Tummy surgery after 180 pound weight loss [warning - some graphic pics]
Replies
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chaseracer2386 wrote: »Week 2 Recovery Update:
Drains finally removed!!! I no longer have to wear the compression contraption, now I get to wear normal compression gear for the next 4-6 weeks. This includes Spanx, compression tights, and compression wraps (like the one's for the abdomen for post birth).
Most of my swelling is gone (yay, no more cankles!) from the rest of my body excluding abdomen. I can still feel my stomach being swollen and distended. Even more bruising is gone, and the bruising that my post surgery compression contraption was causing will be going away as well.
I'm feeling good and moving around pretty well. Went for a 30 minute walk on the treadmill yesterday (at a whopping 2.5mph!). I celebrated my last drain being removed by going out to dinner with my daughter. With the drain in I wasn't comfortable leaving the house too much.
Your belly button is probably the best I have seen in a tummy tuck surgery. I have been planning for years to get me a mommy package. I'm hoping when I finally drop some weight and am able to afford the surgery that I heal as good as you have been. Congrats on your weight loss.. And tummy tuck! 😁
Thanks. I've seen a lot of bad post-op bellybuttons. My doctor did a great job fixing mine, and the whole tummy-tuck.
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chaseracer2386 wrote: »Week 2 Recovery Update:
Drains finally removed!!! I no longer have to wear the compression contraption, now I get to wear normal compression gear for the next 4-6 weeks. This includes Spanx, compression tights, and compression wraps (like the one's for the abdomen for post birth).
Most of my swelling is gone (yay, no more cankles!) from the rest of my body excluding abdomen. I can still feel my stomach being swollen and distended. Even more bruising is gone, and the bruising that my post surgery compression contraption was causing will be going away as well.
I'm feeling good and moving around pretty well. Went for a 30 minute walk on the treadmill yesterday (at a whopping 2.5mph!). I celebrated my last drain being removed by going out to dinner with my daughter. With the drain in I wasn't comfortable leaving the house too much.
Your belly button is probably the best I have seen in a tummy tuck surgery. I have been planning for years to get me a mommy package. I'm hoping when I finally drop some weight and am able to afford the surgery that I heal as good as you have been. Congrats on your weight loss.. And tummy tuck! 😁
Thanks. I've seen a lot of bad post-op bellybuttons. My doctor did a great job fixing mine, and the whole tummy-tuck.
What Dr did you use.. And where at.. I'm willing to travel for a good Dr.. To do my mommy package1 -
chaseracer2386 wrote: »chaseracer2386 wrote: »Week 2 Recovery Update:
Drains finally removed!!! I no longer have to wear the compression contraption, now I get to wear normal compression gear for the next 4-6 weeks. This includes Spanx, compression tights, and compression wraps (like the one's for the abdomen for post birth).
Most of my swelling is gone (yay, no more cankles!) from the rest of my body excluding abdomen. I can still feel my stomach being swollen and distended. Even more bruising is gone, and the bruising that my post surgery compression contraption was causing will be going away as well.
I'm feeling good and moving around pretty well. Went for a 30 minute walk on the treadmill yesterday (at a whopping 2.5mph!). I celebrated my last drain being removed by going out to dinner with my daughter. With the drain in I wasn't comfortable leaving the house too much.
Your belly button is probably the best I have seen in a tummy tuck surgery. I have been planning for years to get me a mommy package. I'm hoping when I finally drop some weight and am able to afford the surgery that I heal as good as you have been. Congrats on your weight loss.. And tummy tuck! 😁
Thanks. I've seen a lot of bad post-op bellybuttons. My doctor did a great job fixing mine, and the whole tummy-tuck.
