Tummy Tuck Reviews
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Full TT and Hip Lipo Scheduled for Feb. 2 - British Columbia

Worth It
Spent: $11,872 in British Columbia

Comments (30)

Updated 5 Oct 2011

Posted 17 Jan 2011

I hate my belly, and while I have to admit that I haven't done my best to get rid of it; I also don't feel I ever could.

I've had 3 children, all naturally - 8.0, 9.9, and 10.1 lbs. respectively. I've also had one abdominal surgery, resulting in a long, low scar, similar to a C-section would be. ugh

I'm doing this for myself - for my self-esteem. I'm tired of being embarrassed to walk around naked in my own home!

I'm nervous, but excited, and can't wait to meet the 'new me'.

Updated on 18 Jan 2011:
Today was pre-op day.

I got my prescriptions and hubby and I were given info on what to do before, and after, the surgery.

The PS went over my photos with me and showed where and what he'd be doing. He asked me if I was grossed out; I laughed and thought to myself - not about what you're going to do, but at my pics! LOL

I am scheduled for full TT and hip lipo. In looking at the pics, he said while he was in there, he'd do what he could on my back, from the bra line down. Cool - extra fat sucked out for free! :D

Only 2 weeks tomorrow - I'm so excited!

This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.

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My Doctor: name not provided

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Dr. Valnicek was very kind and informative. I felt very comfortable with him, and he explained everything well. He is very patient and has a great bedside manner. :)

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Comments (30)

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Angiemcc (Community Manager) 18 Jan 2011

Yay, you posted a review! You had some big babies. I honestly believe that carrying around three babies that large will do things to your body that, unless you're blessed with amazing genes, cannot be undone without surgery. Knowing that, it's really hard to motivate yourself to exercise fanatically.

After your tummy tuck, you'll want to make sure you eat healthily though so you can maintain your hot bod! :)

Please keep us updated. We'd love to see photos! At least your pretty face as your avatar.

Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 19 Jan 2011

Hi Country Gal..found you!

I bet you are getting very excited now.  It is hard to believe that January is almost over...crazy!

I will be watching for your posts and pictures!

Kimmers
trena 19 Jan 2011
Hey country gal your 2 weeks will go so fast, I'm 4 weeks out and I can't believe it went so fast. I'm also from BC what city are you in?
Country Gal 19 Jan 2011
Pictures? I'll have to get some - I should have got copies from the PS. I don't want them, eww, but I know later, I will wish I had before and after ones.

I think now hubby has been to pre-op with me, I won't be so embarrassed to get him to take them for me.
Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 20 Jan 2011

Don't be shy...we have all shared our muffin tops :)
trena 20 Jan 2011
another thing that you should get for swelling and brusing is arnica gel you can get it from walmart in the pharmacy area, that stuff is the best and highly recomend it, put it on 3 times a day on all the swelling and brused areas and it makes a difference trust me. I still use mine and it's been 4 weeks.
melsflossin 28 Jan 2011
Best of luck girl. Your surgery is right around the corner. You will do great!
trena 1 Feb 2011
good tomorrow hope all goes well for you, keep us posted
Country Gal 1 Feb 2011
Thanks trena

I leave before 6 a.m., so will be back to post when I feel up to it. I may not be back on tomorrow, as I don't have a laptop, and we haven't decided for sure if we'll come home, or stay in a hotel.

Hubby took my 'before' pics yesterday, so I will post them after, once I get a chance.
Sharon at RealSelf (Community Manager) 2 Feb 2011

Good luck today!

melsflossin 11 Feb 2011
Hey Country Gal, I haven't seen you post for a couple of days now. I was wondering how you are getting along. How did your doctors appointment go? Are you getting around any better? I have been reading your posts on the forum. Keep us posted, you are an inspiration to me....
Country Gal 11 Feb 2011
I went to the PS this aft, and he says everything looks good.

The nurse removed the steri-strips and cleaned the incision and wiped some adhesive residue off me - yay!

My drain was still at 40 yesterday, so I couldn't get it out today. In all honesty, the drain is the least of my problems. It doesn't hurt or anything, and hubby does all the draining and measuring - I just have to wear it. If it slows down okay over the weekend, I will probably go down on Monday p.m. to get it out.

I still have one lipo hole bandaged, on my lower right buttock. It has been clean mostly today, but I'm keeping it bandaged for another day or so to be sure, since it oozed a LOT, and it's in a bad spot to leave a mess wherever I sit.

I am getting around better, and it wasn't as hard as I expected to get in and out of the car. Of course, hubby was right there helping. I just wore my jammies to my appt! :D

I really like that the nurses from the clinic phone every morning for my 24 hour drain total. It gives me a chance to ask about anything that worries me, or just for info, without feeling like I'm being a nuisance.

I can now get myself out of the recliner, but cannot reach and pull the handle to put myself back. When hubby goes out, he leaves me in the chair in the back position, then I just get out when I need to pee or whatever. Only thing is, after that, I'm at loose ends until he returns, which can be hours if he's working. I can sit in the chair, but not recline it. I've moved a footstool in front of it, to put my feet up at those times.

I still need help in and out of bed.

