Tummy Tuck Pictures
On June 13th 2006 I had a full tummy tuck (and breast lift) after losing almost 70lbs. I have always been very conscience of my belly, for as long as I can remember I’ve carried extra fat there. When I was young I "thought" I was overweight because of that extra belly fat. Looking back I know now it wasn’t true, I just carried a little weight in my midsection, but to a 12 year old it was the end of the world. I started crash dieting and began the cycle of yo-yo dieting that led to my all time high weight of 210 pounds in 2000. Now that I reached my goal weight it was very important for me to experience a flat belly. Having the tummy tuck was a very easy decision for me to make.
It was hard for me to add this section but I am finding it a way to say goodbye to some old demons. I don’t think I would have been able to do it without the support from all the online friends I have made. Thanks so much for your kind words and support!
Now, I have taken these pictures of just my belly. Some may be a graphic and I don’t want to insult anyone so please do not scroll down if you don’t want to see the post operative stitches and such.
Last Updated: 06/13/07
1 Year Post Op
I really can’t believe it’s been a year! As you can see the scar is actually getting better. The Right side is almost invisible which gives me hope for the rest of it. Swelling now is minimal, but still happens.
I have my last follow up with the surgeon next week. Last time we discussed the possibility of removing more excess skin on my sides. I guess you can call them "love handles". According to him, it is excess skin, not fat (always good to hear) and the elasticity is just gone. So it will never snap back. I have to admit I’m thinking about it. The devil on my shoulder says to do it. The Angel, on the other hand, says be happy with yourself, look how far you’ve come. Where would it end?! I mean we will always find something we want to fix, right? I will post about my appointment with him when next week.
Looking back, I would do both procedures again in a heart beat. The first few weeks were rough, but well worth it!
6 Months Post Op
WOW 6 months came and went. The first couple of weeks were rough but it was worth it and I would do it again in a heartbeat. As you can see, the scars are still prevalent. As I said, I was anticipating that. It was a small price to pay for having a flat tummy!
I have stopped wearing my binder all together. I’m not sure when I stopped but it was soon after my 3 month pictures. I do still swell but normally it is only after a salty meal or that time of the month.
I’ll post more pictures on my 1 year anniversary. Hopefully my scars will fade more by then.
3 Months Post Op
These pictures were taken exactly 3 months and 2 days after the surgery. I still can’t believe it’s been that long! In honor of my 3 months I took some shots in jeans. Sometimes I think the scar takes away from the actually belly improvement I’ve seen with the surgery. I am very happy with my results! As you can see from the side jeans view, I still feel need the suck it in. :) It’s a hard habit to break.
I’m still treating my scar daily but it doesn’t seem to be getting any lighter. Like I said previously, I was prepared for that. I scar fairly easily. I’m sure it will lighten with time. As for the swelling, it is pretty much a non issue. I’ll swell a little throughout the day and wear my binder at night but it’s not as bad as it was in previous weeks.
I’ll take pictures again on my 6 month anniversary. It is also when I’ll see my doctor again.
2 Months Post Op
Slightly swollen but not bad. I’m getting used to it. You can see I got a little sun showing my belly off on the beach. :)
The scar is still pretty dark but I was expecting that. I scar really easy and bad. I started massaging daily with cocoa butter and Vitamin E. Hopefully that will help. We’ll take another look at 3 months.
6 Weeks Post Op
Swelling went down a little, I think. I have a little upper ab pain this morning. Feel like I pulled something.
Is it just me or is my belly button getting smaller?
4 Weeks Post Op
I’m a little more swollen this week then last. I’ve heard that the 3-5 week zone is the worst for swelling so I hope that’s the case. It’s also that lovely time of the month when women normally swell, if you know what I mean. ;)
You will also notice a small band aide on the front shot. Last night there was a little bleeding there. Not too much but I may call the Plastic Surgeon to ask about it.
I have to admit this morning I’m in a little more pain then normal. My upper abs are quite swore and painful. I think I may be doing too much as the stage.
3 Weeks Post Op
Not much different then last week. I’ve been taking the photos in the morning by evening I’m much more swollen.
2 Weeks Post Op
2 weeks and still swollen but getting better. I know the pictures are small but if you can see my belly button is really irritated. It doesn’t hurt but it looks like it should.
