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has anyone had a tummy tuck?

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Posted 5/14/2010 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
I know this sounds really shallow. I am actually in the middle of getting diagnosed and think I either have fibromyalgia or arthritis. It is yet to be confirmed. I am not in extreme pain but do have traveling pain in all areas of my body, plus my right foot and hands get tingly.

I am just thinking ahead because I had planned on a tummy tuck this July, before I started getting all these symptoms. Just wondering if it is possible and what the surgeon would say about that.

sometimes I feel like my big stomach bothers me more than the pain.
Posted 5/14/2010 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Bridget,
I had one done about 3 years ago as my C-section scar kept getting infected. They took 15 lbs off the front and it has done
wonders for the spinal arthritis. I rarely get backaches anymore. They accidentally gave me the blood thinners 12 hours too
early and I hemmoraged, ended up needing 2 units of blood and was in ICU for 3 days and out of work for about a month.
I found I was allergic to the staples and was a serious mess, but I'm glad I had it done. It really was worth it even with all
the complications.
Nana Monster
Posted 5/14/2010 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
did the pain from the surgery make your fibro pain worse or did the drugs cover it up? I am not even officially diagnosed yet but was just thinking ahead and curious. I will have an MRI and EMG on Monday and will hopefully have the tender point test soon after that. of course, I know my physical health is more important than my tummy but I just don't feel like I could ever be content without getting all the loose skin taken away. I feel so uncomfortable.
Posted 5/14/2010 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Bridget,

welcome to the HealingWell fibromyalgia forum. We are so happy that you have joined us.

I know nothing about tummy tucks, but I would imagine that you will be uncomfortable for awhile as you heal. But that is a part of sugery, it is a shock to the body. I am imagining that you will feel better if you get some excess weight off. As I feel that is a lot of my problem and why I am tired and not able to do much. I feel if I lost some weight, I would be able to be more active. Though I do walk a lot.

I hope that you get some answers from somebody. Some people say that surgery worsens their fibromyalgia, but it could be worth it. Hopefully somebody with more information will come along soon. Regardless, welcome to the forum.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 5/14/2010 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
I've had arthritis since 7 and was diagnosed with fibro about 10 years ago. I've had every female surgery out there, tons of
lipoma tumors taken out, knee surgery and my tonsils out at 49. With all the slicing I've never noticed a difference in pain
from surgery. The only side effect I have is sinus infections from the anestesia.
Believe it or not but I've felt much better since the tummy tuck. My clothes fit better (even at 195 and 5' tall) and I don't have
the problem with my incision getting infected anymore. That in itself is a blessing.
Posted 5/14/2010 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
thanks for the nice welcome, and also for the reply on the tummy tuck. Now i am wishing I did not have that as my first post- you must think I am so vain- geesh! To be honest, I have gone from being addicted to researching tummy tucks to being addicted to researching the health issue that I possibly have!

I am trying to think in a positive light and think that maybe God had a reason for me to all of a sudden develop these symptoms to delay the surgery. I would rather find out now then while recovering from surgery.

My main symptoms are pain in my right foot, right hip, right leg, right hand, left hand, both arms, upper back, shoulders and neck. Also constant tingliness in my right foot, and sometimes in my hands. OH and my left elbow has been constantly throbbling lately! I do have some fatigue but not anymore than I am used to . I have always gone to bed too late (like past midnight and wake up at 6:30) so it is hard to tell if the fatigue is from that or from a health condition. Although, recently, I do feel overwhelming fatigue if I am super stressed or put a lot of effort into something.

So I am not sure if I have fibromyalgia or not. I do have some other symptoms like bloating and fibro fog (although I always chalk it up to mommy brain or lack of sleep!)

I don't know what else it woudl be though besides maybe arthritis. My mom has Fibro, so I would not be surprised. Also, my Aunt has MS, so I am hoping it is not that, but I don't have any other symptoms of MS.

