Tummy Tuck: Stories

I have officially scheduled my TT for December 10, 2012. I have lost 90 pounds so far with diet, exercise and Weight Watchers. I have 10 year old twin boys and that combined with being over 100 pounds overweight have done damage to my body that I cannot fix on my own. Before my procedure, I want to have lost at least 100 pounds and weigh no more than 165 pounds. I have never been so excited and terrified for something in my life! One of the things that frightens me the most is what people will say when they find out. As sad as it is to say, I have been preparing *The Great Lie of 2012" to tell people so I don't have to tell what I am really having done. I hate that I have to keep the best thing that I will do for myself a secret.

Well, I have told some of my family. I won't be telling them all, just some. I will be telling people that I have a hernia and that is what I will be having done. Hopefully it works!!

Well, it is without a doubt official. My insurance is covering the TT, but does not cover the muscle repair. The muscle repair is $2525, so we decided to finance it. I got approved today AND it is 0% interest for 15 months! So...it is most definitely going to happen. It is so strange to think that in 2 months my life will change dramatically. CRAZY!!!!

Well, here I am 1 day after surgery.

My husband and I got up at about 4:30 am for my arrival time of 6:15 - about an hour drive. When we got there and were in the waiting room, the fire alarm went off!!! They said it was just a drill, but I almost walked out thinking that was my sign not to do it!! I went back anyway and they were so kind. I got my IV, talked to my anesthesiologist and then my doctor came in. He busted out his sharpie and started drawing on my stomach. He spoke with my husband and asked for any last minute questions, then off I went! Last thing I remember is him telling me I was going to wake up a skinny minny!!

Waking up took me a while. They had to remind me to breath a couple times because my pulse oximeter was going down a bit. Other than that - no problems. I slept most of the first day and my poor husband did not sleep much at all. He stayed up most of the night to make sure I was ok. He is a pretty good guy! :)

Make sure that they either send you home with extra gauze or you have some at home. I do not have drains and was seeping a little last night so he had to run to the drug store and get some. That is all I can think of right now. Back to sleep I go!!

PO Day 2:

I have been able to get off of the couch by myself twice so far today. Yesteday my husband had to lift me up because my muscles felt like they were literally tearing apart!! Quite a bit of burning on my lower right side, but nothing I can't handle. My PS said I could shower 24 hours after surgery so I did. It was not nearly as glorious as I had thought it would be!! I did have an opportunity to see under my binder and I can't believe all of that skin is really GONE!! I also can't believe that is where a belly button really belongs! My new belly button is gonna be pretty darn cute :o)

PO Day 3: Today I went for my first car ride. We had to drop the kids off at school and I rode along. It was not nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. Some of the bumps hurt a little but not bad at all. It was just really nice to get some fresh air. Tonight we have the Holiday Concert that I have been stressing over for 3 months. I have been so worried that I would not be able to go. I may move slowly, but I am going! We will see how I feel tonight!!!

PO Day 3 CONT:
Holiday concert was a success!! I am sore and tired but I did not miss it!! My kids were so happy I was there and I am glad that I did not disappoint them! My sweet husband made me a cup of tea and I am resting comfortably on the couch now! Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!!

PO Day 4:

So today I decided that I am only going to take tylenol for pain. I just don't like how the Percocet makes me so tired. I was feeling pretty good and decided to go along with my husband to the grocery store. We only needed a few things, so O thought it wouldn't be that bad. WOW - that was a lot of swelling! I came home and was so sore and tired. It was pretty bad. Lesson learned!!

PO Day 5

Trying to take it easy today. The swelling that I caused yesterday is slowly going away. Today was a big day - I finally had a BM!! I know TMI but if you are PO you know that it is a big deal!! LOL!!! Today has been a strange day though...lots of mixed emotions. I hate that my stomach is so numb. I just hate wondering if/when feeling will come back. I don't like the way my left side looks. The incision on that side seems to be a little higher and it just doesn't look as smooth as the other side. I know deep insde that it is more than likely just swelling, but still bothered by it. I keep looking at my before and after pictures and it brings me back to reality!! It is such a difference! I was also excited today because the day I got home from surgery my weight was up 4 1/2 pounds!! I couldn't believe it. I was jsut so surprised that they took off all that skin and I GAINED weight! Well, today I am back down to where I was before surgery and down 6 pounds! WOOHOO!!

Day 6 PO:

I welcomed my old friend back into my life today - PERCOCET!! I thought I would be ok on just advil, but nope. I sneezed yesterday and thought for sure I was going to die! LOL!! I had a pain in my left side when I would barely move all day. It was so bad. I did sleep in my own bed for the first time last night. My husband wanted me to come to bed so bad. We did not have anything special to make me comfortable, so we got one of the boys' bean bag chairs and I propped myself up on that and my husband put pillows under my legs - I was so comfortable! Unfortunately, that pain in my side was just unbearable. I woke up and took a Percocet. I feel so much better. I will take it as needed during the day, but I will most definitely take one before bed tonight. Hoping for a good day today.

Day 6 PO CONT:

I had a gathering to go to tonight. It was a cookie exchange that I participate in every year. My husband made all 13 dozen cookies for me and I went to the party tonight! All we really did was sit around, talk and had dinner but I did pretty good. Most of the food did not sit well in my stomach, but I made it through the whole thing! I can't wait to get into my bed tonight and sleep. Tonight I will take a Percocet before bed and hopefully it will help me sleep.

Day 7 PO:

I had high hopes of sleeping in my bad last night UNTIL my husband said he wasnt feeling well. My kids have both been sick with respiratory issues and an ear infection for one and now my husband is victim to it! He had a fever of 102 and I was freaking out that I would get it so I stayed on the couch. :( Both of my kids stayed home from school and I went with them to the doctor. I felt pretty good,. The only thing that is killing me really is my back. I just can't seem to get relief for it. Unfortunately, I think I will be spending another night on the couch. I just can't risk getting a repiratory infection - I think if I have to cough, I will DIE!!!

PO Day 8:

Well, Day 8 can be summed up in 2 words - Swell HELL!! I was so swollen that my binder actually hurt. I am pretty much on my own now with little to no help. My kids are in school and my husband is sick. My kids are so helpful when they get home though. Got a heating pad out for my back...hopefully that will help.

PO Day 9:

Well, my hopes this morning was that my husband would feel better and I could get a little help. Unfortunately, he still is fevered - 102.1 this morning. I need to slow down a little today so I do not get so uncomfortably swollen, We shall see. I can't wait for Friday for my first PO appt with my PS. I can't wait to see what he has to say.

PO Day 10:

I got a lot done today. I went to Macy's and got my sister her gift, Went to Kohls to get my dad's gift and grabbed one more thing for my boys. I swelled up quite a bit but it wasn't too bad. The worst part of today is that I have been getting little electirc zaps in my stomach. They don't hurt, just drive me nuts. From what I understand, it is the nerves and is nothing to worry about. I can't wait for my PO appt tomorrow. I hope he cleans up my incision (lots of glue) and my belly button (I am guessing he will take the stitches out).