So, I Got A Tummy Tuck......
11:08 PM Posted by The Blue Zoo
I put a lot of thought into getting my tummy tuck. I thought mostly about when would it be convenient to get it done, who would watch the boys while we were out of town, and stocking up on easy meals and lots of PB & J.
I was not really thinking about the recovery as a process. I tried not to think about the pain too much. I really thought that I'd be fine. I've had 2 C-Sections. I'm tough...... I'm in shape. I'd be fine! Ha! Famous last words...
During my pre-op appointment the nurse and doctor went over everything.
While visions of Victoria Secret bikini's danced in my head, they talked about drains, and antibiotics, and swelling.
I heard them say that I could be swollen for 3 months, I heard them say there would be drains and fluids, I heard them say compression garment, I heard it all. But I didn't really get it. All I could think about was that I was gonna have a flat tummy! I was gonna get to wear a bikini!! Whoo hooo!
Tomorrow it will be exactly 5 weeks since my surgery. I am just now in the last few days starting to feel somewhat normal. My energy is slowly returning. My stomach isn't hurting as much. I am actually able to vacuum! You would not believe how painful it is to vacuum, or load the dishes in the dishwasher. Mopping was totally out of the question! I still think I'll wait another week to attempt mopping. Hey, I'll use whatever excuse is handy.
Now on to the pictures! Cause I'm sure you're dying to see my new belly button, right??
Ok - this is a drain. I had 2 of these attached to me for about 2 weeks. The other end that you can not see is sorta stitched into these little slits in the groin area. And, yes, it is sorta creepy to see plastic coming out of your body... And, yes, it is SOOOO gross to dump your fluids. Hahaha! It was probably even grosser for my mom and my husband when they had to do it.
Oh! And it HURTS when they remove these drains. I did not realize that the drains were actually so long that they go all the way up to the top of your stomach. Right there under your skin, on top of your muscles. And it itches!! So, it's great to get them out, but it hurts too.
This is my gorgeous compression garment. Sexy huh??
It's like a really tight, top less, granny style swimsuit. It's always trying to go up my butt, it has the ugliest impossible to hide straps, and it is awful to wear in this summer heat! It makes me all sweaty and itchy. I have to wear it for 6 weeks.
I could not have lived without it. It is comforting. Without it I feel like a turtle without a shell.
I am actually nervous that after next week I'm supposed to be able to stop wearing it.
This is my stomach on July 2nd. When it finally occurred to my drugged up brain that I should be taking pictures! Duh! (My surgery was on June 16th.)
The black sharpie lines are where she did the "sculpting lipo". I wish I had gotten pics of the bruises!!
This picture was taken July 12th.
My belly button is healing nicely. And while I'm happy that my scar is thin, and seems to be healing very well... I am not happy with the way it is puckered on the sides.
It seems to be more so on my left. I'm hoping that as the swelling goes down more the puckers will go away.
Also, see that puffy skin down by the scar? It should be flatter. I'm still kinda swollen (and could remain swollen for about 3 months, UGH!) so I am hoping that it too goes away eventually.
If the puffiness and the puckers don't go away on their own then my doctor is going to fix that. In her office. Which freaks me out! But she assures me it isn't that bad.
If you would like to see my before pictures click here.
If you are thinking about getting a tummy tuck subscribe to my emails because I will be posting more!
Also, if you would like to know who did my tummy tuck you can ask in the comment section or email me at lifeinabluezoo at yahoo dot com.
July 20, 2010 4:27 AM
OUCH I would like a flat tummy too but um not bad enough to go under the knife. I have a HUGE fear of surgeries.. umm yeah HUGE fear
July 20, 2010 6:21 AM
From before to now it looks amazing! I can't remember if I told you my mom had a tummy tuck after 5 kids and she got huge with each of us and her tummy was flat very flat after the swelling went down which took forever and a day. The scar is barely noticeable!
You are going to be rocking bikinis all year round now!
July 20, 2010 6:31 AM
Oh my goodness. That does look incredibly painful but I bet we will be seeing you in bikini pics soon enough!
Looking good baby!!
July 20, 2010 7:09 AM
Wishing you a speedy recovery and healing process! I am sure once the swelling goes down you'll be loving the new pictures!
July 20, 2010 7:12 AM
I still want one...wish it was an instant type of procedure with no recovery time.
July 20, 2010 7:49 AM
Oh, Steph. I am so not jealous of what you've been through. It's gonna be great, you'll see!
July 20, 2010 7:57 AM
I never would have realized how much pain and recovery time there would be either! It's really smoothing down nicely!
July 20, 2010 8:03 AM
Looking good kiddo!
The puffiness and swelling will go down. It should continue to look better and better each day.
