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My Tummy Tuck Journey - New Haven, CT
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I am 55 yrs old, I am scheduled for a TT and lipo...
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I am 55 yrs old, I am scheduled for a TT and lipo to the flank/back area as well on February 4th, possibly January 22nd if my physician's schedule allows.I love to travel to many islands and this is my gift to myself! I have several concerns... I am nervous and excited at the same time! I would like to hear from women who have had this procedure, or are scheduled to have this surgery. Really could use an additional support. team to help me get through this, :-) Tell me bout your scaring? any keloid formation? is kenalog injections used on African American women routinely or is this something I should request as a prevention for keloid formation to the scaring area? How long and bad was the discomfort on a scale of 1-10? When were you able to resume you normal daily activities, including being able to stand up straight and return to work? When were you pleased with your results of your TT? I have requested 2 weeks of work, is this long enough? How long did it take before you were able to see favorable results? Not sure if this will help but I have appointments for 8 deep message suction treatments to hopefully assist with less traumatic lipo removal of fat and am exercising daily to keep my heart strong? any knowledge or thoughts? are you still wearing compression garments? should I be using olive oil to my stomach or back pre op? I'm going to speak with my physician next week about my many questions but in addition I would like to obtain information from women who have gone through this procedure as well. Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
TBqueen's provider
UPDATED FROM TBqueen
11 days pre
Looking for Women to Bond with for Support on This Tummy Tuck Journey - New Haven, CT
counting down...I think I will feel better once I go to my preoperative work up on Monday and I have a better ideal of what my ps instructions include, I feel as if I an all over the place.
Replies (10)
January 11, 2014
I'm 54, had my TT and lipo to the flanks and back Nov. 12, 2013. Everyone perceives and handles pain differently. Most everything was numb on me afterwards. I felt like I had soreness rather than pain and used over the counter meds for it. Use what works for you! I felt good at two weeks, but went back to work at three and was exhausted by the end of the week. I worked three weeks then was off two weeks for the holidays. I'm 8.5 weeks post op and feel much better after work most days now. I still have days where I'm sore and tired by the end of the day. This is major surgery, so right after it make sure you drink tons of water, keep up with the vitamins, take extra iron, get plenty of vitamin C, up the protein in your diet healing uses more of it. The water is important to flush out the tumescent fluid from the lipo and the anesthesia. It will help with the constipation too. I was released from wearing my compression garment at 6 weeks, but I still put it on when I'm having a bad bout of swelling. The lipo areas give me the most swelling and pain. The tummy tuck didn't hurt or swell much. Damned lipo areas were killing me last night. I resumed normal activity at three weeks, but needed a lot of rest then, I'm nearly back to normal now. I thought I was back to normal at 3 weeks, but I wasn't. Listen to your body and obey it! Rest often! Don't compare your rate of healing or your results with anyone else. Everyone is different, everyone had a different surgery or combinations of procedures done, everyone's body is different and their results will be different. The main outcome is that YOU are happy with what you see as your results. Good Luck you are gonna love the new you!
January 12, 2014
Thank you for the great information you ladies have provided.I'm embracing the new me as that is what will help get me through the tough times that I know lie ahead on my Journey. Excellent advice and yes I will "Listen to my body and Obey"!!! Thank you again.
January 12, 2014
I agree with everything 54nFlat said... We all heal differently... I think my scar has healed up very well. I didn't have a problem with keloids. I'm also 8 weeks PO. I had swell hell like everybody but kept trying to stay positive.. Give yourself time to heal... Sometimes we are expecting immediate results... Good luck to you. I'm in my 40's and had previous health issues so I'm glad I was able to have my TT...
January 12, 2014
Check out kimmers profile she has tons of great Info that helps me so much I believe its called tummy tuck survivor guide You are going to do great we are all here for you !!
January 13, 2014
Thank you DebiP. Congratulations to you as"You Did It" !! I look forward to continuing to support you as you heal. Remember to keep your focus on where you will be in months to come! Now get some rest . LOL hugs back to you. :-)
January 13, 2014
Thanks for your earlier reply. Congratulations on taking this big step for yourself. I can answer a few questions. My doc may use Kenalog 10 mg strength on me. I have one not so great area on my scar. I am white, so cannot comment on if it is routine for
african American ladies. Some ladies recover fast and get off pain meds in a few days. Start exercising at 6 weeks, not me. I hurt a LOT, but I had a Mommy Makeover with BBL and a hernia repair too. The first week is rough, do walk as much as they tell you to. And stay ahead of the pain. Drink warm prune juice and take stool softeners. Walking hurts but does help. I used a walker first few days. I stood straight at a week or so, but it still is a bit tight and I hunch by the end of a big day. I would say the pain was a 9 the first few days, then slowly better. I had some muscle relaxants too, that helped a lot for the muscles and for the anxiety. Everyone has tears and meltdowns, get on RS when you do, everyone is so helpful and supportive. Get a hand held shower. Helps with first showers. I am 4 months and still get tired, and I still feel uncomfortable and swell. I can do most of what I want but have to pace myself, like food shop one day, cook it all the next. Take as much time off as you can. Depending on your job. I think you will want more time off. Rest us so important to good healing. I stupidly went to the Mall by myself a week after TT, not good at all. I wound up in one of those scooters and had to rest a lot after. At 8 weeks I saw good results, I still have a ways to go but I am happy and think it will be worth it all. Getting g the lipo and getting rid of lovehandles was terrific. That all said, go for it, you will be happy you did, but realize the recovery is a lot longer than you think. I am thinking 6 months till i will be 100%.
