AIBU to want a tummy tuck?

[AllUmder]

I hate my stomach, I have an overhang/apron. It's on my mind constantly, I check it in the mirror hundreds of times a day.

It's caused by weight loss ten years ago, I lost 6 stone. I've spent years trying to love myself and accept it. Years in the gym, weight training. Spent up to 3 hours a day with personal trainers, targeted fat loss, ate a totally clean diet, etc.

Nothing has helped. The past few months I'm so depressed about it, I get a rage of hatred and punch it.

My BMI is 22, I'm very fit, I dress well to hide it so you can't hugely notice in clothes, size 8-10.

DH is VERY against me having a tummy tuck. He thinks it's beyond stupid to have surgery for something I don't need. He says it's body dysmorphia - but it's not, he just loves me, we were married when I was overweight and he treats me exactly the same, it's like he never even saw the weight.

We can afford it, I can get time off work, we have no kids.

WIBU to just go ahead?

Changing the mind set is a non surgical intervention to achieve the same aim which carries a significantly lower level of risk.

It's not the same though. It's acceptance, sure, but the actual physical issue is still there. Life's too short, cut out the problem.

Mentally not great today, feeling very guilty for removing a C-section scar that saved my life and dcs
😭

It's a scar not a badge of honour!

I had MLD massage today and it did not go well.

@Twatdog she used some kind of electric machine and has taped up my back and sides (as if I haven't got enough tape on me)

Anyway that was the least of the issues

Currently trying to find another therapist

In other news life is getting easier, I can now get up to wash every day, can get in & out of bed without help and have been downstairs twice

Kind of wish I'd done an Instagram story

@Orientalnamechange oh no, a machine isn't MLD, more like cavitation therapy. The treatment should be gentle hand movements, which direct the lymph up to your armpits.

Taping however, yes I do this, as it gently lifts the skin and aids lymph flow, but it should be cut so it resembles a little octopus and not a single band of tape IYSWIM.

I suggest getting in touch with the post op person, and give them a try. You could ask in advance how they'll perform the treatment and decide from there.

You do need MLD

Thanks @Twatdog she really wasn't a very nice lady, had I been feeling less vulnerable I would have sent her out of the door!

I'm seeing the post op woman tomorrow so I'll see how that goes

How are you doing @Orientalnamechange ? Sorry I've just seen the new posts!

I've got two consultantations next week. Very much looking forward to them.

@AllUmder I'm not going to lie it's been pretty rough!
The emotional rollercoaster is almost as bad as the pain and discomfort

I have felt such self loathing and 'what have I done' moments
Ive cried a lot and I am not a cryer, I'm pretty stoic.

I'm still not standing up straight

Did you have a muscle repair with the TT? I know you'll know from your research that everyone seems to say the first 6 weeks are pretty horrific but it's not that reassuring when you're suffering!

I've been in touch with quite a few people this past week who had TTs and they all say the same RE emotional rollercoaster and regretting it, but then once they're through the worst, it's the best decision they made!

Really hope you feel better asap

Yes @AllUmder I did, that's the worst pain! The hip to hip scar and belly button are fine

I know in 6 weeks time I'll probably wonder why I didn't do it sooner but right now it doesn't feel like the best decision I ever made

Keep updating after your consultation

It's such a big surgery no wonder you're suffering (especially with the muscle repair - everything I've read just shouts how difficult the recovery is with this). I hope you're resting as much as you can (probably not much choice!) - 4-6 weeks seems to be a significant improvement time? And the swelling must be so uncomfortable.

I should be put off, but not yet...I just did a workout and I was in tears with my stomach getting in the way, this horrible overhang doesn't feel like it belongs to me. I definitely will update. I'm hoping (praying) I won't need a muscle repair as I've never given birth but we'll see.

Can I ask if you had/needed a mons lift or any lipo as well as the TT? My body fat is low-ish (22/23%) but I think I might get a better result with lipo on my flanks. And def need a mons lift...

Can I ask who your surgeon was? I know it's far too early to tell if you're happy yet though, definitely need a good 6 months I imagine!

I had lipo too, even though I was only 9st with a BMI of 21, it was suggested that to get the look I wanted then some lipo would be needed

I didn't ask for a mons lift but things definately feel a bit different there

I had muscle repair and it wasn't bad, the lipo on my waist was very nippy though, felt almost like it burned under the skin or something.

