Tummy tuck must haves

[PennyPugwash]

Tummy tuck in 2 weeks.
Equally terrified and excited. For those of you that have had one, what were your essentials for recovery?
I need to get a little stock pile going :)

TIA x

Anyone?!

Think I was advised soups for the first few days. Also had cereal bars. Otherwise I just ate as normal.

Also used my recovery time to internet shop for new clothes!

I bought one of those g shaped cushions which was a great help in the first few days sleeping upright

When my best friend had this she was very underprepared, and assumed it would be like her two c-sections.
she was off her feet a lot longer than expected so maybe consider this around domestic duties etc

I'm so so excited for this!!

Great! Have one already. Thank you. Did you recover well?x

Thanks so much. I think I'm fairy prepped in the regard and have help for the first week 24/7 in the form of my mother and my husband taking time off.
I'm hoping to be much more mobile week 2. Let's see ✨

I also had lyposuction down the sides and under the bust (for contouring). I slept with a coat hanger for 2 weeks to scratch the awful itching as I couldn't twist properly to get to it. Not even joking!

I will say my friend never regretted it once. It gave her her life and confidence back, 6-7 years on you can barely see a line
excited for you!

Ok... coat hanger at the ready 😂
How was your recovery?
Pretty mobile after 2 weeks?

Oh thank you so so much. I've wanted this for years!
I cannot wait to wear what I want and enjoy my wardrobe without trying to camouflage my rotten tum x

I was moving about from 2 days after and managed to wash my hair at the sink on day 4. Needed help going to the toilet for the first 5 days as I couldn't sit down or get up from the loo then couldn't undo/do up the support (like a swimsuit only way sturdier with poppers under). Was walking to and from the school by 2 weeks post op and walking 8km a day by week 3.

Everyone is different though, I was very fit and active prior to my surgery (3+ years ago).

@LemonySnickets thank you for this. I hope
to be the same!
I'll bet you're delighted you've had it done now

@bleughgreen ok super. Thanks a lot. Have the cushion. Recovery from my section was super fast and I'm hoping it'll be similar.
Also having the muscular repair after a twin pregnancy

Yes I had 3 or 4 stitches in my muscles just under my belly button too. Could fit 2 fingers in there though, not a whole fist! Had no idea until the surgeon examined me!

Forgot about the constipation. My surgeon recommended taking something for it....I forget what it's called but it was a powder you add to water. I drank loads but couldn't poo for 4 or 5 days. I think I was too scared to bear down!

@LemonySnickets Christ I remember this from my section.
You feel like you'll literally break!
Ok... I'll look for sachet things for constipation. I literally cannot believe it's almost here

I had 3 sections. The sections and tuck are pretty similar I think, except my tuck scar is way wider. I also had my belly button moved, that was the freakiest bit about it! 😂

My appendix scar got lost with the skin removal, as did a lot of stretch marks! 😂

How are you progressing OP? I’m just starting my journey…I have put together my savings plan and have started researching…hoping to book in somewhere in March/April 2025. How is the recovery?

@Chatonette hi there! Thanks for asking. Really good. 4 weeks yesterday. I can honestly tell you it's the BEST thing I've ever done for myself.
I knew from the moment I opened my eyes that I'd made the right decision. I've healed incredibly well. Very like my section recovery. The first week is pretty hairy, in particular day 2&3. But from week 3, absolutely flying.
I'm still not able to sleep on my side. My scar comes slightly around my hips.
I think March/April is a great time to have it done so you can be really for summer and not be a slave to the compression garment when it's hot!

I’m really pleased for you—keep us posted!

How many weeks are you wearing the compression pants?

I’m petrified of the whole thing (I didn’t have c-sections, so abdominal surgery is all new to me), but after 7+ years of 4x exercise sessions per week with a focus on core, I still look pregnant/lumpy under my clothes. 😕

Keep us updated…

Can I please send you a PM?

@Chatonette you can but I've no idea how to receive them on this app (😂)
Compression garments for at least another 6 weeks. I've had to order a smaller size. The swelling is wild throughout the day.
Yes, I hear you re: abdominal surgery! It's definitely a big deal.
I needed help for at least the first 7 days continuously. I took 2.5 weeks off work and was able to work from home for about 2/3 days before returning to the office.
I felt this was ample x

I have so many questions! (I’ve sent you a PM).

What level of help did you need for the 7 days? Like getting out of bed and onto the toilet type of help?

Did you have to take holiday, or was it medical leave? Is it holiday, since it’s elective surgery? Did you tell your boss what you were having done?

@PennyPugwash how are you doing? Thank you for this thread which I read with much interest. I have so many questions for you - or anyone else on here who had a tummy tuck. I am just starting my research and hoping to find a surgeon and book for April 25. Is this too optimistic? How long did it take you to find someone you felt happy with and what was it about them which reassured you?

I've started with Google - where else - searching for a tummy tuck surgeon and found a few websites with dr's ratings and patient reviews but filtering out the right one proves tricky - ALL seems to have good ratings (the difference is between 4.9 stars to 5 stars mainly..) ALL patient stories are positive! How can that be? I feel very nervous picking this way and would love to have personal recommendations.

So where did you go? You sound so happy with the results. Do you mind sharing how much it costs? Here are the websites I found so far:

Top Doctors UK
RealSelf
WhatClinic

Thanks x