First of all - kudos to the creator of this page and to all the women who posted their stories! Here is how my story goes: I got pregnant after 2 years of trying, fertility treatments and one round of IVF. Got blessed with boy/girl twins, whom I carried to 38 weeks. They were born at 6 lbs 9 oz and 5 lbs 2oz. Unfortunately I don't have any digitals of my pregnant belly, but it looked like it was attacked by the angry tiger. Even my stretchmarks had stretchmarks! What can you do - bad skin elasticity! I am 5'7'' and was around 130lbs when I got pregnant at 29, gained 65 lbs and lost it all within a year. I looked great in clothes but my tummy looked like a deflated baloon, something that even 90-year-old grandma won't claim as her own, and I was constantly getting infections in my belly button (or what was left of it) because it got closed. I've contemplated plastic surgery for years, and finally when twins were 4 I went for it. People thought I was crazy, so I had to lift up my shirt to prove my point. :o) The surgery went very well, and recovery was pretty easy for me, but my skin is being my skin - it scars very badly. I knew it going in though. So almost 4 years after the surgery my scar is still angry red/purple and wide. It is starting to fade in spots though lately. Since I had stretchmarks way above the belly button, they are still there after the surgery, and while it looks ok standing up - if I bend the skin still wrinkles and sags. Or well, at least if my shirt rides up, the site doesn't induce vomit reflex in onlookers. :o) I am almost 38, and even though I thought I was done with having babies, I think I am getting a baby fever. the thought of what the pregnancy will do to my body is frightening though. So most likely - no more babies for me.
Comments (8)
Our babies sure do a number on us. Good for you for having surgery. I think your new tummy looks great and at least the scar is under you bathingsuit/panty line! I wouldn't say your previous tummy was gag inducing but i do admire your sense of humour! Kudos to you proud Mama, you look marvelous!
Posted on April 30, 2008 12:05
Wow! thanks for posting this. I know a lot of moms here have considered the same surgery and I think showing this, even though it kind of goes 'against' the acceptance vibe here, can help moms get a more rounded view of everything.
Thank you for sharing your before and after pics. :)
Posted on April 30, 2008 14:23
That is a scary scar, but it will fade even if it takes time.
Have you considered adoption for a third child? Even international adoption? Don't call it quits yet if you feel you still want another child. =)
Posted on April 30, 2008 15:32
Your postpartum story is so similar to mine. I have posted on this site before and shared some of my post-tummy tuck photos as well. I too felt I had to prove to others that I really "needed" a tummy tuck. On more than one occassion I felt the need to justify my decision to a family friend or close co-worker by lifting up my shirt and showing them my sagging shell of a stomach, at which point they would respond with something to the affect that yes I really should get one. Their reaction were both validating and devastating. Though I am very pleased with my results, I too am still left with a fair amount of stretchmarks and my skin also sags a bit when I sit or bend over. Although it may sound vain, I too am questioning whether or not to have more children, even 10 years from now, because of the toll pregnancy took on both my body and my self-esteem. However, we have been discussing the prospect of becoming foster parents or adopting sometime in the future. I wish you luck in the future in whatever path you choose.
Posted on April 30, 2008 15:49
I have a huge horizontal "S" shaped scar across my belly. It's been three years and it's still just as angry looking as it was the day I got it. I love my scar; it's unique and is a part of me. Embrace it!
Posted on April 30, 2008 16:38
You look great for having twins. Even before the surgery. I know that vitamin oil helps with scars. I've had to use it on my husband before and it works pretty fast!! Its about 1.00 at walmart for 50-100 caps i can't remember. All you have to do is poke a hole in it and squeeze it out!
Posted on April 30, 2008 21:03
I'm glad you shared your story. I did not have twins, but I had two pregnancies. I am pretty slim so when I talk about getting a tummy tuck, people think im crazy. But I have loose skin that I would like to get taken care of. Anyway I just wanted to say thank you for having the courage to tell your story. I think you look beautiful in both pictures!
Posted on May 1, 2008 10:03
I think you looked great and you look great now.
I too have many many stretch marks, but mine are everywhere except tummy. I wish i had them there and not on my tights as i would have a solution like yours.
Never mind the scar, it'll get better and better. If you saw a scar i have in my left harm... I make the worse scars in the world, but i can't hide mine.
Never mind the comment saying you have a scary scar, for me isn't nothing scary. If i showed mine i don't know what they would have said.
Be happy with your body because you are beautifull.
Posted on May 2, 2008 02:58