POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck Reviews
42 Year Old, 3 Kids, TT, MR, and Lipo to trunk and thighs.
UPDATED FROM newlvgirl
25 days post
Week 3-4 post op
newlvgirlAugust 2, 2014
WORTH IT$11,600
Getting back to regular life. After week 2 my "help" reduced drastically, leaving me little time to update!! Still swollen, tight, and numb, but that's to be expected. I have better range if motion - no twisting or sitting up without using my hands. I have not worn and binder or CG since week 2 and do not miss it. I may be more swollen, but it won't make a difference to my results. Here are some more pre and post pics. I've left the steri tape on from surgery. I have tape to replace it, but don't want to pull it off. Oh, all of my bruises were gone by 3 weeks. I took arnica from week 1 to week 3.
newlvgirl's provider
UPDATED FROM newlvgirl
12 days post
Day 12 post op
newlvgirlJuly 20, 2014
It's a good morning. I took some more before and after pictures. I've noticed that the mornings are best regarding swelling and dinner time, evening is the worst. If I drink a ton of water in the evening until bedtime, then I usually feel better just before I go to bed. Right now I am hoping my bruised thighs get better so i can shorts again. It's the middle of summer here!
Replies (5)
July 20, 2014
You look amazing! Your incision is low which is awesome! Mine is veryyyy high, above any indie or bikinis I have. So enjoy it! U look great! So happy for yiu
July 20, 2014
Thank you! The trade off is a small vertical scar. I love the results. I knew scars were part of the deal and so they don't bother me! You Inspire me to think about improving my breasts. Hope that doesn't sound awkward!! Lol!!
July 21, 2014
You look great! love your scar placement. I wish my swelling was as little as yours.
July 21, 2014
Thank you!! During my consult, a low scar and BB were two details that we talked about. I have to say my PS is true to his word!!
July 21, 2014
Looking fantastic!! SO fab that your incision is so low and healing so nicely already! Before and after photos are so dramatic... Going to be fun clothes shopping! ;) Congrats!
July 21, 2014
Thank you so much! I know it will take months for final results, but I love seeing improvements along the way. Great motivation for me and so appreciative of the work my PS did :-)
July 22, 2014
You are looking great! Hoping and praying I can be so lucky. Were you in a knee length CG since you had lipo to the thighs? My TT/Lipo trunk/thighs is on Tue (1 week away--yay!) and I just wish it would hurry up and get here. What kinds of things should I be doing this week???
July 22, 2014
Hi! Yes, I was sent home in a CG that went from thighs to under my bra. It was marena brand and I would recommend it. However, I do not like tight clothing, period, so as soon as my PS said I don't have to wear it, I'm not!! Hmm, the last week before surgery I made sure I had enough help lined up for my kids and did all the active stuff I knew I wouldn't be able to do after - bike, swim, climb on the jungle gym, etcetera. In hindsight, it would have been nice to have smaller gauze pads at home. They sent me home with plenty, but they were huge and irritated my skin. I used ibuprofen for pain (narcotics made me nauseous), but many PS prefer Tylenol because of blood thinning. This wasn't a problem for me. And eat clean and healthy if possible. I went in regular and not bloated and I didn't have any constipation after. Most important is that each person is unique and to not set expectations for yourself based on other peoples' experiences. It's fun to share and learn, but we are all unique :) thanks for reading my review!!
July 24, 2014
Hello! I think I saw on another post that you had Dr. Leigh at Edina, right? I am scheduled with him for a tummy tuck, lipo of truck/inner thighs and a breast aug next month. What feedback do you have on your experience with him and their surgery center? What other docs did you consider? Also, did you go home with a urinary catheter and/or a pain pump - I've seen that some of his other patients have? Any insight would be great!
