swelly belly/tummy tuck

With this being my 3rd abdominal surgery, I will add my thoughts. I had a C-section in 98, mini abdominoplasty in 02 and TAH/BSO with cervix removed 1-19-06. Each surgery was bad in it's own way. The C-section was by far the easiest to recover from. I always had a "belly" that I hated and since I was done having children, thought I would firm it up a bit. With the mini-tuck, I was in and out of the hospital in 6 hrs, with a drain pouch and SO MUCH PAIN. I had read up on it but didn't expect it to be so bad. The recovery was slow and painful. After about a year or so, my belly did look better. (still not as I had expected, you know seeing all the Hollywood perfection thrown at us) Anyway, I do regret the mini-tuck, especially since I now needed the hysterectomy. I do have the swelling now that increases as the day goes on, but I think when I'm back to normal activities, it will decrease again--at least, it's my hope.
Unless you are filthy rich and can do a tummy-tuck at an exclusive spa, it is a difficult experience at best. It's a personal decision for everyone, but I wanted to share with you what I have went through.
Hopefully the information is helpful, if anyone was ever contemplating the tummy-tuck option.

Mary

Mary,

Thanks so much for this.

I had a TAH with a vertical incison on 9/19/05. Due to the incison and excessive blood loss in surgery, was not able to have the tummy tuck.

The way I feel right now, if the tenderness EVER goes away in my abdomen, I will never have it cut unless I have to again. And I am 5 months out. I still have swelly belly.

and hope you feel better soon.