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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck Reviews

I'm nervous and excited - Tummy Tuck - San Diego, CA

UPDATED FROM julebene
3 months post

Upper Ab Muscles Are Relaxing - OUCH!

WORTH IT$9,000
About a week ago I started to experience some discomfort in my abdomen that quickly turned into pain. Just when I thought I already knew what to expect -another surprise! It's been almost 3 months. I should be an expert on this recovery thing by now. Wrong! I tried sitting more - hurts. I tried standing more - hurts! I tried wearing my spanx, switching to the wrap around compression garment, going without anything, different types of pants, different types of underwear, platform shoes (once-lol-that was big joke day) flat shoes, no shoes! I thought it was maybe my incision, but I knew it wasn't. This is different! FINALLY! I may have figured it out... it's my upper abs - they are relaxing. and [RS bleep]! it hurts. Maybe for some people, it wouldn't, but for me, it does. I was in tears on Saturday and my husband encouraged me to call the PS office. They were already closed. I then caught a bad cold and have been home for 2 days. Of course, I didn't want to go near there with a cold- not with the surgeon who operates and all the people trying to recover. I will have to call tomorrow. They are so wonderful! I know they can help me out. Stinker me! for trying to be so tough.. lol

julebene's provider

Tom J. Pousti, MD

Tom J. Pousti, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

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Answered my questions
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Dr. Pousti and his staff are Amazing! They are welcoming and warm. Dr. Pousti is a Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. He was first certified as a General Surgeon and now a Plastic Surgeon. No surgeon has to be Board Certified to operate on you. This tells me that he is qualified to perform major, invasive surgery and will take good care of me on the operating room table. Also, as a surgeon, he has passed very extensive review boards -twice! I'm updating this review now that I have undergone the surgery and am 2 weeks post-op. I'm ecstatic to say, I made the right choice with Dr. Pousti and his team. They are indeed, Amazing! I can't say enough good things about them. First and foremost, Dr. Pousti is a very talented surgeon. He cares tremendously about his patients and it shows. One of the ways Dr. Pousti expresses concern for his patients is by making sure they are prepared for the post-op recovery. He told me that most of the work is done out of the O.R. during recovery, and I can now see that this is true. I am especially impressed by the care he took in making sure I understood this. In addition, the office staff has proven to be very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. They too did a fantastic job of preparing me for what to expect before after the surgery and making sure both my husband and I fully understood my post-op care and the importance of following directions for proper healing. Along with regular post-op appointments, the office staff called my husband and me every single day after the surgery to check on how I was doing and to see if I had any questions. Truthfully, everything about the experience exceeded my expectations and if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't change anything. Anyone considering undergoing a tummy tuck should first do as much research as possible via the internet/books/referrals and then meet with Dr. Pousti and his team for a consultation.

Replies (4)

My upper abs are still quite tender. I just updated my Review and mentioned that as well. My surgery was November 6th. You look great! I do not wear compression at all, but at night I may throw on my Spanx (especially to sleep in) because of the tender pain up top and the nerve sensations around my incision. Let me know what your PS's office says!
Hi Amy, I have exactly the same sensations. I have a short torso so it was especially painful (plus I have a desk job and sit almost all day - which I think makes it worse sometimes). There were times when I get up from my desk for a break or lunch and am so still I can barely walk. I called today and they said it is all perfectly normal as the nerves begin to wake up. I feel better about that. They truly are 5 star! Love them :)
how are your abs now? hopefully everything is ok! (you look great though!) 
Thank you Cathy! Yes, I am feeling much better. Luckily it didn't last too long. Thank you for the concern :)
UPDATED FROM julebene
3 months post

Photos!

The photos didn't upload - here they are again.. way overdue (from December) lookin' and feeling better all the time!

Replies (3)

Hi jule! You are truly looking spectacular! Since I have a somewhat similar preop shape like yours I wanted to ask how flat did your belly get (side profile) on the upper tummy? I'm 2 months out and mine started out super tight and flat but weeks have gone by and things are loosening up the upper tummy wants to relax and bulge out (not al of it swelling I'm gathering). My lower tummy is super flat. I thought ill check with you on how yours turned out in this regard. Thx in advance!
Hi mum! I'm so glad you posted (and sorry it took me so long to read your post). It's funny how things work out because I was just logging in to ask the question about the upper muscles relaxing. I'm 11 weeks post op and my upper ab muscles just started to relax last week and it seems to be causing some swelling. I think from your question that some of that is normal. Keep me posted on how you are feeling - you look great!
Hi again! I re-read your post. My upper tummy has started to bulge as well, while the bottom stays tight. I'm so glad to hear someone else is having the same experience. That makes it seem normal. That said, I'm betting that we are normal :) and things will settle in after some time. :)
UPDATED FROM julebene
3 months post

10 weeks into recovery!

It has been a while since I've updated my post. Mostly because I went back to work on Jan 20th. I was blessed to have the time off, but duty calls :) I have a desk job where I sit all day and I am grateful to work with an amazing group of people, that said, I am so much better off for having taken the time I needed to heal. Even still, I've probably about 75% of the way there.. every day gets better and better! Here are some pics from December (way late, I know). Still, I couldn't be more ecstatic with my results!

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