Tummy Tuck and Liposuction - Beverly Hills, CA

I know- I feel like I'm obsessed! I haven't told many people though so this site is really great for venting when the nerves get too much. I'm not worried about the pain as much as actually not making it through alive. Silly I know since that's rare and I have an awesome doctor, but still.....

pain for me is what I'm very nervous about, scar no problem, making it through alive it's ok, it's all the pain. I havn't gone under the knife before so I don't know what to expect, so i'm thinking the worst hope the drug are good lol

I've survived 2 hernia repairs, 2 c-sections and a broken collarbone so pain doesn't scare me. The drugs they give you work wonders- just stay ahead of the pain and take them on schedule. You'll do fine- us gals are resilient!

wow you poor thing all that happend to you god! you totaly deserve this new mommy make over for sure. ya if guys get sick they are babies so I think I will do fine.

No pain pump. Just percocet for pain, then something for nausea, some Valium (because I freak out at the beginning of anesthesia) an antibiotic and another one I can't remember. I can't believe it's just a couple of days away!! I have so much to do getting ready for the holidays. I'm assuming I won't be up for Christmas shopping.

I forgot- I also take vitamin C, zinc and multi everyday plus today I started Arnica Montana and Bromelian for swelling and bruising.
What are you getting?

Hey I haven't got my drugs yet I'm still 26 days away maybe in few I'll get them. My mom is giving me arnica gel for swelling and bruising too it is the best thing ever so hope that takes care of all that.I haven't heard of Bromelian does it work good? Question are you using the arnica now before surgery? does it make it better, or is it for later? I'm taking vitamin E and C for the passed month to get ready.

My arnica is little tabs that dissolve under my tongue. I take 4 tabs 4 times a day Don't know much about the bromelian yet but I'll let you know. I take two every day. I just started both of them yesterday and they said to take them until 4 days after surgery.

Oh girl you are a hoot!  That is one crazy dream.  It is your imagination going wild on you..that's all...but so funny!   Yes I had some crazy dreams the two weeks before my surgery.  I think your mind is just running so wild at this point that you don't know what to do with yourself. 

What you can expect when you get to the OR is warm blankets, happy drugs, great nurses and your wonderful doctor.  It will be good...you will see.

You are a busy lady!!  Maybe it is a good thing you have so much to do right now...it will keep your mind occupied. 

Make sure to take some relaxing time for yourself...don't want you all worn down for the recovery period. 

The PJ's that worked best for me were mens size XL or XXL white t-shirts.  They were big and baggy, comfy and I didn't care if I got them all stained.  And they were nasty looking by the end of two weeks.   I just pinned the drains to the inside of the collar and it worked great.   Oh so sexy in the big t-shirts and cotton granny panties!  WHOA..

I then just threw my fuzzy robe over that when people were around. 

How did you wear t-shirts? I thought I couldn't wear something that went over my head. I was going to look for big sleep shirts

It was easy to wear them.  Just get all of your other garments on and then slip into that sexy over sided shirt.   You can also cut the neck line down a little bit if you need.  Just cut from the neckline down in a small "V" in front.    Big sleep shirts would also work.

Hello Kimmers25 and Daffy!
I am sitting here reading your conversations with Daffy and I am freaking out!! LOL Get this, I am in a hotel room (business trip) so I am cracking up out loud as I read because I am soooo nervous that I am freaking out as I get closer to the date of my mommy makeover and as I read all the details of what I will be going through! My next door neighbors are probably thinking that I am insane as I keep laughing out loud and rubbing my face in disbelief saying "Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh!!!!" The more I say it, the more I laugh at myself!! LOL

But I wanted to ask you, since you were telling daffy about the oversized shirts you wore after your procedure...

*Do you think it will uncomfortable to wear sweat pants?
*Did you get your compression garment from your dr or did you get it on your own?
*Did you take anything like arnica (sp?)vitamin E or Bromelian?
I am not sure what is for what.
*Is it uncomfortable to go up and down stairs after TT?
Can you drive comfortably 2-3 days after the procedure?
*Did any of you use Silicone sheeting to minimize your scar?


Thanks for any info you guys can give me!

Luvfitness - Love the name, I'm a huge fitness gal :)

I have been wearing sweat type pants for days now, very comfortable.

I woke up with this very attractive compression garment on. I did buy another one that I have to take to my post op appointment tomorrow.

I didn't take any type of medication before surgery other then the Keflex I was told to take by the doctor.

The only stairs I have climed are three stairs from our dining room to our kitchen. Taken slowly I am ok but I wouldn't recommend taking any stairs until you get the all clear from the doctor.

I was told I could not drive until after my post op appointment. I had my surgery on Thursday and my husband will be taking me to my appointment tomorrow.

Not sure what silicone sheeting is but am going to ask the doctor about using Miderma.

It is normal to get a little freaked out; it is surgery and that is scary! I have to say though that it has not been that bad :)

Hi Luv
Welcome to the funny farm! When's your surgery? We will be here for you before, during and after.
1- sweats? Sure. I've just been wearing loose pajamas around the house, juicy velour sweats out (I've only been to the doctor and a school concert in 2 weeks- boring!)
2-my doctor ordered my garment and I've been happy with it. It feels like spanx but with a better opening in the crotch.
3- I had quite a per-op regimen: zinc, vitamin C, multi vitamin, for 2 weeks prior. Then 4 days prior I started with arnica Montana- 4 tabs 4x a day and bromelain 2x a day and I tookmthose straight thru until 4 days post-op. Don't know how to compare, but my swelling is not horrible and my bruising was minimal. Only question I keep forgetting to ask is- why stop them 4 days post?? Also- I was specifically told NO Vitamin E unless it was part of a multi.
4- I have a one story house so haven't done many stairs other than about 12 steps at my sons school concert. I took it very slow and it was fine. That was about 8 days post-op.
5- I am not cleared to drive until I go back this Friday which will be day 17 post-op. I think if I had no choice I could make a short trip, a few blocks, but I'm still popping a pain med in the morning, in the afternoon and bedtime, so I don't think it would be wise!
6- never heard of silicone sheeting.

