I had a Tummy Tuck, Liposuction & Muscle repair. AMA

[FlamingoAtTheBingo]

As the title really

Considering a tummy tuck or a spot of lipo? Or want to know about abdominal muscle repair? I had all procedures 13 weeks, so feel free to ask me anything

@WindowsSmindows everyone is different and I'm lucky in that I run my own business from home. I'd say with a short commute, a desk bound job , you'd be OK to return at 3 weeks post op. 2 weeks entirely doable but maybe uncomfortable! You wear binders for 6 weeks for a start.

The above depends upon how you heal and all sorts of other factors.

@SnoozyBoozy I was 48 when I had the op in October. 49 now. So knocking on a bit.

Part of the reason I bit the bullet. Wanted to be young enough to still get the full benefit from it

@Chambored thank you

Yes definitely best to do a lot of research but my mum had a tummy tuck done at a private hospital in the UK and the wound got infected and she got rushed to hospital so I guess it can happen here as well if you're unlucky.

@sweetpickerlily yes, infections can happen anytime and it's just pot luck but always best to have your surgeon close to hand - more reassuring.

@sweetpickerlily hope she recovered ok?

What does AMA mean?

What caused the muscle damage and how did you know you needed it repaired?
And would the muscle repair have made a difference to your tummy (e.g. more flat) even without the liposuction?

@EternalOptimist7

AMA = Ask Me Anything

Hi, what sort of muscle repair did you have?
I had two C-sections and two hernia repairs, now have spontaneous separation of the abdominal muscles as well as muscle and nerve damage. I'd be a size 12 or less if it wasn't for my stomach, I look about 6 months pregnant and it's affecting my lower back. I'd love surgery but know it's highly unlikely I'll get it on NHS.

@FlamingoAtTheBingo

Yes thanks, it was about 10 years ago I think and even though she had the infection she said it was the best thing she ever done. I definitely want to get it done with a breast uplift as well.

@EternalOptimist7 you're in the AMA section : )

@ShortyShortLegs no hernia repair or anything, I just had 3-4cm separation. When he checked it on my 2nd consultation before the op, he said no repair would be required as I had no separation that he could feel. But when on the table, discovered a small ish repair was needed.

Hi OP you look great! I’m having the same op later this year - with the same surgeon as you!! I had a couple of consultations with different surgeons and he felt like the right one- haven’t got a date yet as am waiting for covid to settle down a bit first. I have a bit of a fear of either getting covid in hospital (unlikely in a private hospital I know) or getting it when recovering and it complicating things ..

I’m a bit scared of the risks such as infection / uneven healing etc but mostly the ‘big’ risks of blood clots etc, though I know it’s rare. Have 2 very young kids so feel a little reckless going ahead with it but I cannot live with the overhang much longer - I’m back to pre pregnancy weight but literally can’t wear anything but leggings and huge knickers to cover the apron!

Hope my result will be as good as yours!

@bumblenbean how exciting for you - and you've picked a good surgeon! I can't recommend him highly enough tbh

Very wise to delay until later on. Is he even still able to operate at the moment anyway?

Complications like blood clots are rare. Minor bumps in the road like wound break down are common - I had an infection in my incision and 3 places along it where it opened up in week 3 which panicked me a bit but antibiotics and dressings sorted it within 5 days

Make sure you've got lots of help with the kids for a couple of weeks at least (you'll not be able to do a thing really for the first week) and you'll be just fine!

Hi @FlamingoAtTheBingo you look amazing!!

Can I just go back to the pain and recovery? Did you have a c-section and how does it compare?

What pain relief did they give you and how long was it until you were mobile?

@Babymamaroon

I didn't have a C section, no so can't compare the pain but my understanding is that the pain is far worse - and I would probably say that's true.

I was very unwell for 4 days. Felt sick and woozy and generally unwell. This was down to the anaesthetic as I was under for quite a while. I also was not very mobile. Ugh the agony as you try and get out of bed for a wee! I got up 6 hours after the op with help from the nurse but she had to take down my knickers and help me to sit on the loo and I was crying in pain the whole time and then was sick. Great!

However they give you lots of pain relief! It soon kicks in. Because I don't tolerate strong painkillers well, I didn't take any thing past 3 days. Yes it was sore but only when moving so I preferred soreness over the hideous sicky feeling.

I needed help to get up and down for the first week. I could walk etc but slowly and a bit hunched over. I slept in my bed though from the first night home from hospital with the aid of lots of pillows under my knees. Oh and I was driving again on day 6 - the very odd short journey but I was ok and cleared to do so.

So from the above you can probably see that improvements come quickly from about day 5/6/7. The pain from the lipo lingers for a good 4 weeks - again, it's manageable. You're very bruised though! And this goes by about week 4

@Babymamaroon the key really is to mobilise ASAP. This isn't really possible in the first few days but you need to be doing short little walks about the house every few hours to avoid blood clots. They give you blood thinning injections in hospital and compression socks to wear for two weeks (I'd had enough of those after one week so took them off but I made sure I was having little walks each day.

You look great! Did you weigh yourself before going to hospital and when you came out?

Is it possible with a 6 month old? I’m booked in for ASAP after the baby but just concerned about recovery?

@HollowTalk I did! I was 11 stone 12 the day before the op and 11 stone 4 a week later (too ill to get on the scales in the first days) .... my surgeon removed almost a stone in total (and this is not weight loss surgery of course) but swelling also plays a part.. the swell hell is real!

I haven't weighed recently but will do in a months time

@ImBoredAgain have you found a surgeon who will do it at 6 months post partum? It sounds a bit early days to me as you'd still be healing from the birth

However , if you are going ahead then yes, it's perfectly doable BUT you'd need help and by that I mean, proper full on help. You won't be able to lift the baby and you need at least 2 weeks just for you really ... to rest and potter about as you feel like it. If you've got this assistance then go for it

@FlamingoAtTheBingo Yes, I was booked in for October 20 before I found out I was pregnant but then obviously had to change to after, they’ve said 6 months is absolute minimum but I’ve been desperate for years for this done. I do have the help so I’m hoping all will be fine but just fits in nicely before going back to work. I have heard recovery isn’t easy so just want to be well prepared!

@ImBoredAgain honestly recovery is fine if you're mentally and physically prepared! It's a hard and brutal first week but again, when you know to expect it, you cope fine.

My 2nd day in hospital they wanted me to mobilise and sit in a chair. I didn't want this as I feel so unwell and shit but they made me. I managed 5 mins before insisting they help me back into bed

But each day that passes, you can do more. It's astonishing really

@FlamingoAtTheBingo thank you for your response.

It sounds so painful I'm not sure I'm brave enough! But I'm really encouraged that you could drive on day 6.

You really do look so great - it was worth it!