PS told me to come see him in 2 or 3 weeks, or sooner if I wanted to. I'll be there early next week for the nurse to pull the drain, then will probably book my appt. for March 1st, which will be 4 weeks less a day from surgery.
melsflossin 12 Feb 2011
Wow you are doing great! I have to go back to work after 14 days, i think that is going to be ok after reading your blog. I am a nurse and in a rehab unit and i pass alot of medications. i just need to be able to stretch my abdomen a bit to get into some of the drawers, they are deep. I wear scrubs so i wont have any pressure on anything. My surgery is May 3rd. I had my 11 year old daughter help me make a paper chain to count down the days. What does your amount of drainage have to be to get out your drains? My PS talked like they would be in 3-4 days and that was it. Are you able to get on your side yet in bed? Where are did you receive lipo? I'm so glad you are doing better. Hang in there, we are all here for you...
Country Gal 12 Feb 2011
The 24 hour drainage has to be under 30. Yesterday, mine was 35, so if it stays down, they plan to remove it on Monday p.m.

I can't go on my side yet, but will attempt that next week, after drain removal. Wed. will be 2 weeks, and maybe by then, I can even get in and out by myself.

I had the front lipo, as well as back fat and back of hips. I'm not really sure how much they did, but I'm going to find out more when I go back in a couple of weeks.

May 3 is only a couple of months away. Do as much as you can ahead of time to prepare, because I was unable to even do things I thought I'd be able to, and I was being conservative. Make sure you have kleenex and books to read, etc., right beside your chair. Know you'll be captive to whoever is helping you up and down, and I tell you, hubby has been home almost all of the last 9 days to help me. I couldn't have managed without him, and certainly a couple of days help is not enough.

One of the biggest helps he is, is his upper body strength. I don't have to sit up and lie down in bed, etc., because he can lift with his arm behind me, so I'm not pulling on my abs.
melsflossin 14 Feb 2011
Thanks for the information.
melsflossin 14 Feb 2011
Sorry was trying to post and it took my post lol. Wow you are 2 weeks. It just seems like you just had surgery. I am thankful for you that you have a strong husband. Sounds like he is a gem to have around. I bet he loves the new you even better...HOT MAMMA..I hope your drainage amounts go down soon so you can get the drain out. That's the part that i am not looking forward too. I have taken care of many people with them and i know how to pull them out, i wouldn't doubt if i get mad i would pull them out and have to deal with the fluid. YUCK. I will try not to do that. Are you standing up straight yet? HOw is your pain? Thanks for the advice about preparing..TAlk to you soon. Melissa
Country Gal 14 Feb 2011
I got the drain out today - yay!

Yes, hubby is a gem. He'll start to be gone working more now, but I'm much better able to move around now, so that's okay. I still can't make the chair recline, or get out of bed alone though, so I'm somewhat restricted as to comfort during the day once he leaves.

Straight? Nah, but maybe it's partly reluctance to stretch the abdomen. I am straighter each day though, and still have 9 days before going to work, so I'm not pushing anything.
melsflossin 15 Feb 2011
Congrats getting your drain out. Clothes here she comes. How long do you have to wear your binder? Sorry you cannot get out of bed, that is a hard one without using every muscle you have lol. Chair recliners are hard, i have them on my couch and loveseat, i cannot imagine sitting in these ones after surgery. I am renting a hospital bed as Kimmers said. I wish i was on the side of the coin that your on lol. I cannot wait until my surgery. It seems so far away, May 3rd. All i can do is stock this website for information. Thanks for replying.
Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 16 Feb 2011

Hey Mels...yes definitely get that hospital bed!  You will be so glad you did :)

Also ask for the side rails and bed table.  The side rails help you to pull yourself a bit.  You will learn to use your feet to boost yourself up in bed.  You get really good at the whole process quickly.
melsflossin 18 Feb 2011
lol, i work in a rehab place, i got connections. thanks Kim
Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 18 Feb 2011

Then you are going to be a pro in that bed!!!
melsflossin 18 Feb 2011
How you doing Country Gal, you must be moving around alot and not sitting on this website lol. You are officially on the other side. Let us know how you are doing if you get time ok.
Country Gal 18 Feb 2011
I am moving around more now - thanks. I'm getting stronger every day, but still sore by the end of the day.

I got out of the recliner by myself this afternoon - yee haw! I mastered the bed on Wednesday. :)

I have been having trouble sitting up straight comfortably, so I haven't been on the computer much. I have been checking the site and posting for the last week or so, but not spending a lot of time at my desk.

I went outside for the first time yesterday, apart from my doctor visits. I have a small area outside and at the top of our driveway that is now snow and ice free, so I take a very short walk on the flat ground there. It is a bit more exciting than walking back and forth on the covered porch, or up and down the hallways and around the kitchen!

I am standing straighter now too, so will hope to improve that more over the next week, as I go back to work on Thursday next.

I need to get my pics posted, and update my review area soon.

Thanks for asking! :)
Acworthmom 22 Feb 2011
Glad to see you are doing better and I can't wait to see your pics. I finally posted a few, but of course they are very early in my recovery process. I wanted to ask you a question....are you very numb under your belly button area. Most of my feeling seems to be coming back everywhere except there and that is really the only area I am still swelling too. I read that sometimes that area never fully gets all the feeling back and that worries me a little. When I touch the skin there it feels like I am touching a beach ball. I know you are about a week ahead of me, so I thought you might could give me something to look forward to.
Country Gal 22 Feb 2011
Yes, I'm still numb, and I believe that can last for many months. I believe my PS said in some areas, it can last up to a year.

That's also my only swollen area, I think. The nurses say that's partially due to gravity and everything sinking downward. It stays swollen the longest and heals the slowest, I think.

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