Scared about a tummy tuck - advice

[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 am SOOO happy I did mine. I had a mini b/c I'm relatively thin, but had a saggy tummy and 2 c sections. The first couple of days were rough. I took the meds for about 6 or 7 days. I made 1 HUGE mistake. At about day 6, I felt amazing. I was still on the meds, but barely. I decided to go out and run errands b/c I felt so great. In and out of the car. Bending and straightening. I knew I wasn't supposed to do it, but I felt really good. Then went to dinner with friends with 5 inch heels. I was in so much pain when I got home, I set myself back. Instead of a 2 week recovery, it took me 3 weeks because of that. So dumb.

It really wasn't bad, just that first 3 or 4 days. After that, not a big deal.

My stomach was numb for about 6 months, but there was no pain.

Follow the rules even when you feel like you are back to normal. You are not healed.

You cannot see my scare in a bikini, but I was conscience of it so I had a cherry blossom vine tattoo'd over the scar. It actually looks awesome, but you can't really see it. The scar is the vine. It's really pretty.

[Anonymous]

OP I would suggest you at least postpone the surgery and think long and hard about this.

This sentence from you is confirmation that you don't need this surgery:
"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."

Is it really worth it to you do remove a scar that no one else will see?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s a really tough surgery but I am very glad I had it done. Mine was 15 years ago so I don’t remember when I stopped pain pills but I’m grateful to not have a core that’s shot from pregnancies.

Does this really do anything for your core? I have a gap of about an inch in my abs but I have a very strong core from workouts/my sport. I would think that cutting through those muscles and the recovery period would be a huge setback.

OP, my advice is that if you are scared about an optional surgery, don't do it. I am facing a very non-optional surgery but it doesn't scare me at all...I can't wait to get it done so this thing that wants to kill me is out of my body!

Np, and I disagree with this advice. Fear is a natural part of the unknown. I doubt there is a single woman who had the procedure done who wasn't somewhat fearful. I had Lipo 360, which has similar recovery aspects to the TT (stiffness, pain meds, limited mobility, etc). I was fearful but so glad I went through with it because my results are everything I dreamed they would be. I think someone upthread mentioned it, but don't be surprised if you have immense regret the first few weeks after the procedure. That too, is a normal part of the process.

Can you tell me more about why the initial immense regret is so common and why/how it passes?
- NP who is considering TT after losing 80 lbs

PP here, and I'm honestly not sure, but it seems to be consistent with most women I've asked who had it. My lymphatic massage therapist warned me early on that the emotions/regret would start around week two. I am typically an emotionally balanced person, so my deep regret caught me off guard. It could have been a mix of thinking I made a mistake because the results weren't immediate, the severe bruising, and simply not recognizing my body. I found the procedure more traumatic than childbirth; not painful per se but traumatic-- but 100% worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s a really tough surgery but I am very glad I had it done. Mine was 15 years ago so I don’t remember when I stopped pain pills but I’m grateful to not have a core that’s shot from pregnancies.

Does this really do anything for your core? I have a gap of about an inch in my abs but I have a very strong core from workouts/my sport. I would think that cutting through those muscles and the recovery period would be a huge setback.

OP, my advice is that if you are scared about an optional surgery, don't do it. I am facing a very non-optional surgery but it doesn't scare me at all...I can't wait to get it done so this thing that wants to kill me is out of my body!

Np, and I disagree with this advice. Fear is a natural part of the unknown. I doubt there is a single woman who had the procedure done who wasn't somewhat fearful. I had Lipo 360, which has similar recovery aspects to the TT (stiffness, pain meds, limited mobility, etc). I was fearful but so glad I went through with it because my results are everything I dreamed they would be. I think someone upthread mentioned it, but don't be surprised if you have immense regret the first few weeks after the procedure. That too, is a normal part of the process.

Can you tell me more about why the initial immense regret is so common and why/how it passes?
- NP who is considering TT after losing 80 lbs

PP here, and I'm honestly not sure, but it seems to be consistent with most women I've asked who had it. My lymphatic massage therapist warned me early on that the emotions/regret would start around week two. I am typically an emotionally balanced person, so my deep regret caught me off guard. It could have been a mix of thinking I made a mistake because the results weren't immediate, the severe bruising, and simply not recognizing my body. I found the procedure more traumatic than childbirth; not painful per se but traumatic-- but 100% worth it.

I have never spoken to someone who has regretted having a TT, including me. The recovery was tough the first week, but after that it was fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:C sections and no shelf. Does it come down to doctor or genetics or what?

Doctor.

I had a fantastic doctor sew me up after my first pregnancy, and no shelf.

Terrible doctor (bad luck to get him due to timing) sewed me up the second time and I had a shelf almost immediately.

I went into both medical reports and the doctors actually took different steps -- i think the first doc had four steps during the "sewing up" portion and the second doc had two steps. I really think that he sewed together some layers that were not supposed to be connected.

6 years later I went to a plastic surgeon and he did a scar revision, and now no more shelf.

[Anonymous]

OP here. You guys have been so helpful. Saw my surgeon who has given me options of a mini (with no muscle work) vs full TT (with diathesis repair) and said the mini will take care of the pooch (per my goals) and the full will make the whole abdomen more cosmetically pleasing. I feel so much better and now just deciding between the two. I'll come back and update when I decide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. You guys have been so helpful. Saw my surgeon who has given me options of a mini (with no muscle work) vs full TT (with diathesis repair) and said the mini will take care of the pooch (per my goals) and the full will make the whole abdomen more cosmetically pleasing. I feel so much better and now just deciding between the two. I'll come back and update when I decide.

What’s the price difference between the mini Vs full?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. You guys have been so helpful. Saw my surgeon who has given me options of a mini (with no muscle work) vs full TT (with diathesis repair) and said the mini will take care of the pooch (per my goals) and the full will make the whole abdomen more cosmetically pleasing. I feel so much better and now just deciding between the two. I'll come back and update when I decide.

I got the mini. Even though my stomach would have been more taut with the full, my mini looks really natural like I am just in good shape and not so perfect that you automatically assume I had work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was able to get around carefully after about 12 days. I didn't drive for a few weeks. I definitely needed a reclining chair. Mine is one of those Scandinavian ones. I slept in that for at least a week. Laughing was very painful for two weeks.

Best decision and money spent though. Would do it again in a heartbeat.

I posted about my FDL earlier, yeah I forgotten about laughing. Laughing, coughing and sneezing is very painful. I truly feel my heart stopping when I cough or sneeze.


The added free mons lift is phenomenal. Can’t wait to see how that changes things.

Free mons lift?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. You guys have been so helpful. Saw my surgeon who has given me options of a mini (with no muscle work) vs full TT (with diathesis repair) and said the mini will take care of the pooch (per my goals) and the full will make the whole abdomen more cosmetically pleasing. I feel so much better and now just deciding between the two. I'll come back and update when I decide.

I got the mini. Even though my stomach would have been more taut with the full, my mini looks really natural like I am just in good shape and not so perfect that you automatically assume I had work.

How bad was recovery with the mini?

[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.

Sure, Dr. Craig Dufresne. He has offices in Bethesda and near Fairfax Inova Hospital