What Dr did you use.. And where at.. I'm willing to travel for a good Dr.. To do my mommy package
Dr. Mark Jabor, El Paso Tx. Here's the video of my surgery if you're interested. He's really good, and very thorough. The whole staff is really nice as well.
https://youtu.be/C2RZD5pXPLg 0 -
Wow amazing i hope to get to goal ( eventally)and will have lost 210 lbs so am going to need surgery ( only 50 lbs down so far) this is inspiring. It keeps me going xxx3
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Wow amazing i hope to get to goal ( eventally)and will have lost 210 lbs so am going to need surgery ( only 50 lbs down so far) this is inspiring. It keeps me going xxx
@jules81
You'll get there! Now plastic surgery isn't cheap. I saved up for mine while losing weight. Part of it was I would save 1/2 the money I saved from groceries (eat less food = buy less groceries) in an account. Then, instead of buying rewards for myself, I would bank $20 for every goal I hit. After that I notified friends and family, that I was saving up for a much needed tummy-tuck and ask for donations instead of gifts for Christmas. Slowly I saved up the money (and then some). My surgery with lipo came to just over $12,000.
I also recommend waiting about 1 year after you lose the weight to have surgery. First: some skin may shrink back. My face and arms do not look like I lost 185lbs, very little loose skin. Belly - nope, belly-flap that needed removing. Second, waiting a year insures that you know you can keep the weight off long term. I've seen too many people lose weight, then gain it all back as soon as they stop dieting.9 -
collectingblues wrote: »collectingblues wrote: »I wish I could afford that! I've lost 185 and am 19 pounds from goal. Looking good!
I decided to save up bit by bit for my surgery. As I run more than anything else, I dropped my gym membership and cut a few luxuries out of my habit. I (slowly) saved up at the rate of about $50-100 a month. I also rewarded myself for each goal with a $20 into my savings. Just like weight loss taking time, but the end results can be massive, saving a little here and there ends up with the same results. Also, make it known that you want to save up for it, and instead of standard birthday or Xmas presents, request help to pay for it.
Do you mind sharing how much it cost? I want to have it done with some lipo -- I have some lower abdominal scar tissue that will require abdominoplasty to fix, and because it's cosmetic, my insurance won't cover it -- and have a guesstimate, but am trying to come up with a better ballpark as to what I need to save.
The total cost was just over $12,000. If you get a quote for substantially less, ask the cost covers the anesthesia, surgical center fees, and post-op consultantations and revisions. If it doesn't, ask how much those fees are. Any reputable and experienced will know. Also ask (demand really) to see thier credentials as a PLASTIC surgeon! A plastic surgeon is trained in plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. A cosmetic surgeon, might be a dentist with limited training on cosmetic procedures (RUN AWAY!!!!).
Remember, this is your body, don't ever go cheap (watch Botched) as bad results can often lead to higher costs in order to fix them.
Thank you! That's in the range of what I was thinking it would be. I figured it would be at least $10K.
@collectingblues
If possible, and needed/planned: do multiple things at once. I am having my boobs and thighs done together. The reason is that there are 3 main costs: the surgeon (your plastic surgeon), the anesthesiologist, and the surgical center/hospital (surgical centers are generally tied to and part of a major hospital). If you can do 2 things at once, you only pay for the anesthesiologist and surgical center once! That's several thousand dollars right there. I did my abdominalplasty and lipo of the flanks and part of my back at once (yes liposuction is considered surgery, and has the costs of surgery), so I saved on that as a whole. It is also recommended to get lipo with a tummy-tuck for optimal results (sometimes we lose fat on one side faster than the other - it evens everything out, or other legitimate reasons, talk to your doctor or several)5 -
Baseball2268 wrote: »I have nothing to add except, you are all badass in my book! Cudos.
