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!

I’ll certainly put on a before and after once all the swelling has gone down

Hope all your clotheslook fantastic!

Oh wow that's amazing. I also had an 11lb baby so I'm following this with interest. I've several stone to lose and maintain first though.

@toughdaay

Good luck!!

How long til you can go home,OP?

Hi @toughdaay thank you so much for posting. Hope your recovery goes well .

Would you be willing which surgeon you used please?
Also how did you prepare for the surgery? Did you have to do loads of core work to ensure it’s as strong as possible?
Didn’t even think about uphill walking as you mentioned before. We have hugely steep stairs so I guess that would be out of the question.

I’ve had three chonky babies and have lost 3 stone so far (my youngest is two). Need to lose another 2-3 stone to get to my goal weight abs then I would like to have abdominoplasty too —as well as a boob lift—

@HelloDulling

I can go home tomorrow morning. I came in at 7am yesterday.

@lozengeoflove

I chose Ian Grant from The Nuffield Hospital in Cambridge. He’s been amazing from the first consultation to now. Really put me at ease and explained everything brilliantly. I can’t recommend him highly enough. Also all the staff here at the Nuffield. It’s more like a 5* hotel than a hospital! Nothing’s too much trouble and I feel I’m very safe hands!

Oh and I forgot to say….I didn’t do anything extra in the run up to my surgery. Kept up my usual diet and swimming/walking/cycling that I do but nothing extra.

@Byebyebelly love the new name!

Thanks so much. Will look him up. I’ve heard good things about Dr Kat in Birmingham. How did you settle on your chosen surgeon?

I did lots of research and had zoom calls with 3 other surgeons before I met Mr Grant. I liked the fact he was based near my home, I didn’t want to travel too far away and then if there were any problems post op, have to be travelling back and forward. The first consultation I had with him just made me feel calm and comfortable. Nothing felt like a silly question, I was able to ask him things that I hadn’t felt comfortable enough to ask the other Consultants.
Unfortunately most of them do charge between £150-£250 for the first consultation so you wouldn’t want too many first consultations!!

What age are you byebyebelly? I’d love to get this done after my twins left me with a bit of a tummy, but I’m 41 and don’t know if it’s worth it! I’ll never have a bikini body anyway so not sure if it’s a bit pointless!

@Hexinthecity

I’m 40. I don’t plan on wearing a bikini….I’ve never been a fan of them tbh!
I just liked the idea of not having to tuck my belly in to my knickers anymore!!

Shit @Byebyebelly I was hoping you’d say you were in your 20s and then I’d be able to keep telling myself there was no point in me thinking about it anymore 😂. I’m dead jealous, not sure I have the guts (excuse the pun) enjoy your flat tummy!

Thanks for posting@Byebyebelly. I had three eleven pounders so if I ever lose my five extra stone ill be doing the same. I look about 7 months pregnant anyway with the massive diastasis rectus just letting everything sag out the front.

Thanks for posting!!! What scars do you have? Also, where the skin on my belly has stretched due to obesity and two pregnancies, it doesn't feel elastic anymore. Do they just stretch the non-elastic skin? Are you happy with how it looks? What do you think the biggest benefit will be for you of having it done? Are there any benefits to your physical health? Are you contemplating having other surgery done? What was your starting BMI before you began losing weight if I may ask?

Watching with lots of interest. I had hoped to get one before covid struck. Sadly I put on 1.5 stone so need to lose that before I go.

You sound very chipper and glad it went well.

Wow, well done you! I bet you look amazing x

@Notthissticky

Hi! My BMI when I joined Weight watchers was 36.6, it’s now 22.6 (well it was last Friday at my pre op assessment) I guess it’ll have gone down a bit now I’ve just lost 3.8lbs of skin!
I’ve not taken the binder off yet so haven’t seen anything but I know the scar is hip to hip. It should be hidden by underwear and most swimwear (I’m not planning on wearing anything too revealing so should be ok!)
There’s not much they can do about the skin that’s lost most of it’s elasticity….I had an area like that right in the centre so hopefully that was mainly what was chopped off! I’ll be able to answer more once the binder is off!

Wow wonder how much the skin weighed. Tell us after the next weigh in.

How are you managing having a sore face from grinning so much? I don’t have any questions but want to say well done - great achievement.

@Byebyebelly this is a great, timely thread for me, it sounds like we’re fairly local to each other and I’m seriously looking to have this done in the next few years. The only thing putting me off atm is having a preschooler at home, no idea how I’d manage with the recovery with her being so reliant on me still. I’m fed up with, as you say, tucking my belly into my clothes, and it’s uncomfortable for me to sleep on my side as my belly just lies next to me. Were you scared at any point before the surgery? I’ve wanted this for years, since my first dc 17 years ago left me with separated muscles that have never recovered, and now I’ve seriously discussed it with DH and it feels so close to being in reach for me, I’m worried I’ll chicken out. I think it’s hard for people to understand just how much it has hit my self esteem, I’ve literally never let my DH even touch my stomach as it repulses me so much.

@YouHaveNoAuthorityHereJackie

Please, please contact Mr Grant at the Nuffield. He’s just great!
I’ve been in 2 nights and I’m moving around pretty well now and not in any pain, just feel a bit wrapped up!!
I can understand with a pre-schooler it wouldn’t be easy though as you can’t even lift a kettle for the first 2 weeks post op, so you’d definitely need someone at home with you whilst you recovered!

Oh and I forgot to say…I wasn’t scared at all before the surgery. I had complete faith in Mr Grant and have been looked after so well here! (I’m not being paid for this btw!)

Thanks OP! If by any chance you have birth by CS, could you compare notes on the recovery? And did they cut through your section scars?

Hi Byeyebelly -, just saying hello as I'm currently still on bedrest after having surgery a week last Thursday. I had a 'fleur de lis' one so have the vertical scar as well.
So pleased I did it but wish I was further along the recovery process!