“I'm back... over 6 months later update”
Tummy tuck: NOT worth it
Pain: Severe
I had not a real abdominalplasty but they fixed the mons and had to take out my belly button. So they used smartlipo on me, to make more skin by burning out some fat..
Con's -- I was awake, it was done in a Doctors office, only oral meds besides the local, half way thru my 6 hour ordeal I was in a blaze of pain.
Con.. when it did not turn out right they blamed the healing etc on me...because past abdomenal surgery.. I have never had anything like this in my life. I am or was a very young 50 year old. I hope this lets me put on here what I wrote on the other page... so everyone can read this and be very aware before you do something like this...
PLEASE.. it had literally ruined my life...I am now over six months after an abdominalplasty.. I can not wear any of my clothes.. I do not bend in the middle... can not tie my shoes or reach my feet to put my socks on...
I have kept in weekly contact with the Doctors who did my procedure as no other doctor in my area will take me for fear of being involved in a lawsuit. I am mad as hell now... this has cost me alot of pain and anguish period.. What is causing my surgical area to swell and crack open some of the incision line that is trying to heal? I am also getting red spots on left side... the side that hurts the worst like satellite lesions.. None deep only one that was there since surgery which neither surgeon know where it came from?
I need help will someone please help me... necrotic tissue smells awful and i have to smell it all the time... I am burned from the inside out, how does that heal? The outside is still cracking and peeling and bleeding 6 months after the procedure.. NO muscles were cut on me... They took out some love handles to make more skin so they could pull the top of my skin from the rib area down to compensate for having takin out a bellybutton that has bled and cracked off and on since the real abdominalplasty in 2005. They told me the only way to fix it was to just take out the bellybutton... Thus a new name.... ABdominalplasty! As I have told them.. Abdominalplasty they tighten your muscles etc... and I recovered from it very quickly... but this I am afraid is going to do me in...
I celebrated my 50th birthday alone at home because I have no control over my abdomen... I now call it my Leadbelly.. It is so heavy on me I look like I am carrying triplets, that my back hurts. I am so out of ideas..
Please someone... I know all of you that have taken the time to reply said to see another Surgeon. I have been to several as I said they see "Botch Job" as they told my sister and do not want a part of it.. Who ever helps me is my hero, why would I want to sue them...
My opinion... don't let Surgeons have a license to or certificate to use something they are not schooled in using...its maiming and could be killing people. Not to be morbid but Reality... I am a widow and live alone... will they find me dead in my bed???
I have written to several Plastic Surgeons who are outraged over the smartlipo burning going on...sent all my pictures... They don't write back.. BTW I can feel all the dead tissue deep inside of me its a very big belt around my midsection. After much hounding I got bloodwork done and found I was way down on my HBG... I had a transfusion 3 weeks ago..
I have 27 Rose Bushes and a half acre waiting for my care, I can't do it.. I ask again... Please someone help me.. my pictures labs, MRI and CScan I have copy of all...and discs. In closing from my long question.... last week they put me on Cipro 2 times a day 500 mg for 14 days and have put me on Lasix 40mg 2 times a day to see if they could get some fluid of me as it hurts to take a deep breath in, like a knife. Thank you for all who take the time to read it and answer it....
God Bless you... Sunkissedcutie
May 12, 2009Comments and replies (40)
219 posts
2 Jul 2009
hopefully you are improving - just saw your pictues from may for the first time - this is a dangerous situation and should be followed closely - if you are unable to obtain a second opinion, consider going to the Er - the plastic surgeon on call should be required to at least see you and recommend treatment. we are unable to offer medical advice across state lines, god bless.
3 posts
6 Jul 2009
my heart goes out to you ! I feel so bad for you. {{ Hugs}} please go to the ER asap !
unregistered guest
8 Jul 2009
Please contact the Univ. of WA in Seattle & ask them for guidance! I wish you only the best & pray you have good relief & advice very soon.
unregistered guest
9 Jul 2009
I would make a wound care clinic appt immediately or go to emergency room for this horrible problem. It will also be documented medically what they have found - don't wait any longer. It could become worse - you are in my prayers.
