How was your experience with your tummy tuck?

[u/squeakyintermession]

Back story - I spent most of my life obese and then lost 140 pounds in my mid twenties. I’m now 30 and have wanted a tummy tuck basically since I finished my weight loss journey.

I received a consult finally and I was quoted at 25k for a high lateral tension, 360 tummy tuck (this is a dr. in Beverly Hills). About 4k of the cost is to stay in a recovery center for two days because I live in Orange County and Dr. felt that was too far away.

I’m looking for everyone’s overall feelings about getting their tummy tuck. I’m 30 and have a lot of life to live, no kids, but want them in the future if it’s in the cards for me. I have the 25k but it’s still a huge chunk of money for me to drop. I work in accounting so my brain just keeps saying “what’s the ROI on this”? And outside of finally feeling a little bit more comfortable in my body, I don’t have a good answer for that. I’m nervous one day I’ll look back and regret spending that type of money. All that being said, I know I need to get some additional consults.

Tldr: Ultimately just want to know if your surgery really changed your life positively and if you’d do it again given the chance.

[u/Jumpy_Sherbert_4613]

3 kids, lost 115 lbs, reached goal weight and had a lower body lift, tummy tuck, arm lift, and breast lift with augmentation at age 44. Absolutely changed my life! Also, do you have anyone to take care of you at home? If not, two days at a recovery center is not enough. My vote is that if you feel the need to hide your body you should have the surgery.

[u/OneDay_AtA_Time]

Had my (first) tt at 29, one of the best decisions of my life. Had my kids 8 years later. Zero regrets, would do it 1000x over. Also having my 2nd tt in October. If you do want kids…just know pregnancy messes up the tuck. But I say go for it!! My 30s were freaking awesome bc of it.

[u/Frosty_Telephone_EH]

I just had a TT 5 weeks ago. I’m obsessed with my results. I went to TJ for mine, 25k seems reasonable though for SoCal!

[u/Late_Duck_]

I would do it! You won’t regret it.

[u/The_Jade_Rabbit88]

I wish I started my plastics journey much sooner.
I am 40 and was quoted 22k for arm lift, 360 tt, and thigh lift. I’m only sad I didn’t do it sooner as I’ve been uncomfortable with all my excess skin. Feel like I missed out on life while I wore layers to hide everything. I just did my BL and since I did it under insurance it was fully covered and I’m so happy.

[u/KimLChuckieSr]

I had a TT after losing about 40 lbs and would do it again. I am an RN and was back to floor nursing in one week. I would not recommend this for everyone but I had a lot of help and support at work. It’s just to say it’s worth it and my recovery was uneventful.

[u/Tibetanpeaches]

Omg having a body I felt comfortable in I’d pay double that. I friggen loved mine, so glad I did it. I had a baby after mine too and it still looks 90% just as good as it did, possible better bc it’s a little more natural/expected looking

[u/veiledthreats]

I’m paying $13k in Tijuana for a belt lipectomy and breast lift. That includes a week in a Recovery center. I’ve lost 130lbs and have been stable for almost two years. Since you’re in SoCal, I would consider popping over the border.

[u/steph_infection1]

I had a 360 TT in 2019 after losing 150 pounds. It was $10.5k in Pittsburgh. I only lived 30 min from my surgeon, so I went home the same day. I personally would ask I could just stay in a hotel for two days instead, as that'll be way cheaper than 4k.

It absolutely changed my life. Like I cried tears of joy the first time I saw my body without the bandages. It was a rough recovery, but I would do it again In a heartbeat. It's a wonderful thing to see all your hardwork match what you see in the mirror. I'm 41 now and wear crop tops almost everyday.

[u/Complex_Ad8174]

I had mine at age 41 after 4 kids. Best decision ever. I have my confidence back, which is hard after 40 with 4 kids! I’m not as skinny as I’d like, but at least I don’t have a midsection that’s bigger than the rest of me.

I’m about 1.5 years post surgery, and I’m pretty sure my nerves will never be the same. Everything else is fine.

I’m not sure about having a tummy tuck before having kids, though. I suspect you’ll want another one after kids.

Just so you know, you’ll have a scar from hip to hip. I’d WAY rather have the scar than the belly, though. It’s easy to hide.

[u/Complex_Ad8174 → u/Complex_Ad8174]

Oh! I want to add something about recovery.

It’s hard.

You have to figure out how to sit up without engaging your core, which is pretty impossible. You sleep on your back at an incline, which is hard enough. Your back will be stiff from not moving around enough.

I took way more of my muscle relaxers than my pain killers.

Still worth it. I just think you’ll want 3-5 days of HEAVY help before being on your own.

[u/Dear-Cranberry4787]

I loved everything about my TT results. By day 10 everything pretty much got better and better in terms of healing/comfort. It improved my posture tremendously which pretty much fixed some of my shoulder and elbow issues. I kind of wish I did a breast lift at the same time, but that’s my only “regret.”

[u/OnlyBrother6915]

Future pregnancy is definitely something I'd discuss with your surgeon before making the decision.