“2 Days Until Lipoabdominalplasty - Florida”

Surgery date is Thursday September 16, 2010 at 7:30 am. I am so excited I can hardly stand it. I have 2 children 6 and 4 years of age. I had C-sections with both and was left with terrible stretch marks. Although I am 15 pounds heavier than my ideal weight I work out 3-5 times a week for 1-2 hours but cannot lose the mid-section! I gave it my all with minimal results so I decided to go ahead with the Tummy Tuck. I'm not expecting a miracle. I expect some stretch marks may be left behind, but all I really want to be able to do is button my size 10 jeans and not have a muffin top! I'm 5'9 and 180 and very comfortable with my body otherwise. I'm so thankful for this website. Your stories helped me feel confident in my decision and its been a great tool to share with my husband and sisters, they know what they can expect during my recovery. Thanks Realself friends!

Updated on Sep 14, 2010:
UPDATE COMING SOON!

Updated on Sep 17, 2010:
24 hours post-op, feel pretty great right now. Had a shower and that really helped the cramping in my low back. The most painful part so far has been the upper abs where the sutures were placed. I have some swelling and bruising but overall I'm ecstatic about the results so far!

Updated on Sep 20, 2010:
long healing process!

Updated on Sep 20, 2010:
Feeling great this evening. I've gone without pain meds since last night. Tylenol is all I've taken to help with the low grade fever. I just had the Dr call in a muscle relaxer for the back spasms. I actually feel like I am standing more upright already. It was a long day of tv watching but I can feel and see the progress so I'm super excited. I couldn't fathom the idea of not needing pain meds 2 days ago. What a difference a day makes, and with this surgery what a difference a few hours makes. This healing process has been a major roller coaster!! Another day of R&R tomorrow, then follow-up on Thursday with my PS. Maybe the navel sutures and drain will come out!

Updated on Sep 29, 2010:
Tomorrow will be 2 weeks post-op. I had my drain removed on Day 5. I had a follow-up yesterday and had about 100cc's of fluid removed. 40 from one side 60 from the other. My doctor says this fluid collection is a very common occurence after a TT. I noticed the fluid "wave" has returned again today, so I'm headed back to have it aspirated again. I really hope this is not a chronic problem. Feeling kind of depressed about it, I know it's the least of the possible complications that could occur but I'm just ready to be back to normal!! I have to keep reminding myself what a major surgery this was and try to be patient.. it's tough!

Updated on Oct 5, 2010:
18 days post-op. I went back to work yesterday and tried to stay on light duty. I was pretty worn out by the 6th hour so I headed home. My belly was swollen and tight and still is this morning. I had another 15 mls aspirated yesterday morning, and hope that will be the last of the seroma business. I've had them drained 4 times! It's pretty painless since I'm still very numb in that area. I'm loving the results even though I'm still swollen!! and the best part I'm down 10 pounds!! My incision is healing nicely and I started applying scar gel yestereday per my Dr's suggestion. I am still wearing the binder until I'm sure the seromas are gone for good.

Updated on Oct 5, 2010:
I ended up not going with the pain pump afterall. I was so numb afterwards that I do not think it would have been any help at all! The only pain I felt immediate post-op was the upper ab sutures, just below the breast bone. I doubt the pain pump would have helped this area anyway due to the location. So my advice, pain pump is probably not necessary!

Updated on 19 May 2011:
8 months post op wish I had better news but still have abscess reactions to permanent sutures. 2 in the past month. I am still packing wounds and changing bandages. But on the bright side I still love the flat stomach and have no pain since I have no feeling below the incision. My surgeon is not sure why this is happening but he has been great and hopefully this will end soon so I can get back to "normal".