“10 weeks post op & feeling good!!! :)”

I am a 40 yr old mother of 3, ages: 22, 19, & 13. Most of the damage to my body was a result of my first pregnancy. I was only 17 at the time and was horrified by my post-baby belly. I was a size 4 with very loose skin that hung below my waist line. I've finally gotten the courage to have the surgery. I had a breast lift done in December and was very pleased with the results and how I was treated by my PS and his staff. They were wonderful and answered every question I had to prepare me for my surgery so it was a no brainer to return to him for my TT.

My surgery is scheduled for May 27th and I can't wait! Just 10 days away!!! I'm also having a Brazilian Butt Lift done at the same time, has anyone else done this at the same time as a TT?

I was told I would have to lay on my side to stay off my butt. I am worried about this because I've been reading the forums and have learned that most women can't lay on their sides after a TT. I'm afraid this will hurt quite a bit.

I'm mostly concerned about having to walk bent over. How long does that last? When will I be able to stand up straight again?

I'll post before pictures soon, I just have to get up the courage to take them first. lol

Updated on 18 May 2011:
Nine days to go! My son came home from the Airforce yesterday and I told him about my upcoming procedure, he is very supportive. I really lucked out with such a good kid! I'm still not sure what to tell my 13 yr. old to explain why Momma is walking bent over. Any advice? I don't wanna scare him.

Updated on 18 May 2011:
Thank you all very much for your concerns. Looks like I'll be having another talk with my PS about this. I may have to give up on the BBL altogether then if that's the case, I want the tummy tuck more.

Updated on 19 May 2011:
Eight days to go! I'm really concerned about having to walk bent over. How long does that last? When will I be able to stand up straight again?

Updated on 21 May 2011:
6 days to go! I'm so excited, I can't believe this is actually happening!!! I have an appointment with my PS on Tuesday to further discuss my getting a BBL & a TT at the same time. I've been shopping for last minute items and getting things ready for the big day. I've been thinking about buying a walker to help me get around, I'm really afraid of getting a blood clot! Did anyone else get a walker? Did it help?

Updated on 24 May 2011:
3 days to go! Almost time!!!

I had a visit with my PS today and we had a long talk about my upcoming surgery. We discussed my having a full TT and BBL at the same time. He was honest and straight forward, didn't sugar coat a thing. He told me that it will be a more painful recovery if I chose to have a BBL at the same time as a TT. He said I would have to lay on my side where I will have stitches and that I would hurt. He wanted me to be fully aware of the decision I was making. He also told me I can change my mind as late as the day of my surgery before I go to sleep. But ultimately, it's my decision.

I've thought about it a lot and I decided that I want both. I'm going to be in pain for the next 2-4 weeks anyway, so why not get everything I want and heal from them all at once? I'm not the first woman to do these procedures at the same time. I found 2 on this website alone without even looking for them: http://www.realself.com/photo/266481?offset=64&topic_id=553 and http://www.realself.com/review/chicago-il-brazilian-butt-lift-tummy-tuck-worth-ityet (granted the second one didn't have a good experience, but I think that was because of her choice in PS).

Anyhow, the point is I've made up my mind and am doing both, I hope I get more support than ridicule. If not, I understand. I am going to continue to post my experience here because this is a diary of sorts for me and maybe it will help another woman make their decision if they are faced with the same choice.

Most likely I'll be posting just how much pain I am in and all of you can all tell me “I told you so” and I know I will deserve it. But please be kind, ultimately I am a woman, just like you, who has paid for an expensive procedure, just like you, and in pain because of it. And, also, just like you, I will heal and be happier with my body as a result of (or in spite of) my pain.

Updated on 25 May 2011:
2 days to go now! I think I'm all ready, laundry is done, house is relatively clean, I've purchased everything I can think of to help with the recovery. My walker just got delivered. I don't know what else to do with myself. I'm just so excited!!!

Updated on 26 May 2011:
Tomorrow is my big day! I'm so very nervous and excited at the same time. I don't think I'll get any sleep tonight and I have to check in at 6:00 am! Well, I guess I'll catch up on my sleep tomorrow.

How soon after surgery did you ladies get up and walk around? How often should I be walking? I'm so very afraid of getting a blood clot, but at the same time I don't want to over do it and end up doing more harm than good. Please, please advise!

Updated on 28 May 2011:
It's the end of the first day and I'm feeling good! I thought it would hurt laying on my side but it doesn't at all - yay!!!

The only time I feel pain is when I stand up for walks but even then, once I'm up it hurts very little. My walker is a god send!

Well I'm off you bed. Good night everyone. :)

Updated on 28 May 2011:
Well day 2 is just as wonderful ;) I'm still waiting for the real pain to start but it hasn't yet.

I feel so wonderful that I would do it again in a heartbeat!

