Hi Electra,
I just had a Full TT/Lipo on March 1st.
First I had to lose 30 pounds that I had gained over the past 8 years. Those pounds were not from having my kids. My kiddo are 24 yrs & 17 yrs. I was able to lose the weight both times after having each child. But I had a lot of extra skin I did not like & had always wanted to TT. but could not afford it back in those days.
Anyway, I made a deal with myself & hubby, if I would lose these ugly 30 pounds, I would have a TT. "High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty" It took me a year to lose the weight. I wanted to do it slow... I have gone on diets before & lost the weight fast & turn around & gained it back. So I changed my eating habits, worked out & used common sense. I lost those 30 pounds, had a TT , Muscle Repair & Lipo, went from a size 10 to a size 4. I am very happy.
I far as the surgical procedure, it can take up to 4 hrs or more to perform the surgery. After surgery, it can take up to a year for your final results to really set in. I have gone through a lot swelling & tightness. This is normal. As far as pain, my incision has never given me any pain, it's the muscle repair "tightening of my front abdominal muscles" that hurt. Nothing that a few med helped out during that time. I would do it all over again. I love my results so far & can't imagine 6 months to a year from now on how I will look.
If you do this, do your research first, make sure you get opinions from more than 1 Plastic Surgeon. Make sure he is board certified & check for any previous or pending law suites. The cost for a Full TT/Lipo/MR is around 10k give or take depending where you live.
Good luck to you
mom2jenlane