Home Post Partum Extreme Makeover?

[LuckyTexan]

I gave birth to my first son Feb 14, 2006, and when he was 7 months old conceived my second son. He''s now 13 months old, and I have lost all but about 15 lbs of my pregnancy weight.

I am looking into getting a tummy tuck. I carried both of my boys all out front, and I have some major skin issues!

I''m wondering if anyone out there in PS land has had a tummy tuck... and I''m also considering a small augmentation (like maybe 300cc''s) while they have me open (won''t hurt to perk me up a little after breastfeeding TWO)

Anyone have any experience with this? The combo tuck/augmentation?

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I don''t but are you sure you are done having kids? I have heard tummy tucks are SOOOO painful to recover from.

 

[LuckyTexan]

Date: 8/20/2008 4:26:04 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
I don''t but are you sure you are done having kids? I have heard tummy tucks are SOOOO painful to recover from.

YES!
Very done! I had to have an emergency c-section with first baby, so had to have a planned c-section with second baby... and had my tubes tied while they were in there... we had always planned on just two!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Date: 8/20/2008 4:29:37 PM
Author: LuckyTexan

Date: 8/20/2008 4:26:04 PM

Author: Tacori E-ring

I don''t but are you sure you are done having kids? I have heard tummy tucks are SOOOO painful to recover from.

YES!

Very done! I had to have an emergency c-section with first baby, so had to have a planned c-section with second baby... and had my tubes tied while they were in there... we had always planned on just two!

Okay, just making sure! Would you have them done at the same time?

 

[LuckyTexan]

Date: 8/20/2008 4:36:08 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring

Date: 8/20/2008 4:29:37 PM
Author: LuckyTexan

Date: 8/20/2008 4:26:04 PM

Author: Tacori E-ring

I don''t but are you sure you are done having kids? I have heard tummy tucks are SOOOO painful to recover from.

YES!

Very done! I had to have an emergency c-section with first baby, so had to have a planned c-section with second baby... and had my tubes tied while they were in there... we had always planned on just two!

Okay, just making sure! Would you have them done at the same time?

Yeah, that''s the general idea... to take advantage of me being open already... that way I''d have no other scar than the one hip to hip... I have heard that tummy tuck is similar to c-section in recovery... and I''ve already done that twice, so I''m kinda hoping it''s true!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

One of my old coworkers told me about one of her old coworkers (so take it with a grain of salt I guess) said they pull the skin SOOOO tight it hurts for a long, long time. Don''t get me wrong, I am sure in the end if you are brave enough it would be worth it. Just wanted to warn you. Hopefully a PSer has been through this surgery and can give you first hand advice. Boob jobs scare me a little more (b/c there is a foreign object in your body) but after BFing I can TOTALLY see the allure

 

[luvmyhalo]

A friend of mine in my Mom''s group had this done I think about a year & a half ago. She looks absolutely fabulous! I don''t recall her saying if the recovery was especially difficult though. I have heard her say that she''s extremely pleased that she did it.

 

[emeraldlover1]

Ok, I don''t have kids nor have I had a tummy tuck but I sell medical devices and this is a common prodcedure I see especially after people have lost a large amount of weight (pregnancy, gastric bypass etc...) Anyway, people love the results that they have and its a pretty quick procedure for most of the surgeons if they are good. The recovery time seems to be dependent on how well you take care of yourself and follow your doctors recovery procedures (cleansing etc.) As far as the pain...more nerves are cut then in a c-section because the surgeon is basically removing a whole section of skin and subcutaneous tissue (fat) before completing the surgery. So with a c section you have one cut and with a tummy tuck you are basically removing a circle of fat (not really a circle) but you get the picture just more. Its really hard to say if its more painfull or not but hey, you''ve already had two c-sections, it can''t be that bad! The surgery is VERY common and if you are going to do it I would definatley do the breasts at the same time. That way they can tunnell from the tummy incision so that you don''t have multiple scars; this is pretty common in breast reconstrution surgery for different reasons but who knows maybe its less painfull.