Looking forward to sharing your journey! It's a roller coaster so buckle up:-)

My doc said he didn't jump on the band wagon with some of the herbs. he just told me what to avoid to take prior..(vitamin E, IBprofen, diet pills, aspirin..etc).
I am using ScarGuard on my tummy scar which has silicone in it. PS said it was the only thing he recommened for scars. I have heard BioOil is good. I did get some of that too for my boobies.
I was told no driving for a week.

Jen- I haven't started using anything on my incision yet since the steri strips are still there. Where did you get your ScarGuard? I bought the Palmers skin therapy oil at Kimmers suggestion, but I haven't asked my doc yet. I'll try anything if it works! My husband is taking me on a field trip to CVS today (yippee) so I'll look for it there.

How are you feeling today? You'd been doing so great- you were my idol in the recovery game. The draining issue is a [RS bleep] isn't it? Could your build up on one side be related to how you are sleeping? I keep worrying that sleeping on my side will shift all the fluid and swell in new areas.

I'm glad to see you put your photo on your profile. I was thinking about it since everyone else does and you bared your belly on the video so bravely. I'll get over to my computer today and upgrade.

I started using the scarguard once the strips come off. You use it twice a day...it is a liquid that smells just like Compound W. In fact...I think it works the same way. It forms a layer over the scar...you can continue to build it ontop of each use or peel it off. I peel it off...dont know why...reminds me of peeling dead skin after a sunburn...I get some joy out of it (that's so bad)
You can get it at CVS...I hated the Palmers stuff because the smell of cocoa butter makes me want to vomit.

Glad to hear that you are also a fitness kinda girl!! :)
although I have not been very consistant for the past 2 months and I CAN see it! I work out so hard to stay fit and the minute I take a break it comes back with a vengance! That is why I am so excited about the TT I will be having! 9 days to go! :)
I wish I could lose the weight I have gained - about 5-7 lbs.
But then again I tell myself that the Dr will lipo it out because I am having my flanks done. :)

I know all about how fast weight can come back and it sucks! But I love to workout so I have that in my favor :) You don't have that long to go at all and you're right, the doctor will be pulling that extra weight out of you; you can get serious about the fitness after surgery.

O girl...I know exactly what you mean. From the day I booked the surgery to the actual surgery day (about 8 weeks or so) i gained almost 10lbs!!!!!!! I was disgusted. I think I was emotionally eating or thinking like a drug addict getting ready to go to rehab....one final binge. But all is well. You'll do great.

Hi Luvfitness,

That is funny; I bet your neighbors are wondering what you are up to in there.  All of us ladies on here like to laugh so you are all good.

I want to answer all your questions so here we go.

Sweat pants - that is fine but make sure they are really loose in the middle.  I actually hated anything on my middle the first week so just wore the big t shirts.  All I had under them was my binder (first three days only).  Could not even stand to wear any panties.  I did wear a soft sports bra because I needed a place to pin my drains. 

I woke up in the recovery room with the compression garment on.  I never bought any on my own.  It was a very mean thing for my doctor to do to me..LOL   I hated it and ditched it on day three post op.  With my doctors approval of course.  My doc is not big on the torture devices - thank the lord for that.

I have for years taken vitamin C and a super B complex but that is about it.  Vitamin C helps minimize bruising.  I had little to no bruising even on the lipo areas.

The stairs are no fun after surgery.  Just take them slow and one step at a time and you will be fine.  You learn quick enough what hurts and how much. 

No driving for the first week...trust me you will not want to either.  Hurts to darn much.  It was even hard at a week out.  Just turning to get in and out of the car was a nightmare for me for three weeks.  Plus my outer thighs from the lipo were really sore and on fire.  I have bucket seats in my car and it hurt to sit in them.

I use the Mederma Cream, Palmers Vitamin E and Bio Oil for my scar.  I have a whole OCD program I have been doing for months.  But my scar looks amazing and is really smooth.  I tried the silicone on my breast scars and it did not work at all.  Hated it so I switched back to the oils and creams.  BTW the breast scars are next to nothing...look amazing.

I hope this helps but feel free to let me know if you have additional questions.

This whole process was totally worth the temporary pain and swelling.  Love the flat tummy.

I did the same thing. When I booked my surgery I thought- I can eat whatever I want since they're going to suck it all back out. But then when I talked to my doc about the dangers of lipo- removing too much body fluid- I decided to try and lose a few pounds to make it less to remove. I only managed to lose 2 but it was a start. But I pigged out on Thanksgiving (4 days pre-op) and then downed a huge piece of pumpkin cheesecake the night before, so I probably would have lost at least one more pound. But you know what? It's all gone now!! So enjoy!!

Christina, Did you ever start using Miderma?

It must be. It's called Arnica Montana and it says it's for swelling and bruising.

Hey Trena,

I just saw this old post. I got some Arnica ointment at a little Mexican store and I have been rubbing it on my swallen areas. Specially on my flanks where I had my lipo. I rub it on as I massage this area and it feels so good. I also put it on my abdomen - away form my TT scar though. I was wondering if I was doing any good by rubbing it though because I am not bruised on those areas, but having just read this post tells me that it works on swollen areas also.:) Are you still using it? I am also drinking Arnica tea daily.

Just keep focus on the end result and how wonderful you will feel!