Before and After Abdominoplasty/Panni Pics

[livvsmum 2,369]

So my surgeon sent me my "before" pictures yesterday, which of course made me want to take an "after" pic to compare. My surgeon does the "official" after pictures at the 3 month appointment when the scar is more healed. So I snapped a couple of pics today. It amazes me. There's only a difference of about 5 pounds in my weight since before and after surgery, but it seriously looks like a huge difference. I couldn't be more pleased with the results so far.

I have scar sheets on the scar, so we will see how that ends up, but so far so good.

[AlanaRN 419]

Wow!!! Looks great. How do you feel?

[Babbs 14,681]

WOW. Just...wow. And the swelling hasn't even gone down yet and you look like that! There's going to be nothing of you left by the time it does!

As I get closer to goal, this is something I've been thinking about. My insurance will cover the panni but not the tuck. I figure my tummy will look pretty close to what you had going on once I hit goal. I've still got some fat in my panni, but it's getting floppier and saggier each additional pound I lose.

I know it's hard to recover from, so I'm weighing options. I'm not as young as you are, so at almost 50 I need to decide if it's even worth it.

But when I see results like yours, man it makes me want to do it!

[livvsmum 2,369]

Wow!!! Looks great. How do you feel?

Thank you! I feel pretty good. It's been a painful recovery, I'm not gonna lie. But at 4.5 weeks post op, my energy has pretty much returned to normal. I had a lot more muscle repair with the abdominoplasty that I needed to be done than normal, so I sstill have a fair amount of soreness in my abs, and I still wear my ab binder for support and to keep the swelling down, but that 's no biggie.

[livvsmum 2,369]

WOW. Just...wow. And the swelling hasn't even gone down yet and you look like that! There's going to be nothing of you left by the time it does!

As I get closer to goal, this is something I've been thinking about. My insurance will cover the panni but not the tuck. I figure my tummy will look pretty close to what you had going on once I hit goal. I've still got some fat in my panni, but it's getting floppier and saggier each additional pound I lose.

I know it's hard to recover from, so I'm weighing options. I'm not as young as you are, so at almost 50 I need to decide if it's even worth it.

But when I see results like yours, man it makes me want to do it!

Thank you! I'm not sure I would have been nearly as pleased with just the panni. I also (as mentioned above) had a lot of muscle repair that needed to be done and wouldnt have been through the panni. I also would have had a little belly overhang at the belly button, etc. Luckily my insurance covered both.

I say if you are on the fence, go for it. I can't imagine living the rest of my life with all that excess reminder of how I used to basically abuse my body with food now that I'm on the other side of it.

[AlanaRN 419]

Wow!!! Looks great. How do you feel?

Thank you! I feel pretty good. It's been a painful recovery, I'm not gonna lie. But at 4.5 weeks post op, my energy has pretty much returned to normal. I had a lot more muscle repair with the abdominoplasty that I needed to be done than normal, so I sstill have a fair amount of soreness in my abs, and I still wear my ab binder for support and to keep the swelling down, but that 's no biggie.

How long before you could return to work? I'm a nurse so this is a big factor for me. I'm not ready at all to do this as I'm only 8 months out and 18 lbs from goal. I will have more questions in the future. I'm really hoping my insurance will cover this. Your results are amazing and I'm glad you are returning to normal!

[NeverHappy 3]

Hey Babbs, I'm 47 and getting mine done next month. I'm terrified but thrilled to have a flat tummy.

Shelby

[jess9395 5,449]

Why did you need more muscle repair work?

[livvsmum 2,369]

Wow!!! Looks great. How do you feel?

Thank you! I feel pretty good. It's been a painful recovery, I'm not gonna lie. But at 4.5 weeks post op, my energy has pretty much returned to normal. I had a lot more muscle repair with the abdominoplasty that I needed to be done than normal, so I sstill have a fair amount of soreness in my abs, and I still wear my ab binder for support and to keep the swelling down, but that 's no biggie.

How long before you could return to work? I'm a nurse so this is a big factor for me. I'm not ready at all to do this as I'm only 8 months out and 18 lbs from goal. I will have more questions in the future. I'm really hoping my insurance will cover this. Your results are amazing and I'm glad you are returning to normal!

I returned after 3.5 weeks. I felt pretty good. Probably could have used one more week but I had some complications like reactions to the Percocet & I developed an infection.

The type of work you do matters I would think. I'm not sure I felt up to bending, turning, lifting until at least 4 weeks

[livvsmum 2,369]

Hey Babbs, I'm 47 and getting mine done next month. I'm terrified but thrilled to have a flat tummy.

Shelby

Don't be terrified!! Just do your research & know what to expect & what you'll need after. It's definitely worth it.

[livvsmum 2,369]

Why did you need more muscle repair work?

I had 4 very large babies (9-10+ pounds) plus with the 150 extra pounds my ab muscles got very thin & very stretched apart.

[Dr-Patient 830]

You look great. Looks like your surgeon did an excellent job! Good to see!

[livvsmum 2,369]

You look great. Looks like your surgeon did an excellent job! Good to see!

Thanks! Yes! He took his time (7 hours!!) and did a great job. Doing your research & picking the right surgeon is so key!

[*Lexie* 1,486]

You look fantastic. Isn't it exciting to have a cute belly button again? I had mine done when I lost weight around 5 years ago. I was very happy with how it turned out, though it is a pretty big surgery and recovery was rough.

Luckily I didn't destroy it when I gained that weight back. Other than the sleeve surgery scars, my abs look great now. I just bought a bikini top today for my trip to Cancun in a few months. Oh, just imagine the possibilities ahead of you now!! Congrats!! What a way to reward yourself for all your hard work.

[AlanaRN 419]

Wow!!! Looks great. How do you feel?

Thank you! I feel pretty good. It's been a painful recovery, I'm not gonna lie. But at 4.5 weeks post op, my energy has pretty much returned to normal. I had a lot more muscle repair with the abdominoplasty that I needed to be done than normal, so I sstill have a fair amount of soreness in my abs, and I still wear my ab binder for support and to keep the swelling down, but that 's no biggie.

How long before you could return to work? I'm a nurse so this is a big factor for me. I'm not ready at all to do this as I'm only 8 months out and 18 lbs from goal. I will have more questions in the future. I'm really hoping my insurance will cover this. Your results are amazing and I'm glad you are returning to normal!

I returned after 3.5 weeks. I felt pretty good. Probably could have used one more week but I had some complications like reactions to the Percocet & I developed an infection.

The type of work you do matters I would think. I'm not sure I felt up to bending, turning, lifting until at least 4 weeks

I could probably take off 4 weeks but that's about it. Can I ask you what was your starting weight and how much you lost?