July 20, 2010 8:32 AM
Keep up the healing! It will just keep getting better!
July 20, 2010 9:52 AM
yes I am queasy but I so know I am gonna want this procedure done sometime. No matter how many sit ups/side burners/ab killer exercises I do my tummy will never be flat again!
Brave girl you are for posting those pics! And glad to hear you are starting to feel a bit back to normal!
July 20, 2010 9:53 AM
So excited to see the pics!! I bet you wish you'd had it done in the winter. That girdle is SEXAY! RAWR....
FYI...ask your doc about using silicone strips for the scar. I hear they do wonders. And have they said anything about doing scar massages where it's puffy?
July 20, 2010 10:30 AM
Wow! That looks great, even if you're still healing!!
Very nice!
I would still NOT do it! hehehee...! I'll only go under the knife for health reasons. Had a simple gallbladder removal in 2008 and am still traumatized!
You're going to look great in a bikini! I can't wait for more pictures!
July 20, 2010 10:43 AM
Girl you are on your way! :) I know you're so excited and I'm so proud of you for putting this on here!
July 20, 2010 11:16 AM
Yikes!! I hope you heal quickly! Looks very painful to me. So how long till the bikini??
July 20, 2010 11:16 AM
Yeah, Love ya bunches, but I am totally NOT reading this right now. I'll read it when I start doing research for my own! LOL! I'll take your warning seriously!
July 20, 2010 11:21 AM
Wow lookin' good.
Thank you for sharing this with all of us....
July 20, 2010 11:24 AM
You are so brave! I just can't imagine getting a tummy tuck. I remember my c-section and that was enough for me! I have only had one kid though so I did not get that big, thankfully! You are looking great though! I can't wait to see pics when you are all healed! Are we going to get a bikini pic??
July 20, 2010 11:48 AM
Looks good Sexy! You are gonna rock that bikini soon enough!
July 20, 2010 1:04 PM
It looks great. Are you happy with it so far? Would you do it again knowing how painful it was/is? I bet I need to ask again in a couple months when you see the final results!
July 20, 2010 3:11 PM
You go sexy girl! All that pain and suffering will be worth it when you are strutting on that beach!
July 20, 2010 9:18 PM
Okay so I really wanted a tummy tuck...and I've had friends who told me "Oh yeah, I had it done...it doesn't hurt THAT bad" And I have thinking just like you..."How hard can it be, I've had 2 csections". But I so want it done!!
July 20, 2010 10:38 PM
man that look painful, but your tummy is looking awesome!! i sure do miss those loopy painkiller induced conversations though!!
July 21, 2010 12:05 AM
I'm glad your surgery went well. It's good you are posting those pics. People should know what they are getting into when they have something like this done.
July 21, 2010 12:14 AM
I know it looks painful and all, but I still bet you'll be glad you did it in one year.
I had my nose fixed, and it took a long time to not be swollen anymore, but it was so worth the pain!
July 21, 2010 12:53 AM
I've read that tummy tucks are really horribly painful. I can just imagine. I do think of having one though. My c-sections just really messed up my stomach and exercise can't fix the sag.
July 21, 2010 1:10 AM
Damn girly! You are rocking that new tummy! I am so glad that things are getting back to normal for you. Your bikini days will be here before you know it ;)
And when your feeling bloated you have a sexay little outfit to put on! Don't you think that if they are going to include the bra straps on that thing that they should have at least included the bra, lol!
July 21, 2010 3:24 AM
You have been on my mind. I am so glad to hear that you are healing well. I can already see a huge difference. What an amazing process! I can't wait to see the final results in a few months. Sending you many healing prayers.
July 21, 2010 7:43 AM
Wow! I applaud you for being so honest. I know a lot of folks would not be as open about everything you have been thru. I look at your pics (even tho I am squeamish!) and I say no way in hell will I do that but then I see your before pic and I think you look amazing and it will be so nice not to hide from that anymore. I totally get that.
You are already one hawt mama! 'Cept now you'll be rocking a bikini like nobody's business!
July 21, 2010 11:08 AM
You are so brave for posting pics!
I had no idea it was such a painful surgery and recovery. High fives and fist bumps to you, your mom and your husband for getting through the hard part. Hopefully you will be able to wear that bikini soon!
July 21, 2010 7:08 PM
Wow! I had no idea either how painful & also how long the recovery process is. But, once it all heals & you're feeling back to normal I bet you'll be really happy you went through with it:)
July 21, 2010 7:11 PM
Oh yeah that thing would be hell to wear in the summer - if I ever have that kind of procedure done I'll remember to do it in the winter. Hope it heals smoothly so you don't need anymore nipping or tucking in the doctor's office, but either way I'm of course just glad to see you're healing well.