6 Days Post Op
I got the drains out today! The swelling seems to have gone down only a bit but I don’t care I get to take a shower tomorrow! ;)
3 Days Post Op
I can’t believe I did it! I am already happy with the results but have a long way to go with recovery.
Before Shots
These were taken the day before surgery. Now keep in mind I lost 70lbs and had a a baby although I swear my belly was not that different pre-baby.
33 Responses to “tummy tuck”
Labels: TummyTuck
posted by Roni
at
9:59 PM
Roni
I am fellow WW Lifetime member whose lost about the same amount of weight as you. These pics made me wish I’d had a tummy tuck when I had my breast reduction and lift about 18 mos ago. My tummy is as flat as it has ever been with the exercise I’ve been doing, but definitely not the great flat tummy I would love to have experienced at least once in my life.
By the way, I got the link to this site from another member of my WW Team on sparkpeople.com.
RoLoHa aka Robin
Roni,
I’ve been following your tummy tuck pictures since you first posted them! I am a fellow WW that has lost 130 lbs. I had been contemplating a tummy tuck & a breast lift ever since I had reached goal. Well I finally did it, just two days ago! I can only hope that my final outcome will look as good as yours! And I am crossing my fingers that the drains will come out on Tuesday! I do believe that those are the worst! Congratulations on your weight loss and your flat belly!
Just wanted to say thank you so very much for posting your pics. I have lost 70 lbs so far and hope to lose another 15. Also had a baby and my stomach looks very similar to how your was before. I have thought about the tummy tuck but just did not know what the results could/would be. I am very encouraged.
Again, thanks so much!!
Roni,
I first would like to say CONGRATS on all your hard work, you look absolutely fabulous. I have had a flat tummy my whole life until I had my son. After I had my son I weighed 208, and now I weigh 170. I want to loose 30-40 more pounds. My stomach looks almost exactly like yours did. I was wondering before you decided to have the tummy tuck, did you try all the stomach exercises you could possibly do to make your tummy flatter/smoother? Or was it pretty much all stretched out skin, that you could do nothing about. I fear so much that I will never be able to loose the skin/flab in the tummy area. I know I can not afford the surgery though. Did any of the doctors give advice on how to make your stomach look better without surgery? I just don’t want to be stuck with the excess sagging skin, and never be able to wear a bikini or a cute tight shirt without revealing the flab. Just hoping maybe you would have a little hope? Also aren’t you scared if you have another child, your stomach could end up looking like it used to? I hope I am not asking to many personal questions.
Hi Roni,
A friend of mine (JustJill) forwarded your site to me after I mentioned I was going in for an abdominoplasty consult. This is great! Your blog answers a lot of questions! However, I have just one more. What clothing do you find that you haven’t been able to wear because of the scars? Have they been pretty inobtrusive so far? I’m just trying to imagine what type of underwear or bathing suit I will have to avoid. I like that the scars are low enough that you could wear low cut jeans and skirts.
I’ve had a breast reduction, so I have pretty bad scars and I can’t wear certain tops that are too low cut or show the scars under my arms. Anyway, I have no other qualms about the surgery; just wondering if I will be able to hide the scars or will I feel like you do–which is how I feel about my breasts: the scars are so worth it…better than having huge boobs. I’d re-do my breast redux anyday!
Thanks. And thanks for posting all of this information, not just he tummy tuck, but everything. Really inspirational!
Sincereley,
Shelley
Hi there on my weight loss i aslo has a tummy tuck…it was the best thing i couold have ever done… I am now 1 nad a half yeard post op and looking great
Hello my name is kiowna and I am considering a tummy tuck. I have been working out for years and I have never been over weight but after having my children my skin just hangs in the middle I have lost about 20 pounds in the past few months trying had to lose the belly fat and just found out that my stomach has a six pack with lose skin covering it and I was devisated because I have worked so hard that I exceeded the amount of weight I needed to lose by ten pounds now I am under weight. I know that I will only need a partial surgery but with the amount of stretch marks that I have I just want to be sastified.
