After getting a tummy tuck in 2014, I knew I would have to get other areas "fixed" after losing a third of my body weight. I was going to work on my arms next, but decided my thighs were the biggest priority after the bulges set off the security scanner at the airport!
As I lose weight and tone, my thighs have gotten bigger and bigger in the front. I wear a faja every day to keep my thighs under control so I can wear my clothes. I haven't worn shorts since I lost weight.
I was going to have the procedure done here in Atlanta or in Miami, but decided to go back to my surgeon in Guadalajara, Mexico. I want him to look at my abdomen since I still swell after intense workouts.
I am nervous about the procedure but very excited.
I am not looking for perfection, but improvement. I turn 40 the day before the procedure and I can't think of a better gift for myself.
I am hoping the scars won't be so bad and that there is no seroma or labia distortion.
Now that I can see my vagina (which I couldn't before the tummy tuck) I want it to stay perfect!
My surgery is next week and I will keep you posted!
Updated on 13 Aug 2015:
My surgeon decided to do my surgery a day earlier than planned (on my actually birthday, august 11) and I said ok. It was late, probably after 7pm, but I'm out of the hospital and recovering.
Making sure to keep the incisions dry and not stretching the wound is key.
I also had him finish the lipo on my belly since my hemoglobin was too low to do it last time.
He took 800 grams of fat and skin from each thigh! The scar is only 8 cm vertical... not easily seen if i am not naked or in a swimsuit and one in each groin area, SO much better than my puffed up thighs setting off security at the airport (yes.. that really happened!)
I am achy and my vagina is super puffy but he says there won't be any permanent labia distortion I can;t wait to shower on sunday!!
I was a 2xl garment the last time I saw him, and now a large. What a difference 18 months makes!
I'll take pictures when I take the garment off.
Updated on 14 Aug 2015:
I can't wait until Sunday when I can take off my garment and shower!! I'm so swollen though, I might not be able to get the garment back on.
My thighs feel twice as big as before but I know they will reduce. I'm still very happy I did this and can't wait to see the results :)
Off to drink more water and eat more pineapple.
Updated on 15 Aug 2015:
Tomorrow I can shower! That also means I can take off my garment and see what I look like. The draining from my lipo has decreased greatly so yay. The swelling in my legs has decreased a bunch since Friday night. In the middle of sleeping, cramps woke me up (damn period!!) and I happened to feel smooth thighs. Omg that is amazing! My legs will always be big because of the muscle and I'm ok with that. I just needed them to not extend several inches away from my body with a giant bulge.
One more day!!
Updated on 16 Aug 2015:
I still have a bit of swelling but it was awesome to meet my new thighs this morning :) I took off my garment to take a shower and couldn't stop staring. I have a bulge by my right knee which I hope goes away when the swelling decreases. The vertical scar is a bit longer than I thought but still so much better than before. Keeping dry is a challenge. I have s small hairdryer to help.
Updated on 19 Aug 2015:
I saw the doctor again today to hopefully have my drains removed and no dice. He says he will wait until Friday to be safe. I also have to return to Guadalajara in three weeks for stitches removal. I wasn't quite expecting that, but it's all good.
Yesterday, I had the "why did I do this to myself?" talk and was a little down. Mostly because I am not sleeping as well as I'd like given my position in the bed and how often I have to get up to pee with all the water I have to drink.
I am so worried all the time about damaging these sutures, opening my wounds and getting infections, it's causing me some anxiety. I am also having a little pain now, which I didn't before.
Still, the doctor says I am where I should be at one week post operation.
I think part of the problem is that I am bored as well. I don't have kickboxing or roller derby to distract me like I normally do, and everyone is too busy to FaceTime with me from the US.
But .. enough of my pity party of one. I did this to improve my life and to not have my thighs cause a fire every time I walk :)
Updated on 20 Aug 2015:
I was sure it wasn't going to happen to me, but one of my wounds came undone. I'm heading to the doctor shortly. This happened in the time I saw him Wednesday at noon and Thursday at 9am. Sigh :(
Updated on 21 Aug 2015:
My drains are out but I had to have some more sutures put in place in a different area. Sigh! The plane ride home is going to be interesting for sure :(
Updated on 30 Aug 2015:
Sorry I have been MIA since returning from Mexico, but I have been a bit (well, more than a bit) bummed out.
The vertical incision on my left thigh ruptured and it's too wide to be restitched. I'm not sure what I did to cause it to split, but it did. Now, I am seeing a plastic surgeon at home for wound care. He says it will take up to three months to heal, then I will have to decide if I want a scar revision.
I return to Mexico in a couple of weeks to see my surgeon there and have the other stitches removed. I have one other spot that is coming undone. I am going to try Steri-Strips to keep it together.
I am unhappy right now but do like the fact that my thighs no longer bulge several inches out to the front. I can't exercise until the open wound heals, and I have to say that is pretty scary for me. I worked hard to lose weight and fat and really don't want to gain any of it back.
I am eating foods that promote wound healing in an effort to make it heal faster.
I'll keep you all posted :)
Thank you for all your kind and positive thoughts! They have been super appreciated :)
Updated on 5 Sep 2015:
This was taken the day after I returned to the U.S. and the incision opened. It looks a little better now.
There is some blood which the surgeon says is a good thing because that means new tissue is forming. Still, it will be months before it closes. He said wounds like this heal 15% a week.