I hope you all are recovering just as easily!x

Updated on 29 May 2011:
Post op day 3 and everything is going wondrful and then bam! My period starts :( I had to give my husband crash course in putting on a pad (was too scared to let him try a tampon!) lol

Updated on 30 May 2011:
Day 4 and I'm doing as well as can be expected. I take regular walks around the house and I have 2 wonderful men at home taking cate of me and my 13 yr old son. Life is perfect except one thing,,, I haven't had a BM in 4 days. Getting pretty worried about that. I've drank prune juice and tried exlax. Any one else have a idea I can try? Getting kinda worried now :(

Updated on 31 May 2011:
5 days post op and still no BM. I've tried exlax and prune juice so far and nothing. I think I'm gonna call my PS tomorrow to see if there is anything he can prescribe. Other than that I'm healing perfectly. Laying on my side still doesn't hurt (thank goodness for that) and I've gotten used to letting others do things for me. I hope all of you are healing as well! :)

Updated on 3 Jun 2011:
1 week post op updates: after having had a TT and BBL at the same time I'm in surprisingly little pain. I have to lay on my sides because of the BBL which was slightly uncomfortable the first night but has caused no pain since. In fact the only pain I feel is in my back if I walk without the aid of my walker and from my liposuction areas. Mostly in my thighs when I have to stand up or sit down.

Laying around all day is getting old, too! I can't sit on my bottom because of the BBL and I can't stand straight up without pain because of the TT. Aaaaarg!!!

I feel like such a burden on my family even though they tell me everyday that I'm not. I know in a month this will all be worth it but I'm not feeling it today.

I do have before and after pictures to post I just have to wait until I have the energy to stand long enough to do it.

Hugs for now!

Updated on 5 Jun 2011:
I'm finally sitting upright (with a pillow folded under my thighs so my bootie isn't touching the chair) so I can now post some pictures. I'm already swelling so you can't see the results of the liposuction yet. My PS said it may take 2-3 months to see the full results so for now no girly figure. :( So my pictures are pre surgery, 5 days after surgery and 8 days after surgery. I also had a BBL and I asked my PS not to go too big, I just wanted a little something back there, I'm really pleased with the results, what do you think? :)

Updated on 5 Jun 2011:


Updated on 8 Jun 2011:
12 days post op and I want these drains out!!! I can only lay on my side because of my BBL so instead of letting my drains rest on my belly they are hanging off my belly and it's painful. :(

At the same time I'm scared of having them taken out too soon then I'll have to go back to my PS to have him drain my belly with a huge needle.

On top of this I'm swelling up now!

I can't wait for all this to be over so I can feel normal again!

Updated on 10 Jun 2011:
I GOT MY DRAINS OUT!!!

!!!

It felt so weird like snakes slithering down the inside of my body. They didn't hurt coming out but I have a dull pain now (I got them out 1 hr ago).

I'm so happy, this is one step closer to normal.

Updated on 14 Jun 2011:
18 days post op and I'm in more pain than day one. Ever since I got my drains taken out it started with a dull pain an hour after they came out then it kept getting worse. Laying down hurts, standing up hurts and is tiring. I'm almost out of pain pills and I don't know what to do!

I have an appointment with my PS in 2 days and I'm hoping he'll know what to do, but right now I have my doubts. I'm so unhappy right now. :(

Updated on 16 Jun 2011:
Well now I feel stupid. I thought once my drains were out I could exercise more so I did alot of walking. Basically I overdid it so the pain was my own fault. *blush*

So I was sent home with a new prescription for pain meds and orders to slow down.

I also got my stitches taken out so it's one more step towards normal. Yay me!!!

Updated on 23 Jun 2011:
Almost 4 weeks post op and I've gotten an infection. I was standing up and touched the side of my dress and was surprised to find it wet so we lifted the skirt to find the compression garment was even more wet. So we undressed me to see that on my side where my stitches were was draining, alot. My husband pressed on it and it drained even more.

We called my PS and he called in a prescription for antibiotics and instructions to come in first thing on the morning. My PS is shocked to see me form an infection this far post op. He said this sort of infection usually only happens in week one.

Now my husband has to clean the site twice a day and pack the hole in with gauze. Literally push gauze into the hole packing it in. My PS wants it to heal from the inside out. So my husband now has to do this for about the next 4 weeks depending on how I heal.

I'm so unhappy right now I'm crying

Updated on 14 Jul 2011:
7 weeks post op: Well I went to see my PS for a follow up. The hole isn't ready to be stitched yet so still packing it in. :(

On top of that the other side has formed an infection! So now we have to pack that side, too. Aarrg!

I just keep telling myself it will all be ok. It's just a delay and nothing more. Besides, the rest of the scar is healing beautifully! :)

It will all be ok.
It will all be ok...

Updated on 15 Jul 2011:
I want to share a cute story with you ladies :)

When I came home after my surgery my 13 yr old son was alarmed to see me in so much pain! I tried to explain to him that I had some muscled repaired in my tummy and the PS made my belly prettier. Not sure he understood but he accepted that story.

But seeing me in so much pain made him desperate to help any way that he could so I hired myself a new nurse: HIM! :)

We agreed on $5 a day for my care (he had been saving up for a new video game so he was excited about this!)

That was the best decision I made! My water glass is always full with fresh ice water, he brings me all my Meds on time, helps me sit up, makes most of my meals, tucks my blanket in around me when he thinks I'm napping... Just the best nurse ever!

I didn't allow him to do all the gross stuff like redressing my bandages or dealing with the drains, my husband did all that. But my son did offer to do that, too! Bless his heart :)

I feel like the luckiest mom ever! I'm no longer bummed about my infections now after writing this. I guess it is good to count your blessings! :)

Updated on 5 Aug 2011:
Adding 10 weeks pictures. I still have the open wounds on my hips from the infections but other than that my scar line is looking pretty good! :)