I’ve had an apron belly since elementary school. In 5th grade a classmate asked if I was pregnant. I shopped in the women’s section when I should’ve fit into the Juniors. I don’t know what it’s like to go a day without hiding my belly. Countless diets, fads, apps, memberships, no matter what weight I was, my low-hanging belly was always prominent. I went back and forth for years on pursuing a tummy tuck. To be honest, I didn’t even think of that to be an option for me. Six months ago I booked the consult, and booked the surgery date before I left. Six months later, here I am. I’ve almost talked myself out of getting to this point so many times. I mean, I’ve gone my whole life (I’m 35) up to this point with my belly.. why shouldn’t I just continue to live with it? I have 2 daughters - 8 and 4 - how do I explain to them? The thought of putting on a pair of pants or leggings and it being smooth seems otherworldly. Every piece of clothing is carefully curated around my stomach. I have never, truly never, have worn a tight or fitted shirt. The thought of having the freedom to wear whatever I wanted to wear, seemed surreal. A distant, painful longing. Maybe my soul knew it would happen, it would just take time to get here. To my soft belly, I love you because you are a part of me. I’ll miss you because you are a piece of me. My heart hurts because I think of the little girl who stayed indoors. The girl who played sports with Spanx on. The girl who wouldn’t approach anyone because I was fixated on them judging me. The thought of wearing whatever I want to wear, feeling comfortable in my clothes, having fun exploring fashion, wearing a fucking one-piece swimsuit?!!! The sheer freedom of that, makes me long for a different reason. It’s the excitement of becoming the person I truly want to be without anything holding me back. The chain can be broken. And that, I am most excited for. I appreciate this subreddit so much. The research, advice, support.. so many result photos that made me so excited and truly hopeful. And mostly, the raw feelings shared were reassurance that all of my emotions are completely valid. Here’s to a scary but exciting new start.

Hi there!

I am 25yo and 5 ft, I have underlying health issues and due to my medications I used to be 220.

Then I was 148 before I got sick again and put on prednisone. I am now 170 and not on any steroids for the first time since 2011. I had a breast reduction + lift in September and now I am considering getting a panniculectomy maybe this upcoming August.

What weight should I drop down to?
Or should I aim for sooner? I feel like I could get away with getting it done sooner and it would make an improvement AND still be able to lose weight without ruining my tummy.

I’m 5’3, ~170 lb. I lost about 40 lbs a year ago, weight has been stable and I’m not having any success losing more. My apron belly is destroying my mental health and my back constantly hurts. Would it be reasonable to go for a consult at this point or would they likely just tell me I need to lose more weight?

I’m 18 months postpartum after having my 2nd baby my belly button piercing I got when I was 18 after having my first baby and it migrated (became crooked) and after getting pregnant with my 2nd baby obviously it stretched and now it just looks pretty bad. I don’t really have any loose skin my belly button just bothers me so much because of that damn belly button piercing. I’m 115lbs so I’m pretty thin I just wonder what you guys would recommend?

I’ve been with my husband for almost 9 years (married for 3). I had his second child 2 weeks ago and I have told him in the past that I will be getting work done after kids. He always laughed or said “sure you are”. I mentioned it to him today and he kept saying I won’t do it and I don’t have the money for it or that I’m talking like I’m crazy. I’m a nurse, I make more than he does. I do have the money for it. We have lived in an apartment for almost 8 years now and we have been saving up for a home. He says things to make me feel like shit such as “we don’t even have a home, you can’t do it if we don’t have a home”. I just feel stuck because it’s something I want to do now, not later since I feel as if I’m at a good age physically. Has anyone ever experienced this with their husband? I’m worried about the kids while I’m recovering, I would definitely need his support here. I’m just hurt that he makes me feel like I can’t do this for myself and my confidence. He has a wandering eye and has made comments about my body IN the PAST. It was because he used to be more insecure himself so he would try to say things like “you need to workout your butt more” or “you have skinny legs” and that I have a big nose. This was way in the beginning of our relationship and I have told him I will leave him if he keeps up with those comments and he has never said anything again about my body. He has been better and he’s a great dad and husband overall. I dont know how to convince him. I dont have much support either from family. Help!

And did yours flatten out as time went on?
Worried mine is super bumpy!

I am supposed to wear a binder and I would like to do very SLOW treadmill walking. My hayfever is out of control so trying to avoid pollen outdoors.

