Tummy Tuck: Stories

You ever look in the mirror and all you think is "yikes, what happened to me?" That is me. I warned my husband 6 years ago when our first was born that this was going to happen. I am my mothers daughter so I got the stretchy waist that, well, didn't stretch back. I seem to gain weight in my waist first and the loose skin just gives it more room! I had both my kids via c-section so i have scar tissue built up on one side more than the other. Here i am 3 years after my second and I finally decided to schedule my tummy tuck, muscle repair and lipo of the bilateral flank area. I am 35 with two kiddos, 6 and 3. I weigh 138. I am excited to introduce myself to the new me in 26 days! All I can tell you is "she" is in for a treat when all this is over!

CG/ Bodyshaper question: So my PS says they will provide one CG and that is all I need. In conversations with other realselfers and family friends I understand that a lot of people decide to go with Spanx or other body shapers after a couple of weeks. I also hear some ladies wear both the CG and the body shaper at the same time...when do you start doing this and which do you put on first? I found myself at target today staring at the two isles of body shapers feeling like a fish out of water. I mean, do you get a tank shaper, bodyslip, one you pull up, hole or no hole? Really? I left empty-handed...any suggestions?

Bromelain question...When are people taking this. No, my doctor did not have this on the list of medicines but I hear it does wonders for swelling.

Scared I am going to get sick before the big day. I almost broke down and bought a surgical mask to wear when I take kids to get the flu shot tomorrow. I am not a germophobe but I am starting to avoid some public places like the plague...like kids play placesand the like. Hope this in normal
20 days to go!!

15 more days and I added new before pictures. I am hoping to wear the same thing for my after pictures for a comparison.

I had my prepop appointment today and I feel as prepared as i can be now. I have my prescriptions filled and my post op bedside table bag ready to go. My PS gave me an extra Marena body garment and compression socks to have on hand when the ones I go home with need to be washed. My prescriptions include, Sinnech, tramadol, Vicodin, cephalexin and hibiclens. She gave me a thumbs up when I asked her a about taking bromelain for swelling. My gauze, petroleum dressing, hand sanitizer, body wipes, dry shampoo and surgery pads are all purchased and ready for use.
After talking with my PS today I feel more comfortable with her than ever and I think that is very important. After taking another set of pictures of my body she showed me somethings that were quite interesting. I had no idea that one of my hips is taller than the other and that one side of my body carries more fat on the hip than the other. This will cause the scar on one side to be a little higher and she will have to concentrate on one side with lipo more so than the other. I was glad for her honesty bc I wouldn't want to be unaware of this and then sadly disappointed later. She said to still bring in my best bikini that sits low to see what she can do with scar placement. Out of all the pictures I have seen of her work I don't see this being an issue. She also mentioned something else that I found interesting...she said that for at least one year she would suggest covering my belly at the beach or pool so it doesn't burn. She had a patient who didn't follow these instructions and burned pretty good and it created a black spot on her tummy where her skin died. Since I burn easily she said to wear something that has an SPF barrier. I love my bikinis but I plan on protecting my investment this summer!
On the home front...I have all my kids valentines cards purchased for classes, husbands gift, teacher gift and one for my mom (for helping out)and the kids of course. I still have one week to go but I am feeling pretty good about where I am right now. Til next time!

My nerves are on high alert today. All I can think about is tomorrow's surgery and I can't relax. This morning I was rationalizing with myself that my belly isn't that bad and I should just cancel. I know I won't cancel but it's interesting what fear can do. I have been having what I think are panic attacks this week even though the days I did I was actually calm. My subconscious is playing tricks on me. I think today I need to find time to relax (as much as I can with my youngest at home today) even if it means doing something mindless like folding laundry. Maybe I will google breathing techniques unless someone here has any suggestions?

All this waiting has been a bit of a blessing though b/c it gave me time to visit this site (a lot) and prepare myself with all your amazing stories and experiences. I know, generally, what to expect and that is a GOOD thing. One thing that I am excited about is wearing my pj's/yoga pants all week (and more). I also bought one of those sports bras that zips in the front so I don't have to clasp my bra in the back...excited to wear that too! It's the little things :)

I can't believe it's here. The 5th of February when it all goes down. I have such a range of emotions and I can't wait to shake most of them like fear being the top one. Ill tell you what....I am missing my cup of coffee this morning. Not taking anything for granted today. I am taking in every movement I make, including the sneeze I just had! I'm staring at my recliner wondering what type of relationship I will have with it in a few days, lol! I plan on picking up both my kids when they wake up and giving them the biggest cuddles ever. Only two more hours! Eeeekk!

Here's a new pic. I'll update my experience when I'm feeling better.thanks for all the well wishes.

