POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS
Tummy Tuck 5 Days Ago and Feeling Some Anxiety, but Doing Well - Charlotte, NC
ORIGINAL POST
I have two children, now 8 and 5, both delivered...
lookingforwardtorecoveryNovember 23, 2010
WORTH IT$7,800
I have two children, now 8 and 5, both delivered by c-section. I am 5'2 and 118 pounds and with my first gained 70 pounds. He really stretched me out. I have spent the last five years focused on fitness and losing the baby weight and can't get rid of the patch of skin and my belly button was really deformed. Took me over a year to work up the courage to do this.
The surgery went great and my dr is fantastic. I have had several friends have other procedures by the dr I used with great results. For me so far, it's more of the anxiety. I really wasn't expecting this anxiety and feel it's for no reason. I am not in that much pain, still feeling very tight and bloated, still hunched over a little, but able to get up and down and walk around. I am glad that I found this sight and would love for any comments. I think it's very helpful hearing everyone's stories and comments. I will work on uploading some pictures.
Replies (20)
November 24, 2010
Hey, I am post op day 3 and the standing up process is the hardest. My back hurts more then anything. I have and appointment today where I will finally see whats under the bandages. Overall, I am happy with my choice and thank god for my mom, she has been so helpful. Oh and thank god for painkillers. I can so identify with the constant working out, I actually became obsessed and when I didn't get the results I wanted, I wanted to give up. I wish you luck with your recovery and like you thank god for this site.
November 25, 2010
Yes your back is going to hurt for a while! That will ease up eventually but it all takes time. Keep up on those pain meds and REST!
That is nice you have your mom to help you. How did your appointment go?
November 25, 2010
Hey! Don't underestimate the emotional effects of the combination of anesthesia, pain medicine, physical pain, and the "coming down" from the pre-op anxiety. I had my tt with muscle repair one week ago and spent day four bawling in tears. I'd read here that experiencing transient depression after surgery is really common and kind of pooh-poohed the idea, thinking for sure I suffered mine in the days leading up to surgery (nervous and fearful). Nope! At my followup appointment yesterday my sweet nurse said the anesthesia can make you bluesy and not feeling like yourself for a few weeks even. She suggested sitting in the sun and looking forward to bathing suit season. Take your vitamins too. Even as down as I was just two days ago, I'm feeling better. Take it day by day and be amazed by your body's ability to heal. You will stand up straight; don't worry! My doctor said the muscle repair involves layers upon layers of stitches. It's going to feel tight but just like the healing you'll ease back upright in time. You had surgery and will be in pain, but hang in there. You will be amazed every day how much better you are than the day before. All the best!
November 25, 2010
Thank you so much for your comments. I am day 7 now and feeling much better. I haven't been in pain, but definitely very tight. Trying to focus on the positive, like getting my drain out on Monday. Maybe I will feel somewhat normal then. LOL How are you feeling today? Is your Dr letting you stand up straight before the first week. Mine has encouraged me to stand as tall as I can each day....little by little I am getting there. Please keep me up to date on your post op. I still need to upload some pictures.
November 25, 2010
Hey! So you had yours on the 18th too :-) My doctor said I was allowed to stand straight when he saw me on day 2! However I was bent over like a right angle for the first few days. I get my drains out on Tuesday. I thought I'd get them out yesterday, but sadly I made the executive decision to not "strip" my drain tubing, so the output wasn't accurate. That part was uncomfortable, so I didn't do it :-(
Well I can't quite stand up straight yet. I try so hard, but it's like I'm still tethered a bit too tight, you know? Its not fear of standing; it's simply inability so far. There's this irrational fear I have that I'll never stand tall and proud again. Like what if he cinched me up too much?! But like I said *irrational* fear. (I think!)
Are you fully upright yet?
I think I'm going to post a review with pics in the next few days too. I've been waiting to be sans narcotics so it makes any sense at all!
Well I can't quite stand up straight yet. I try so hard, but it's like I'm still tethered a bit too tight, you know? Its not fear of standing; it's simply inability so far. There's this irrational fear I have that I'll never stand tall and proud again. Like what if he cinched me up too much?! But like I said *irrational* fear. (I think!)
Are you fully upright yet?
I think I'm going to post a review with pics in the next few days too. I've been waiting to be sans narcotics so it makes any sense at all!
