Scared about a tummy tuck - advice

[Anonymous]

I am a decade out from my C-sections and have the traditional C-section shelf that can only be removed with a full tummy tuck. I'm relatively thin, so this is something that has bothered me for years but it's not like anyone else will notice if I have it surgically removed. After a lot of online research and meeting with multiple surgeons, I am supposed to have surgery next month. And now I'm freaking myself about if this is worth it and what recovery is really like. Anyone who has BTDT, would you help a girl out by replying to the following?

How long until:
1) you stopped hurting enough to stop pain meds?
2) you stopped hurting period?
3) you could sleep without pillows or a recliner?
4) you could walk upright?
5) you could walk around work or doing errands without limitations/anyone noticing?
6) your scar was healed enough that you could wear a swimsuit, etc.?

Thanks. I'm worried that if I am so unsure, that means I shouldn't do it. But maybe everyone feels that way - it's a big surgery for something elective.

[Anonymous]

This does not sound fun. I've had 3 c/s and am very thin (100lbs) and have a tiny shelf, but I would NEVER go through that pain again to get rid of it. Magical thinking.

[Anonymous]

Just cancel now. Love yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a decade out from my C-sections and have the traditional C-section shelf that can only be removed with a full tummy tuck. I'm relatively thin, so this is something that has bothered me for years but it's not like anyone else will notice if I have it surgically removed. After a lot of online research and meeting with multiple surgeons, I am supposed to have surgery next month. And now I'm freaking myself about if this is worth it and what recovery is really like. Anyone who has BTDT, would you help a girl out by replying to the following?

How long until:
1) you stopped hurting enough to stop pain meds?
2) you stopped hurting period?
3) you could sleep without pillows or a recliner?
4) you could walk upright?
5) you could walk around work or doing errands without limitations/anyone noticing?
6) your scar was healed enough that you could wear a swimsuit, etc.?

Thanks. I'm worried that if I am so unsure, that means I shouldn't do it. But maybe everyone feels that way - it's a big surgery for something elective.

I just had a FDL Tummy tuck with muscle repair to remedy 150lbs weight loss (12/27).

Stopped serious pain medication 3 days after surgery. Still taking gabapentin at night before bed just to help with sleep.

Have not stopped hurting completely. The binder is very awkward and sometimes bunches against the edge of the scars and that causes discomfort, but not pain. The drains are extremely awkward to sleep against.

Definitely did not need a recliner to sleep. Still using a couple of pillows, but didn’t purchase any new or special pillows. I do sleep in a “leisure” like chair, but it’s not a recliner.

I could walk upright immediately, but if I sit or lay too long, I hunch over upon immediately standing.

I went to Costco with my daughter 4 days after surgery. I had on a very thick sweatshirt and sweat pants. Wanted the padding for the three (3) drains. Not sure if anyone noticed. But I didn’t care if they did.

I work from home, so don’t have to worry about that. I drove my large SUV on my own yesterday and went to Costco and the mall for the Zara sale.

I am African American, so I think it’s going to be a while before my scar isn’t noticeable. The fdl scar is a long vertical scar and the bikini line scar is very low. But no matter, I’m rocking a bikini this summer. Scar or not. I haven’t worn a bikini since I was 3 years old, so this summer, everyone is getting all the smoke with this fire flat tummy. You should join the plastic surgery face book groups. Lots of good information and PICTURES!


I’m so happy I had the surgery. Hopefully in April I will bet a breast lift/breast augmentation and brachioplasty.


Who’s you doctor?

[Anonymous]

Full tummy tuck recovery is tough, OP. If you can, have your surgeon just remove the excess tissue and fat - not go into the abdominal wall. Mine was willing to do that but Covid intervened and I gave up. I wouldn't do a full tummy tuck. There's a lot of info out there on the internet. Most surgeons want to do the full because it's more money to them. do you research first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just cancel now. Love yourself.

+100

[Anonymous]

Don’t do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Full tummy tuck recovery is tough, OP. If you can, have your surgeon just remove the excess tissue and fat - not go into the abdominal wall. Mine was willing to do that but Covid intervened and I gave up. I wouldn't do a full tummy tuck. There's a lot of info out there on the internet. Most surgeons want to do the full because it's more money to them. do you research first.

OP here. May I ask the surgeon who agreed to do this? I thought that was all I needed too (mini tummy tuck) but ll 3 of the docs I saw recommended the whole shebang. I’d love to talk to someone who has recommended less. I know everyone’s body is different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a decade out from my C-sections and have the traditional C-section shelf that can only be removed with a full tummy tuck. I'm relatively thin, so this is something that has bothered me for years but it's not like anyone else will notice if I have it surgically removed. After a lot of online research and meeting with multiple surgeons, I am supposed to have surgery next month. And now I'm freaking myself about if this is worth it and what recovery is really like. Anyone who has BTDT, would you help a girl out by replying to the following?

How long until:
1) you stopped hurting enough to stop pain meds?
2) you stopped hurting period?
3) you could sleep without pillows or a recliner?
4) you could walk upright?
5) you could walk around work or doing errands without limitations/anyone noticing?
6) your scar was healed enough that you could wear a swimsuit, etc.?

Thanks. I'm worried that if I am so unsure, that means I shouldn't do it. But maybe everyone feels that way - it's a big surgery for something elective.

I had TT with a breast lift 31 days ago.

