Finally Having It Done! - Bala Cynwyd, PA

I am I week post op and feeling great! This is a great site and I will be here to support you! You will do awesome!

I am 26 days post op Full TT with muscle repair of almost 2 inches, Breast Lift with minimal lipo on the hips and under my sides where my bra hits under my armspits. I wish I had known to go and get a lymphatic massage before surgery. My massage therapist said that getting a lymphatic massage before surgery and then after surgery, once cleared by the Dr, will help with healing by 10x. I go tomorrow for my 4 week post op appt to see when I can get the massages started. Swelling is a pain! Drink as much water before and after surgery as possible. I try to drink 64-96 oz a day and it is helping with swelling tremendously. Once my Dr told me I could resume my vitamin regiment, I started a good multivitamin, vitamin E, Omega-3, calcium, vitamin C and L-Arginine. I started walking as soon as I could and made sure I listened to my body. My Dr told me that walking will reduce swelling but its a catch 22. You have to walk to increase circulation to help your lymphatic system start healing but you swell when you walk. Your back will hurt from walking hunched over for at least a week. Find a wheelchair to use for a few weeks so you can get out of the house. I was ready to run away after 2 weeks but didn't feel comfortable driving. Cabin Fever! I have asked myself on a few occasions, "Why did I do this to myself? WTH was I thinking?? 6 week recovery my rear!" No one told me the ugly side but going through what I have endured already is so much better than looking at a bumpy, scarred up, ugly tummy that was covered in stretch marks. I have my bikini bought and I tried it on the other day. Good thing I got string bottoms. I got depressed around week 2 but then I found this site and the helpful info I have found here has saved me and my sanity. I think I am healing quickly compared to some stories I have read. At 3 weeks I could wear 2 pairs of my jeans that were loose the morning of my procedure. They are a little looser now. Low sodium diet will help reduce swelling. Your lymphatic system is going to be disrupted which is what causes the swelling. Now at a few days short of 4 weeks post op, I still swell but not that bad. I can run short errands before becoming a little uncomfortable. Sleeping comfortably was an issue before my drains were removed but once they were removed, I could sleep on my sides and I was ecstatic! I am not a back sleeper. That was day 7 post op. I have had good days and a few bad but that's expected with any surgery. A few things I expected but didn't experience with this surgery was when I went to pee for the first time. I expected the same pains that I had with all 3 of my C-Sections. You know, the feeling that someone took your bladder out and played kickball with it. I was so happy when I sat down and no pain, peed and no pain, stood up and no pain! If you don't have a recliner, when you lay down, put pillows behind you or get one of those arm chair pillows and put a big pillow under your knees. This has helped me so much with swelling and the tightness you will have on your tummy. I was afraid to try to do little stretches or even lay with my legs out flat for fear of opening my sutures but realized last week that this tightness is from my abs being sewn back together from having my children. I didn't have any of these things shared with me when I scheduled my TT but wish I had someone who told me that didn't sugar coat it. I would have planned better for mine. I would have still done it but wish I was better informed. I only planned for 2 weeks off normal activities but really needed 3 weeks before my husband went back to work. Good luck! I hope I didn't scare you away from this. Try not to sneeze, laugh or cough before 2 weeks. It hurts! Just like C-sections, use the pillow over your tummy. Every persons experiences are different because your surgery is customized for your needs, wants and body style and what you want as your final results. When I start feeling upset or depressed, I go look at my flat tummy in the mirror and remember that I am still very early in the healing process and 3-6 months is really not that far away. This summer I will be sporting sexy swimwear. If I hadn't gotten the surgery done, I would still be trying to conceal my rolls of skin and being jealous of the women who are in a string bikini, who have 3 kids in tow and look amazing. Once I figure out how to post photos I will post a before and "during recovery" and then once I am 100% recovered an after photo.

Please pictures. They help soooo much.

I have not had,my surgery yet. I am scheduled for april 26.