Happy Holidays everyone,
my babies are almost nine months old and I still have extra weight on. The biggest problem is "a pouch" that's hanging on me like an apron. I don't think any exercise can handle this much of skin.

I have decided to have the surgery done, but my husband still not convinced it's worth of the money.
Has anyone experienced the same?

Thanks,
Katy
Mom to triplet boys
Born at 35 wks and 4 days
James 5'6
Nickolas 5'12
Alexander 4'6

My babies are 10 months, and I have a consult with a plastic surgeon next week to talk about a tummy tuck. I don't have an immense amount of skin (when I'm standing up it looks relatively normal), but its definitely more than I feel comfortable with. I can grab handfuls of it, and if I wear tight pants, the skin has to go somewhere, and its usually over the top of my pants. Not pretty. What you have to explain to your husband is that your self-esteem and body image is priceless. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt and assuming that he is balking at the price because the surgery just doesn't matter to him. He thinks you look gorgeous no matter what, skin apron or no skin apron. And thats a good thing. After all, you don't want your husband cheering when you tell him you want plastic surgery, or saying "while you're under, maybe you could get some more done."

And no, exercise will not take care of skin. If anything, exercise will make the extra skin look worse. I'm a small person, and I lost all of my pregnancy weight within about 2 months. And the flatter the stomach, the more the extra skin will hang off ot it! If you filled the skin with fat, the skin would probably look better.

I say that if it will make you feel better, go for it!

Melinda
mom of Annabelle, Lillian and Charlotte, 2/25/03
35 weeks, 6 days

I had a tummy tuck and believe me, it's worth every dime it costs including the painful recovery! GO FOR IT! You won't regret it!!

Karolina
Mom to b10/11/91 & bbb 6/14/00

I just had my consult this morning, and I can't wait to schedule!!!!!!!! I will probably wait until May when I can get my mom and mother in law out here to take care of the kids & me!!! But I am definately excited!!!!!! I want this so bad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Tami
SAHM to
Landon 6 yrs old, and Delanie, Natalie & Haylie 3 1/2 yrs old
www.tripletlanding.com

Tami
SAHM to
Landon 6 yrs old, and Delanie, Natalie & Haylie 3 1/2 yrs old
www.tripletlanding.com

For a simple tummy tuck, what is the recovery time? Are we talking weeks? months? My girls are two and I would like to have the procedure done as well, but I am wondering if I should wait until they are in pre-school to give me a little down time. Although I don't know if that will matter much.

Lisa
mom to: Abbey, Cassie, Zoe
10/19/01 @ 32 weeks
dh- David
see our babies: http://
www.daveleland.com

Lisa
mom to: Abbey, Cassie, Zoe
10/19/01 @ 32 weeks
dh- David
see our babies: http://
www.daveleland.com

I'm not talking from experience here, as I myself have my consult next week, but I've heard that you will not be able to take care of your kids alone for a minimum of 10 days and a maximum of 6 weeks. 3 weeks is the average amount of time for which people get full-time help. I posted this same question a few weeks back and got lots of responses, so thats where I'm getting this info from! You might want to search the archives for that post. I think the recovery depends on how extensive your surgery is, how well you heal, and what your threshold for pain is.

I think that there is no ideal time to have a tummy tuck. I mean, do you ever really have down time to recover from abdominal surgery? I think that if you want to get it done, you just have to plan accordingly. For me, I can't wait until my babies are in preschool. After all, thats ALOT of swimming pool time between now and then! I'll let you know what my Dr. says when I meet with her next week, but I'm thinking that I will get the surgery done in the beginning of summer, and that I'll plan on having 2 or 3 weeks of help. Luckily, my mom and my in-laws live in town and are always available to help so if the recovery stretched out longer than anticipated, it wouldn't be a huge deal.

Melinda
mom of Annabelle, Lillian and Charlotte, 2/25/03
35 weeks, 6 days

I am gratefull to all of you who responded. I am more and more convinced that I WILL have it done, the question is now how to find a good plastic surgeon.

We live in North Jersey, so I am looking for a surgeon in New York/N. Jersey area. I looked for the websites for plastic surgery and received tons of emails offering services. Is it a good idea, or shall I ask my primary care doctor to give me a refferal?

