“I Did It!! TT and Lipo to Flanks, Inner Thighs and Glute Area PO 9 weeks!!”

I have been struggling with my weight ever since I had my kids, they are now 11 and 14. I recently lost 38 pounds and was ready to get rid of my saggy stomach. I went for a consultation for lipo but the Dr. suggested tummy tuck. I was very aprehensive about this because of the scar. Came home and did lots of research, including looking at this site and before and after pics. I then scheduled a second consultation and scheduled the TT.

I had it done yesterday 10/10/11. I only have one drain and was in alot of pain, starting to feel better now. I went for my day after follow up and took some pics, I am amazed! I am very swollen and will be for some time but I think it looks great, let me know what you think. They did give me some kind of cream to put on the skin right below my belly button, to help the blood circulation. Nitro something.... I will keep you posted as I progress.

Updated on 12 Oct 2011:
Day 2 PO, very stiff and sore this morning. Couldn't get out of bed myself to use the bathroom. Think I will sleep in the chair in the living room. Kind of emotional today, had some tears. Ready to be able to be mobile again.

Updated on 14 Oct 2011:
I woke up about 3:30 this morning with a killer headache, took a lortab and it took care of that. Got the kids out the door at 7 to catch the bus. I took a shower all by myself this morning, felt so good! I put on a little make up and fixed my hair for the first time since surgery. Now I am tired so will probably take a cat nap.

I weigh about 2 lbs more than I did before surgery, I guess that's swelling because I haven't eaten that much. I feel much thicker than I did before surgery even though my roll is gone, I guess that is swelling too. I feel thick on my upper stomach, above my belly button. I am suppose to go for my 1 week follow up on Tuesday, hopefully will get my drain out that day and my plan is to go back to work that day. Wondering what I will wear to work feeling as thick as I do.

I have also been having some twitches or stomach cramps which I take valium for and it helps. I realize this is just the beginning of recovery but I am ready for the swelling to be gone! I had lipo on my inner thighs also and they are huge! Well, that's all for now, will update again later.

Updated on 16 Oct 2011:
Today starts PO day 6. Wake up feeling stiff but feel better after I get up and move around. I still haven't seen my scar as there is tape over it. The area around my bb looks a little funny to me, a purplish, reddish color, is that normal? I am posting a pic, not sure if you can tell in the pic. I go for my one week follow up Tues, hoping to get my drain out and then go back to work that day.

I switched over to Extra strength tylenol yesterday, I do take half a lortab in the morning and night though. Really no pain,just discomfort, from the binder. I feel like I am going to to look great once the swelling and bruising goes away. Waiting to see results from the smart lipo on my inner thighs, they still look the same to me.

Updated on 16 Oct 2011:
Forgot to add that I have been napping alot during the day, I find that I am tired easily. Couldn't get to sleep last night so finally at 2:30 am I took an Ambien and then woke up at 7 this morning, so I am sure I will nap today!! Happy healing everyone. So far I am loving my results! Anxious to see my scar.

Updated on 17 Oct 2011:
Today marks 1 week since I had the TT. Overall feeling good, starting to feel like myself again, been doing laundry today. I still can't stand all the way straight, close though. I go tomorrow for my 1 week follow up, hoping he takes the drain out, my plan is to go to work after my appt. I have been struggling sleeping the last two nights, I guess I should use the Ambien that they prescribed. Still can't see any results from the smart lipo on my inner thighs, I will ask him about that tomorrow. No new pics today because everything still looks the same. My bb is black and crusty, I will ask him about that tomorrow too.

I love taking my compression shorts (which are crotchless btw and love them because I don't have to take them off to go to the bathroom)and binder off and rub my back, it feels so good!!

Updated on 17 Oct 2011:
I am feeling really swollen right now, not in my lower tummy but the part above my bb. I am hardly eating because I feel so full!! I am sitting here with a bag of frozen peas on my tummy now, over my binders, do y'all put the ice packs over your binder or directly on your tummy?

Updated on 18 Oct 2011:
Well, today is day 8 PO, went this morning, got my drain out, Yeah! It really was no big deal. They took the stitches out of my bb also, said to wear the binder for 2 more weeks. I go back in two weeks for a follow up. I am actually back to work today, hasn't been bad at all. Really didn't expect to feel this good this soon. Only issue is I sit most of the day so when I do get up my tummy is tight. Hope I don't swell more now that the drain is out. Think I will try Kimmers towel trick tonight. Overall feeling good.

