a flat tummy

to anyone who has had a tummy tuck. I am 2 months out and feel almost completly myself again. I am a little swollwen at the bottom of my stomache and my mons area is still very much swollen. most of the swellin is gone but I don't feel that my belly is going to be perfectly flat. I had a complete tt and muscle tightening. Everyone says that I look fabulous and maybe its in my mind because my clothes fit me wonderful now and my husband lets say he looks at me now in my undergarments. Before he would not even sneak a peak. I feel so fat all the time even though I went down a size from a 11/12 now  9/10 nobody told me about the psychological aspect of having plastic surgery and weight loss surgery. I feel extremely depressed all the time. I hate my life sometimes I don't know what to do. I can't talk to others they say you look fine but my gut feelings are ripping me apart. Anyone else experience this please help. 

Good Afternoon,

I had a TT in 2005.  You can and will remain swollen for up to 4-6 months after a TT.  Most doctors usually will tell you that you may not end up with a "completely flat" tummy even after the swelling is gone.  I bet you look great! Give it a little more time for the swelling to go down. If you are still uncomfortable, go back to see the doctor that performed your surgery and he/she can discuss your progress.  I wish you continued success along your journey!

Thanks for your reply I think I will try to seek some professional help. I feel terrible inside maybe it's the winter blues. I did talk to my doctor and he said that the results will not totally be seen for another few months and to be patient. I guess I will take the doctors advice. again thanks for your reply. Can I ask you is your tummy still flat or do you have to work to keep it that way.   

My tummy is still flat, it only bulges out a little when I pack on the carbs/sodas. 

I believe there is a lot of mental adjustment which must come with these changes -- and a new body will not necessarily fix other things. My TT/LBL was early Nov. 08. In some ways I don't even feel like my new body is mine. I look at it in amazement, but after years and years and years of a fat/squishy tummy, this just doesn't seem like me. The slowly diminishing numbness also makes it literally feel like it is not mine. Getting physically active puts me more in touch with my sense of self. I'm just enjoying wearing slim clothes and being treated more positively by others, incl. strangers. But I sure don't feel like some sexy, femme fatale -- and probably won't for some time.... if ever. But I'm OK with that.

If you are really feeling depressed, then it might be nice to see a therapist or join some "body image" related therapy group. Losing weight and then going for PS are all huge changes, so don't put pressure on yourself to feel the way others think you "should". There is no shame in taking the time you need to work through this stuff.

Good luck!

Sorry to hear you are having a difficult time emotionally.  The changes we go through physically and mentally can really take a toll on us.  We are suddenly put into a body that we aren't familiar with. I remember the first time I lost 100 pounds on my own several years ago.  I was barely 20 years old and totally hated being thin.  Imagine that?  It wasn't that I didn't want to be thin, it was just such a drastic change and the attention I got was uncomfortable.  I felt I didn't know who I was and when I looked in the mirror I didn't recognize myself.  I think in a way I sabotaged myself because I quickly gained my weight back.  I missed having the fat as my barrier and believe or not, I was more comfortable being fat because that was all I knew.  I ended up seeking help for that which helped tremendously.  Now that I'm much older, I am more comfortable with my weight loss.   Of course, the problem I sometimes have now is that I still see myself as fat!  Never ends does it?  Anyhow, I'm hoping that after I have my LBL, I can see myself in the mirror after the excess skin is gone and get a more accurate picture of the size I really am and feel better about myself.  That's my wish at least.

Just try to stay focused on what you've accomplished so far and how much healthier you are now.  Just look at your flat tummy as icing on the cake!

Good luck to you,

Melissa

 

Thanks to everyone that took the time to reply.  I am feeling a little better today. Maybe its just winter blues who knows. Tommorow I will start to exercise. That always seems to keep me uplifted. I bought the wii fit and it is fab. Can't seem to get enough of it. Again thanks for the words of encouragement from everyone.

You won't know your outcome for months, maybe up to a year. I went down several sizes, and ended up much flatter and smaller than I ever dreamed. My final shape showed up around 9-10 months out.