch marks..now my stomach looks perfect and I'm still swollen. It's not for weight loss though, I only lost like 2 pounds. As far as pain..I just set my phone alarm for every 4 hours and took my meds on time..only needed them for 3 days. It feels like you did way to many sit ups. The incision never hurt,just the fixing of my torn muscles. the drains sucked though..had them for 2 weeks...one was hitting a nerve so it hurt when I drained it. did not hurt when they were pulled them out... just felt weird for a second. I was so scared to get it done but so glad I just went ahead and did it!

I have just started reading your post and the replies and don't understand why you were/are so defensive at some helpful replies? I did not read anyone lecturing your or belittling your amazing intelligence or education. Why so negative to perfect strangers?

http://funeralformyfat.tumblr.com/tagged/tummytuck


This is a really informative/interesting account from a person only a few weeks post-op, with lots of photos.

Go to realself.com There are reviews/photos on various procedures. Very informative.

This is an IMMENSELY helpful site. Thank you!!

I have just started reading your post and the replies and don't understand why you were/are so defensive at some helpful replies? I did not read anyone lecturing your or belittling your amazing intelligence or education. Why so negative to perfect strangers?

nobody's perfect. just sayin'.

I had elective surgery - breast reduction - and it was the best thing I ever did. My breasts were huge, I had a lot of back and neck pain. It was so hard to work out and my neck would spasm afterwards.

So yes, I knew there were potential risks to getting the surgery but my life was forever changed for the better afterward. Everyone needs to make their own decisions.

BTW, my insurance company agreed with me and paid 80% of the costs.

I can certainly understand the defensiveness to some of the posts. Women in society today are given so many mixed messages. On the one hand we are expected to look like the fashion models and porn stars to get and keep our husbands, yet when we do what is necessary sometimes to look like that, we are criticized for being vain and not loving ourselves the way we are. Damned if we do, damned if we don't. Especially when it comes to elective surgery. When I was 30, after being very large busted my whole life and nursing 2 babies, my breasts looked like my 60 yr old mother's. I was going thru a very difficult end of my marriage as well, and my then husband was especially fond of the extra large breasted porn stars. After much research and consideration, I decided to have mine fixed. Perhaps it would help my marriage, but if that was doomed to failure, at least I wouldn't be entering the dating field feeling so insecure about my body. At only 30, I would never have felt comfortable being with another man looking like I did. I caught flack from some people about my decision, but most were supportive. My marriage ultimately ended anyway, for many other reasons, but I had one less reason to be afraid to be a single woman again. I made the decision that was best for me at the time, and I don't regret it.

I have money set aside for any possible procedures that I may need once I lose the rest of the 80 pounds I have gained over the past 20 yrs. I definitely am having a breast reduction, as the third baby I had at 36, (REALLY was sure I was finished after the first 2), and the extra weight and age has taken their toll. And I may need a tummy tuck or arm lift. At almost 50, my skin has lost a lot of its elasticity over the years, and am afraid of looking worse after weight loss than before. So far the tummy doesn't look so bad. I'm not expected the flat stomach I had in my 20s, and if it continues to tighten up, then I may can get away without having anything done, but if the last 30 pounds coming up leave me with a lot of loose skin that leaves me horrified to look at myself in the mirror, then I will certainly consider having something done. I will wait probably for a year afterwards to allow my body to shrink as much as it can on its own, then assess the damage then. Not looking for perfection, and my now husband is supportive of any decision I make, and loves me no matter what I look like, so this decision would strictly be for my own desires.

So, to the OP, do your research, which includes asking others about their experience with it, as you are doing in this thread. Give it time to see what your body can do on its own, then if you decide to go ahead with it, just prepare well for recover time, and make sure you have realistic expectations of the outcome of the surgery. You sound like a well educated and intelligent person, so you will make the decision that is right for you.
Yes, there are possibly complications with any surgery. One complication of a back surgery I had, which was completely necessary to save the use of my legs, left me partially in a wheelchair for several years and with a life long spinal condition. So even 'necessary' surgeries have their risks. You just continue to do your homework and weigh the risks against the benefits, and try not to let negative comments offend you, but instead motivate you to make sure you are making the decision that is right for you. Best wishes to you.

BTW, be 100% sure that you are finished having babies before you have it done. I was positive that I was finished and even had my tubes tied, then years later I remarried and we decided to have my tubes repaired to have our son. So if there is any possible chance that you will want more children, then you may want to hold off for a while.

I had fraternal twins. My muscles were jacked up and when I started working out my insides would poke through and it was painful. I wanted a tummy tuck because I am vain and I wanted to have the sagging skin gone. It was the BEST thing I have ever done for myself. I have a huge scar but I don't see it and my husband LOVED the results. I am numb right around my belly button and it feels weird when touched but a small price to pay to look and feel good. It also didn't take away all of the stretch marks. I still have them on my hips. Having twins is no joke...I rocka bikini with no problem and my body is not perfect but it's mine.

bump and thank you all who have shared their experiences.