1) I have a high pain threshold and got exparel but this hurt terribly. That said, for me it passed pretty quickly. Surgery was on Friday, I took my last percocet the following Monday morning switching to Tylenol and then by Tuesday I stopped taking those.

2) see 1. Things were sore for a bit but pain stopped pretty quickly for me except for coughing/sneezing

3). It was a week before I could sleep without the pillows and such but it wasn't good sleep because I still had a drain on my right side and I am a rightside sleeper.

4) I could walk upright by about week two but it was tight. I walk fine now.

5. I didn't go anywhere beyond walking my small dog around the block a bit until the end of week two. I went to dinner at a friend's for Christmas and other than tiring easily it was fine. I also still had my drain in then.

6) not there yet

I was uncertain before doing and regretful immediately after but now weeks out seeing the results poking through am feeling better and better about it each day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a decade out from my C-sections and have the traditional C-section shelf that can only be removed with a full tummy tuck. I'm relatively thin, so this is something that has bothered me for years but it's not like anyone else will notice if I have it surgically removed. After a lot of online research and meeting with multiple surgeons, I am supposed to have surgery next month. And now I'm freaking myself about if this is worth it and what recovery is really like. Anyone who has BTDT, would you help a girl out by replying to the following?

How long until:
1) you stopped hurting enough to stop pain meds?
2) you stopped hurting period?
3) you could sleep without pillows or a recliner?
4) you could walk upright?
5) you could walk around work or doing errands without limitations/anyone noticing?
6) your scar was healed enough that you could wear a swimsuit, etc.?

Thanks. I'm worried that if I am so unsure, that means I shouldn't do it. But maybe everyone feels that way - it's a big surgery for something elective.

I had TT with a breast lift 31 days ago.

1) I have a high pain threshold and got exparel but this hurt terribly. That said, for me it passed pretty quickly. Surgery was on Friday, I took my last percocet the following Monday morning switching to Tylenol and then by Tuesday I stopped taking those.

2) see 1. Things were sore for a bit but pain stopped pretty quickly for me except for coughing/sneezing

3). It was a week before I could sleep without the pillows and such but it wasn't good sleep because I still had a drain on my right side and I am a rightside sleeper.

4) I could walk upright by about week two but it was tight. I walk fine now.

5. I didn't go anywhere beyond walking my small dog around the block a bit until the end of week two. I went to dinner at a friend's for Christmas and other than tiring easily it was fine. I also still had my drain in then.

6) not there yet

I was uncertain before doing and regretful immediately after but now weeks out seeing the results poking through am feeling better and better about it each day.

PS I also am Black like pp and also lost a lot of weight hence the hanging skin I wanted removed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Full tummy tuck recovery is tough, OP. If you can, have your surgeon just remove the excess tissue and fat - not go into the abdominal wall. Mine was willing to do that but Covid intervened and I gave up. I wouldn't do a full tummy tuck. There's a lot of info out there on the internet. Most surgeons want to do the full because it's more money to them. do you research first.

OP here. May I ask the surgeon who agreed to do this? I thought that was all I needed too (mini tummy tuck) but ll 3 of the docs I saw recommended the whole shebang. I’d love to talk to someone who has recommended less. I know everyone’s body is different.

I also just had a scar revision, which eliminated the C section shelf but is MUCH easier to recover from. One hour, local anesthesia, felt better after a couple days. I did take it easy for 6 weeks so that it could heal properly but I felt fine.

I had to push the surgeon to do it (he wanted to do a tummy tuck and said I would still have a shelf.) I just know the scar revision would fix th problem, so I held my ground. I'm thin and healthy so I know it was just a scar thing. He even made me sign something saying I was refusing his recommended tummy tuck. But he did what I wanted and even he said that it looks great.

Navin Singh.

[Anonymous]

I've had a lot of plastic surgery and don't regret it. I had gastric bypass and had to get a breast lift and my arms reduced. I'ts normal to feel scared but you will do fine. The first day out you will think what have I done but each day it's gets better. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Full tummy tuck recovery is tough, OP. If you can, have your surgeon just remove the excess tissue and fat - not go into the abdominal wall. Mine was willing to do that but Covid intervened and I gave up. I wouldn't do a full tummy tuck. There's a lot of info out there on the internet. Most surgeons want to do the full because it's more money to them. do you research first.

OP here. May I ask the surgeon who agreed to do this? I thought that was all I needed too (mini tummy tuck) but ll 3 of the docs I saw recommended the whole shebang. I’d love to talk to someone who has recommended less. I know everyone’s body is different.

I also just had a scar revision, which eliminated the C section shelf but is MUCH easier to recover from. One hour, local anesthesia, felt better after a couple days. I did take it easy for 6 weeks so that it could heal properly but I felt fine.

I had to push the surgeon to do it (he wanted to do a tummy tuck and said I would still have a shelf.) I just know the scar revision would fix th problem, so I held my ground. I'm thin and healthy so I know it was just a scar thing. He even made me sign something saying I was refusing his recommended tummy tuck. But he did what I wanted and even he said that it looks great.

Navin Singh.

(However, if 3 different surgeons recommended a tummy tuck, you may have some going on at the muscle level that needs to be fixed. So I would take the rec seriously. You will probably be so happy with how your abdominal muscles work post surgery).

[Anonymous]

Do it, OP. Short term pain, long term gain.

[Anonymous]

I had a DIEP flap breast reconstruction, which is similar to a tummy tuck and now I don't have much sensation in my abdomen. I would consider whether this matters to you. You may look better but not feel the same as you do now.