My Tummy Tuck and Flank Lipo Experience in Miami: My Honest Experience and Results

Deciding to get a tummy tuck with liposuction to my flanks was not something I took lightly. I have never had cosmetic surgery before, and the unknown can be scary. This was a long, emotional journey that started years before surgery day, and I wanted to share my experience so far, not the polished version, but the honest one. If you are considering this procedure or are already in recovery yourself, I hope this helps you feel informed, prepared, and a little less alone. I researched for over a year and could not find anything quite like what I wished I could read, so I decided to write it myself.

Why I Decided to Get a Tummy Tuck

After having a traumatic delivery with our third child, my life and body were forever changed. I had an emergency C-section, and both my son and I nearly lost our lives. After he was delivered, the doctor made the decision to take my uterus out and then put it back in. During that process, an ovary was ripped off, which led to severe hemorrhaging. Everything moved fast after that. I was rushed into emergency surgery, fighting to survive, and later needed two rounds of iron(I refused a blood transfusion) just to begin recovering. It was terrifying, overwhelming, and something I will carry with me forever.

As time passed and I healed, I lost the baby weight, but my body never felt the same. No matter what I did, I could not get my lower abdomen, especially around my C-section area, back to how it was before. That was my first and only C-section, yet the damage left behind was something exercise and diet could not fix.

This decision was personal for me. I hated how my stomach looked, and no amount of exercise, weight loss, or time changed that. I wanted to feel confident in my body again when I looked in the mirror, and that mattered to me.

I also want to be clear that I don’t believe surgery is the only way to get results. Eating well and exercising consistently matters, and it’s something I’ve always prioritized. I avoid dairy and gluten due to allergies, eat a healthy diet, and stay active through walking, running, and Pilates, which has been temporarily on hold while I recover. Surgery was a personal decision for me, not a replacement for healthy habits, but something I chose after doing the work and realizing there were limits to what lifestyle changes alone could fix.

Why I Chose Miami for My Tummy Tuck

I consulted with and reached out to many surgeons over the years. As the time got closer and my research deepened, one surgeon consistently stood out. I chose Dr. Michael Kaufman, also known as King Tuck.

I followed his work for a little over a year, watching the results he delivered again and again. His work is beautiful. The consistency, attention to detail, and results gave me confidence that this was the right decision for me.

What truly set this experience apart was the communication and support. I went back and forth by text with Angelica from Miami Life, and she was incredibly patient with me. I had a lot of questions, basically an essay, and she answered so many of them with understanding, clarity, and kindness. She was informative, helpful, and never made me feel rushed.

I want to be very honest and say I did not get this level of communication or care from other surgeons I reached out to for consultations. That made a huge difference for me.

There were several staff members who stood out throughout this experience, from Taimy to Danielly, who did my massages. The care felt genuine.

This practice is very busy, so sometimes responses were immediate and sometimes they took a little time. That said, I was never left without an answer for more than a day. When I had urgent questions, I was able to call the main number and they had a nurse call me back. They also checked in on me by message and phone to see how I was doing, which meant a lot during recovery.

What Procedure I Had Done

At the recommendation of my surgeon, I had an extended tummy tuck with muscle repair, along with liposuction to the flanks. The muscle repair addressed separation in my abdominal muscles, which contributed to the shape and weakness in my midsection after pregnancy and surgery.

The flanks are also commonly referred to as love handles or muffin tops. This area is located on the sides of the torso between the lower ribs and the hip bone. Addressing the muscle repair along with both areas helped create a flatter, stronger core and a smoother, more balanced overall result.

Surgery Day, The Big Day

I walked in with my husband and son. My surgery was scheduled for 6:00 a.m., and we arrived about fifteen minutes early. I had a lot of paperwork to complete, and because I read everything carefully, it took me about forty-five minutes.

A nurse then had me provide a urine sample to make sure everything was good. After that, I was taken to a room where I changed into a gown.

When Dr. Kaufman came in, he was exactly how he appears in his videos, kind, energetic, and very present. He listened to my concerns and made me feel comfortable. He must have sensed how nervous I was because my face gives everything away. He looked at me and said, “I prayed for you and everything’s going to go great.” That moment truly helped calm my nerves.

He explained everything he was going to do while marking my body. After that, I walked into the operating room, laid down on the table, and the team put me under.

Pain Control and Recovery So Far

I did pay extra for the Exparel shot, and it was absolutely worth it. I was sore, but not nearly as uncomfortable as I believe I would have been without it. I also purchased foam boards, which helped reduce swelling and made wearing the faja much more comfortable.

I was prescribed antibiotics, anti-nausea medication, and pain medication, and they truly helped me get through the first part of recovery.

I am swollen and bruised, which is expected. I have not had much of an appetite, but I eat what I can and focus on nourishing foods like meat, chicken, fish, fruits, and vegetables.