I really didn''t give you too much info but seriously, if its what you want then I would totally do it. I seen some surgeons change peoples lives and that is totally worth it.

 

[LuckyTexan]

Date: 8/20/2008 5:07:26 PM
Author: emeraldlover1
Ok, I don''t have kids nor have I had a tummy tuck but I sell medical devices and this is a common prodcedure I see especially after people have lost a large amount of weight (pregnancy, gastric bypass etc...) Anyway, people love the results that they have and its a pretty quick procedure for most of the surgeons if they are good. The recovery time seems to be dependent on how well you take care of yourself and follow your doctors recovery procedures (cleansing etc.) As far as the pain...more nerves are cut then in a c-section because the surgeon is basically removing a whole section of skin and subcutaneous tissue (fat) before completing the surgery. So with a c section you have one cut and with a tummy tuck you are basically removing a circle of fat (not really a circle) but you get the picture just more. Its really hard to say if its more painfull or not but hey, you''ve already had two c-sections, it can''t be that bad! The surgery is VERY common and if you are going to do it I would definatley do the breasts at the same time. That way they can tunnell from the tummy incision so that you don''t have multiple scars; this is pretty common in breast reconstrution surgery for different reasons but who knows maybe its less painfull.

I really didn''t give you too much info but seriously, if its what you want then I would totally do it. I seen some surgeons change peoples lives and that is totally worth it.

It''s actually 2... and I have fricken adhesions from them healing up against stuff! I''m hoping getting a tummy tuck will also give them the opportunity to clean up all the scar tissue! That''s another question I now have... wonder if I will have MORE scar tissue from a tummy tuck... adhesions are VERY painful!

 

[akmiss]

My co-worker had a tummy tuck and a breast lift at the same time. She had taken about a month leave from work. She mentioned that the breast lift was the most painful of the two procedures. I do recall something about tubing to let the tummy area drain? Not sure, again but I think the tubes had to stay in her stomach area for a month. She looked fabulous after everything was said and done. She had a five year old son and gained 100+ pounds during the pregnancy. She had since lost all the weight but was dealing with a pouch and saggy skin.
Good luck and make sure you have help around the house and with the kids during the recovery time.

 

[emeraldlover1]

Date: 8/20/2008 5:59:31 PM
Author: LuckyTexan

Date: 8/20/2008 5:07:26 PM
Author: emeraldlover1
Ok, I don''t have kids nor have I had a tummy tuck but I sell medical devices and this is a common prodcedure I see especially after people have lost a large amount of weight (pregnancy, gastric bypass etc...) Anyway, people love the results that they have and its a pretty quick procedure for most of the surgeons if they are good. The recovery time seems to be dependent on how well you take care of yourself and follow your doctors recovery procedures (cleansing etc.) As far as the pain...more nerves are cut then in a c-section because the surgeon is basically removing a whole section of skin and subcutaneous tissue (fat) before completing the surgery. So with a c section you have one cut and with a tummy tuck you are basically removing a circle of fat (not really a circle) but you get the picture just more. Its really hard to say if its more painfull or not but hey, you''ve already had two c-sections, it can''t be that bad! The surgery is VERY common and if you are going to do it I would definatley do the breasts at the same time. That way they can tunnell from the tummy incision so that you don''t have multiple scars; this is pretty common in breast reconstrution surgery for different reasons but who knows maybe its less painfull.

I really didn''t give you too much info but seriously, if its what you want then I would totally do it. I seen some surgeons change peoples lives and that is totally worth it.

It''s actually 2... and I have fricken adhesions from them healing up against stuff! I''m hoping getting a tummy tuck will also give them the opportunity to clean up all the scar tissue! That''s another question I now have... wonder if I will have MORE scar tissue from a tummy tuck... adhesions are VERY painful!