I just wanted to update that I've now had two consultations with surgeons who both recommended an FDL Tummy Tuck (vertical bust-to-hip scar as well as horizonal hip-to-hip scar) they say I'm a good candidate and I'll be booking it for ASAP!

DH is now more on board, being very supportive, although I think he'd still much prefer me not to have surgery, he knows I need to do it for myself. Finger's crossed I can get it done this year! Thank you so much for the replies and benefit of others' experience.

That's great news that you've had two similar opinions
Good luck

Go for it. Id say read Reddit tummy tuck forums though, so youre fully aware of the risks and outcomes. Its a major operation. A friend of mine had it done in Egypt recently. I wouldnt be brave enough. But she looks great, and she's happy.

I wanted to update in case anyone searching for information like I was, finds this thread - I went ahead with an FDL tummy tuck with muscle repair (10cm) and mons lift. I needed minimal lipo (100g) and had just under 1kg of skin removed.

I'm now 15 days post op, and I'm not being dramatic when I say the recovery has been the toughest thing I've ever been through. The first week was horrendous, with a few hiccups.

The muscle repair is no joke! I have a high pain threshold and am no stranger to operations but the first 8 days I thought this was the worst mistake I'd ever made.

But I definitely chose the right surgeon, he's been wonderful and the actual surgery went very well, I'm still very early days but with the overhang gone I'm in disbelief and delighted I went ahead.

DH has been great, very supportive and he's not once complained looking after me.

Big thanks to @Orientalnamechange for all your support, advice and reassurance throughout, pre and post surgery!

Well done @AllUmder

The first few weeks are brutal - the bruised/scraped feeling where I got the lipo was unexpectedly awful!

But I'm not exaggerating when I say it has changed my life. I've lost another three stone since, got a new job, found so much confidence, my style has changed to suit my new shape, everything is different.

Best of all, I don't spend every minute feeling like I have some foreign body strapped to me that isn't part of me. That felt disgusting.

Onwards and upwards from here - you'll never look back now. Merry Christmas!

In FACT!

It's my works Christmas do today, and I've just been trying on outfits. For the first time in my LIFE I'm going to wear a top tucked into my skinny jeans, because it looks better that way. Baggy isn't for me any more.

This is actually quite a bit day in my life. Excited for you and how good you're going to feel about yourself!

I'd love to have one but I can't afford it and the NHS won't fund it.

The skin on my stomach is so stretched. Combination of weight loss and pregnancies.

When I'm standing naked, it hangs below my fanny. It makes me feel very unattractive. I'm single as I can't face getting intimate with someone and then having to lift my stomach out of the way when we get down to business.

It gets sweaty, especially in the summer. I have to lift it up and clean under it and dry it thoroughly to stop it getting smelly.

I have to wear big granny pants with legs in to keep it tucked in. I can't wear normal bikini briefs as the weight of my stomach forces them to fall down if I tuck it in. If I put the knicker top under my stomach, it chaffs and causes skin issues. I can't wear normal swimwear as my stomach falls out of the leg holes. I have to wear the shorts style costumes.

I struggle getting clothing like trousers and skirts to fit me. I have to get a size bigger to accommodate my stomach skin but that makes things too big on the waist.

I hate it so much.

I'm sorry to hear that @YorkshirePuddingsGreatestFan that's exactly how I felt.

I couldn't afford it either, then 'luckily' got made redundant and used some of that money.

Hi, I've just read this thread. I had what's known as a mummy makeover, 360TT with lipo, muscle repair, boobs lifted too. Also had my arms done. ( pretty much a body lift )
I went to Turkey and I know that's not for everyone. I started a thread in AMA about my recovery and experience with photos.
I researched it for years and the decision wasn't made on a whim.
I had a huge weight loss and had an apron that went across my tummy and hips. I understand the feeling of looking at your body it hating it.
No amount of counselling helped, I simply needed skin removed surgery. I travelled alone and recovery was ok, surprisingly not as painful as I thought, the lipo and muscle repair was the worst bit.
Surgery in the UK wasn't a financial option for me, I think It would have been 40k ish for what I had done.
Turkey isn't for everyone, but my experience and thoughts were exactly the same as you.
Good luck with what you choose, research is the key to getting the results that you want with a reputable surgeon anywhere in the world.