It is good to kow that having a tummy tuck would be manageable at least with a condition like Fibro. I just hope it doesn't take too long to get a diagnosisi.

oh, and I am at a healthy weight.... but my stomach pooches out from seperated muscles..... so my pants are so tight on me. I look like I am pregnant! What bugs me the most is I really wanted to get in the best shape of my life before the surgery and now I can't even walk very well!

I know not to take my health for granted!
Posted 5/15/2010 1:54 AM (GMT 0)
I finally found a dr that explained that the reason so many arthritis and fibro people are fatigued is we are not reaching the
REM stage of sleep. During what we call sleep the body spasms and wakes us up enough not to get into the deep sleep mode.
Between the arthritis and fibro and the broken water bed I was a mess. There were nights that 3 darvacets and 3 flexoril didn't
touch the pain and I would end up on the couch curled up in a ball of pain. From there I went herbal and have done much better.
Other than problems with my right knee which feels like someone shattered it, I'm doing OK. I went to a knee specialist who
took x-rays which showed nothing other than the arthritis......suprise!!! Most damage doesn't show on x-rays. Take drugs and
come back if it doesn't feel better. Gotta love it.
Nana Monster
Posted 5/15/2010 7:34 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry, I can't sympathize with the tummy tuck ELECTIVE surgery. I read your posts but still don't understand why you feel you need this. Why did you schedule one?

I'm also worried that if you do go through with the surgery, that your body will have a rough time healing from the symptoms you've described. There is a very large chance that you might gain weight from the period of lethargy following surgery and your body might not EVER resume to it's former homeostasis.

Also, if your symptoms are manifestations of FM, then woooowheeee do you have a pile on your plate to deal with. I hope you don't and I hope this is something temporary going on. You never know when you might have to count on your body's health for recovering for NON-elective surgery :(
Posted 5/15/2010 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
sorry, I guess those who do not have the loose skin and seperated muscles don't fully understand.....I guess I didn't clarify that I just started manifesting these symtpoms like a month ago..... before that I did have hip pain for 6 months, but it wasn't so bad as to not have surgery. So that woudl be great if this was just temporary.

I did not come on here to be judged, just to find if there are others who can relate. YOu don't understand how I feel about this stomach and how much I hate it. I used to be on a tummy tuck forum and it was nice to chat with others who could relate.... .however, now nobody on there can relate to having surgery with other problems as well.

Thank you to the one person who actually responded to my question instead of coming on here to judge.
Posted 5/15/2010 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
to the administrator, you can delete my post if you want to, I don't want this to turn into a debate. I did find others on my tummy tuck forum who have fibromyaglia and arthritis and have had a tummy tuck and did just fine with it.... so I can't expect everyone to understand on here. thanks anyway
Posted 5/15/2010 5:32 PM (GMT 0)
Bridget,
I realize that many people do NOT understand what it's like to have it hanging in the front. For me it was for medical reasons,
for you, you think it's unsightly...when you get down to it, both of us have reasons for wanting a tummy tuck. When you have
it done you will not only feel better about yourself mentally but when the weight is off of the front of you it will make it a lot
better for the rest of your joints. Something about weight distribution. Like I said I'm glad I had it done and I hope yours goes
well. If you have any questions you can e-mail me. Take care

Nana Monster
Posted 5/15/2010 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Bridget, welcome to our forum. I, too, have considered this surgery, but decided against it because of the scarring and the time it takes to recover. If only there were such a surgery that would not leave such scarring. It is good to know that the nana did not have a worse recovery because of fibro.

I hope you get a diagnosis soon because it is hard to not be quite sure what to do to help the pain. If you decide to get a tummy tuck and it would make you feel better, then go for it. I looked on your profile to send you a personal e-mail, but yours is not there. You are welcome to e-mail me if you want.
Sue
Posted 5/15/2010 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
Bridget, welcome to the fibro forum!  You have found a great place with wonderful members that love to help one another. 

 

I have never had a tummy tuck.  But I did have my colon removed and was cut from my sternum all the way down.  I had 89 staples in me.  I had had fibro for two years at the time.

