Tummy Tuck: Stories

Hi Jan
I found your story and had to write bc I too had a hernia repair. I am finding that my belly button area is still so very sore at 5 weeks post op. I did not have a new belly button created with my tt, just the old one pulled down. And like you, my muscles were very seperated, but your new belly looks gorgeous! I'm not happy with mine at all, but nothing I can do about it now. Everyone keeps saying it will get better, so we shall see. I was wondering if you had a lot of pain in the umbilical region, and if so, how long it lasted. Thanks!

I am having a great week so far. I am even going without my compression garment today. I still have a little swelling, but it has lessened considerably and I am feeling a lot more comfortable. My abs feel great, but I guess I had no idea the lipo would still be so tender and numb at this point (he didn't even take that much fat out)! When I first started thinking about having this surgery, it didn't even cross my mind that there would be lipo involved, but I am glad it was done. It smoothed out my back side and pulled in my waistline. I have never had an hour glass figure, but now I do!

I am 4 1/2 weeks out and am experiencing all of that fun swelling I read about prior to my surgery! It's not horrible, it's just there, so I deal with it. My body is putting a lot of effort into healing itself, and the swelling is just a by-product of that. So far, I am happy with my results and have noticed a big change in how my clothes fit and how I feel in them. A tip my p.s. gave me is at night time put a dry wash cloth in between my tummy and compression garmet to provide a little more support while I sleep. I wake up with a flat tummy, but as the day goes by I begin to swell - mostly above my incision line. I did my first real work out today - 30 minutes on the reclining excercise bike and about 20 minutes of arm weights. At my last check up, my incision had healed enough that I could begin putting some kind of cream on it if I wanted. I decided not to go crazy with all types of scar treatments, but I did find a nice cream with vitamin E, aloe, collagen and elastin in it. I've been rubbing that on the incision sight after my shower each morning. I am pretty much at peace with the scar. I knew going in that there would be one, and mine is very low and covered by anything I wear. My main goal with all of this was to feel and look better in my clothes, and I feel like I achieved that - even with all the swelling! My p.s. said I will continue to see improvement as the swelling goes away. Can't wait to see how my body continues to heal itself and how my body changes over the next few months.

Hey! Thanks for all the well wishes! So far, so good. I do have pain (tenderness), but the meds help a lot. I make sure I take them on time every dose. My appetite has been light, but is improving. I just eat very small meals. I was lucky and didn't suffer with nausea (sp?). I had my first post op appt. today and they took out the pain pump. Everything looked great and I know it will improve after the swelling goes down. I still have a drain that will be in for probably another week. I forgot to give you my stats earlier: I am 42 years old, 5'6" and weighed in at 129 lbs. the morning of surgery. The surgery took FOUR hours! No complications, I think he was just taking his time making me a cute belly button! He took 1 1/2 lbs. of skin off me and said my muscles were really separated (brought them in about 5-6 inches). My waist looks awesome so far and I can't wait until I can stand up straight to see my true profile!

Good luck!! You'll do great! I had mine 2 wks. ago I am doing better thank I thought. Tips-Stay on top of your meds and keep a positive outlook.