17 posts
9 Jul 2009
Hi, Just alittle update this week.. I have my appt finally after the Doctors held some type of meeting to discuss which patients to see etc... I was assigned a doctor but do not have an appt until July 17th. Alot of you have suggested I go to my local ER, there is no on call Plastic Surgeon. You get the ER Doctor and then you are sent back to your private doctor for follow up... So you can see my dilemma. This creates a hardship on me as I have to rely on someone to take me another facility to see specialist... I have followed the procedure to get into a Certified Specialist.. I feel like I have wasted an entire year of my life.. I certainly don't want to live the rest of my life looking like this... Its taken a toll on me emotionally. Trying to keep my head up, and take one day at a time... Thank you everyone for your comments and advice... I am reading and taking everything to heart...God Bless all of you... Hugs from the Pacific NW
3 posts
13 Jul 2009
oh gee, what a mess ! I read in one of your earlier posts that you are an Retired RN ? What about the Doctor or Clinic you worked for ... maybe they can help ? I hope everything goes well the 17th. and you finally get the "desperate" help you need and should get ! keep us informed and i will say a little prayer & keep my fingers and toes crossed for you. {{ Hugs }}
5 posts
21 Jul 2009
I have been waiting patiently to see your update since your apt on the 17th! Hope there is good news!!
3 posts
21 Jul 2009
same here ....
17 posts
24 Jul 2009
Hello everyone.... Patiences is a virtue... or so I have been told... Ok here is what happened at OHSU... Remember I had to be taken to another state to be seen so I had two days traveling to tend with... and the weather here has been a weltering 104 degree's. I saw the intern Doctor working with the Specialist. He did all the scut work... History and general look see at my abdomen. Dr. Wong came in... asked me a couple of questions, saw my last culture was done in April and said this.... I want you to continue to take Bactrim DS 800mg 2 times a day for another 3 weeks... I want you to scrub with Hibiclens Surgical antibacterial Wash from your neck down every day for the next 5 weeks... I also want you to put this ointment... handed me a RX for Mupironcin ointment..up inside each side of your nose 3 times a day for 5 days... Thank Goodness that is done and over with... His objective take on me is that I have Staph and MRSA that has colonized one on the abdomen because of being an open wound for so long... and that my left arm that is broke out in the same type of satellite lesions is also part of the infection. Oh and to stay out of hot sun while on the medicine.. Stay indoors.. and I should be ok and clear of my infection in 3 to 5 weeks. So we will know by Aug 23rd if that worked... I do see improvement of the lesions on my arm... I am anxiously awaiting for the abdomen ugly as it is... to be free of infection so I can get fixed right... I feel horrible at all the scars on my body from the infection and open wound for so long...I avoid mirrors at all costs as I do get pretty down when I see what I am left with. Just with my limited knowledge and research.. I know I am going to need skin grafts, and some type of mesh put inside of me to fix the messed up abdomen muscles.. Oh they found a hernia in the old surgical scar where they tried to break apart the old scar with the smartlipo tools. That may or may not be the cause of the hard left sided pain I have right of midline.. That hurts, and keeps me from bending in the middle like a normal person.. So that is all the news I have at the moment.... Instead of my Front Teeth for Christmas... all I want for Christmas is my body back in my clothes... Thanks for sharing and listening to me... Hugs from the Pacific NW..
2 posts
3 Aug 2009
I have my TT scheduled for August 28th of 2009. I have been going through your posts and my fears were confirmed that this does happen and it is truly scary. I would like to know how you are doing and I too will post my progress like you have on the internet for others to have a real view of what happens with a TT. I hope you have progressed to be infection free and wish you only the best. God be with you, woman because I want your next birthday to be exciting and healthy.