UPDATED FROM TBqueen
2 days pre
I'm Counting Down!!!!!!!Tuesday, January 21st at 6:30 a.m.
I have posted photos before my TT Photo -but the photos were taken after my repositioning fat massages. I had a total of five treatments. I have asked my physician for a copy of the photos taken prior to any message treatments. I will post those photos once received. I was told by another nurse that the fat consistency in our body is like lard and that after the messages the fat consistency would become more like butter making it less traumatic removal on the. My ps said that’s great as it will make his job easier for him. Who knows… I will be sure to ask him at my first post-operative visit so that I could share the information.
Tuesday, January 21st at 6:30 a.m. I’m counting down now…:-) I’m prayed up and as I said before I included prayer for the hands that “HE” has trained and will guide. I think that I have done all that I could do…. Now, I am going to “RELAX” for the next couple of days.
I’m so grateful to my husband who has been my partner in every decision that I have made regarding this TT journey. His love and support even if I didn’t want to do this means the world to me. Now with that being said… he has taken a few weeks off to be my full time caregiver. I’m a nurse and we tend not to be the best patients, :-) but I promised myself that I will be on my best behavior and I am not going to sweat the small stuff. I have accepted that things around the house probably won’t’ be done the way I would do them, and that’s ok.
I’m not sure that I will be up to posting right away after surgery, but I will post as soon as I can to share my journey, including photos. For me it was wonderful seeing the posts and photos after surgery as it helped me to better prepare for what was to come. I plan to pay it forward. ? I thank you all for your words of wisdom, love and support displayed and received especially from the ladies on the “Age 50 plus Tummy Tuck Forum” Special shoot out to my TT buddy Stevie1 who is scheduled on Monday, January 20th @ 11:30 a.m. I’ll see you on the flat side.
Warmest Regards,
TBqueen
Tuesday, January 21st at 6:30 a.m. I’m counting down now…:-) I’m prayed up and as I said before I included prayer for the hands that “HE” has trained and will guide. I think that I have done all that I could do…. Now, I am going to “RELAX” for the next couple of days.
I’m so grateful to my husband who has been my partner in every decision that I have made regarding this TT journey. His love and support even if I didn’t want to do this means the world to me. Now with that being said… he has taken a few weeks off to be my full time caregiver. I’m a nurse and we tend not to be the best patients, :-) but I promised myself that I will be on my best behavior and I am not going to sweat the small stuff. I have accepted that things around the house probably won’t’ be done the way I would do them, and that’s ok.
I’m not sure that I will be up to posting right away after surgery, but I will post as soon as I can to share my journey, including photos. For me it was wonderful seeing the posts and photos after surgery as it helped me to better prepare for what was to come. I plan to pay it forward. ? I thank you all for your words of wisdom, love and support displayed and received especially from the ladies on the “Age 50 plus Tummy Tuck Forum” Special shoot out to my TT buddy Stevie1 who is scheduled on Monday, January 20th @ 11:30 a.m. I’ll see you on the flat side.
Warmest Regards,
TBqueen
Replies (13)
January 19, 2014
TB, I can't wait to see you on the flat side, you will Awesome!. I'm 56, and wanted this for so long, I guess I waited for the right time :) I'll be posting pics after surgery, I'm so glad your my tt buddy (((hugs))))
January 21, 2014
Not many hours to go! Praying for you that your surgery goes well and that your recovery will be a breeze! Sending healing vibes your way!
January 21, 2014
Thanks. I got it! Takes me an hour to get to the hospital.. getting up now. Surprisingly I don't feel anxious. :)
January 21, 2014
Wooohoo, tomorrow's the big day! Good luck and post an update as soon as you can! Happy healing hun.
January 22, 2014
Thinking of you! Hope your recovery so far isn't too painful! Just remember, EVERY day gets easier! Looking forward to your next update!
Make sure you get connected in our Age 50 Plus Tummy Tuck Forum. You will love the ladies over here.
My recommendation is to request 3 weeks off work. Play it safe and it you do super well you can always go back earlier.
Looking forward to being on the journey with you.