Katy
Mom to
James, Nick and Alex 8 months.

Katy- you will be so happy you had it done. I had mine this last summer & it did wonders!!! I had lost all my weight but that pouch was horrid- I love the results. In finding a plastic surgeon- make sure he/she is Board Certified in plastic surgery. The best way to ever search for good doctors is to ask nurses. If you have access to any nurses they usually have the best info. Otherwise- just make sure the doc is board certified in plastics. Good luck!!! Make sure you have full time help that first week- and I mean full time- you will be out of commission for a week. I actually had full time help for 2 weeks & day help that last week. Then I was fine.

meplusthree bbg 9/99

meplusthree BBG 9/99

Katy,

As one of the other posters said, definately do your homework. I have spoken to two so far, and got recommendations to both doctors. The one that I saw yesterday (who was referred by a friend who is a nurse) was the best by far! I think he is the doc for me! The first doc I saw was referred by a friend who had implants, and when I had that consult, I did not feel comfortable with that doctor. I am glad that I asked another person, who was in the medical field. I am so excited for this surgery! I will be waiting until May, however, until I can line up help from my mom and mother in law. My bday is in May, so I guess it is my bday present!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!

Tami
SAHM to
Landon 6 yrs old, and Delanie, Natalie & Haylie 4 yrs old
www.tripletlanding.com

Tami
SAHM to
Landon 6 yrs old, and Delanie, Natalie & Haylie 3 1/2 yrs old
www.tripletlanding.com

Another great place to look is in a local city or state magazine if they do a Top Doctors issue. I live in Denver, and each year they do a Top Doctors issue, in which local doctors and nurses receive ballots and vote for the best doctors in different fields.

Melinda
mom of Annabelle, Lillian and Charlotte, 2/25/03
35 weeks, 6 days

Pretty much, one week you are down for the count, then another month until you should lift anything. My guys were 18 months old when I did it!Fell free to email me for more info: LikeSt8xK@aol.com Good luck!

Karolina
Mom to b10/11/91 & bbb 6/14/00

So did you really not lift your babies for 5 weeks? I think its not sinking in about the recovery, so I think I need it drilled into my head! You had full-time help for 5 weeks?

Melinda
mom of Annabelle, Lillian and Charlotte, 2/25/03
35 weeks, 6 days

I didn't do anything for the first week and had full-time coverage. The next 3 weeks I had help but not full-time. I was very creative as far as getting the kids into and out of bed and bath. They were 18 months, so were mobile beings. I hung around on the floor and played and they crawled into my lap, (carefully) but no I didn't lift for a month total. It's pretty painful to do so, just like in any abdominal surgery..however the time goes by and it's just a blip!

Karolina
Mom to b10/11/91 & bbb 6/14/00

Thats good to know. I'm planning on having it done in May, when the girls are 15 months old. They're pretty mobile as it is now, so hopefully their mobility will work in my favor. In about 4 months though, I'll probably be e-mailing you asking you how to get them in their cribs without busting a gut!

I know that everyone says its worth it, I just don't want to underestimate the recovery. My usual style is to say that I can just deal with it, which I can if its just pain (I've always been able to suffer pain in the name of vanity!), but if the lifting could actually damage me, thats another story. I guess every recovery is different, so I'll just have to wait and see how it goes!

Thanks again--

Melinda
mom of Annabelle, Lillian and Charlotte, 2/25/03
35 weeks, 6 days

It won't really ruin the surgery, but you have to be careful about pulling the scar apart.This will make you laugh, but I was pulled so tight I looked at my feet for about 3 weeks! (My friends called me "I Lean") I tried to stand up sooner, because one of the nurses nagged me, but my doc was annoyed when he found that out. I pulled the scar apart because I tried to straighten too soon so it's wider then it could have been. When I get my nerve up, I'll have him revise it. Just anticipate doing NOTHING for a week and then work back into the swing. Email me whenever, I'm here! I was MISERABLE for the first week, hated the garment (I was lucky I didn't have to wear it long because I am thin and didn't need lipo) I'd do it again in a heartbeat! Here rooting you on!

