“My tummy tuck road to recovery”

I had a T/T on November 11, 2008 I'm still in the healing stages, I went into the with an open mind I did not have to high of expectations. I knew I would have pain, swelling and bruising it was explained to me, I also did my own research before I jumped into a full T/T with Lipo.

the one thing I wanted the Dr to focus on the most was my belly button, we talked extensively on this issue. I like my belly button and wanted it to stay the same as much as possible. I have read many Dr's fly past this due to the time involved in this area. It was important enouph to me to get the facts and express my concerns to the Dr and not let her take the importance away from me we all know how Dr's do that to us. They really don't mean to it's just there nature to rush through all your concerns. I'm a real estate agent kind of like we do to our clients we rush though the signing of an offer and slow down when it gets excepted. She was very receptive to my communicating this issue and she too has a concern for belly buttons. One of the comments made during our discussion is if you don't talk about it then it may not be an concern with you therefore no real focus on it just a belly button is maintained. I did keep my original belly button for the most part and am very pleased.

I would say it's about communication and getting the facts before you choose to do a surgery like this. You should also make sure of what you want a full T/T a mini or jus lipo know your goals before your sit-down with your Dr.

I also got involved in where my lines were drawn. I'm sure it didn't matter in the end but it made me feel like I had some control in how my tummy would look overall. To me the positive of the T/T was I got rid of my saggy kid skin that got in the way of my abs showing. I also think having my 2 c-section scars along with the hysterectomy scar removed was a defenet positive impact on my tummy.

Another positive is my belly button isn't frowning at when I look down anymore do to the slackened skin from age and children it's GON REMOVED YEAH!!!

Yes I believe I deserve it and so do you, do your homework be smart ask the write question let them know what concerns you the most mine was my belly button silly as it may be It was my main concern.

I traveled to the Dominican Republic to have my T/T I did the in depth search on my surgeon and asked all the question checked her out for law suits, negative and positive feedback . I also set fallow ups with my Gynecologist after I returned. The Dr's communicated so I would have a great recovery. If you travel be sure you have a follow up Dr set for your return to keep the bruising and swelling under control this my suggestion because It worked well for me, my Dr's are pleased I did it this way so we had no surprises like hey DR I SPRUNG A LEAK he looks at you like your crazy because you didn't communicate to your Dr you were going to have a serious but common surgery a T/T.

Moving forward to the consultation interview if you will we interviewed each other as I did many surgeons I chose her mostly because her personality struck a chord along with her credentials and positive feedback from other patience. If you want to know about a surgeon Google them patience talk good and bad you will find the dirt and glider. You just need to weed through who didn't fallow the Dr's orders when they got home and who truly had a bad outcome. I have found most negatives are fairly easy to correct you just need to communicate with your surgeon and have patience.

The negative well MMM... mine is I bruise very easily and bad this is a negative for me. I surf , fish, and play on the beach on a regular basis, and my bruising is ugly horrible it's getting better I'm 2 weeks post op today yeah!!!:).

The other negative is the hard spots like cardboard feeling Is how I explain it but my husband and I figured this out. I take my shower put my bandage on my scar area I lay on the bed on each side as he massages gently with moisturizer all these areas and they are breaking up and becoming much softer very nicely by the time I'm ready to wear my swimsuit no lumpy brumby's for me thank you hubby love him so much what a great support.

The other negative is unable able to do a full workout for 3 long months!!! That's ok though I will do a speed walk not to speedy though I promise I will listen to my body and all of you should a lot of the bad results of T/T'S are just doing too much too fast and pulling something lose before it's ready.

Over all I am ecxsteamly pleased with my 42 year old body I'm not the body builder I was but I still look good thanks to my Dr .

YES IT IS WORTH IT JUST DO YOUR HOMEWORK and don't look for a miracle keep your expectations normal level not to high I believe you will be pleased I am. I am not perfect by no means, but I am very pleased with the my perfect T/T for me yes there's pain and yes there's swelling just wear your pressure garment like your told to and keep it tight I know how you want to wear your cute clothes, but why screw up your awesome tummy you just spent so much to get slow down.

I sure hope whoever is reading this enjoys there new tummy as much as I do you deserve it give your Dr some coo do's for doing a splendid job. If you're not satisfied please communicate communicate communicate and do it nice we get more with candy write.

I wish you good luck in your new venture please do your research no surprises because you read it here. I'm open to emails and sending before and after pics. remember this should be your last resort don't use it for weight loss and you should be at you optimum weight to have the best results in my opinion I am not a Dr jus a patient with results I'm happy with.

again good luck sorry for the book.

Updated: December 1, 2008

Hi Everyone'

I'm approaching 3 weeks post op on my tummy tuck I also had lipo on my inner and outer thighs and my upper and lower eye lids done at the same time. I am recovering very well most of the bruising is gone. The swelling is much less, I don't expect to go away till at least the 3 month mark. I do have a question to anyone who has had a tummy tuck, when were you able to wear your clothes again and when did you start exercising again? I mean maybe a vigorous walk I don't want to push it and mess it up, any advice here would be appreciated. I am still pleased with the results so far especially my eyes, thighs are great to. I will let you know how I doing at my next fallow up until then.

V:)

before tummy tuck front view

after tummy tuck post op 4 days

post op 4 days side view

Post op seven days bruising is slowly going away nicely.

post op 10 days still pretty swollen is calming down though

before my tummy tuck side view

the first day after surgery and the drain you will need this it will save you from pain later don't be afraid of it you need it.

My surgeon dark hair she was the best I am very pleased with it so far is it worth the pain yes it was for me you must decide for yourself it is for you. I'm not perfect by no means, but I am pleased.

will it hurt yes, will it be perfect no, keep your exspectations a little lower rather than higher and you will be as pleased as I am. you can make an informed decicion based on this entry I hope.