I went in for my tummy tuck, muscle repair and lipo of flanks on feb 5 early morning. I was nervous and not sure what to expect but wasn't going to back out at this point. The surgery was being done in a special OR in the doctors facility. I met with the nurses and they started to prep me for surgery. After my gown was on the nurse came in and started with the IV. She had warmed the bag of fluids in the microwave so it would be warm and not cold going in my system. I was thankful for that. When she flicked my arm trying to get my vein to appear it hurt and I said "ow" then I giggled saying..."we'll, if THAT hurt then..." Everyone laughed and it lightened my mood. My doctor came in and marked me. She listened to every word of what I was expecting my scar location to be...I think this is the most important thing -communicating with your doc about the scar location. Then within 10 min we were walking back to the OR. My nerves started rise again when I hit the cold air of the room. I laid in the bed and they put a special warm air blanket on me to make me warm and calm. It worked a little. Then they put in the cocktail in my IV that made me feel like I had a couple glasses of wine. They asked me a question about my kids and before I could get my entire answer out I was under. Next thing I know I am waking in the recovery room in pain. I can't tell you exactly bc it's a fog but I remember my chest feeling tight like I couldn't take a deep breath and my back and obliques were sore. I must have been in there an hour but it felt like minutes bc they were having me get up to the car. Getting out of the bed was really painful but they upped my meds for the ride home. I was in a wheel chair to make it to the car but getting in the car was an art. Anyway, I made it home within 15 min but the bumps along the way as well as every ripple are still very fresh in my memory. I was thankful my husband remembered the pillow for my arms to squeeze to make it easier. We made it in the house and straight to my recliner and then I was out and whiny most of the night.
Post op day 1: muscle spasms, hurt to move, take five minutes to get to the bathroom...that's about 10 yards. Husband had to put a suppository in for me (that's love alright) it had anti nausea meds in it, lipo hurt worse than muscle repair

Post op day two:recliner is just another form of mid evil torture, muscle spams not as bad, lipo area hurt like hell, fatigue and quick breathing on the way back from bathroom, lower back supports everything and I feel like I can't manage the pain it brings, only eating crackers, just want sleep, wishing i could take it all back, saw doctor...she took off CG and I felt like my belly fell on the floor and that was a scary feeling. They changed my bandages and put CG back on. Doc was proud of her work and said I would be too.

Post op day 3: appetite still gone, peeing is hard bc my bowels are waking up and pressing on everything with major gas, gas keeping me from breathing deep bc I have CG and muscle repair pain. Tired and sleep most day and night

Post op day 4: gas is soo bad. I cried a lot bc I couldn't breath. Back is swollen from lipo. My biggest problem was gas and pain from it. Later in the day I was able to let out a big portion of it and yelled out hallelujah and everyone in the house cracked up. I could eat now.

Post op day 5-7: each day I walked farther or faster than days before without fatiguing as bad. My appetite came back and by day 6 I was eating normal meals but in smaller portions. I am able to stay awake longer. It if I am up too long I listen to my body when it tells me to rest. When I sleep at night I find myself jerking an arm or hand or foot in the air...something I never did prior to surgery. I dream really good dreams normally but my dreams lately have been pretty cool. I attached some pics for the last few days. I am swollen ESP in the back but when it goings down I know I will be happy.

Yay! Got my my sutures and drain removed today! It did not hurt to get the drain out. I could tell something was coming out but no pain at all. Oh and I should mention the pain pump I had in I removed myself (per doc instructions) and it was no big deal. It didn't hurt either and I I could feel was something moving inside but that's it. Best news of all is I get to shower tomorrow morning...yes, that is after 10 days!!!! Yikes.

I drove for the first time yesterday...I waited as long as possible and I am glad I did. I felt vulnerable on the road. I am always amazed at how much our bodies use our abs. I have to say I was a slow poke on the road and for once happy to be "that" person. My back is still so swollen and I go through a lot of numbness back there when I sit in my recliner or car. I don't like it, but it is a part of what I signed up for. That's the thing though, I didn't REALLY realize what I was signing up for. Even with this site everyone's recovery is different. Don't get me wrong, I do not regret this at all. Daunting things...It's always in the back of my mind that a seroma or hematoma is a possibility and I should be more careful. I don't allow myself to sneeze or put my toothbrush too far in my mouth when I'm cleaning my tongue for fear of gagging. I haven't vomited once during this experience and feel bad for my realself buddies who have. Ouch! Not cleaning my house is frustrating, you know my husband is awesome but we differ on what clean really is. Stretching is not the same. I want to pick up my boys and swing them around and wrestle but that isn't happening yet. Ok, ok...Im really not complaining (i know it sounds like I am) I am just saying that I didn't realize these things would take time to happen again. So, let me talk about the little things that make me happy....I am very attached to my binder! I take it off to shower and silently excited to put it back on. I love that I'm starting to see some upper swelling go down. I see a little definition. My husband is happy for me and he is excited to pick out some fun things from Victoria's Secret with me. I don't know what's going on with my back...is that dimpling or something that will smooth out with time? Either way I like that my love handles are gone. I have some new pics that I'm excited about and just posted them. Til next time my friends...good healing to those who have gone and many good thoughts to those who are going. ;)

I haven't been on here in awhile but wanted to post pictures of the last few weeks. This last few days have been interesting. I noticed that the areas that were hard before from the surgery are now softening and it looks like I am chubby in those areas. It doesn't show in the pictures in the week 5 shots but I see it today. My husband notices it too. Boo. I was hoping it was all in my head! I would like to say its swelling and perhaps it is but it sure doesn't look like it. It looks like my upper back fat fell down lower to my love handles and that is the area I had sucked out. I didn't add those pictures...I will this week.