 

Ten days after this surgery, I spent six hours Christmas shopping at the mall....with the 89 staples still in me.   I went shopping Monday through Thursday and then headed back to the hospital on Friday to have the staples removed.  My Christmas shopping was done!

 

So, as you can see, I managed wonderfully well.  My doctor was so surprised and said it was a wonderful attitude that allowed this to happen.  So, if this is something you really want to do, check everything out first and then make your final decision.  I can't guarantee that you will have the success I did but at least you see a positive story, too.  You won't know how your body will react until you do it so make sure this is something you need or really, really want.

 

Sherrine

Posted 5/16/2010 4:05 AM (GMT 0)
thanks for the kind replies, and I am sorry to the other poster if I was snippy. I almost decided to never check back here again, so I am glad I did. Besides, if I was diagnosed with Fibro, this seems like a good place to chat (not about tummy tucks, I know... LOL)

I didn't create a profile yet-- didn't know about that. But thanks for the offers to email me.

btw... I do have an umbilical hernia, which woudl be good to get taken care of, and the surgeon said he can do that with the tuck, so in a way it is medical.
Posted 7/7/2011 4:45 AM (GMT 0)
Bridget,

Getting a tummy tuck was the WORSE thing I've ever done in my life. My husband and I cry about it and regret it everyday. I had a tummy tuck 2 1/2 years ago and it gave me GERD (look at all my GERD posts to see how much it sucks). The GERD has given me asthma and I just feel like crap always. I have a hard time swallowing from the GERD so I'm dangerously underweight and dehydrated. I can't even walk up the stairs without feeling exhausted and winded. My abs hurt all the time. My stomach is so tight it's difficult to do Yoga or even a lat pull exercise and worse some sex positions. I can't play with my kids anymore because I feel so horrible. I've almost bankrupted us with all of my doctor bills. I wish so much I could go back and have a baby tummy and be healthy.
I've had other surgeries even open ones and by far the tummy tuck was the worse and I fear that I will never be better. Please save yourself Bridget. Just do lipo or something but don't get your abs tightened it squishes all your insides and your stomach and lungs will never be the same.
I'm not against plastic surgery--got a breast aug and that was one of the best decisions of my life, but I feel like I've shortened my life and will never feel good again (I'm sobbing now) because of my tummy tuck. Please stay away
Posted 7/7/2011 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
Jasmine -

Wow, after reading your story I'm re-considering getting one now. Bless you! That's just an awful story :(
Posted 7/7/2011 10:07 PM (GMT 0)
Jasmine,
I'm sorry to hear your "tuck" went bad. It's been nearly 3 years for me now and the
spine is doing great. I don't have the backaches or the infection in my old incision.
If you have GERD please check into Essiac Tea. My man has it and when it starts
acting up he goes back on the Essiac. It's an herbal blend of sheep sorrel, slippery elm,
burdock root and turkey rhubarb. His sister-in-law told him about it as she had it real
bad and someone who was suffering from it told her. Unless he drinks booze he doesn't
have any flare-ups. It also helps to heal any damage done from the reflux.
Nana Monster
Posted 7/8/2011 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the note. I've never heard of Essiac tea and I thought I'd heard of everything. I'll try it.
Posted 7/8/2011 9:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hello

 

Welcome to Healing Well in the Fibro area!! I've had a few surgeries before being RX's with Fibro,

 

Breast Reduction

2 C-Sections

and a few tummy scopes,

 

Then I just had surgery in Feb a hemorroid removal. - It already a delicate area to begin with no matter what, but I can honestly say this surger was worse. With me...cause everyone is very different (smile) I had to lay flat the first day on my back, then slowly but surely after that they had me up and moving around, but I still did a lot of laying in the hospital, well If I stay in bed all day unless it a migraine, I have to move or else I get really stiff and sore. It really becomes difficult for my by the 2nd or third day.
So for me I would say that yes, fibro makes everything tend to be exagerated and worse, we are just so hyper sensative, At least I am anyway. But if its something you want t o do and you can afford it, if you have done your research, go for it

 

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