Booked in for tummy tuck in 2 days, any advice for recovery?

[theyoniwayisnorthwards]

Hi all, I've booked to have a tummy tuck Thursday morning. I have muscle separation after gestational diabetes and I've tried physio, pilates, tupler technique and mutu but it's still very wide so I've finally decided to have it fixed. They'll take away my excess skin and shelf while they're in there so thats a bonus! Paying privately and have chosen my surgeon after two other consultations.

Feeling quite nervous and a bit teary today, I've never had a general anaesthetic and I have read a lot that it's very painful afterwards.

I've had two c-sections, one was horrific and one was a dream so I know I can live through the pain but worried about a long hard recovery. I'm 35, in good health and a normal BMI so hopefully I have a good chance of things going well. Has anyone done this? What was recovery like? Is there anything I can organise in advance to help make it easier.

[greenhighlighter]

No advice - other than myself having had a section and can understand the pain associated!

Keep on top of the meds and rest, but do try to move about after the first few days. Take zinc, that should help with internal bruising.

Try not to worry about the GA. Always look forward and imagine how fab you'll look :)

Good luck!

[PencilledIn]

wow, exciting.
I don't have any tips either but last year I had a GA for polyps and that was a monday morning. I FORCED myself to take it easy on the Tuesday even though I felt absolutely fine. I was expecting to feel drained and weak all week. It's not like the old days I don't think.

[theyoniwayisnorthwards]

Thanks! Reassuring to hear the general anaesthetic isn’t too bad. I know I’ll (hopefully) be glad I did it but now just feeling anxious and wishing it was over!!

[Balearica]

I had this op for muscle separation and a massive hernia and had no pain at all. I had a morphine line I could click myself for the first couple of days. I suggest you discuss post op pain relief with the surgeon. Mine promised me no pain and there was none.

[MissSmiley]

Thin surgical tape over the wound helps it to heal flat
Had mine 10 years ago at 35 after twins and it was the best thing I've ever done, got rid of two c section scars in the process

[Ladybirdbookworm]

How are you OP

[MrsGloop]

I had a tummy tuck about 12 months ago. My only regret is not having it done sooner!

I am in the US so the process may be different - I had the sedation/“light” GA and I was awake not long after the surgery. Sent home a couple of hours later! Much to the horror of my mum who had the same surgery 15 years earlier in the UK.

I was sent home with the catheter still in and instructions for my caregiver to remove it. I rented a hospital bed so that I didn’t have to lie flat.

My mother scared me a little my telling me how she couldn’t walk upright for 3 weeks. That was not my experience at all! Pain was well managed with opioids but after 3 days (I think) I switched to ibuprofen. I was walking around - delicately - after about 3 or 4 days. Back to work 3 weeks later. Funnily enough, my surgery was also on a Thursday 😄

I also felt teary the night before, and actually felt quite panicked in the consult room - until the nurse told me that she, her mother and grandmother had all had the same surgery with this particular surgeon.

When I look back at pre-op photos, I’m horrified. I am so glad I had it done. Good luck - you don’t regret it!

[theyoniwayisnorthwards]

Thanks everyone, genuinely calms me down to read your positive experiences! I’m in the car on the way to hospital now. Will update when it’s over..still pretty terrified to be honest

[MrsGloop]

Hope you feel good as you’re reading this!

[sportyfool]

Is it as invasive as a c section though ? Surely it isn't cut all the way to your insides is it ? Just thinking I don't think it will be as bad as a c section .
I may be wrong though .

[theyoniwayisnorthwards]

It’s done! The anxiety was awful, I cried in the prep room like a fool . The medical staff were all absolutely lovely and told me they see it all the time, not sure if they were just trying to be nice.

Surgery itself much easier than I thought it’d be, minimal pain but it is uncomfortable. They showed me my tummy and it looks amazing but will almost certainly swelll up. I’m so relieved to be out the other side. Thank you for the positivity!!

[MrsGloop]

Once the swelling goes down, you’ll be thrilled. Glad it went well and that you’re feeling ok!

[31weeksgone]

Glad it went ok op. I’ve been considering one for a while. Can I ask please if anyone here would like to show some before and after pictures I’d be so interested or PM me a surgeons name. Only if you want to of course.

[zippyswife]

Glad it all went smoothly OP. After 3 massive babies (2 c sections) I hve been considering the same. Can I ask how much this cost? I do yoga Pilates HIIT and run and nothing has been able to touch it!

[Antheia]

Glad it went well! Agree about helping the scar heal flat. When the wound has closed up you could try silicone sheets like ScarAway (the long ones for c sections) or surgical tape. Or Kelo Cote scar gel as it won't involve visible tape.

[ChishandFips33]

Hope you're feeling comfortable OP. glad you got through it

[MozzchopsThirty]

Oh OP I love a general anaesthetic (and an ex anaesthetic nurse)
I'm actually unhappy if I get offered a local for something instead

[MozzchopsThirty]

Sorry just realised you've been in already!
Duh 🙄

[ForFiveMinutes]

Well done, hope you are recovering well.
I had one 13 years ago and however much weight I gain or lose my stomach stays flat. Before it was floppy and wrinkling and diet or exercise didn’t have any impact. I wasn’t told about the silicon gel so would recommend that when your scars have healed. Afterwards the worst bit for me was if anyone made me laugh! But I was back at work after a couple of weeks, although had to wear the girdle for 6 weeks. To anyone thinking about it I would say go for it. I’ve now just had a boob lift and I’m wondering why I didn’t do that 10 years ago as they now look like this , not spaniels ears!

[MozzchopsThirty]

OP can I ask how you chose your surgeon?
And how much did you pay?

I'm a size 8-10 but always have this saggy wrinkly overhang no matter how slim I get, it's soul destroying when I work hard to keep fit and eat sensibly
I'd consider it for that but worries I'd just end up with another overhang

[GreggsSausageRolls]

Marking place as very interested..... currently pregnant with DC3, probably another section. A tummy tuck would be my push present to myself 😄

[mouseistrapped]

Some painkillers give severe constipation that can be awful so have prunes or prune juice something like that at the ready. Straining after surgery is not fun. Good luck!!

[Greenkit]

Really interested in finding out cost and your surgeon, how did you find them etc xxx

Bet you look fabulous

[sofato5miles]

I want one! 7kgs to go until I hit my target healthy range weight.

Very exciting for you. Heal well.

[laddylonglocks]

Glad it went okay OP, chuffed for you. I've had two sections and about to embark on a huge weight loss and just know I will have an overhang at the end. How much was it?