Tummy Tuck or Alternative

If you had a C-section it is never gonna go away without a tummy tuck....My Mom had 20 years after her c-section...Her tummy looks amazing!!!!!

You are NOT vain. Vanity is one's excessive belief in one's own attractiveness. I don't think that applies here! There is nothing wrong with wanting your body to be its best! If you exercise regularly and that excess skin is not going away, I think a tummy tuck (or something similar, talk to the plastic surgeon for options) may be your only hope.

However, I would try working with a personal trainer and/or nutritionist as a last resort before going under the knife. This would take a lot of hard work (ie working out differently and more often, eating "flat belly" foods, etc) and may not work, but it is worth a try. Then, if you have honestly done everything possible and nothing has worked, go for the tuck if you can afford it! I have a feeling you won't be disappointed! Good luck to you!

Doesn't matter if you are vain or not. I understand that you want to be comfortable in skin. I understand the tucking and hanging of the skin. You can do anything to try and get rid of the loose skin but it will never go away unless you cut it off. I had a tummy tuck after 2 c-sections. It was the best thing I ever did. Is it cheap no (about $4500) is it painful oh my yes. It is worst than a c-section. But is it worth it YES! When I had mine they went in and attached my stomach muscles back like they were before c-sections. You really don't realize how much you use those muscles to walk, stand up or even get in and out of bed. If you decide to have a tummy tuck I would try to have someone there to help you for the first 3 days. I have a very high pain tolerance and I couldn't of done it with out help and pain killers. I think this is the first time in my life that I had to have a refill for pain killers and I have broke both my femurs and had 3rd degree burns from being hit by a car crossing the street. So I know Pain!

I would recommend going to a couple plasic surgeons and find one that you are comfortable with.

You will be so glad that you spent the Money!

GOOD LUCK!

I am not sure I would call you vain. I think most everyone wants to look their best and you are lucky enough to have the ambition to keep your body in healthy condition on top of it. I hate to say it though, I do not think there is any way to get rid of the wrinkly skin left from babies outside of tucking it. I have always been in tip top shape with a flat muscular belly, even after two kids, then the third baby came at 38! My tummy went flat and muscular again but the skin didn't, I too was blessed with the wrinkly leftovers that did not go away after two years of HEAVY exercise and great diet.

Needless to say, I am pregnant with my 4th and final baby, I fully expect my skin to be worse when it is all said and done. I have no problems going in a getting my tummy tucked. This is the only body I have and I want to keep it in the best condition possible, sometimes we just need a little help. As far as the surgery, it is invasive and a few days of recovery but from what I have looked into, not bad at all.

In short, I say do it! Surgery is always risky but now days the risks are low and when you are old and supposed to be wrinkled you can look back fondly with your grown twins and smile that you could still wear a bikini after the babies.

Good luck with your decision.

Great question. I am exactly like you - had 3 kids, at a good weight (117.5, but would love to lose 5 pounds), and when I am in the plank position and dare to look down at my flabby stomach, it is as if an 80 year old woman stole my stomach in the middle of the night and replaced it with hers!!!! It is really scary to see my wrinkly, flabby stomach. I admit that I do not do sit ups (I hate them, but more importantly, I really don't think that would help all of my flab). I would not want to go under the knife either, so you do have an option that is non-invasive - laser. Call around to your local medical laser clinics and compare prices. I called one by me - it would run me about $1200 and it would take a minimum of 8 laser treatments. I can't afford that right now, but hopefully someday I will do it. Good luck!

I know a lady who had twins and she was in constant pain in her stomach. Her muscles needed repair and that is why she went ahead with the surgery.
There is now a procedure called laser lipo that is less invasive then a tummy tuck but you would probably still have the loose skin. I have had three separate pregnancies and got pretty stretched out with each. I can tell when I gain the least little bit of weight in my stomach and then my lower back starts to hurt. I have thought about a tummy tuck and would do it in a heartbeat if I had the money.

I'm laughing at these people saying it isn't vanity. Of Course it is! Who the heck are you kidding, BUT wether it is vanity or not, if you want it and can afford to spend the money on it why not. Is that your only problem area, or do you think you might like to have some other work done eventually too. I think it helps going into it knowing what your limits are so you aren't talked into more.

I don't know but i would think it wouldn't be any worse than a c section. they are just cutting the skin right?

I can't help with the costs or alternatives but...

who cares if you think you're vain? It also sound like you're not wanting them to cut out 50 pounds of fat and lose your weight "the easy way". You've done a great job birthing your kids and staying healthy, and if you want a tummy tuck then I say go for it!! Most of the people judging you will secretly wish they could have one too :)

Best wishes and hope you find a good solution.

