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Talksurgery adheres to the Health On the Net Foundation's Code of Conduct
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'A Tummy Tuck at Long Last!'
Pros:
A flat belly, and a visible belly button
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Cons:
The scar, of course
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Cost:
$3,400
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Healing time:
still healing
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Pain-o-meter: 4
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After 28 years of wanting this, I finally did it. Of course, I wish I had done it earlier, but that is all history now. I am 48 years old. I am 5'3", and have weighed about 130. (I don't have a scale) Even when I was a rail, about 105, I still had this horrible stomach. Skin all over the place! I have a flat belly now. And I have a real belly button that is nice to look at!
When I finally had the money put aside to do the proceedure, I did a lot of research. I viewed hundreds of before and after pictures, because I wanted to really be prepared for the trade off ( saggy stomach vs scar) I knew that I hated my stomach, and it would never go away on its own. I had three big kids, and stretch marks like a map of Africa.
Yes, I was nervous. So I had the surgery, anyway. My first days were not that bad. Not at all what I had anticipated. The pain was there, sure, but I had pain pills, and with them, things were very manageable.
Coughing was the worst thing!!! I thought that I was going to split wide open. It hurt so bad! I was told to hold a pillow against my stomach, hard, and then cough. It is something that you learn right away. Getting up was hard. I had to roll out of bed. The day after my surgery, I was up, and slowly climbing the stairs. I did everything kind of slow. It wasn't bad.
The drains were removed five days after, and I went home. One thing that I didn't expect was how tired I got from just walking! Out of breath. Which is good, it made me slow down.
Now I know that this is unusual, and I don't say that it was a smart thing to do, but I did return to work on day 14.
I hang wallpaper. I went slow. But then realized that this was not good, but it was not impossible to do. Now, only 4 weeks after the surgery, I am 80% back to normal. I still don't lift, or do anything too physical.
Now, about the results. I love them. Yes the scar is big, and a little gruesome, but it is still very red! I expect it to fade a lot. I like to look at my stomach now. It is flat!!! Even sideways. I did not expect the numbness around my new belly button, it's kind of creepy, but I know that the feeling will return after my body decides to reattach the nerves.
I am still sleeping on my back, with the pillows proping me up, along with pillows under my knees. I suppose that I could sleep on my stomach now, but prefer being on my back or side.
All in all. It has been a wonderful experience, and I had no complaints about anything. Anyone considering it should not waste 28 years thinking about it. My regrets? Waiting so long!!
Here are more details:
How results differed from what I expected:
The numbness in my navel area was unexpected, but it makes sense.
Biggest fears pre-procedure:
My expectations, were they real. Also the healing time, and my down time.
Healing aids used:
None
Number of doctors consulted:
5
Number of years I thought about having the procedure:
28
Had an elective procedure before:
Yes
Complications or follow-up procedures:
Not Specified
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This information is not to substitute for professional medical advice. You
should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or
disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please
consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have
regarding your condition.
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Gender:
Female
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Age:
48
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Ethnic group:
Caucasian
Education:
Some community college or university
Country:
United States
State/Province:
California
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Women experience greater overall weight gains and more notable weight fluctuations than men.
(Source: the Role of Weight Management in the Health of Women" by Sachiko T. St. Jeor, professor and director of Nutrition Education and Research at the University of Nevada, School of Medicine)
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