Roni,
WOW, thank you so much for posting those pictures. I am back on WW and following it to a T. I did great with it after my 4th child, but was not ready to do it so soon after my 5th child and here she is 3 now. I am now in the right frame of mind and doing it for the right reasons.
My tummy is much worse than your beginning picture, mainly for the fact that I had 5 children in 6 years. I am hoping to be able to get a tummy tuck once I have made goal.
Your pictures are inspiring to me. Thank you so much.
Melissa
Hiya, Ronnie! I just wanted to say that you have been an inspiration! After the birth of my daughter and subsequent loss of my pregnancy weight, my body looked like your before pictures. Seeing your before and afters, and reading about your experience helped me to make the decision to have an abdominoplasty and mastopexy, as well. I am currently one week post op, and I am so glad I have your blog to help me get through the initial discomfort! It’s like my “what to expect” for cosmetic surgery. God Bless You and thanks again for your kindness! :-)
I want to thank you for posting the photo’s. I’ve not had as much trouble with weight as you have, but I have had 4 babies, and they were all big, which has done quite the number on my stomach. My muscles have seperated, I have a small hernia and the skin and stretch marks…yuck!….. I have been debating myself for 3 years about having a tummy tuck done and have finally decided to do it.
I am a nervous wreck, but I want a flat belly too. I hate having to tuck my stomach into my pants!! And then trying to find jeans that would fit if only I could get them closed around that extra skin hanging there. I assume that the tuck also helped with pants just fitting better?
I just met with the surgeon this week, most likely will be later this spring that I have the surgery, but am glad that you posted this, so I have a better idea what to expect post surgery.
Thank you!! And best wishes for the rest of your journey, it’s a great story you have!!
Roni - Your tummy looks great and is definitely flat now! The scars will fade more over time, get some mederma or scar cream - that seems to work well for people that scar easily.
I read you had a breast lift as well. This may be a personal question, but what were the scar results with that?
Aimee - swilleygirl@yahoo.com
Roni
Congrats on your weight loss and your surgery!! Just a little info about your scars. I too have trouble with scars and my dr suggested I get injections in to scar of steriods and cortisone and they lightened up and smoothed out too!
Good Luck!
Barbara
I have just joined weight watchers, after losing about 60kg when i was a teen and putting it all back on in the last three years!
I had this same operation about three years ago, and the scar has faded to a silver-y line, but its definitely still noticable. I am afriad they never really go, but I think mine was slightly more faded then yours at six months.
It will fade though..
I really appreciate your posting. I just finished my consultation appt for a tummy tuck and want to find some good real life stories on the web. Yours was great.
I am 39 have two children by c-sec and am in hopes of having the belly that I really never had. I have never been overweight, I am 5.2 and 109 lbs but have always had a pouch on the belly only now after my second child it is saggy and wrinkly too.
I have darker skin because of my indian heritage and am concerned about the scarring around the belly button. Lets face it one of the reasons I am doing this is so that I can have my belly shown in a bathing suit or gym attire without being embarrassed. But, if I am later feeling uncomfortable about the scar then there was really no point in going through all this. Do you have some insights into scarring of the belly button and anymore web sites I should check out with more personal stories??
Thanks so much
Elisa
Roni,
Your story is such an inspiration to me! I have had six children and am trying to lose 40 lbs to get back around my desired weight. But my ultimate dream is a tummy tuck after this journey. And let me tell ya, although I know that the scar will be very noticeable, only my husband and myself will see it, and that is one scar that I will be SO PROUD of!!
You look great!!
I just found your website and it’s amazing. I started at the SAME weight as you and have the same goal weight! I have browsed your site and your recipes are awesome…pics are awesome! Keep it up you look great! I am really excited about this weight loss journey. Thanks for all that you have done!
You look awesome!
I’m so glad I found your site! I’m 27 and about 8 years ago I lost about 100 lbs (through diet and exercise), but after all that work I had a lot of excess skin on my stomach. I, too, had a tummy tuck and don’t regret my decision for a second. It doesn’t seem fair to go through all the hard work and discipline of losing the weight only to still feel extremely self conscious about your body. Anyway, I just thought I’d let everyone out there know that it’s OK to do something like this to make yourself feel better. You deserve it after all that hard work!
