Tummy Tuck

[MozzchopsThirty]

So I have an opportunity to have a tummy tuck

I'm 45, had 3 children, and a very traumatic 3rd delivery requiring 2 surgeries and left me with severe PTSD

I had a consultation with a surgeon I had another procedure with about the tummy tuck, but he was concerned I wouldn't cope with it mentally

But even though I'm a size10-12 and slim, I always have a belly and an overhang and it really bothers me. I train, fast, diet etc and although I have good boobs, legs & bum this is one area that doesn't change.
I think I'd have to starve myself forever for a slightly less baggy belly

So I'm just asking for opinions, would you? Have you? What are others experiences of tummy tuck?

DP and I have both lost a lot of weight this year.

He has a lot of loose skin, and is planning surgery once he's finished.

I've had 2 emergency c-sections, so I'm much less blazé about surgery, and am very much in two minds. I think I might. But that's only because both of my surgeries, whilst emergency, went well, and healed well, and both were done while I was awake, so I don't have any trauma around going unconsious.

I think that if I did, I would probably not do the surgery, and explore other options for spot reduction - eg. lipo or fat freezing.

TLDR - depends what triggers the PTSD.

I would listen to the surgeon. Sorry! They just dont say that lightly you must be a high risk.

He is a surgeon I trust very much. He did a fabulous job elsewhere!

I just don't want lipo too much risk involved of perforating bowel, which was my worry with initial botched surgery

I have tried fat freezing and it made no difference at all

Even my gynaecologist offered to do a 'tidy up' but again was worried about the mental impact and that I wouldn't get the result I was looking for

I know someone who had one and I think you need to be realistic about the amount of scaring that is involved- it is hip to hip and not subtle
That being said she is delighted with the result
In your shoes I wouldn't do it if two doctors have turned you down already. You must be seriously high risk as it isn't common for a cosmetic procedure . You will get someone to do it if you persevere but I wouldn't want to go to the guy that would take you

If you are thin I would try Tracy Anderson ab floor matt workout. It takes less than 5 minutes and within two weeks I have a flat stomach and 6 I had definition in my stomach. I also had v large babies
Worth a shot as you see results v quickly so if it makes no difference after a few weeks you will know it won't work for you

I had a tummy tuck, muscle repair and liposuction two weeks ago so I'm currently recovering. I was a size 14, 5 ft 4 and 11 stone something. I'm now almost a stone lighter but still quite swollen

I feel good and am recovering well as far as I know but the first 5 days are brutal, I shan't lie. Each day brings more things you can do though

You need to choose your surgeon so so carefully. I believe I chose one of the best in the UK. You need to ask his/her revision policy, what he/she does with your belly button, you probably need lipo to give a contoured shape so ask about this

Happy to answer any questions

Oh and if two surgeons have advised against it due to your mental health issues then I'd probably take heed of that. Depends what the trigger is?

@FelicityFlamingo thank you

I had a complete wound dehiscence after a c section and carried my bowel back to bed to wait for ambulance

My gynae is not a plastic surgeon obvs and recommended me to see one. He said what he could achieve was limited based on his ability

The surgeon I saw gave me in detail what he would do with my belly button, especially as I used to have a piercing which he said was problematic but could be done

I would just like to eat well, train and have a lovely flat stomach which without surgery is unobtainable

@FelicityFlamingo how bad are the first few days?? The surgeon said I couldn't even lift a kettle for 2 weeks post surgery and I needed to be prepared for that.
I think after my previous surgeries it was the vulnerability which I found very difficult to deal with. I'm very independent and hate relying on others

Not sure why so much is in bold sorry

@MozzchopsThirty the first few days are absolutely brutal I have to say. I was in hospital for two nights (this is standard) and my god was I sick. It was all the heavy duty painkillers they give you - and that for me was as bad as the actual pain!

I stopped the painkillers by day 4. It's very sore but manageable. Mobility limited. Hard to get up and down etc. Day 5 I turned the corner. Day 6 I drove again. The kettle lifting thing is a nonsense - yes of course you can't go lugging heavy things about but from day 6/7 I was slowly emptying the dishwasher, bringing down washing etc. I did the full Sainsbury's shop on day 7 or 8. And I'm now walking 10k a day if I do want to.

I'm day 13 and it's an improvement all the time.

@FelicityFlamingo who did you go to?

Eterno360 in Eton. He operates out of 3 hospitals in Reading. He's one of the best in the UK

Always research the surgeon and not the clinic! Never go to any place that has sales agents for example. You should be able to book directly with your chosen surgeon for a consultation

Thank you @FelicityFlamingo
I have used this surgeon before and he was recommended by a nursing colleague

Do you mind me asking how much you paid?

I have a flabby mum tum

I just live with it

You are allowed to age, and to change, and to me cutting in a healthy body is a sad thing. Much nicer if you could be happy with what your amazing body does, and has done, and can still do. Focus in fitness and fun, not looking like you think you should (why can’t women look as if they have born children, really? Why is that bad?)

Good luck whatever you decide

Imo your body is probably amazing as it is

@Pikachubaby it is amazing and it's been through a lot
The dehiscence literally changed me as a person and how I viewed the world, my job, everything
It terrified me that I could be that vulnerable and almost die

And it's that feeling that keeps me from doing this

But every time I look in the mirror, put on a nice dress, lie by a pool it makes me so unhappy
I even got asked by a guy in NYC when my baby was due

So I have many mixed feelings about it

@FelicityFlamingo how did you find him? I was going to start my research but where do I begin? Is there a website that list them with reviews?

There is an excellent Facebook group called Plastic Surgery Questions Answered by U.K. experts that might be worth having a look at. It has got quieter since lockdown ended but it still has surgeons on it. You can post direct after you’ve joined, but if you prefer you can message the admin with photos and she will post on your behalf. She vets the surgeons quite carefully, and doesn’t allow any sales at all, it really is simply advice.

@Pikachubaby and that's great. For you. Free choice innit? That's the great thing - as a woman, we get to choose what we do with our own bodies

@bellsenwhistles join the Facebook group 'Tummy ticks, liposuction and more.' It's a UK group and very informative. I first saw his name mentioned there so I started researching. And then read more. And then I booked a consultation with him and looked at all his previous work. And then a further consultation. And then, 6 weeks later, the op.

He's a stand out surgeon for me. I was looking for low scar, decent belly button, proper contouring and - most importantly - someone who really really knows what they're doing and is fully experienced. Remember - you need a plastic surgeon and not a general surgeon. So it's crucial to see his/her previous work and recent work. What are his complications? How did he deal with them?

I think he's about the best in the UK. Iain Whittaker in Swansea and Rob Winterton up North are also excellent surgeons with good results so worth looking at them too.

@MozzchopsThirty I paid just over 8k . This included all garments (you need to wear a binder for 6 weeks or more afterwards), 2 nights in hospital (and more nights included had I have needed them), all medications and all after care - so any queries I have or if I need to be seen, he's there for me. Also includes the anaesthetist (which is handy 😂) and all follow up appointments 1 week, 4 weeks and 12 weeks along with consultations.

Oh and CCKat in Birmingham is another very good surgeon

I'll have a look at Winterton as I'm in Cardiff

But my first choice was Nigel Mercer in Bristol (works out of Bath too)
He's the one I had consultation with last year

How many days did you say you were now @FelicityFlamingo ??
How's your recovery going?