November 28, 2010
I had mine on the 19th so you are a day ahead of me. I am standing fully upright, but as the day goes on feel a little tighter and start to hunch over. I take a deep breath when I find myself doing that and then stand up straight again. I have been trying to be more active. I still have the drain, get it out tomorrow. Have had to hide it under baggy clothes to go out. I am feeling so much better this week. I think that the pain medicine did a number on me. I am very active and to be down and out was difficult. I run 5 miles 3-4 times a week and I just want to get back to that level of energy. It's also hard when you have two kids, having to think about everything you do before you do it to make sure you are not going to hurt yourself, but I know that is temporary and I have an amazing husband.
How are you feeling now? Do you work? If so, when do you plan to return to work.
How are you feeling now? Do you work? If so, when do you plan to return to work.
November 28, 2010
Wow don't know how you're doing it with two young kids./ Mine are older 19 and 21. So along with my husband they have helped me over Thanksgiving break. I hope to get my drain out tomorrow, too. I'm really tired of having to hide it under my clothes. I emptied about 50cc of fluid from it today so we'll see. I teach and plan to go back tomorrow and work 1/2 the day. But I plan on working the rest of the week. I week for a morning and afternoon walk today. Like you I am a very active person. I understood you when you said as the day goes on you start to bend over more. That is happening to me too:) I think you are 3 days ahead of me so keep posting your progress. Do you work?
November 30, 2010
So you had your drain out today, you lucky thing! Tomorrow is when mine come out thank goodness. Oh they pull and I have just stayed inside mostly because it looks like I have books in my pants!
I'm having the same issues you describe with starting out straight and then hunching as the day wears on. I am going to ask the doctor tomorrow what I can do about this and will share his response. Hopefully it is something more proactive, like stretching or something, as opposed to wait it out. Patience isn't a strength of mine!
I'm really active too. I love high impact aerobics and running, which was a big reason I chose to undergo this surgery. It was painful with the pitiful tummy. I cant wait to get back to exercie; even plain old fast walking would be incredible. Not too much longer for either of us!
Gosh I hear you about the kids. I was so worried about my three yr old and the damage he could (unintentionally) do post surgery, but he has been great. Getting pizza out of the oven on my own is another story.
Awesome that your husband is so supportive! That means so much!
I do work, but I'm a writer and can work from pretty much anywhere. Trying to balance the too much sitting / not enough walking is really my only work-related challenge.
So I'll repost tomorrow and share any good tidbits on the whole standing up straight issue. I'm also going to ask about whether i can wear spanx or if I need to splurge on one of these expensive and not so cute Veronique garments. Are you still in a binder? I'm thankful for it... Without it I feel like my insides are not tethered in, kinda creepy.
:-)
I'm having the same issues you describe with starting out straight and then hunching as the day wears on. I am going to ask the doctor tomorrow what I can do about this and will share his response. Hopefully it is something more proactive, like stretching or something, as opposed to wait it out. Patience isn't a strength of mine!
I'm really active too. I love high impact aerobics and running, which was a big reason I chose to undergo this surgery. It was painful with the pitiful tummy. I cant wait to get back to exercie; even plain old fast walking would be incredible. Not too much longer for either of us!
Gosh I hear you about the kids. I was so worried about my three yr old and the damage he could (unintentionally) do post surgery, but he has been great. Getting pizza out of the oven on my own is another story.
Awesome that your husband is so supportive! That means so much!
I do work, but I'm a writer and can work from pretty much anywhere. Trying to balance the too much sitting / not enough walking is really my only work-related challenge.
So I'll repost tomorrow and share any good tidbits on the whole standing up straight issue. I'm also going to ask about whether i can wear spanx or if I need to splurge on one of these expensive and not so cute Veronique garments. Are you still in a binder? I'm thankful for it... Without it I feel like my insides are not tethered in, kinda creepy.
:-)
November 30, 2010
Yes, please let me know what the dr. says. I am so glad to have the drain out. I feel more like myself again. My primary garmet is more like a girdle and then my secondary is more like spanx. I can start wearing the spanx after this week. I feel like I am getting back to normal, going to work a 1/2 day today, from home. What are you putting on your scar? I think that is the hardest part of this for me. I know it will fade over time and mine is pretty low, definitely can wear a regular bikini. My husband keeps reminding me that it's not that much longer than my c-section scar and it will fade. He is so great, I have been an emotional rollercoaster and he definitely keeps me focused and positive. Let me know what your dr says about everything, stretching, etc. It's great connecting with someone at the same stage, small children, etc.
Oh yes the post op anxiety...no fun at all! This will get better with time and is temporary. If it is too bothersome call your doctor and let him know. There are meds they can prescribe for you to take for the short term. I have read about several woman taking something and it has really helped them.
Make sure you rest plenty, drink your fluids and don't over do it. Keep posting and let us know who you are doing. Can't wait to see your pics! I bet you look amazing :)