July 24, 2014
I don't know what is standard procedure, but I had and continue to have a fabulous experience. I feel confident in Dr. Leigh and his capabilities - he's so knowledgable and experienced, that I trust him completely. I only consulted with one other PS and had a couple of other recommendations. I went with Dr. Leigh as soon as I met him. I figured confidence in my surgeon was number one for me. I did go home with a catheter and I loved it. I still had to walk to the barhroom, I just didn't have to sit down on the seat! The exparel pain med was a huge help. It is time released internally and does not need to be removed. The staff at the surgical center were kind and comforting. I was sent home in the gown, robe, and blanket from the surgical center. They also sent home a bag of extra gauze pads. I was in a CG after surgery and I received a second one at my first follow up appt. Glad I didn't purchase one before hand! I just went into this whole experience trusting the professionals and with their guidance, everything has gone smoothly so far - knock on wood!!! Good luck and rest easy, you are in great hands!
July 25, 2014
Thanks so much for the info! How long was the catheter in? What do you mean you still had to walk to the bathroom (was it just an open tube on the end)? Did you take it out yourself or did they take it out at one of the post op appointments? I'm not sure why, but that is one of the things I've been worrying about. It took me forever to be able to pee after they took my catheter out after giving birth with the epidural, so it is worrying me!
July 25, 2014
Hi! I also had a catheter after my second baby and it is different. After the TT, the catheter has a bag on the end and I couldn't even feel the urge to go, I just checked the bag every couple of hours and when it was half full, I would go and empty it into the toilet. It has a tube that you open and close to empty the bag. Super easy. I took the catheter out right before my follow up appt on day 2. That was easy too. Basically, it was just cutting a tube that had saline in it (that's how it stays in) letting it drain for a few seconds, and then pulling it out. It did not hurt and was easy. You can wait and have them remove it at your appt too. When I got there they asked if it was still in. I was able to per just fine after, no after effects at all. Hope this helps!!
UPDATED FROM newlvgirl
10 days post
Day 10 post op
newlvgirlJuly 18, 2014
I got my third and final drain roved yesterday. Love not having drains!! I asked about how long I will need to wear a CG and PS again said the CG is mostly to hold bandages in place and now I don't have any, so maybe a couple ore days. I then asked what I should wear after the CG, like a binder, and he said its not really necessary for recovery, but I could wear one if I want. Hmmm. Something to think about over the weekend. I go for a follow up on Monday and will ask one more time how often and for how long I need to keep wearing the CG. If he says I don't need to, I may prefer not to wear one. I'm only taking arnica for swelling and drinking a lot of water right now, no more meds of any kind. I'm still swollen in the shape of an egg, I just get wider from my chest to my hips, but it is a real improvement from pre op. I wish I had taken more pics in certain outfits, but I know my clothes fit better and I feel better and that's what's most important. My y is still tight, my bruising is still sore, but all in all, I feel like I can do pretty much all of my daily routine except lifting my two year old. I walk slower, but not too noticeable! Happy healing everyone!
Replies (4)
July 18, 2014
Instead of taking oral Benedryl for the rash, you might try a cream to put on the rash.
You look great and appear to be healing well. Just remember that because you feel good, there is still a ton of healing going on inside! Be good to yourself!
July 18, 2014
Great advice! Can I show my family?? Lol. My PS said to take it easy for a couple of days and apparently that means running a couple errands and taking care of my three girls?! At least the older girls should be helpful! I plan to send the hubby and girls to the beach tomorrow so I can sit at home and rest :-)
July 18, 2014
Your post is so helpful. I'm getting mine done in December and I want to use your pic as example of how low for incision. We are almost same height and weight so very helpful. Do you have a small vertical scar? Thought I might have seen one in the pic? My doc said I might have to have one.
July 18, 2014
Yes, I have a small vertical scar. I don't mind. I'd rather have a really low scar then a higher one. My natural BB is pretty high too. I'm glad my review is helpful :-) I've learned so much from all the reviews here and hope I can do my part!
July 18, 2014
Interesting how everyone has different advice on the cg, I have to wear mine for 6 weeks, just as well it is winter here :-P. You are looking great!
July 19, 2014
Thanks! It is the middle of sure here!! The more variances there are to recovery, the less chance I have to mess it up, right?? Lol.
July 19, 2014
I wear my cg for 3 weeks and then a spanx garment for 3 more weeks for a total of 6 weeks. I feel better having it on...gives me a sense of security although it is the hottest time of year here!
July 19, 2014
You bb is adorbable!!!
Replies (1)