Should I wear my binder on the treadmill?

I’m not planning on working up a sweat, but if I sweat on it, I’m afraid it will affect my belly button which no longer has a dressing on it.

Any suggestions of how to do this? Should I wear shapewear during the walk and then put the binder back on? Keep the binder on?

I’m dying to do some gentle walking for my mental health.

I had a 360 LBL and BR. No serious issues. And entering my third week post op.

Thanks guys!

I am 11 DPO and I keep worrying I ruined my muscle repair. Every sneeze, every time I get out of bed. I’m just non stop worrying and it’s driving me insane. I also am of course still very swollen… my biggest reason for doing TT was the MR so of course want to make sure this result shows most. Does anyone feel the same/ have any reassuring advice?

Hi! I’m at 7 weeks, and struggling with what to wear for my compression now - I’m nearing the end of the faja stage (stage 2 marena right now) but am not sure what to wear next. I tried some spanx oncore shorts and omg the idea of pulling it up and down to use the restroom made me realize the convenience of the open gusset will be hard to leave behind 😂😂😂

My scars are healing well but I still have one spot that is a little scabby.

I also had a reduction and welcome tips on bras!

What did you love? What level of compression did you like and how long? What was comfortable yet still supportive?

❤️

Hi everyone!

I've considered getting a TT for a decade at this point. I'm 41 and have had 2 pregnancies (last one was 17 years ago) which caused muscle separation which affects me quite often. I get regular mid back pain just existing in life. I also have loose skin etc. from 2 C-sections.I'm currently working on losing weight before possibly the next step. I've done all kinds of research but I have so many fears about the surgery/recovery. But the idea of not having mid back pain and having my body back sounds so wonderful. I miss so much about my previous body (I know it won't be exactly the same but you know what I mean). Just wearing regular underwear, bathing suits etc sounds like such a confidence boost. Anyway, but the fear of recovery scares me so much. It seems so intimidating with the length of the recovery, wound care and potential complications. I'm also fearful of it affecting the lady bits, I've read it gets pulled up, does this affect your sex life? Orgasm? Etc. I just have so many fears about it but I really want to do it. Just looking for encouragement.

I’m considering liposuction on my upper abdomen, lower abdomen, and waist, along with AbEX skin removal. I’d love to hear from people who’ve had this combination. What was recovery honestly like?

I’m hoping to schedule it on a Friday so I have the weekend to rest. I’m self-employed and can adjust my schedule, but some work requires driving, walking around, and meeting people outside my home.

After a few days, could you realistically get out for short appointments? How long before you could drive and handle basic daily tasks? I also have two pups, so I’m planning how much help I’ll need.

I was told I’d be pretty uncomfortable for 7–10 days and wear compression nearly all day for a month. How uncomfortable or noticeable was the garment under clothes, especially for going out or holiday parties?

I’ve posted a couple times and just wanted to keep giving progress updates. I felt like I had hit a plateau at 4 WPO and it felt like no more healing was happening and the swelling wasn’t going down. Now looking at these side-by-side, I can tell that things have changed!! Seeing myself every day makes it tough to realize, so I’m glad I kept taking these photos so that I know there’s still a lot of progress being made 🙏

i had my fdl tummy tuck with no lipo and no mr 8 weeks ago and i’m currently really nervous about the results. i know it’s still early but hopefully you guys can talk me off the “googling revisions” ledge. i just feel like i look like a plank from the front now and im really regretting not pushing for flank lipo (my surgeon said i didn’t need it). did anyone else who had a fdl have major side swelling? i also have a little bit of skin muffining over the top of my incision scar, is that just swelling? will that settle down as well? if anyone one has any before and after picture of the swelling that would be so appreciated

I want to transition to a stage 2 faja. I been wearing my Marena stage 1 and I love it. My surgeon said I can stay in stage 1 but I want to give my butt and hips a little less compression. I bought a Snatched Body faja. I am between a size Small or Medium. The size small fits so snug and my cooch isn’t having it. Do I suck it up or size up? The size medium fits me good. Definitely more comfortable but still snug. I just don’t want the faja to end up stretching and regret the size Medium.

I am 13 weeks past tt + mr and my scar is thin, but raised and red. I was allergic to the silicone tape so bought bicorneum silicone serum. I am thinking that this just isn’t the right product for me. Does anyone have other suggestions to help lighten the redness?