Tummy Tuck - Tucson,AZ

Updated on February 26, 2008
S.L. asks from Tucson, AZ
13 answers

After having had my child over two years ago, I am left with what is called an "apron" - basically it is loose skin that overlaps itself on my stomach. The skin structure broke down and will never go back. So... I am having a tummy tuck in April to remove it and get my stomach back to what it once was! I am apprehensive about the procedure, and worried about how long it will take me to get back on my feet afterward. Has anyone had a similar procedure done?

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C.O.

answers from Phoenix on

Did you have a c-section? It feels the same. you tummy mucsles are torn into again. It can take anywhere from 3-6 weeks, depending on how active you are. The more active you are, the faster you'll heal. I was up and back at work after having my son with a c-section just after 3 weeks.

Just do light house work and walk briskfully.

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S.M.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi,
I had a full tummy tuck and muscle repair in July. My son was 18 months old at the time.
I am glad I did it but don't under estimate the recovery time.
The first few weeks are hard but you are on pain killers. Then there is the night swelling. You swell up a few inches in the evening. Its been seven months for me and I still get swelling and discomft at times. I can't stand the feel of anything on my tummy now, waist bands, belts... And I did some lifting the other day and my right side still hurts and I still swell.
I am glad I did it but just know what your up against. My doc said I could start working out in 4-6 wks. No way! I still don't do crunches and I am a very active person but I am back to the gym now.
Next week I go in for my revision. One side is flatter than the other in the front and on my hip rolls are uneven. And revisions are common as well, so know that. Doc does the touch up with a very low fee. ($100.00)
So make sure he ask your doc about that.
Some people I talk to say it took a good year before they were healed. So know that it is a huge surgery. But bye bye apron.
Good luck!!!!!!!!!!
Who's your doc? Dr. Spies did mine. I call him "my rockstar".

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W.A.

answers from Phoenix on

I have not had the procedure done myself. But used to work for a plastic surgeon. The recovery time is anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks. The first 4 to 5 days are really tough. You won't be able to stand up straight. This is because the muscles that you had tightened during the procedure are super tight and haven't elasticized yet. This will get better as each day passes. The scar is another worry most patients have. It will scare you. It is very rigid and red. This again will take time to heal.

If you need anything else, or more information I would be happy to speak with you further. ____@____.com

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A.K.

answers from Phoenix on

S. - (and all the other women on this thread) - cosmetic surgery really is not the answer. After reading your story and all the replies to it, I sense a lot of fear about these surgeries. I'm a firm believer in NO surgery! I see this all the time, mothers who are stay at home moms who work really hard at taking care of their kids as well as your home for your husband and family. I have quite a few friends who do much of the same and some of them work part or full time as well. I always ask them the same question, "what do you do for yourself?". The most common response is, "I take care of my kids". Well, in the grand scheme of things you are neglecting the most important person....YOU. If you are not happy who do you take it out on? Most likely your kids or husband right? Maybe sometimes you go and meet your girlfriends WITH your kids and then at the end of the day you are wondering why you are so run down and exhausted. Having no time for yourself is almost as bad as neglecting your children or your marriage. If you want to change the way you look you have to take time for yourself. It could mean a number of things, from going to the gym, hiking with your kids, or taking them for a walk in the afternoon, or maybe getting a babysitter to watch your kids while you and your husband go on a date. But, in the long run if you are still unhappy with YOU then doing all those things really aren't worth doing.

If you want to change your tummy, legs, boobs, whatever YOU have to take control of YOU. Check out www.nobackfat.com, Epiphany Fitness and Beauty Centers. They are opening up two new gyms one in Chandler on Alma School and Queen Creek, the other will be in North Scottsdale by Kierland Commons. Howard Fields is the Owner/Founder and he has done amazing things. They have been on the news several times. There are women of all shapes and sizes there, what they have is not only just a an all female gym for women to go and get in shape, make new friends but, its a place to feel good about yourself. Right now they are doing a special 2 Weeks FREE training. I promise you once you go you will not want to stop. It's like a drug for me but, in a good way. I have been a part of it for over a year and I can't imagine going anywhere else. Ever go to a "regular" gym and just feel out of place? Feel like everyone is staring at you? Especially the men. . well with this gym the only men there are YOUR trainers! Yes, I said YOUR trainers. They want to help you succeed with whatever your goals are. They have nutrition programs, we also meet at a track on Friday/Saturday mornings and have fun doing all kinds of strength training. Don't spend thousands of dollars on a tummy tuck only to find yourself 6 months later having to get a "touch up". . make a life style change and do it for YOURSELF and your family. Besides, a happy mom makes for a better mom.

If you are interested please feel free to checkout the website or call me directly ###-###-#### and leave me a message. you can also email me at ____@____.com the change now.

