[stephjoel99]

I am interviewing surgeons now. And I am hoping to have a breast lift at the same time. My stomach is a total train wreck after 3 c-sections and 2 other abdominal surgeries.

Has anybody had one? I'm a little nervous about the recovery afterwards since I have 4 young kids, and was curious to hear anybody's experiences. Thanks!

[mommytoEli]

my mom had one. it was painful to watch her heal..and it was definitely gross! but her stomach looks AWESOME! she was basically in bed for a week...there was no way she could have dealt with kiddos. we all waited on her hand and foot, and she basically laid on this bed wedge and watched tv. just based on what i saw...i wouldn't do it without a helper in my house!

[Mil]

I don't have first hand experience either, but know someone who did. She said it was an excrutiating recovery. You definitely would need help with the kids! The first several weeks were extremely painful for her. She was thrilled with the results, but said she'd think twice if she knew how painful it would be. Worse than having surgery for her. I'm not trying to discourage you, just want you to know that you'd have to have help for a while.

Good luck - I hope all goes well.

[Travelkid]

I don't have first hand experience on the tummy tuck, but I do have it on the breast lift-ouch!

I had mine done previous to our adoption and I can say it would have been difficult if I had a child then as it took longer to heal than I expected. I love the results, but reccomend that you have help with your family while you are healing.

[ERAmy]

A friend had one recently. Shes super skinny but she did just have lots of extra skin and such after having 2 big babies that no amount of exercise would ever fix.
Shes VERY happy with the result (she looks amazing, well, she did before too but I can see why she decided to have it done).
The recovery was much harder than she expected though. The drains and everything. She definately needed help for awhile taking care of her 2 young sons.

I know she said theres a website where people show their before and after pics and their stories that she said was very frank and helpful to her, I just dont remember the name. I know her pics are on there.

[Hopingsoon]

Someone I worked with had one a couple of years ago. She came back to work after two weeks, and was still walking hunched over for another week or so. She said it hurt, but when she went to Florida a month after, both her and her husband were really pleased with the results, and she wasn't fully healed.

[mommytoEli]

Originally Posted by ERAmy

The drains and everything. .

as an outsider...that was definitely the grossest part.

[IHOP]

i know someone who did have it - looks great and recovered well, but she did say it was A VERY, VERY PAINFUL RECOVERY and you would definitely need help with kids. but she looks awesome now and healed well.

[hunterfamily]

I had it done after my 4 bio kids. I LOVE IT! However it was the most painful experience I have ever been through. I was not able to walk upright for almost 2 weeks and it took 6 weeks before I was able to return too work. I had it done 7 years ago and it still looks great and even with the pain, I am so glad I had it done. I was luck enough to have my husband spend the first 2 weeks at home with me, there is no way I could have been left alone with all the kids. I was unable to get out of bed or up off the toliet myself for the first few days and I lived on some pretty strong pain meds the first 3 weeks.

[ourdreamcametru]

My bestfriend had gastric bypass almost 2 years ago and has lost over 170 lbs. She had her tummy, back and legs fixed 7 weeks ago and is just now starting to get around again. She said it was the most pain she has ever been in and she is the surgery queen! She does not have children but her mother in law had to stay with her for the first 3 weeks because she couldn't get herself out of bed much less bathe, toilet etc.

[stephjoel99]

Okay, so it sounds totally painful! I will definitely need to line up help for 2 weeks at least it sounds like. Thanks for all your replies!