Tummy Tuck: Stories

52 year old (look and feel like 40). Two adult sons, two grandchildren. First son was delivered naturally and left lots of stretch marks and a little belly. The second son, 6 years later, was a C-section (bikini), more stretch marks and more belly. I run 1/2 Marathons at least 3x a year. Enjoy hicking & biking. Can't wait to wear my blouse tucked inside my pants or skirt.

Hello Everyone: 1 day PO. My surgery went well. Didn't get any sleep last night, due to going to the bathroom every hour. Was so happy to get that IV out this morning. My doctor came to check on my at least 3X during the course of the night. Did I mention he held my hands, while the anesthesia was being administered. You ladies were so right, the draining bulbs are horrible. I see my doctor in a week to hopefully, have them removed. My husband stayed with me until he was kicked out of the hospital. But he returned first thing this morning. I left the hospital at 10 AM. 1 hr left before my next vicoden. Talk to you all tomorrow.

Good Afternoon All: 2 Days PO. I slept very well in my recliner last night. Today, I was a bit naseous and my back hurts. I took only one vicoden this morning at 5:30 AM. WHY!!!! I was in so much pain by 7:30 AM so I had to take another one. I feel better about the drains now that I've actually milked & emptied them myself. I don't have an appetite yet. I'm still eating apple sauce, jello, home made soup (no salt), protien shake and crackers, before I take the necessary meds.The fluid being released now is yellowish in color. My husband was helping me out a great deal, until the Knicks & Bulls Game last night. Then I had to ring the bell more than once. All in all, he's been a sweetheart.

Hello All: 3 Days PO. Have not had a BM yet, but don't have gas in the upper intestine either. I take two colace tablets each night. I eat a lot of papaya and pineapple. Slept through the night. Milked & empty drains by myself at 3:00 AM. Hubby fixed breakfast, oatmeal w/apple sauce at 7:30AM. I'm able to stand a little taller today. My doctor called yesterday evening to check on me. Doctor said I can remove the band and shower or I could just take bird baths. Well, you know who has been taking bird baths. I'm not removing this band until I see the Doctor on Monday, 4-16-12. Can't wait to take post sugery pictures for you all. Time for my walk from room to room. Later

Hello All: 4 Days PO. Still no BM, just releasing a lot of gas. Didn't sleep very well last night. Don't know why. Milked & emptied drains at 2:30 AM (25 mark on drains). I thinks that's good, since previous mornings have been 50. Reading about drains that have been in for over 16 days is frightening me. I'm walking taller. Still to chicken to remove band. Did take pictures with it on for you all to see. Husband is still helping out. Sometimes too much. If were up to him, I would never get up from the recliner. He wants to milk & drain. Said he dreamed last night that my scar was above my navel. Why is he dreaming about my scar? Any way, until next time.

FINALLY!! I had a BM about an hour after I wrote the last update. It was very smooth, because I have been taking 2 colace each night since day 1 PO. No problems. Feel better. Again, all I do is sit in my recliner and watch tv or sleep. I use the computer when I get up to stretch my legs, I don't have an IPAD. I will see my doctor for my first PO visit on 2/16/12. Hopefully, he remove the drains. I walk normal now, no longer hunched over.

5 Days PO. Rested well last night. Love this recliner, may never get back into the bed.(lol). Haven't taken any pain meds today. Feeling trapped inside the house. Will take a walk later today.Drains at 5 AM were at 25CC. I can maneuver the recliner by myself now. Took a bird bath last night,too afraid to remove the band. Can't wait to see what I look like under the bandage.

Well, I walked a half a block and back. WOW!!!! Had to take the pain meds. Didn't know that such a short, slow walk would cause so much pain. Feeling better after I returned to my recliner.

Good Morning All: Somehow my right drain came out around midnight. My husband and I became frantic. I put a sanitary napkin over the location and emailed the Doctor. I fell asleep, and had several night mares. Pleased with my husband to lay in the recliner with me. Of course he refused and tried to convince me to get in the bed. Well I wasn't about to let a few night mares force me into a position (bed) that might cause pain. NIGHT MARES BE DAMNED!!. I awoke this morning at 5 AM to empty the left drain, 20CC. I then noticed that my doctor responded at 2AM, stating not to worry, as the amount of fluids coming out over a 24 hour period was not enough to even have the drains on and that he will be removing the left one tomorrow during my 1st post op visit. YIPPI!! For some reason, I thought my guts would be spilling through the site where the right drain was located. My husband will drive me to the drugstore today, so I can pick up some tylenol PM. I'm tired of the vicoden induced night mares. Will let you know how my car ride was. Oh, by the way, I just had BM, all went well. Later.

Hello All: My car ride yesterday was nice. I felt like a kid on an outing to Coney Island. I didn't over extend myself. I was only in the store for 20 minutes and then it was back home to my recliner. Took a nice bird bath to prepare for my first PO visit. It is exactly 7 days since my TT. The doctor took out the other drain. Yippi!! Said I was progressing nicely. The removal of the drain was painless. The removal of the stitches stung a little bit. The doctor did not remove the bandage covering the incision. Said it will wear off. I can now take showers and am scheduled to return on April 30th for my next visit. I took my camera to the doctor's office and asked him to take photos for me. He loves my camera. :). He gave me a presciption for percocet for pain when needed. I only take one at night. Because I'm still swollen, the pictures look almost like the before shots. My navel is much prettier than before. I know it will take time for all the swelling to be gone, so I'm not concerned. Later.