Ok...time for some quick anatomy... adhesions form in the belly/abdominal cavity/ or through the peritoneum (the layer that protects the vicera, ie organs). The presense of blood in the abdominal cavity increases the chances of fibrin which causes adhesions and yes, they are extreamly painful. Usually, the tummy tuck procedure does not require that the surgeon break through the peritoneum (because the surgery is done by manipulating the top two layers of the abdominal wall..skin and fat) but in instances where there have been previous surgerys and there is limited fascia then sometimes it can''t be avioided. If they have to go into the abdominal cavity, you can always get a general surgeon to go knock down those adhesions, however it is a risk and it depends on what they are attached to (bowel, etc.) . Also, some people are more prone to form adhesions (lots of surgical clinical papers on this). Are you saying you have two because you had two c-sections or because the surgeon made two different incisions? It doesn''t really matter however the pain is associated with how many nerve endings are touched, swelling, etc. I was trying to explain why it might be painfull. Anyway, if adhesions are a concern this is something i would definatley talk about with your surgeon and see what they have to say. The only time I''ve seen a surgeon break through the peritoneum in a tummy tuck(abdominalplasty and/or paniculectomy) is when there are EXTREME adhesions and there is a hernia associated (that is actually where I come in selling the ambdominal wall reinforcement).

I''m not a doc but like I said, I see a lot of them and if it were me I would consider the procedure.

 

[LuckyTexan]

Emeraldlover1
It''s 2 incisions because it cuts through all that stuff you said AND the uterus. They do a total of 4 (if I remeber correctly) closures as they back out... uterus, abdominal muscles, facia, skin... I think. I had adhesions on my bladder from the first one, and she got some of it when I had my second baby, but there are more now I''m sure. I also have 2 herneas that I know of. I''m a mess!

 

[emeraldlover1]

Date: 8/20/2008 7:10:37 PM
Author: LuckyTexan
Emeraldlover1
It''s 2 incisions because it cuts through all that stuff you said AND the uterus. They do a total of 4 (if I remeber correctly) closures as they back out... uterus, abdominal muscles, facia, skin... I think. I had adhesions on my bladder from the first one, and she got some of it when I had my second baby, but there are more now I''m sure. I also have 2 herneas that I know of. I''m a mess!

Ok, I see what you mean now but to clarify even if you go through the entire abdominal wall and the organ its just one incision site (maybe i should have specified site). My bad. There are actually many layers of the abdominal wall (that need to be sutured closed) but you summed them up really good. Impressive

Bladder is a pretty common spot for adhesions from a c-section by nature of where the incision is. You ARE NOT a mess but a plastic can do all of that at the same time with a general surgeon and you might not even have to pay out of pocket for all of it if they bill for the herina codes in combo. Where are your hernias? If you do decide to have the procedures I would strongly advise talking to them about all of these things as they may suggest a different kind of abdominalplasty to reinforce the wall.

You see to have an excelent grasp of the procedures that were done, why you have pain, and your healing process. Take these into account when deciding but again, if it were me, I''d probably still do it. Keep in mind that you''ll probably still develop some adhesions if you are prone to them.

 

[somethingshiny]

I knew a woman who did the tuck and augmentation after her 5th pregnancy. She''s HOT!! And, what''s more, she''s very happy with her body. She doesn''t look fake, she just looks like she did before kids. However, she still has to workout to maintain her new figure.

Good Luck to you!

 

[LuckyTexan]

Date: 8/20/2008 10:07:47 PM
Author: somethingshiny
I knew a woman who did the tuck and augmentation after her 5th pregnancy. She''s HOT!! And, what''s more, she''s very happy with her body. She doesn''t look fake, she just looks like she did before kids. However, she still has to workout to maintain her new figure.

Good Luck to you!

