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*Treatment results may vary
Touch-up procedure today is complete - not...
Touch-up procedure today is complete - not completely pain-free but I could do it again if I had to :) I signed the consent forms, took some Valium and a Nucynta, got gowned up, and Dr. Cannova got right to work marking me up. I then took my place on a table in the office's surgical suite and was draped and the operative sites cleansed. Dr. Cannova let me know he was going to start injecting Lidocaine, and then started some idle chat (good idea, keep my mind off the stinging feeling, lol). Topics ranged from how it feels to change people's lives with plastic surgery, to dissecting animals in high school. :) He told me any time I felt any discomfort during the procedure to let him know. This did happen a few times, and every time more Lidocaine was applied, and the discomfort was relieved. I did feel sensations of tugging, and I knew when he started stitching. :D The procedure itself didn't take long, probably no more than 15 minutes (I'm just guessing). The results are clearly visible to me although I won't be surprised if there is swelling in the coming days/weeks (as happened with initial surgery). Follow up appointment in two weeks.
Posting pics before touch-up on Tuesday where Dr....
Posting pics before touch-up on Tuesday where Dr. Cannova will take care of the dog-ear on the right (not sure there is a dog-ear to take care of on the left), and the left-over Ken-doll package on the front. Will be a procedure done in their office's surgical suite, arrival at 2:15 (supposed to eat lunch)... will bring my Valium and Nucynta with me, and take them when instructed after I sign the consent forms. The belly is still rather numb (although itchy) but more anesthetic will be injected. Weight is still about the same as preop - work still begging me to sit on my arse more hours, yet walking more than before. *shrugs* Pants fit looser, went down one size from preop and all my shirts fit a lot better, wish I could figure out how to get a waistline to show up facing frontwards but I think I would have to grow a few inches taller in the torso. The biggest difference is from the side; still extraordinarily satisfied with that. :) Scar is red but smooth. Some areas are fading, and I have faith it will all continue to fade further. Time heals. Will post pics after touch-up as I can.
Today went for my 9-week postop visit. Dr....
Today went for my 9-week postop visit. Dr. Cannova and staff great and punctual as usual. He evaluated his work and decided he can improve on it: What I presumed was still swelling in the front (a la Ken-doll anatomy below the belly button in the pubic region) he said is residual tissue and he will do a wedge resection to remove it. At the same time, he will take care of the dog-ears. This will be done on September 25 early afternoon, local anesthesia, no extra charge. I could have lived with how it looks now, but... yeah, with the dog-ears gone and the Ken-bulge disappeared, will be even happier. Am hoping to drop some pounds beforehand, I consider this my second chance to get it *just right* before he makes the final cut. ;D Still numb in a lot of areas, doesn't bug me but thought I'd mention it. Belly button is a different color inside than the rest of my stomach; was told it is healthy tissue but I could use skin bleach if it bothered me - might, might not.
Provider Review
Associated Plastic Surgeons of Kansas City was referred to me by my primary care physician. Although at the time there were no mentions of it or Dr. Cannova here at RealSelf, I did get positive reviews from others. Dr. Cannova specializes in breast reconstruction (in case that's what you need), and tummy tuck/body lift after weight loss, which is what I needed. He did a great job on my belly, exceeded my expectations, and has a great personality to boot. Never demeaning, never made me feel uncomfortable with myself or him, never gave me false hope, just told me what his plans were and what the results would likely be. Seems to genuinely care.