After having children, not only does your skin become soggy and stretched out, due to the fact your skin had to stretch to accommodate the baby, but in a lot of people, the muscles get torn apart from each other. This happened to me, so after having my baby, not only was I dealing with stretch marks, but a floppy belly, no muscle definition, and no waistline. Granted, I have never been thin; the smallest size I ever wore pre-baby was a 9, nor did I ever have a flat belly, but it certainly didn't hang or flop over my pubic area to the point that it looked as if I had a kangaroo pouch before I had my daughter. Being in my 20s, I felt depressed seeing all these attractive young ladies at the beach, and seeing my belly show even in a Miracle Suit, a one piece designed to flatter the belly. I started feeling ugly and wondered why so many other moms had these awesome bodies, but not me. What made it even worse was the fact that I am apple shaped, so I have thin legs and thin arms, just quite busty (natural) and on top of it, now I had a belly. I was sick of being called a penguin, a flamingo and other nasty things when I tried to venture into the online dating scene. Working out did not help, as nothing can be done to tighten skin, and my stomach looked even worse after losing 10 pounds. I decided I wanted my life back and decided to invest in a tummy tuck. I did a payment plan, which includes a small down payment and makes it affordable to anyone with $120 a month to spare, which is not that great a sum. The pain was excruciating (I had to do it with hardly any painkillers due to severe damage and inflammation of the liver), and although at the time I would have said "no" if you'd asked me if I would go through it again, I am not so sure I would have said no this time, as I am pretty happy with the results. If your doctor allows you to take painkillers, I am sure it wouldn't be as bad as it was for me. Most of my stretch marks were removed in the process of cutting the skin, my muscles were sewn and tightened, and now I don't mind getting into workout clothes, whereas before, I was too embarrassed and conscious. I work out now and I have the thinnest waistline and flatest stomach I have ever had in my life. This helped motivate me into changing my lifestyle completely, and becoming a healthy eater and working out daily to maintain my new hourglass figure. I am now working towards my goal of getting a six-pack and committed to spending as many years as necessary to achieve my goal. I want to stress the fact that you will need a lot of help with bathing, going to the bathroom, etc. since you will have trouble walking even though the surgeon will encourage it from day one. You may throw up when you start eating due to anesthesia, which makes it painful since you have all those new stitches, and you need to be realistic about the end results. You won't get a Victoria's Secret model six-pack with this surgery and this is not a weight loss surgery either nor a miracle surgery that will make you look sculpted for life. You also have to be okay with having a scar. I didn't mind as I had one already from my c-section. It's just as low so unless you plan to be naked, no one will know it is there. Plus, they have makeup to cover up these scars if your bikini is super-low. They will also have to reposition your belly button, so you will have a circular scar. For me, feeling confident when dressed is more important than some scars most people won't even see or know they exist. I recommend reading this blog by Erica, which details the experience, with pictures as well. She is very friendly and she helped answer questions and any concerns or fears that I had. This may help you in your decision as well http://blog.oriongirl.com/?page_id=2. It's not about being vain, it's about boosting your self-esteem and confidence. I did not even want to leave my house several times due to my complex. It definitely helped me psychologically and if you're feeling depressed about your appearance like I did, especially after years of being picked on, then it will only benefit you and help you feel happy again about dressing up and going out.

I have the same type of stomach and for years have been considering a tummy tuck. In my opinion, focus on those 5-10 pounds; after all, it won't cost anything to lose them :) I found that simply losing 10 lbs improved the look of my stomach enough for me that I no longer care about a tummy tuck. No, my stomach is not perfect, and it does do the hangy-skin thing when I am in plank position, but when I am standing up it is fine. I think also you could investigate tummy tucks further such as meeting with a doctor or seeing before and after pictures. After seeing before and after photos of tummy tucks, I decided that the end result was not worth the money for me. There will be a big scar, and I just felt like the overall result looked very unnatural.

I think that once your stomach is stretched that far from having multiples, no amount of exercise will make it go flat. I think that if you are truly considering a tummy tuck it should be something you really want to do. Make sure you research everything possibly about tummy tucks and once you decide to have the procedure done, you will be very satisfied! Good luck!

Dear Marci,

I have had a C-section, a v-back and then twins vaginally. SO--I also have that stomach--although I am happy with my weight and body everywhere else. Two of my friends had tummy tucks. I have to say--I am JEALOUS!! They look so good! I think they told me they run around $5000. The doctor even got rid of my one friend's "muffin top"!
A doctor told me that once you have a C-section that no amount of exercise will ever get it back to flat and firm (because they cut so many muscles with a C.) If you can afford it--I would say "GO for it!" But also, it is more than a c-section. You will have a "drainage tube and a bag" from your incision site. And you'll be down for a few weeks-- for sure. Research it and talk to other women who have done it. If I had the money I would do it in a heartbeat!

Good luck!

K.

Updated

Dear Marci,

I have had a C-section, a v-back and then twins vaginally. SO--I also have that stomach--although I am happy with my weight and body everywhere else. Two of my friends had tummy tucks. I have to say--I am JEALOUS!! They look so good! I think they told me they run around $5000. The doctor even got rid of my one friend's "muffin top"!
A doctor told me that once you have a C-section that no amount of exercise will ever get it back to flat and firm (because they cut so many muscles with a C.) If you can afford it--I would say "GO for it!" But also, it is more than a c-section. You will have a "drainage tube and a bag" from your incision site. And you'll be down for a few weeks-- for sure. Research it and talk to other women who have done it. If I had the money I would do it in a heartbeat!

Good luck!

K.

After having triplets in my forties my stomach muscles were so separated they were worthless. I had constant back pain and an enormous amount of loose skin. I had a tummy tuck and it was the best thing I did. Keep in mind that the surgery can correct your muscles and tighten your skin but it is not perfect. When I bend over my skin still looks loose. When I am standing it is fine, but looks a little too tight. Also, a tummy tuck is not a trivial procedure. For a few weeks you will need to wear a binder and have drainage tubes. You won't be able to stand up straight or pick up anything heavy for about 3 weeks. You will need help with your kids because you won't be able to pick them up. No exercise for 8 weeks! Recovery is significantly worse than a c-section and you will need to plan for it.

No not vain , I am seeing a surgeon about possibly having my stomach dealt with , have huge scar from surgery from ruptured appendix whilst heavily pregnant and no muscle tone at all as they cut through them , I could planks/sit ups all day and nothing would change!

Go for it if you really want it done