Yeah, I don''t want to do anything more than get me back to a normal state. I have lost all but 15 of my pregnancy weight by exercising... and I''m still working on it now... so I am not expecting a quick fix miracle... I keep trying to tell myself that I''m going to bounce back, and to just give it time... but my skin has only gotten WORSE since I started losing the weight!!!

I want to be HOT again!!! LOL!

 

[blondebunny]

Kate from Jon and Kate plus 8 just had a tummy tuck and it looked amazing!! if u watch it u can kinda see how long it hurt her for and stuff.... I had a BA and went through the belly button and had it at 7am was home by 10am and slept till about 5pm then I was ready to go, driving my car to the store and shopping the next day... I think it totally depends on how healthy you are when you go into it, and if your body normally bounces back after any surgery...

 

[LuckyTexan]

Date: 8/20/2008 10:30:04 PM
Author: blondebunny
Kate from Jon and Kate plus 8 just had a tummy tuck and it looked amazing!! if u watch it u can kinda see how long it hurt her for and stuff.... I had a BA and went through the belly button and had it at 7am was home by 10am and slept till about 5pm then I was ready to go, driving my car to the store and shopping the next day... I think it totally depends on how healthy you are when you go into it, and if your body normally bounces back after any surgery...

I''ve read that the transumbilical is easiest for most people... My only problem is that I REALLY want to get the cohesive gel... which you can''t do if you get the trans... so blah!

I watch J & K+8 all the time... and saw her do her surgery... my before pics are ALMOST as bad as hers!!!! My boys tore my skinny body UP!!!

I used to look like YOU.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Lucky, I am excited for you. I am sure you will look great. What is cohesive gel? How is it different? I know basically nothing about plastic surgery.

 

[FrekeChild]

I haven''t had either but I had a breast reduction (32GG->34DD) and the worst parts about it were not being able to shower and having to sleep on my back--but I''m sure you know all about it with your C-sections.

My skin was stretched super tights on my breasts, and it wasn''t painful at all-it was uncomfortable, but far from being hurty. And I had a bad reaction to Vicodin, so I wasn''t on any pain meds. So the most painful part of it was my back after sleeping on it for 3 nights in a row.

 

[blondebunny]

Date: 8/20/2008 10:37:36 PM
Author: LuckyTexan

Date: 8/20/2008 10:30:04 PM

Author: blondebunny

Kate from Jon and Kate plus 8 just had a tummy tuck and it looked amazing!! if u watch it u can kinda see how long it hurt her for and stuff.... I had a BA and went through the belly button and had it at 7am was home by 10am and slept till about 5pm then I was ready to go, driving my car to the store and shopping the next day... I think it totally depends on how healthy you are when you go into it, and if your body normally bounces back after any surgery...

I''ve read that the transumbilical is easiest for most people... My only problem is that I REALLY want to get the cohesive gel... which you can''t do if you get the trans... so blah!


I watch J & K+8 all the time... and saw her do her surgery... my before pics are ALMOST as bad as hers!!!! My boys tore my skinny body UP!!!


I used to look like YOU.

Ya i was so nervous, I didnt decide to do it that way until maybe the day before?? I had watched Dr. Ray do it and was petrified of it! Then I read more about it and it seemed like the best way (ie. only 1 scar and less invasive..)..

What are cohesive gels? never heard of those before..

I think about having kids, and then think of the aftermath...and then go hmm

I guess it depends on your genes, and how you carry right?? I have friends who model also and had kids, and I look at them and go WTF you have a kid?!?!? Seriously totally unfair... but my mom always looked good, so Im not that worried, but I already told my BF (he was originally wanting to be a Plastic Surgeon) that after im done having kids, Im getting my boobs redone and he totally agreed...

How does your hubby feel??

And dont let anyone talk you out of it, you totally deserve to have your body back, every woman does!!!!

 

[LAJennifer]

I think the cohesive gel implants are also known as the "gummy bear" implants. If you were to "cut into" the implant - it would be like cutting into a gummy bear. They are relatively new - I remember reading about them last year. There is a surgeon in Marina Del Rey - these implants are a specialty of his - Dr. W. Grant Stevens.