@Baseball2268
Thank you. This thread could also be called "Battle scars from People that lost a S-Ton of weight, kept it off, then had the excess skin removed". If you have any questions at all, diet, struggles, whatever, feel free to ask. I'll answer any question.6 -
Following because I'm gunna need this done as well as I lost 253lbs just about. You look great BTW.10
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First of all.... wow! You look amazing! This post is so encouraging. I've lost 98 pounds to date and I'm just a few pounds away from my target. I am planning for this as well as a breast reduction and lift. As you advised, I'm waiting a year from the time I reach my target weight so that I can really get good at the new habits of maintaining a healthy dietary lifestyle. I have to re-learn how to eat and as we all know, that's a process. Thank you for posting. It helps to have some idea of what to look for in a good surgeon.3
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I had a mini done in 2015 sorry no before pics mine was due to twins and my tummy looked much like OPs... the scars fade and I'm so happy I did it. Congrats to those of you who have lost so much weight! I still have some to shed but I have MAD respect for you!2
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First of all.... wow! You look amazing! This post is so encouraging. I've lost 98 pounds to date and I'm just a few pounds away from my target. I am planning for this as well as a breast reduction and lift. As you advised, I'm waiting a year from the time I reach my target weight so that I can really get good at the new habits of maintaining a healthy dietary lifestyle. I have to re-learn how to eat and as we all know, that's a process. Thank you for posting. It helps to have some idea of what to look for in a good surgeon.
@Thebajan
The method I used to relearn how to eat:
1. Set your calorie goal to maintenance
2. Eat what you consider your normal foods, adjusting portions to be at maintenance.
Do this for about a month, then: track on paper. I kept a little notebook and wrote down what I was eating. Log everything at the end of the day to see where you fall. If you're consistent at maintenance yay! If not, go back to logging as you eat for a bit, then try again when you feel that your normal eating habits are comfortably at maintenance. Repeat until your normal is maintenance.
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Weird update:
Oh wow!!!! Now that I no longer have to wear my compression contraption that my doctor put on me 24/7 (except for bathing), and can wear other compression garments (Spanx, compression tights), I am sleeping better. The post-op compression garment IS NOT COMFORTABLE!!!! My compression tights are so much nicer. I do still have to wear some form of compression garment for the next 4-6 weeks, but at least I can rotate them depending on what I'm doing. Spanx for wearing my regular clothes and my running tights for everyday, sleeping, and just lounging around the house.16 -
I don't think I posted this here, if I did, oops, if not - well here's the video my doctor posted of my surgery.https://youtu.be/C2RZD5pXPLg
I'm delighted to be able to see clearly just what they do. Thank you, and I hope you gave an uneventful recovery.1 -
Weird update:
Oh wow!!!! Now that I no longer have to wear my compression contraption that my doctor put on me 24/7 (except for bathing), and can wear other compression garments (Spanx, compression tights), I am sleeping better. The post-op compression garment IS NOT COMFORTABLE!!!! My compression tights are so much nicer. I do still have to wear some form of compression garment for the next 4-6 weeks, but at least I can rotate them depending on what I'm doing. Spanx for wearing my regular clothes and my running tights for everyday, sleeping, and just lounging around the house.
That's great to hear! How do you get the Spanx on and off without hurting yourself? It seems like struggling to pull them up would be painful.
Also, how much numbness do you have at the moment?1 -
rheddmobile wrote: »Weird update:
Oh wow!!!! Now that I no longer have to wear my compression contraption that my doctor put on me 24/7 (except for bathing), and can wear other compression garments (Spanx, compression tights), I am sleeping better. The post-op compression garment IS NOT COMFORTABLE!!!! My compression tights are so much nicer. I do still have to wear some form of compression garment for the next 4-6 weeks, but at least I can rotate them depending on what I'm doing. Spanx for wearing my regular clothes and my running tights for everyday, sleeping, and just lounging around the house.
That's great to hear! How do you get the Spanx on and off without hurting yourself? It seems like struggling to pull them up would be painful.
Also, how much numbness do you have at the moment?
@rheddmobile
Interestingly enough, the abdominalplasty area isn't in pain, slightly sore, but not in pain so getting Spanx on doesn't hurt. The lipo areas are still a lot more sore. To put on Spanx.... carefully. It might not hurt, but I am mindful of the suture area so I take care with it. It's a slow process, but basically I roll the upper (stomach area) part of the Spanx down (like and unrolled condom) and get my legs into the shorts area. I fully pull up the Spanx to my groin region, then unroll the upper portion up my abdomen. Once they are mostly on i adjust as needed for comfort. It is still quicker than getting my first compression garment on.