July 21, 2010 10:11 PM
Those pictures aren't really that bad! I hope your recovery continues to go well :)
July 22, 2010 3:39 AM
Hey, how come I never got a compression garment (pout)?? You are through the worst, and have sooo much to look forward to now! I can honestly say, I've never looked back since I had mine, it was HELL to go through (but worth all the pain), and you deserve all bikini's in the world!
July 22, 2010 11:22 AM
You look great already! Any surgery will take a while to be 100%. I'm sure you'll love it and it'll be worth it when you've recovered!
Keep posting pictures! :)
July 22, 2010 11:22 AM
You look great already! Any surgery will take a while to be 100%. I'm sure you'll love it and it'll be worth it when you've recovered!
Keep posting pictures! :)
July 22, 2010 11:22 AM
You look great already! Any surgery will take a while to be 100%. I'm sure you'll love it and it'll be worth it when you've recovered!
Keep posting pictures! :)
July 22, 2010 12:33 PM
That looks so painful...You will so have to have your belly button pierced now ya know???
July 23, 2010 9:57 AM
Wow, your tummy looks amazing!! I just looked at your before pics in comparison with how your belly looks now and it's so nice and tight!! It does sound like a painful procedure though.
I had a breast reduction ages ago and the drains were very painful. And yeah I remember when they were removed and I cursed like a freakin sailor. I would never do surgery like that again. I also had visions of small perky boobs dancing through my head when the dr was talking to me about the recovery process. Wished I had listened!!
July 23, 2010 9:56 PM
That looks like it hurt really bad. My friend just had one and I am fascinated with the belly button...moving it all around and redoing it. Kind of creepy. But afterwards...you are going to be fabulous!
July 26, 2010 6:01 AM
Oh my goodness I didn't realize that they cut you all around and that the recovery period was so long. I can see why you have been in so much pain!!
July 26, 2010 1:57 PM
I really, really want a tummy tuck! Even after reading about the pain I would still do it. And of course I want to know who did yours.
I think you are looking fantastic!! I am loving that you are doing these posts. ;-)
July 26, 2010 4:29 PM
Hi Cheapskate Mom referred me over here. Thank you so much for sharing this experience.
I've had two C-sections and have done a little research on tummy tucks. So, you've had C-sections right? How does the pain and recovery compare? My C-section recovery was idea. I survived on only Motrin, no heavy pain killers.
I know I'll want to wait until I'm sure I'm finished popping out babies and they have aged several years.
July 29, 2010 10:56 AM
I want one too. I have never had one even when I was thin...genetics! One day...my mother in law said she would take me to Coast Rica where she gets all of her stuff done. I want my boobs lifted off the floor too....It is the pain that scares me and I am a tough nugget when it comes to pain.
Congrats...you will be so happy when it doesn't hurt!
August 18, 2010 3:09 PM
Hi Steph,
Thanks so much for sharing! You are brave. I am in the market for a mommy makeover (tummy and breast lift) but feel all queezy now and fearful.
Pls tell us how it compared to C-sections!?
Thanks!
August 21, 2010 10:35 PM
Thank you so much for sharing! I will be having my tummy tuck in two months. I also haven't had the guts to tell more than my Mom and BFF. It's all I can think about, and have been saving for a long time :) My tummy looks just like yours did, I hope my results are a good as yours! It's nice to see some 'real' pictures, and not something form a Dr. website. It's nice to see a drain too, my doctor mentioned them, but seeing it is completely different than I had imagined. I think I will post my experience and photos too, I think it is important for women to have a realistic idea of what to expect when considering cosmetic surgery. Thank you again, and have fun bikini shopping!! You look great :D
April 23, 2011 8:10 PM
I love reading about your experience! Thank you for sharing. I just had Breast lift /reduction and a tummy Tuck. The bonus is the pain from Tummy keeps me from thinking about my breasts but is was a lot and almost 7 hours. I am wondering how long I will need Pain Killers. I am one week out and they already took out drains yesterday, Honestly I can't look! But I guess they said things are healing nicely but they always say that right? I am not expecting a miracle or perfect abs. Hopefully tighter tummy and less of it. My breasts are sore and one seems to be a little numb. I will know more after 2nd exam. I was taking two oxycontin every four hours I have cut that down to 1 every 4 hours that is 5 days our and drains were removed 4 days out there was very little coming out. I g=have slept every night in recliner after surgery not sure if that has helped. I guess I should take some pictures.. I just don't want to look!!
June 15, 2011 7:54 AM
I love the pictures and the before surgery and after surgery pics! I'd love to see a NOW tummy shot! Tomorrow will be ONE YEAR!! :-) You should post one and update us all! :-)