 

[Italiahaircolor]

I had a tummy tuck (abdominplasty) after extreme weight loss about 3 years ago.

First of all, let me say that it was not incredibly hard for me to recover...however, I have no children, and no one to look after. But, I was unable to stand up straight for 2 weeks, and unable to reach my hands over my end for even long. I wasn''t able to drive. Sleeping was very uncomfortable. Forget about showering...although, when you finally can, it feels wonderful...and I am not ashamed to admit, my Mom showered me for the first time 3 days post surgery. I couldn''t turn from side to side quickly for months without literally doubling over. So if you''re still carrying your children around, or they are little and need tons of attention, I would suggest waiting until they can care for themselves better...just from the stand point that you''ll be helpless for weeks.

If you feel like getting one is the right thing to do, then you should. However, it is painful, and the recovery is long. I had pain from nerve endings healing up to 2 years later. Not to mention inner-body stitches spitting. Drains. Ugh.

I am still moderatly numb in the abdomin area...which is from many nerve endings that never recovered and never will.

My scar has faded nicely, however, it is still there and always will be. And, I don''t know how you are about gaining weight, but be advised that taunt tummy''s mean no extra weight gain in that area...Meaning, you''ll gain weight in places you never ever never thought possible. Like...the ribcage area, the back....so, you need to really be proactive about staying healthy and eatting right.

 

[LuckyTexan]

Date: 8/21/2008 8:46:47 AM
Author: Italiahaircolor
I had a tummy tuck (abdominplasty) after extreme weight loss about 3 years ago.

First of all, let me say that it was not incredibly hard for me to recover...however, I have no children, and no one to look after. But, I was unable to stand up straight for 2 weeks, and unable to reach my hands over my end for even long. I wasn''t able to drive. Sleeping was very uncomfortable. Forget about showering...although, when you finally can, it feels wonderful...and I am not ashamed to admit, my Mom showered me for the first time 3 days post surgery. I couldn''t turn from side to side quickly for months without literally doubling over. So if you''re still carrying your children around, or they are little and need tons of attention, I would suggest waiting until they can care for themselves better...just from the stand point that you''ll be helpless for weeks.

If you feel like getting one is the right thing to do, then you should. However, it is painful, and the recovery is long. I had pain from nerve endings healing up to 2 years later. Not to mention inner-body stitches spitting. Drains. Ugh.

I am still moderatly numb in the abdomin area...which is from many nerve endings that never recovered and never will.

My scar has faded nicely, however, it is still there and always will be. And, I don''t know how you are about gaining weight, but be advised that taunt tummy''s mean no extra weight gain in that area...Meaning, you''ll gain weight in places you never ever never thought possible. Like...the ribcage area, the back....so, you need to really be proactive about staying healthy and eatting right.

Thank you SO much for sharing that!
I am going to planning everything to do with this surgery, down to considering the care of my children, because it was extrememly hard caring for a newborn, and a toddler after my second c-section, and I do not want to have to go through that again!!!

I''m going to wait until I have lost as much weight as I can, and feel like surgery is my only option to get my SKIN back where I''m comfortable... I really do see this is a medical issue, not just vanity. I already have the folding of my skin at the c-section insicion, and I''m sure you know what that causes... because you''ve been there!!!

I''ve never had a weight problem, and have always been very active, and fit, so hopefully this surgery will give me the push I need to give me back my active lifestyle!

Did you have anything else done, or just the tuck? How long is your incision?

 

[LuckyTexan]

Date: 8/20/2008 11:25:36 PM
Author: blondebunny

Date: 8/20/2008 10:37:36 PM
Author: LuckyTexan

Date: 8/20/2008 10:30:04 PM

Author: blondebunny

Kate from Jon and Kate plus 8 just had a tummy tuck and it looked amazing!! if u watch it u can kinda see how long it hurt her for and stuff.... I had a BA and went through the belly button and had it at 7am was home by 10am and slept till about 5pm then I was ready to go, driving my car to the store and shopping the next day... I think it totally depends on how healthy you are when you go into it, and if your body normally bounces back after any surgery...