Karolina
Mom to b10/11/91 & bbb 6/14/00

After being pregancy with three set of multiples and a single(three died at birth from being born at 24 weeks), I know what you are talk about. I am looking into get a tummy tuck. I have had a couple of back problem since having my children and my insurance will cover some(80% to 90%) of the cost. I am also thinking about getting my tubal done while I am under. Thank you so much for posting this.
Heidi
mom to
Josh 10/31/97 @ 42 weeks
Mackayla, Payton, Joseph 11/6/01 @31 weeks
Jordan and Caden 3/28/03 @ 33 weeks

Heidi
mom to
Josh 10/31/97 @ 42 weeks
Mackayla, Payton, Joseph 11/6/01 @31 weeks
Jordan and Caden 3/28/03 @ 33 weeks

Hi Katy!
I had a full tummy tuck done this past june. my trio was about 18mos old at the time. we split them up between family members for about 2 weeks. dh took off one week to take care of me. the recovery time is different for everyone, but mine was not that bad at all. i must say that my c-sect. was far worse than the tuck. by the third week all babies were back home with us. we just let them sleep on the living room floor so i didnt have to put them into and out of their baby beds. instead of lifting them, i just sat on the floor and held them in my lap. i went back to work at about 6wks post op(i'm a teacher and went back to work in late august)its best to be within 10lbs of your ideal weight, otherwise, if you still have lots of weight to lose, its a lost cause. its the best $5000 i've ever spent. my tummy is soooo flat now, and you can see my muscles down the center of my stomach. the lower back problems that i had from picking up the babies are absolutely gone now! i will admit, the scar is pretty scary, from hip bone to hip bone, but absolutely cannot be seen in underwear or a bikini. the only thing is that my belly button is not as round as it used to be, its kinda like a flat line. i'm planning on piercing it this summer to disguise the surgically altered belly button. hope this information helps. good luck, you won't regret it, i promise!!
kelly

I am getting a TT with my bladder repair surgery in two weeks. I am far from my ideal weight, but by no means consider my tummy tuck to be a lost cause if I lose weight later. I cannot wait any longer on the bladder repair, and I want to get them both done at the same time so I have only one recovery. My plastic surgeon said I will be amazed at the result and it will give me a great head start on any weight loss. He said it is much more important that you do not gain a lot of weight after the tuck. Losing will not change the result much, since the excess fat above the muscle is cut away as part of the surgery.

BTW, I was not offended by your saying it is best to be within 10 lbs.
of your ideal weight, I just wanted to provide some more information for women who may be considering a tummy tuck but are not there, and don't know if they ever will be.

Sheri
Mom to 5 Great Kids
Savannah-6/1/93
Sydney-8/19/97
Clayton, Jackson, Tyler-10/6/00

Sheri
Mom to 5 Great Kids
Savannah-6/1/93
Sydney-8/19/97
Clayton, Jackson, Tyler-10/6/00

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

I'm sorry, you are correct. I believe what i meant to say was that if you plan on losing weight, its best that you lose all or most of it before the tuck. i just assume everyone getting a tuck is in the same situation i was; back down to the ideal body weight for my height, with all this loose skin. i continued to lose weight after my tuck, and i can see where the skin can have the tendency to sag when i sit down and look at it. revisions may be in the near future to pull it even tighter for me. my main complaint was that i was never going to be able to wear a bikini again, and trying on clothes was hell because there are all these low rise jeans and pant styles that looked horrible on me. but i accomplished what i set out to do, i can now wear a bikini and i look just great in the low rise jeans and pants, so in my opinion, i've reached my goal. best of luck to you, and hopefully yours will be a speedy recovery!!
kelly

I just had one done- it will be two weeks tomorrow. I was lifting my kids (20 months and all 22-24 pounds) on the third day. It hurt a little, but I found it pretty unavoidable. I have also gotten kicked there a lot which is also sore! My dh took 4 or 5 days off and then went back to work- I have mostly had the kids by myself. It would definitely be easier with help, but it is doable. My biggest problem is now I have gallstones which are causing me excruciating pain and I can't get my gallbladder out because my abdomen isn't fully healed yet! I have to wait at least 6 weeks and in the meantime have to avoid fat, oil, caffeine, and spicy foods. But, it is definitely worth it- I am SOOOOO glad I had it done!

