9 Feelings You Have Before, During & After Tummy Tuck

Hi Jolie, don't panic...just call your doctors office and talk to them. Let him know exactly what and how much you have taken..and for how long. My guess is that he will tell you to stop taking it for now. When I had my drains they were also putting out red but that was apparently normal for the first week. Just make that call to your doctor and I am sure you will feel better.

Oh goodness...your are the same size as me. A tad over 5 foot and 120 pounds. Call the office and tell them that you need an appt with the doctor ASAP...Urgent. It sounds like you may have a fluid build up in your tummy..you need that checked right away. As for asking questions; go to the main page of Realself and on the bottom of the page you will find the link for "Expert Q&A's. Click on that and then "Ask A Question". This is where you will post your questions to the doctors. I would be persistent though in getting that appt with your doctor.

I am only 5'-1" a shorty!! I also had a breast reduction in 2009 and had him take me down from a DDD to a nice B. Best thing I ever did. I know what you are saying when you say they feel too big and heavy. So glad you were able to get in with him tomorrow. Thatis true you probably have some swelling and they need to drop and settle. That takes some time according to a friend of mine who also had implants. See what he says tomorrow but really express your concerns to him.

Keep coming back to the site!  We are all here and understand every emotion you are experiencing.   Hang tough and let us know when you need a pick me up.

Hello Miriam,

You just hang in there and it will get better and better each week.  It is really tough for the first 2-3 weeks but so worth it in the end. 

The tightness and swelling about drove me nuts.  I could not stand up straight for three weeks.  The pulling and tightness will last for weeks; not that is will hurt for weeks but you will feel that sensation for a long time.  Between two and three weeks post OP start massaging the tummy with the Palmer's Vitamin E Oil.  It helps greatly and will soften the skin.  I know it is tough but you can do it. 

Also drink plenty of fluids and eat really healthy for proper healing.  Stay away from sodium and processed foods if you can.  They will make you swell like nobody's business and it hurts.

Try not to keep that calendar picture in your mind because it may just frustrate you and drive you nuts.  Keep your expectations for healing low and slow..I went in thinking I would be up and running in two weeks and was sadly upset then that didn't happen.  This whole process can take up to a year for total healing.  Some heal quicker than others but for the most part it is a slow and long process. 

I am extremely happy for those who snap back and run marathons quickly but that is not the norm for this procedure. 

You just take good care of yourself, rest, take those pain meds and stay positive.  And if you start getting frustrated and sad just hop on line and chat with all of us out here.  We are a great group of support for each other.  You can't do this alone and shouldn't try. 

I am sending good thought and smiles your way :)

Kimmers

Hi Gail,

No issues with dog ears at all.  Don't worry about it though.  If it does happen...and it may not; the doctor can fix this quick enough. 

Don't stress yourself over this because not everyone ends up with this problem.  You will be good...

Asthma is terrible and can be very scary.  My son and I both have it and when it gets bad it is really bad.  Night time is the worst for any kind of medical condition.  Not sure why that is but things always get worse after dark. 

I can remember having some anxiety at night my first two weeks post OP.  That then would cause me to wheeze.  What helped me at night during recovery was this....

1.  Sleep in an upright position.  That will really help the breathing and minimize the coughing.

2.  Keep the TV on at night.  Not sure why but the sound calmed me.

3.  Keep the room cool.

4.  Try to just take some slow and calm deep breaths.

5.  Leave a night light on if it helps. 

I am sorry you are going through this on top of the recovery.  It will get better...promise :)  Just tell yourself that tomorrow is a new day and it is all up hill from here.  Log on if you need to chat.

lookingforw - Oh the stiffness if no fun at all but temporary.  I took Milk of Magnesia and that worked wonderful for me.  I took it once a day for a week just to keep ahead of the pain meds and the problems that they caused.  You do not want to get backed up :)

A little anxiety also comes with the package.  I think most of that is from being all hopped up on the pain meds.  They are horrible on a body.  If that becomes a big problem just talk to your doctor and he may be able to give you a little something for anxiety.

Hang in these and keep us up to date on your progress.

Hang in there and give a shout if you need to chat :)