I''ve read that the transumbilical is easiest for most people... My only problem is that I REALLY want to get the cohesive gel... which you can''t do if you get the trans... so blah!


I watch J & K+8 all the time... and saw her do her surgery... my before pics are ALMOST as bad as hers!!!! My boys tore my skinny body UP!!!


I used to look like YOU.

Ya i was so nervous, I didnt decide to do it that way until maybe the day before?? I had watched Dr. Ray do it and was petrified of it! Then I read more about it and it seemed like the best way (ie. only 1 scar and less invasive..)..

What are cohesive gels? never heard of those before..

I think about having kids, and then think of the aftermath...and then go hmm

I guess it depends on your genes, and how you carry right?? I have friends who model also and had kids, and I look at them and go WTF you have a kid?!?!? Seriously totally unfair... but my mom always looked good, so Im not that worried, but I already told my BF (he was originally wanting to be a Plastic Surgeon) that after im done having kids, Im getting my boobs redone and he totally agreed...

How does your hubby feel??

And dont let anyone talk you out of it, you totally deserve to have your body back, every woman does!!!!

I have watched Dr Rey do it everywhich way, and I think your choice was a good one!

Cohesive Gel is the new ''gummy bear'' silicone implant. It''s solid... so they don''t put a bag in first then fill it... so I think pariareola is the only way to get them in... maybe under the breast too, I''m not sure... it''s not fully approved by the FDA in the US yet... but they''ve been doing it in the UK for like 10 years? I met a girl in England that had them... and they feel REAL.

My mom was a model, and she had NO body issues after me and my brother... but after kid 3 is what did it to her... when she was OVER 30!! SO... I''m over 30 and look like I do... maybe it''s AGE more than just good genes? I wouldn''t let it stop you from having kids tho! I''ve always said that if babies wreck me I''ll just get it fixed! They are MORE than worth what I went through, and will go through! They are awesome!

DH is completely on board for whatever I want to do... or not do... he says I''m still as beautiful as the day he met me and that the little skin sag doesn''t bother him... he says he just sees ME.

 

[LuckyTexan]

Date: 8/20/2008 6:08:33 PM
Author: akmiss
My co-worker had a tummy tuck and a breast lift at the same time. She had taken about a month leave from work. She mentioned that the breast lift was the most painful of the two procedures. I do recall something about tubing to let the tummy area drain? Not sure, again but I think the tubes had to stay in her stomach area for a month. She looked fabulous after everything was said and done. She had a five year old son and gained 100+ pounds during the pregnancy. She had since lost all the weight but was dealing with a pouch and saggy skin.
Good luck and make sure you have help around the house and with the kids during the recovery time.

Yeah, the drains are what I''m scared of. Kinda GROSS! LOL! I honestly didn''t reallyl gain all that much weight with either baby!

Big bubba gave me 37 lbs and I lost all but 8 of that before I got preggers with little bubba... who gave me 42 lbs. I have another 15 or so to go to be back to before I ever got pregnant... and it is JUST my stomach that looks bad right now! It''s SO annoying! My butt looks normal... so do my legs. What is bothering me so much is that I look like a skinny PREGNANT woman!!! I think my muscles are just so pushed apart still... I need to get with a trainer and see what they can do for me!

 

[Italiahaircolor]

My scar is fairly standard...hip bone to hip bone. I also had liposuction (never again) and a breast lift. Although I have also had a rhinoplasty as well.

As you can see, I believe in plastics.

But, you should know...my PS told me that a c-section is a walk in the park compaired to a TT...because a c-section involves no removal removal of skin, tissue, fat...no belly button reconstruction...a TT is just way more invasive.