Good Morning All: No new changes to report. I slept better. Still in the recliner. I'm concerned because I have no oozing from the drain sites or navel like others have reported. I took a photo this morning, but won't post because it looks like yesterday's photo. I have to keep reminding myself that I'm still swollen. I guess I'm getting antsy and want to see a flat, flat stomach now.

9 Days PO
Hello everyone: My husband gave me a nice wash down last night (not a full shower) and it felt very nice. I slept well. When I got up this morning, my belly appeared to be much flatter than yesterday. I was so excited, I decided to try on one of my tee shirts. YEAH!!! I think I look great in it! I thought about not eating breakfast because I didn't want to put anything into the flat belly. But realized, the gas would cause me to swell. I move around with much ease. My back pain has decreased. I sleep on my side (still in recliner). I find that I itch a lot around the belly area. There is still no oozing from the navel or the former drain locations. Haven't taken any pain medications since very early yesterday. Will take updated photos in a couple of days.

10 Days PO
Hello All: I took my antibiotics (6PM dose) without eating, because I was not hungry. BIG, BIG MISTAKE!!!! By 6:15 PM I started to feel very nauseas and dizzy. Realizing what was the cause, I proceeded to eat a piece of fruit cake and drink more water (I drink a gallon of water every 15 hours since surgery). To no avail. I began vomiting for the next few minutes (but it felt like hours). The strain of the vomit caused me great pains in my belly area. Felt like when one cough after a tt. Painful!! Finally, I took pepto bismal and fell asleep. I actually slept in my bed for the first time since the tt. I tossed and turned all night, so I will return to the recliner tonight. Don't know how anyone is able to sleep in a regual bed right after a tt. Or maybe, I'm just a whimp when it comes to pain. I have not taken any pain meds. There is still no oozing at any of the sites. When I woke up this morning, my stomach was flatter than yesterday. I asked my husband to take pictures for me, but he takes to long to snap the photo, which causes me to get angry. So I'll just wait for my daughter to take the pictures for me. My husband keep saying how slim I look and that he can see my waist line. He encouraged me to take a ride to Home Depot with him and I'm glad I agreed. It's a little difficult getting into the CRV and I don't walk as fast as usual. I'm so looking forward to getting back into the gym and running in the park. I hope everyone is healing and doing well.

11 Days PO
Hello Everyone: I had a wonderful shower last night and slept like a baby. The swelling is decreasing. Headed out to the salon for my weekly hair appointment; got on the subway for the first time since the tt and I was a tiny bit afraid. I don't know why. Old habits are hard to break, in that, I always use my body to push out or into the turnstile. Well I did that today and was reminded that I had a big cut in that area, and almost screamed!!! I showed off my new scar to my stylist. Of course, she wants the information to the doctor so she can get a consultation :) . I opted to take the bus back home. Oh, I ususally can walk to the subway from my house in about 4-5 minutes. Today, it took 10 minutes :(. Can't wait until I'm fully recovered.

14 Days PO
Well today was my first day back to work since my tt. Wasn't so bad. Although I sit at a desk, I'm up and down between 3 floors continously dealing with staff. I worked 12 hours and was happy to get home, shower, and sit in my recliner. I've been sleeping in the bed two nights now. The swelling is sloowly going down, with the exception of what looks like a small water balloon on my upper left belly area. My doctor said not to worry, since it doesn't hurt or my skin has not changed colors. I sent him a photograph of the area on Sunday. The doctor also said that the fluids would eventually go away, if not he can drain the fluids out (hopefully it goes away) during an office visit. Even with the swelling, my skirts have more room around the belly area, looks nice. Haven't put on any pants, other than running pants, yet. Until next time, happy healing to everyone.

Week 4
Hello All: I saw my PS on 4-30-12. He removed the bandage and it was painless. The balloon spot I was worried about is completely gone. I'm so happy!! It still feels like I've done 500 situps and I love it. My PS said I can start walking now and start exercising this week. So excited. Interesting thing, my PS did not advise me to use any scar creams. I went online and found that some doctors don't think they are necessary. I love the way I look in my clothes. I'm still swollen a bit, but I'm not concerned because I know it will take time. Once again, I took my camera to my PS, so I'm downloading a few photos. Until next time, happy healing to you all.

25th TT Day:
Hello All: I still healing. There is still some swelling and a tiny bit of oozing from one drain area. I believe it happens because of my constant movement at work (up & down, up & down for 9 hours). Yes, I'm one of those folks who doesn't know how to work a 7.5 day and call it quits. I'm exhausted right now, but I wanted to post some pictures that I just took by myself. So they are not the best, but will give you an idea of how I'm progressing. I still wear my veronica garment during the day and my binder at night. I haven't began a work out yet, because by the time I leave work, I'm exhausted. My appetite has decreased tremendously. Chat with you all again soon and Happy Mother's Day!!!!