Very little numbness, a small area near the center of my scar (center from left to right) has some numbness on the skin.4 -
chaseracer2386 wrote: »chaseracer2386 wrote: »Week 2 Recovery Update:
Drains finally removed!!! I no longer have to wear the compression contraption, now I get to wear normal compression gear for the next 4-6 weeks. This includes Spanx, compression tights, and compression wraps (like the one's for the abdomen for post birth).
Most of my swelling is gone (yay, no more cankles!) from the rest of my body excluding abdomen. I can still feel my stomach being swollen and distended. Even more bruising is gone, and the bruising that my post surgery compression contraption was causing will be going away as well.
I'm feeling good and moving around pretty well. Went for a 30 minute walk on the treadmill yesterday (at a whopping 2.5mph!). I celebrated my last drain being removed by going out to dinner with my daughter. With the drain in I wasn't comfortable leaving the house too much.
Your belly button is probably the best I have seen in a tummy tuck surgery. I have been planning for years to get me a mommy package. I'm hoping when I finally drop some weight and am able to afford the surgery that I heal as good as you have been. Congrats on your weight loss.. And tummy tuck! 😁
Thanks. I've seen a lot of bad post-op bellybuttons. My doctor did a great job fixing mine, and the whole tummy-tuck.
What Dr did you use.. And where at.. I'm willing to travel for a good Dr.. To do my mommy package
Dr. Mark Jabor, El Paso Tx. Here's the video of my surgery if you're interested. He's really good, and very thorough. The whole staff is really nice as well.https://youtu.be/C2RZD5pXPLg
This is very intense. I’ve watched other tummy tucks but it’d be a whole new ballpark watching yourself yanno.1 -
Wow amazing i hope to get to goal ( eventally)and will have lost 210 lbs so am going to need surgery ( only 50 lbs down so far) this is inspiring. It keeps me going xxx
@jules81
You'll get there! Now plastic surgery isn't cheap. I saved up for mine while losing weight. Part of it was I would save 1/2 the money I saved from groceries (eat less food = buy less groceries) in an account. Then, instead of buying rewards for myself, I would bank $20 for every goal I hit. After that I notified friends and family, that I was saving up for a much needed tummy-tuck and ask for donations instead of gifts for Christmas. Slowly I saved up the money (and then some). My surgery with lipo came to just over $12,000.
I also recommend waiting about 1 year after you lose the weight to have surgery. First: some skin may shrink back. My face and arms do not look like I lost 185lbs, very little loose skin. Belly - nope, belly-flap that needed removing. Second, waiting a year insures that you know you can keep the weight off long term. I've seen too many people lose weight, then gain it all back as soon as they stop dieting.
Mine was $10,000!0 -
What is the name of your surgery around CT panniculectomy I'm looking at 15-20krickiimarieee wrote: »Wow amazing i hope to get to goal ( eventally)and will have lost 210 lbs so am going to need surgery ( only 50 lbs down so far) this is inspiring. It keeps me going xxx
@jules81
You'll get there! Now plastic surgery isn't cheap. I saved up for mine while losing weight. Part of it was I would save 1/2 the money I saved from groceries (eat less food = buy less groceries) in an account. Then, instead of buying rewards for myself, I would bank $20 for every goal I hit. After that I notified friends and family, that I was saving up for a much needed tummy-tuck and ask for donations instead of gifts for Christmas. Slowly I saved up the money (and then some). My surgery with lipo came to just over $12,000.
I also recommend waiting about 1 year after you lose the weight to have surgery. First: some skin may shrink back. My face and arms do not look like I lost 185lbs, very little loose skin. Belly - nope, belly-flap that needed removing. Second, waiting a year insures that you know you can keep the weight off long term. I've seen too many people lose weight, then gain it all back as soon as they stop dieting.
Mine was $10,000!
