Tummy Tuck with Muscle repair at 58. Yes or No?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Worst recovery ever means what? How long with no cardio? (I am a runner) And how long before you can do simple things like go pick the kids up at school? I'm not OP but considering the same surgery as I have terrible diastis recti and can't do any core work as a result. Also looking more and more bloated as I age due to the separation of the muscles I guess. I think repairing this sooner or later will help with aging because it's terrible on the core. I don't have any loose skin just bad diastis/separation it seems.

I had a mini TT---my issue was more muscle damage than loose skin, so I wasn't really a candidate for a full TT. I was out of commission for the first week until the drainage tubes were removed, and then I was back at work (desk job) after twelve days. I was swollen and sore for many months afterward--nothing debilitating, but don't expect to feel 100% normal after 6-8 weeks. I was told no exercise other than walking before six weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Worst recovery ever means what? How long with no cardio? (I am a runner) And how long before you can do simple things like go pick the kids up at school? I'm not OP but considering the same surgery as I have terrible diastis recti and can't do any core work as a result. Also looking more and more bloated as I age due to the separation of the muscles I guess. I think repairing this sooner or later will help with aging because it's terrible on the core. I don't have any loose skin just bad diastis/separation it seems.

Not the person who said the worst recovery ever, but co-sign that thought. I had 3 c-sections. I was walking after 2-3 days regularly, and up and about after 2 weeks practically living a normal life. Doctors always comment on how well I heal.

The tummy tuck totally knocked me out for 6-8 weeks. I extended the amount of time I initially requested to work from home. For the first week I remember a TON of sleeping - just sleeping. Dealing with drains, being basically unable to do much of anything, it was intense.

I had to look after my best friend who had it down, and looked after her drains, and washed her, for at least a week. I know it took her a while to recover.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the thing for me here is that it's a long term health/function issue with repairing the diastis so that the core can function for the back as we age. If it were purely aesthetic it wouldn't be worth it to me - supposed to be imperfect in our 50's.

But isn’t PT better than surgery for the function piece?

Nope. I had a significant DR (full 5 fingers wide) and a hernia. My mid section felt like a black hole and I had to use my arms to push myself up from sitting or laying down.I did 3 months of PT with no improvement. My PT was very clear it would not resolve with PT but I gave it a try. It took several hundred stitches by my surgeon to close. So, so glad I didn’t have to live like that for any longer!

That’s great but that wouldn’t be needed for most people

[Anonymous]

I don’t mean to sound judgmental but the recovery sounds so horrific. That alone would stop me. I am sort amazed you all did it.