~A.~

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L.M.

answers from Phoenix on

Wow, i was thinking about a breast reduction/lift and tummy tuck in March but after these responses i am going to skip the tummy tuck for now.
thanks so much S. for asking about this procedure.
whatever you decide, i wish you luck!

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M.K.

answers from Albuquerque on

I had a tummy tuck a few years ago and my experience was terrible!! It was the worst pain I had ever experienced and took quite some time to recover. Make sure that you have help and prepare your kiddo for the worst...not being able to lift or carry things and needing help standing up. Often the procedures consist of only removing the excess skin, while mine included tightening the muscle which I believe was what made it so painful...It took me nearly a month to be able to stand up with out help. I have since had two more children and would never go through a proceedure like that again.

M.

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A.N.

answers from Phoenix on

I personally have never had any cosmetic surgeries. But I am looking to have some work done in the future, (including a tummy tuck), please let me know how things go, and any advice you have. Good Luck!!

A.

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J.H.

answers from Phoenix on

You deserve it mommy. My friend had one andher tummy looks like a teenagers and she was 40. It did seem painful but no more than a c-section would be. Good luck and enjoy your new tummy.

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J.J.

answers from Phoenix on

I WANT ONE! but i hate needles so i cant have one. but i'm 46 and post menopausal so i know that im not going to have any more babies. i was only going to have one but 13 yrs later i got my little surprise (he's now 16). so in your situation, i would wait until i knew for sure i wasnt going to have any more babies. the skin loses elasticity and if you have everythign tightened once and that gets restretched, the odds are that the next tummy tuck wont be successful or possibly a disaster. as an ER nurse i have seen to many complications in patients to want to put myslef through that, but it doesnt stop me from wanting one though. i have seen a horrible infection that resulted in death from a sponge that was left in the surgical site. i will never forget that roadkill smell. the whole ER stunk so bad for days. I have also seen stutures that dont take and the patents are left with horrible scars because that site can't be resutured and it has to heal from the inside out and it reults in a horrible scar. soooo, i ve settled on the idea that i will forever have to exercise. last year in january, i weighed 170 lbs. i am 5ft3" so i was a hunka hunka burning love. i decided it was enough and i started dieting, exercising and now a year later i am down to 112 lbs, soyou can bet i have folds.its not as bad as if i had lost it all in a short period of time and i exercised a lot during the year so i have a lot of muscle but there is still some skin but i have found that if i keep on doing the situps and crunches and situps on my ball, the skin is starting to go away, regardless of what all the proffessionals say. so maybe by the time im 80 i will be firm and supple again so at least im be a damn good looking corpse. i dont know ,i think the risks outwiegh the benenfits and with you being so young i think if you put your mind to it, you could probably do it on your own without surgery. i was 98lbs pre first baby and i lost all of it in the 13 yrs between babies. after my second child i gave up and was depressed so i gained all the weight and blamed it on my divorce. but im happy now and i feel so much better, belly roll and all. good luck

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L.M.

answers from Phoenix on

My SIL got hers done out of pocket, insurance didn't cover it since it's plastic surgery. Anyway, she looks alright. My husband refuses for me to get that or boob job after I have my 2nd kid in Aug.

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L.E.

answers from Phoenix on

I haven't had the tummy tuck. I've done breast implants and those take time to heal and feel comfortabel. My surgen explained the tummy tuck process once but I dont' remember much what he said except maybe a few weeks. I also remember hearing about drainage tubes. I had a old friend who had it done but only spoke to her once after it was done. Just follow the Dr. orders and you will get through it. Good luck. I am still kinda thinking of doing it after my 2nd child, of course wait till he or she is a bit older to reduce lifting.

G.M.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi S.,
I would check with a fitness professional before having surgery. May be they might have some tips for you. Are you sure you're only having one child? You're young and you might change your mind. I would hate to see you have this surgery and then back in the same situation you're in now in the future. Women now a days are having babies when they're 40 years old. 15 years is a lot of time and you might change your mind about having another baby. But with that said, may be a fitness professional can advise you on some abdominal exercises that will help tone up your tummy. I just saw on Rachael Ray today, this woman asked this professional beauty consultant for actors about her 'apron' tummy and basically all she said was to do tummy exercises. I hope you find something that works for you before you decide on surgery. Good luck.

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A.N.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi - I am a new mom of triplets and so I had the muscle separation also...big time :) Anyway the doctors I have seen (primary and physical therapist) have said that if the separation is greater than three finger width then the chances of it repairing itself is very very slim. They also say that not having your core muscles intact can lead to greater health issues later in life.
So I am looking at going to see a Plastic Surg to discuss a tummy tuch (abdominoplasty). I am terrified but I do not think I have much of a choice... major back issues and possible incontience loom in the future without intervention.

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