I also opted for an extra faja so I could change it after getting blood on the first one. I had one drain that was originally supposed to stay in for seven days, but since there was very little fluid output, I was able to remove it on day five.

On day seven, I met again with Dr. Michael Kaufman for my post-op appointment and to complete my flight paperwork so I could prepare to travel back home. I told him how happy I was with my results, he confirmed everything looked good, and his nurse showed me how to properly pack my belly button moving forward. Packing is important because as the area heals, the surrounding tissue can tighten and cause the opening to shrink or close. Packing helps maintain a natural, open shape while everything continues to heal properly.

Constipation has been part of recovery as well. By day three, I started drinking apple juice, prune juice, and plenty of water.

I drank, and still drink, arnica tea and pineapple tea every morning. Over the last couple of days, I started drinking it both morning and night. I truly believe this helped reduce bruising and soreness.

Traveling to Miami for Surgery and Hotel Tips

Our first hotel was okay. We stayed at the Rodeway Inn, but if you are traveling for surgery, I strongly recommend requesting a handicapped-accessible room with a shower chair and please read the reviews. I usually do this, but I was in such a hurry that I forgot, and I wish I hadn’t. I had requested a first-floor room weeks in advance and was told it could be accommodated, but when we arrived, it was not. The hotel also advertised a free breakfast, which did not happen.

During checkout, before we were fully checked out, an employee entered our room and took my wedge pillow. After speaking with several staff members who said they could not find it, we had to involve a manager, who was ultimately able to track it down.

For the remainder of our stay, we switched hotels and absolutely loved it. It was clean, updated, and within walking distance to many restaurants, which made recovery much easier. Pictured below ⬇️

Skip the rental car if you can. We rented through Expedia, and the car company we selected, AddCar, caused unnecessary stress. Despite confirming availability, we were told the next morning that our car was not available and were offered a different one for an additional $500. Expedia was unhelpful even after we provided screenshots of the messages.

For sightseeing later in the trip, we rented through Enterprise and had a great experience with fair pricing and excellent customer service. That said, a rental car is not necessary for medical appointments. Parking is expensive throughout Miami, Uber or Lyft will get you everywhere you need to go, and if you are traveling alone, you will not be able to drive after surgery anyway.

What Helped Me the Most During Recovery

Bringing someone with me was the most important thing. I wanted to feel comfortable, so my husband came with me and took care of everything.

Loose-fitting clothes are a must. I wore loose sweats, relaxed tops, a black zip-up hoodie that held my drain inside for the first few days, and a loose sports bra toward the end. You will not need underwear after surgery, so do not bother packing them.

A wedge pillow is essential. I compressed mine into a miracle ziplock vacuum bag and it fit perfectly in my suitcase.

Walking helped a lot. I walked every hour on the first day and every two hours on the second day, and I continue walking daily.

I also bought a wheelchair off Facebook Marketplace in Miami, and I am so glad I did. It allowed us to get out of the hotel after the first couple of days so we were not stuck inside, but it also gave me a safe way to rest when my body needed it. I used it both as a wheelchair and as a walker, pushing it while I got my walking in and sitting down when I felt tired. Recovery is not the time to overdo it. Your body is healing, and having that option helped me stay active without pushing myself too far.

Other helpful items:

• Leg strap

• Lightweight cotton robes

• One hundred percent cotton compression socks

• Extra fajas

• Pain medicine(for after the prescription one runs out)

• Vitamins(you take them before, definitely need them after)

• Arnica and Pineapple tea

• A strong support system 🤍

My cousin Dani and my husband were everything during this process, and I am incredibly grateful for them.

Final Thoughts and Results

I am beyond happy with my results so far and truly could not recommend Dr. Kaufman enough. His work speaks for itself, but the care, confidence, and reassurance he provided meant just as much. I genuinely believe I chose the best surgeon for this journey. My husband even says it looks like I took off 20 years.

Recovery is not linear, and every body is different, but preparation, support, and the right medical team make all the difference. If you are considering a tummy tuck or traveling for surgery, I hope my experience helps you feel more prepared and less alone.

Disclaimer

This blog reflects my personal experience and opinions only. I am not a medical professional, and this is not medical advice. Every body, surgery, and recovery is different. Always consult with a board-certified surgeon or qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical procedures, medications, or recovery decisions. What worked for me may not be appropriate for everyone.

I was not paid or compensated in any way for sharing this experience. This post is purely my own and written in hopes of helping others, especially because when I was researching, there was not a lot of detailed information available on this topic. I also loved my results so much that I couldn’t keep my doctor a secret.

Make sure to follow me for more updates and additional notes if you are considering this procedure. If you have questions or are considering a similar journey, feel free to reach out. I’m happy to share what I’ve learned along the way.