I had abdominoplasty yesterday - AMA

[Byebyebelly]

Hi,
I came on here a while back asking if anyone had had a tummy tuck and only got a few replies…so thought it may be helpful to anyone considering it and wanting some info!
So, if I can be of any help, ask away!

How are you feeling? Did you have much excess skin to remove?

Hi, I’m feeling much better than I thought I would! A bit achy and obviously the area feels much tighter and I can’t stand completely straight yet but overall, not too bad!
I’d lost 7 stone so my belly was quite saggy and ‘apron’ like. I had 3.8lbs of skin removed.

Ooh I’m having it in September! Did you have muscle repair too?

What type did you have?
I’m currently pregnant with my second baby but after my first pregnancy I was left with an apron. I feel like after this pregnancy I’ll be left with an even worse one :(

Hi @Annoyedandirritated

Yes I had minimal muscle repair. They weren’t in too bad shape though 👍🏻

How long are you ‘out of action’? Were you scared of risks?

I had the ‘full abdominoplasty’ so the cut was hip to hip.
My ‘apron’ got bigger with each baby. My 3rd was just under 11lbs and that’s when I knew I’d have to do something eventually! (11 years later!)

Wow 7 stone, that's amazing! Well done.

I have to wear the binder for 4 weeks for support. No kettle lifting/hoovering for at least 2 weeks. No sex for 3/4 weeks. I can walk about slowly at the moment on one level but no ‘uphill’ walking for another week. No swimming for 3 weeks and no strenuous exercise for 6 weeks.

I wasn’t scared of any of the risks really. My surgeon went through everything thoroughly over the course of 3 consultations beforehand and I was comfortable with everything. I felt better waking up after this operation than I did when I had my gallbladder out (keyhole surgery)

Thankyou @TooOldForThisNow

This feels rude but it is AMA...

How much did it cost?

How did you lose 7 stone !!!!!!? And how long did it take (I know slightly unrelated but it's no mean feat and I imagine reduced the surgery risks being slimmer?)

Did you get to your “target weight” before the surgery? I know I’ll need to lose weight after pregnancy.

@GalaxyGirl24

Not at all rude! It cost £7672 all in. Including the consultations and 2 nights stay at The Nuffield. It could have been cheaper if I’d gone elsewhere in the country but I wanted to stay close to home.

I did Weight Watchers and it just clicked for me! The first 2 stone came off really quickly then it slowed down a bit but sticking to my points and walking lots and drinking plenty of water got me there eventually! It took me just under 2 years to lose 7 stone.
My surgeon wouldn’t have considered me for abdominoplasty if I didn’t have a healthy BMI.

@Tibtab

I’ve been at my goal weight for 8 years now. My surgeon wouldn’t consider anyone that didn’t have a ‘healthy’ bmi and prefers that you’ve been at the same weight give or take a few pounds for at least a year or 2.

That’s interesting to know! I was hoping to take a 1-2 years to get the weight down. My BMI is around 34 currently and I would like to be back under 25.

How many appointments did you have before/after the procedure?

Wow 7 stone in just under 2 years is bloody amazing! Well done OP. I hope your surgery brings you happiness and that you feel amazing when it's all healed up!

Before the procedure I had 3 appointments face to face and one zoom call. I’m still in hospital now but should be going home in the morning then back to see my consultant on Thursday then again in about 2 weeks then again at 4 weeks. All being well that’ll be the last one!

Thanks @GalaxyGirl24

I’m looking forward to seeing the results!

Will be following this thread with interest. Visited a plastic surgeron this friday to talk about lipoaspiration and he mentioned I would have some excess skin, so he recommended I do abdomnoplasty as well. Except I'm in my mid twenties and want children, and I read there's a really high chance of stitches rupturing during pregnancy, so I think I might just just stick to lipoaspiration for now.
Still very interested in your recovery, though, because it sounds like it might be in might in my future. How long did your surgery take, and were you nauseous afterwards? I'm emetophobic and that's something that worries me about surgeries.

Hi @InTropicalTrumpsLand

The surgery took about 3 hours and I haven’t felt nauseous at all. I was back in my room at 2pm yesterday and sat and ate dinner at 6pm no problems.

I do wish they’d stop bringing me biscuits with every cup of tea though! My willpower only stretches so far!!!!

Hi OP, I had one 4 years ago and it was the best decision ever. The swelling brakes a while to subside but it doesn't get anymore painful. Hope your recovery goes well. X

That’s good to know @Twinkie01

Thanks!

Wow! I hope you have photos! Even clothed photos would be good. I love a before and after!