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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask those who have had an Abdominoplasty for advice

19 replies

LisaTummy · 11/01/2015 21:40

Hello,

I've had 2 DC which were big babies. I have saggy skin and split stomach muscles. I'm due to have a tummy tuck next month. I'm suddenly getting nervous. Are there any mumsnetters out there that have had this op that could tell me of their experiences?

I'm getting cold feet.

I know IABU to ask for advice here...apologies!

OP posts:
Hippychick73 · 11/01/2015 21:49

I had a mini tummy tuck 5 years ago
The surgeon re opened the c-scar tightened up the muscle NAND the scar is about 1 inch longer than the original C-section

Mine was a fairly simple op as the my stomach was reasonably flat but just needed a bit of nip & tuck

Stayed in hospital 1 night painful for about a week. Dreaded sneezing coughing and laughing as that all hurt but by day 10 I was walking dogs and driving

Very good results and very happy 5 years on

Original poster
LisaTummy · 11/01/2015 21:53

hippychick thanks for your reply.

Both my births were vaginal. So I have no scars. The sagging isn't severe, but makes me very unhappy. I only have two outfits which I feel good in.

Thank again for replying.

OP posts:
ProcrastIWillFinishThisLater · 11/01/2015 21:56

I had a full tummy tuck. Had to have a revision for a dogear. Massively pleased with the result. It looks amazing. Before, it looked so horrible I cried about it a lot. The scar is massive - hip to hip but you can cover it with big pants, and its only a scar, not like a big apron of saggy skin! Id recommend it to anyone with sagging belly skin.

cees · 11/01/2015 22:34

I am like you Lisa, its not to bad but its there so I will be getting it sorted but it will have to wait a couple of years so i can save for it. Can I ask you how much yours is costing?

Original poster
LisaTummy · 12/01/2015 12:20

Hi Cees, I'm not sure of the price! I thought it was 5k, but have since heard it's probably closer to 6K. I've just received an inheritance and I've decided to use it towards this. So I'm happy with the money side of things. I've just asked the consultant to email me the costs.

I'm just concerned about things going wrong. I almost wish my stomach was a lot worse, so I'd feel like the risks were really worth it. I'm feel "ok" naked. Not happy, just ok (a bit unhappy). But I just feel awful dressed. Out of everything in my wardrobe, I only have two outfits I feel nice in. Nothing I feel ok in, and everything else, I think looks just awful. And I know it's vain, but I just feel so miserable about it.

So I just live in one pair of jeans. All day everyday. (The other outfit is a dress). When I stand up, I can sort of suck my stomach in, and the loose skin is ok. Still there but manageable. But when I'm sitting, it just all falls over my trousers and just makes me feel awful.

OP posts:
Original poster
LisaTummy · 12/01/2015 12:22

procrast did you have to pay for the dogear? Was the recovery from that as bad as the initial recovery?

What was the initial recovery like?

OP posts:
ProcrastIWillFinishThisLater · 12/01/2015 22:58

Mine was just over 5300. The dogear they sorted for free. Initial recovery was similar to my c section, but not as bad. Recovery from the dogear revision was no big deal at all.

Hippychick73 · 12/01/2015 23:57

Mine was £4200 bit it was a few years ago
I would suggest that you go and see at least 3 surgeons /consultations as different surgeons will say different things to you

And ensure that you see the surgeon who will be doing he operation and not a sale advisor.
you might have to pay for the consultation with the surgeon I paid £100 but it's taken of the cost of the operation and at least you will know who is ding the op

I knew that I needed a mini tummy tuck as there wasn't a massive overhang and it was just a bit flabby /lose skin due to c-section but 2 places said that I needed a full one which was more money

The first thing the surgeon said to me when we met was "I can see you only need a mini T/tuck and this was before I had even undressed as it wasn't really that noticeable

Notmeagain1 · 13/01/2015 02:19

Hi OP, I had a full boddy lift, which is where they cut you 369degrees around the body. Mine is shaped like a bikini bottom.

Im in the US and had it done in 2008 after losibg 150lbs, so I had A LOT of saggy skin. I paid 8k for everything. They removed 18lbs of skin and since no muacles were cut, I was back to work one week later. The worst part was that everything was so tight and trying to get comfortable (and I had 2 drain tubes which were very annoying) .

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. The absolute BEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE FOR MYSELF!!!GrinGrinGrin

It is scary and can be painful at times, but I promise you the scars fade and you will be ever soooo happy you did this.

PM me if you would like more information, and good luck!

Notmeagain1 · 13/01/2015 02:20

*No muscles were cut (wish I had spell check on my phone)

Notmeagain1 · 13/01/2015 02:22

Excuse the typos. Shouldn't be using the phone in bed without lights or glasses.Blush

cees · 13/01/2015 12:54

Thanks for answering Lisa Smile. My sister has a lot of overhang from babies and loosing weight so we are going to do it together, at least we can both moan about our aches and pains to each other after.

maras2 · 13/01/2015 13:24

Love the technical names being used.When I did surgical nursing back in the 1970's it was called ' removal of the fatty apron ' or ' aproning ' for short.It wasn't done for cosmetic purposes but to enable the surgeon to access internal organs hidden under much fat.OMG,one mention of 1970's nursing and I'm off down memory lane. Grin Good luck love,I'm sure all will be well.

Original poster
LisaTummy · 13/01/2015 18:25

Hello.

Thanks procrast for answering - that's usual info.

cees I've since been told the op will be £6k. If I want liposuction at the same time, then this is an additional 2k. It makes for a better effect but isn't essential. Good luck when you do it. Hopefully, I will be in a position to offer you the option to PM me for advice :-)

Thanks for the advice hippychick that really helpful.

notmeagain1 well done losing the weight! And thanks for the advice. I'm feeling better about it! Thanks for the offer of PM. I think I'm sorted, but thanks for the offer.

maras good luck love thanks! That's sweet!

Thanks all! I'll keep you posted.

OP posts:
fromparistoberlin73 · 13/01/2015 22:03

I have just had abdominal surgery , for more medical reasons however I was not happy having a large grapefruit sized cyst! So of you are feeling bad, think that it's a 6-8 week time investment but reading here you will really feel great afterwards

And yet surgery is not a walk on the park , big deal physically and emotionally. Make sure you take the time to heal , look for any forums , get the help and good luck !!

Original poster
LisaTummy · 16/01/2015 12:06

Thanks paris! I will report back

OP posts:
Sneezy · 28/01/2015 03:03

Am wanting mine done too!! I have loose skin and a section overhang my friends looked today but they do t think I should have one but it really gets me down and I cover it with huge pants!!
Im trying to look into this but there are a few surgeons who do the op and its knowing which one to go with!!
Will be following your story Wink

Balaboosta · 28/01/2015 10:10

I've had it, outcome eventually great but allow more time for recovery than they say - both post-op and over following years.

Sneezy · 28/01/2015 13:03

balaboosta when did you have yours and how long was the recovery? I've heard about swelling about the scar and it can sometimes leave a ridge? I'm scared about surgery but worries I will regret not doing it!

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