1 -
What is the name of your surgery around CT panniculectomy I'm looking at 15-20krickiimarieee wrote: »Wow amazing i hope to get to goal ( eventally)and will have lost 210 lbs so am going to need surgery ( only 50 lbs down so far) this is inspiring. It keeps me going xxx
@jules81
You'll get there! Now plastic surgery isn't cheap. I saved up for mine while losing weight. Part of it was I would save 1/2 the money I saved from groceries (eat less food = buy less groceries) in an account. Then, instead of buying rewards for myself, I would bank $20 for every goal I hit. After that I notified friends and family, that I was saving up for a much needed tummy-tuck and ask for donations instead of gifts for Christmas. Slowly I saved up the money (and then some). My surgery with lipo came to just over $12,000.
I also recommend waiting about 1 year after you lose the weight to have surgery. First: some skin may shrink back. My face and arms do not look like I lost 185lbs, very little loose skin. Belly - nope, belly-flap that needed removing. Second, waiting a year insures that you know you can keep the weight off long term. I've seen too many people lose weight, then gain it all back as soon as they stop dieting.
Mine was $10,000!
@vnb_208
I live in MA. my surgeon is in providence RI. What part of Connecticut are you in? Far from providence? My fleur de lis tummy tuck with an arm lift was $12,600. My thigh lift ended up being around $7000 and he is amazing. You can see my tummy pics earlier in the thread. Funny to see you in a thread other than new products... lol2 -
trucker743 wrote: »I don't think I posted this here, if I did, oops, if not - well here's the video my doctor posted of my surgery.https://youtu.be/C2RZD5pXPLg
I'm delighted to be able to see clearly just what they do. Thank you, and I hope you gave an uneventful recovery.
@trucker743
Thank you. The day one check-up, a second drain had to be put in. Other than that minor (but not uncommon or disappointing) event, recovery has been going very well.
And, you're welcome. I do like that my doctor is very thorough with explaining everything. Especially as he does take the time to answer all my weird questions and concerns, including one that he had the most confused look when I asked. I know that swelling is normal post-surgery (I'm still swollen in a lot of places), but I was concerned that I noticed two very firm lumps on my sides. He looked confused when I showed him where.... Turns out I found something that I hadn't had in more than 20 years - hips, I have a pelvis that I can feel the side bone structure. I felt rather silly, but very happy at the same time.15 -
First of all.... wow! You look amazing! This post is so encouraging. I've lost 98 pounds to date and I'm just a few pounds away from my target. I am planning for this as well as a breast reduction and lift. As you advised, I'm waiting a year from the time I reach my target weight so that I can really get good at the new habits of maintaining a healthy dietary lifestyle. I have to re-learn how to eat and as we all know, that's a process. Thank you for posting. It helps to have some idea of what to look for in a good surgeon.
@Thebajan
Questions to ask:
The absolute most important question is to ask of they are a licensed, certified, and trained PLASTIC SURGEON. There's one of two ways this goes, if the answer is yes - yay. If it's anything other than yes (such as dodging the question), RUN!!!! A cosmetic surgeon is not a plastic surgeon.
The second question to ask is what is their area(s) of expertise, and what surgeries would they refer to another surgeon. No one is an expert at everything. My doctor is amazing at skin/body augmentin, but not facial augmentin (the other doctor in the same office is). When a surgeon is very good, reputation can be everything. So bad outcomes can and often do, ruin thier practice. They would rather lose a patient to someone else, than lose thier practice (and possibly license and credentials).
After those two questions, the rest should be your own questions and concerns about the surgery.4 -
Week 3 Recovery Update
1. Got the go ahead to start working out again, but to not push myself and to limit abdominal exercises to "very light". So yay!!!! Finally had my (very slow) morning run!
2. Still swollen a bit, but can feel it going down. My doctor also noted that I am healing great.
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Looks really good. I'm excited to see once the swelling is gone.2
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Looking great! Check out that bellybutton
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I was just having this weird thought to myself wouldn't it be funny/weird if they didn't put a tummy button back that would be great to freak people out.9
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nutmegoreo wrote: »Looks really good. I'm excited to see once the swelling is gone.
So am I. On average, the swelling can last for a good 2-3 months. I don't mind as it's just part of the whole healing process, and an easy trade for the belly flap that used to hang off of me like a sad sack of soggy kittens.8
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