I am going into surgery on June 8th and I am nervous. It helps to know that there is someone out there that is posting this kinda of diary. When you look at before and after pics everywhere they never show the progress its always a couple weeks post op. So I am following your diary here. I wish people would post what it could looks like 1 to 2 years after. It definately would make woman more comfortable. Thank you so much for the pics I will keep waiting for you to post new ones. Any words of wisdom before i go under the knife???
Roni,
Thanks for posting these pictures. You look absolutely great.
I too had a complete tummy tuck 8 years ago. After having 4 big babies (the smallest was 8#) I was left with severe stretch marks and skin/fat that no amount of exercise would take care of.
Sevral years later I got an umbilical hernea that required surgery. Told my doctor I wanted to have the tummy tuck at the same time so he referred me to a surgeon that would do both procedures. As it turned out, I had abdominal muscle seperation which could have been hereditary or caused from having such big babies. After the surgery, the pain was extreme. I was in the hospital for 2 days & it was 8 weeks before I could return to work. Due to the severe muscle seperation (surgeon took pictures with his entire hand stuck into my abdomin for insurance purposes), my insurance ended up paying the entire cost. It didn’t cost me a dime!
Anyone who is considering having it done should be prepared for some serious pain. BUT…IT IS WELL WORTH IT!!!! My scars & stretch marks will always be with me but I feel and look so much better.
One more thing…I had my first child when I was 19 years old. I was 33 when my 4th and last child was born. When I had the surgery, I was 49 years old. So 30 years of looking at a big glob of skin hanging around my mid-section, trying to find clothes to hid it. I now look in the mirror and see scars, but in comparison, they look beautiful on my flat tummy!
Roni,
Thank you for all the information. I had my tummy tuck on May 15th, I feel great! My only concern is that I can’t get into any of my clothes! I’m hoping that this is normal, I go back to work in a week. The one big thing that I do hate, is the binder!!
Can’t wait to get this off and get back to a normal rountine.
Thanks for all the information!
Hi, you look great! I had it done 4 months ago, winter is the best time for this op as you can wear an axtra germent and as the swelling goes down slowlly unwanted people will asume your losing waight and you can keep your op quite!
Avoid sunbathing for a year as this will make the scar silver and therefore noticable- if you have to use high SPF 25 or more(thats what my doctor says).
Highly recomend this op but choose your doctor carefully
Love Dorota
Sorry about my spelling there, I’m foreign! My doughter is laughing at me .
Hey chick — happy almost 1 year tummy tuck anniversary…will we be seeing some 1 year post-op pics?
Jenn
I look forward to the 1 yr pictures.
I would like to get this procedure done, but I would like to have kids first.
I am very glad you posted this blog for all of us who are going through the same sagging skin. You are such an inspiration.
I am also a fellow WW online member. I have lost over 80 lb’s . I have had 8 kids sadley to say I have a lot more loose skin then you did. I will be getting my tummy tuck in july .I am so sared. with my youngest being only three I was told i will be down for about two months . Is that true? I cant wait to be flat again.
How long did you have to wait before you could lift heavier objects again (like your son, etc)?
I am 35yr old and plan on having my tummy tuck for my 40th b-day gift to myself. I have a 2 yr old and a 10 month old and still have to lose more weight from being pregnant “back-to-back” (lost 38#’s so far/ have about 60 more to go–was overweight before kids so that’s why I have so much to lose)–(embarassed smile)
I am not in a rush to lose it, but feel so down about how my body looks right now; however, seeing your story and pictures has lifted my spirits and reminded me that us woman are strong and can do anything we put our minds to, so thank you for your honesty and inspiration. Truly you are a mentor to many! God Bless…
@Heidi -
I was able to lift him after about a month. However I’m not sure I was “supposed” to. I’m sure your doctor will advise you.
Congrats on your 1 year anniversary!!!! You look awesome and are an inspiration to us all :)
PS — how long does it take to get blog password? I am more than happy to wait as long as it takes, I just want to make sure I signed up right.
Thanks for all you do for us!!!!
Disregard — I am good to go :)
You’re amazing.
You look awesome Roni! Congrats on your success, you are truly an inspiration to us all!
I think your “love handles” are fine! Love yourself for the you you have become, you look FANTASTIC!