Christine
mom to Sydney, Ryan & Kyle
4-19-02 at 36 weeks
& Tyler 6-27-95

The only truly wasted day is one without laughter.

Christine
mom to Sydney, Ryan & Kyle
4-19-02 at 36 weeks
& Tyler 6-27-95

The only truly wasted day is one without laughter.

Hi,

I have a new question on this topic. Do you know if they pull your skin down or up when they do a tuck, or do they do some of each? The reason I am asking is because I am going to deliver soon and I only have stretch marks on the bottom portion of my belly, so I would prefer them to pull the skin down and get rid of those marks. I do realize that this may not even be needed, but now that I am stuck in the hospital on bedrest I have nothing elose to do but think of pointless questions, forgive me.

Heidi
31 weeks 3 days

Heidi
Lydia - 5lbs, Sasha 5.8lbs and Isabella 5.7lbs
born at 34 weeks 5 days
AND NOW...MARCUS EARL, 9.2lbs!!!!

they pull the skin down, and if most of your stretchmarks are UNDER your belly button like mine were, most of those will be removed with the skin.
kelly

If you are trying to convince your husband about the tummy tuck, remind him how sexy you will look, feel, and ACT once you have your trim body back. Don't make up stories, but this is likely to be true. When we like our bodies better, the rest seems to follow. This is not the number one selling point, but A point none the less. Good luck!! I am 33 wks PG with my triplets, and I console myself with the idea that I may someday get one if "needed".

-Tonka

-Tonka

Thats exactly what i told myself while on bedrest in the hospital! LOL I remember asking the nurses if there were any stretchmarks on my belly and they said "well, they're definately there!" I really didnt have time to think about having one done until the babies turned one, then i realized there WAS life after triplets!! Ahhh the wonders of plastic surgery. now when people say how good i look for having triplets, i just smile and say i have a wonderful plastic surgeon!! happy gestating!!
kelly

Kelly,
By any chance, is your surgeon in New york City vicinity?
i would appreciate any recommendations for a good plastic surgeon in New york.
Katy

No, sorry Katy, i live in southeast Louisiana. i got my reccomendation from my ob. you may want to try posting this question on the msg board at tuckthattummy.com. theres girls from all over who swear by this dr named dr gongora i believe? supposedly he can "sculpt" your body beyond belief. i've seen pictures of his work though, and he is awesome. i do believe he is located on the east coast too. i don't know if i've ever posted to you about tuckthattummy.com before, but this is where i started my research, tons of information for those looking to have a tummy tuck. best of luck to ya!!
kelly

I am so envious reading how so many of you had tucks. I had my boys nine months ago and although am back to my original weight and clothes (115lbs.), I too have the extra skin that I would desperatley like to remove. For one, I am terrified of going through it if it is anything close to the recovery of a c-section, as that was the worst time of my life. Also, I don't mean to be blunt, but how do you women with triplets afford it? I consider us to live a wealthy life in a nice house and a husband that has a great job, but we don't have five grand laying in the bank for a tuck. Plus we don't have any debt (except a house payment of course) and plan on keeping it that way. I guess I'm just jealous! I don't see how we'll have the money there any time soon since the boys cute clothes and vacations come first!


Karen,Paul
Ethan,Dylan,& Parker
3/24/03
33weeks, 4 days

Karen - blessed wife to Paul,
Proud mom to spontaneous boys
3/24/03
God is soooo good!

I guess thats the difference. I know I won't be taking any vacations any time soon, so there is no reason to save up for that!
(boo hoo.) The recovery from the tummy tuck will probably be the most rest I'll have for years to come, so I guess we'll spend any vacation money on that!

I've heard that the recovery is similar to a c-section (since both are abdominal surgery and realtively similar in their incision, although the tummy tuck is of course a larger incision). However, when I went into my c-section, I was coming off of bedrest, so every muscle in my body already hurt. I was physically drained, emotionally exhausted, overwhelmed, and dealing with post-partum emotions. So although it was also the worst time of MY life, I have to believe that if it was only the recovery from abdominal surgery it would have been alot easier.

But who knows. I'll let you know in a few months!

Melinda
mom of Annabelle, Lillian and Charlotte, 2/25/03
35 weeks, 6 days