Updated on 19 Oct 2011:
So I felt good most of the day, my second day back at work. Towards the second half of my day I started feeling REALLY swollen, miserable! How long does the swelling last? I haven't seen my scar yet either as it still has the tape on it, Dr. said to let it come off by itself. Came home, cooked dinner, then took my binder off and put a frozen bag of peas on my tummy for about an hour, ugh!

Updated on 20 Oct 2011:
So today I only took tylenol once. I hate wearing the binder, I feel so bulky with it on, especially since I am back at work. I worked all day then went shopping afterwards, feel really good today. Going on a field trip with my daughter tomorrow, I am sure all the walking will have me swollen again!

Updated on 22 Oct 2011:
So I am a big Bama fan and we have a camper on the lake where we do alot of tailgating parties. Heading there today for the Bama/TN game, Roll Tide! Anyway, I am going to try to wear some jeans, I tried them on this morningn and they are tight over my binder, they may not stay on long, but I am going to try. Feeling pretty good, massaged my bb this morning with Palmer's oil, since have been feeling some twitching beside of it, feels weird. Do you think I could splurge and have an adult beverage tonight? I was thinking sprite zero with a little vodka, what do you think?

Updated on 24 Oct 2011:
I haven't seen my incision yet because there is tape over it, but it seems to be bulging in one spot, is that normal? My lower tummy is really swollen too. Other than that I feel good, am starting to be able to sleep on my side, which I am glad because I am a side sleeper. I am not feeling as tight. Would I know if I popped an internal suture? Like would there be pain or some kind of sign to let me know I did something?

Updated on 1 Nov 2011:
Went to my 3 week po visit this morning, he said everthing looks good and I can stop wearing the binder. So I came to work without it today (my pants are so loose!)and have felt very weird. I think I will wear it in the evenings when I get home. What are y'all doing? Did you go without any kind of compression garment after 3 weeks? I don't go back again for 6 weeks, he didn't discuss exercise and I forgot to ask, what is the norm on this? Other than that everything is going good. Still haven't seen my scar, the tape is still there. I like the way my belly button looks though, I think the scar is going to tuck in nicely, it's not very red either. I will try to post a pic tonight.

Updated on 3 Nov 2011:
So each day is getting better!!! My back hurts alot from sleeping on my back mostly. I took a pi c this morning and wanted to share, I was so excited about how small my waist looks!

Updated on 3 Nov 2011:
I wanted to add, I haven't really had the depression everyone talks about, maybe just the day after, and that was it! I am so thankful for that! Of course, I haven't seen my scar yet as it is still covered in tape. That might change things, I don't know. I am loving my tummy so far!

Updated on 5 Nov 2011:
Not much to post except I woke up with so much energy this morning! Been doing laundry and straightening up the house. Getting ready for the Bama/LSU game tonight. Roll Tide! Here is a new pic of me in jeans, I am loving the way my body is shaping up.

Updated on 9 Nov 2011:
So things are progessing better than I can even imagine. At my 3 week PO appt my PS told me I didn't have to wear my binder anymore. I like to wear it in the evenings, but left it at our lake place this past weekend so haven't worn it at all this week. I am still swollen, not alot though. I am finally seeing my scar as the tape is coming off. It looks good I think, very thin. Overall, I am so happy I did this, the way I look has exceeded my expectations. I think my PS did a wonderful job. Let me know what you think of my scar so far.

Updated on 13 Dec 2011:
Went for my 9 week po visit today. PS said I look great and recommended scarguard for my scar. It is a clear liquid that you paint on your scar twice a day. I asked when I can start ab exercises and he said I could start now...slowly. I don't have to go back until April which will be 6 months po. I feel great....lower tummy is still numb. I have put on a couple of pounds, I think due to the time of year and all the festivities. So far I still love my results, so glad I decided to do this!

Updated on 4 Feb 2012:
So I am 4 months post op, feeling wonderful. This tummy tuck is one of the best things I have ever done, I don't regret one thing about it. I am going to post a pic before my weight loss and then a couple after tummy tuck pics. I still have dark spots on the back of my thighs from smart lipo, when will that go away? I am hoping it's gone by summer!