6 Weeks Post Op Appt Today New pics!
I am getting a full tummy tuck, breast...
I am getting a full tummy tuck, breast augmentation and breast lift. I am 38 years old and have 3 kids - a 19.5 year old son, an almost 15 year old daughter, and an 8 month old son. I was pregnant with my oldest son at 18 and gained too much weight too quickly and, well, I got stretch marks. Yes, a healthy baby boy too (can't imagine my life without him!), but at 18, stretch marks on my belly was a tough pill to swallow! I never got any new stretch marks with my daughter or my youngest son (I gained a reasonable amount of weight with both of them), and with my oldest kids I managed to always regain the muscles in my abdomen so that they were flat ... but after this last pregnancy my muscles separated and I now have a pooch that will not go away no matter how much I diet and exercise (I've tried, I really have!) I consulted with Dr. Cohen in April and since his first available surgery date wasn't until August 15, we paid the $500 deposit to hold the date. I've thought about it off and on since that date but now that I'm down to under a month and my pre-op appointment is just 5 days away (Friday, July 27), it's all I can think about.
Sometimes I get really anxious when I think too much about it. The fear of the unknown is certainly my biggest fear (does that even make sense?). I am beyond excited to finally be getting this done but so nervous! Dr. Cohen said it will be about an 8-hour surgery ... I hope I wake up from that (one I my biggest fears for sure!) The last time I was under anesthesia was when I was 4 and had my tonsils out. Obviously, I don't remember a thing! So that part scares me. I am worried about the recovery, the drains, the not being able to care for/interact with my 8 month old son. We have a nanny who will take care of him during the day while my husband is at work and she is really good with him so I guess I shouldn't worry but I just wonder how long I will be "out of it" to where I can't even sit on the floor and play with him (never mind picking him up). I don't know how I even stumbled on this site - and I debated creating a profile at all (and just read instead) but if nothing else it might prove therapeutic for me ... and may be interesting to read over when I'm all done and healed up! Soooo yeah ... 25 more days and counting!
NewMommyx3's provider
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Sorry for the sideways pics ... I didn't know how...
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 How did your surgery go??
That is long. In the beginning how bad was your pain to compared to now? How do u feel about your results so far? It sounds like things are going well.
One piece of advice: use the Spirometer they give you! I was told to use it 10 times an hour. I didn't because it caused me to cough and that hurt (I didn't realize how important this was - your lungs get lazy during surgery and you don't breathe right afterwards and fluid builds up in your lungs and this can cause pneumonia). Well, so I didn't do the Spirometer and then found myself struggling to clear my throat or get a deep breath. So then I went crazy with the Spirometer and used it every few minutes, coughed like crazy (and that hurt sooooo bad!) but was able to cough up the junk in my lungs. Oh - and yesterday I sneezed for the first time and my tummy muscles felt like they went into a spasm. That hurt! I will say this procedure isn't for the faint of heart. It's painful and also frustrating at times (I've had a meltdown or two, wondering why did I do this to myself) and with 27 more days to go until I'm totally cleared (assuming I lay low and don't overdo it between now and then), I may have another meltdown again! How are you feeling about your surgery?
What is spirometer ? Do you sleep in your recliner or bed? Are you still hunched over? Sorry if I am asking a ton of questions.
i feel like my surgery is never going to happen...
I don't know how long you've had your surgery scheduled for, but mine was scheduled in April and I had so long to think and over think it. It kind of drove me crazy. I got really nervous the last few days before and then the morning I went in, I was as calm as could be! I think the anticipation was the hardest. The fear of the unknown. Pain is so subjective. Healing is so individualized. I've read so many of these reviews and while I have appreciated every one of them, they are all so different. Sure, there are some basic similarities (everyone agrees drains suck and being hunched over causes back pain) but everyone is so different.
Yes u explained it well. I know what that is- just never knew the name- if that makes sense.Â
I scheduled my surgery near the end of may so the wait is killing me!!! I still have a little less then 2 months. I am totally driving myself crazy!!!!!
As far as the bra, my surgeon recommended this one. It's the Aah bra and you can get it at Walgreens. Really comfy and looks like a normal sports bra. I've seen the ones with snaps and those are ugly :/
19 days post op. I feel depressed, sad, lonely,...
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I know this part of recovery, where it seems to be dragging on forever is really rough. But you'll get through this. And what a gift to have that surgery shot. You look amazing!
(I fixed your photos for you!)
Hoping you move beyond this plateau soon so you can enjoy your new bod!
You must be so excited! Â I am having a full TT, BL,BA, lipo of back,upper stomach, flanks, inner and outer thighs!Â
I have the same fear of not waking up.... You can get great info from this site, and it feels great to write your fears or what you are excited about anything. It def helps!
Do you have all your supplies?
When is your surgery? Do you know how long your surgery will be? My doc estimated 8.5 hours. That is a looooooong time! I just wonder if it's safe to be under anesthesia for that long. I am also worried about waking up and feeling nauseous and groggy to where I'm saying stupid things (does that sound stupid?) Are you staying overnight? I am staying one night. My doc said his patients used to stay two nights but now that he uses Exparel (it's a pain med that he injects before sewing me up and it lasts up to 72 hours) he said that patients are ready to go home the next morning. From what I understand, my doc comes to see me in the morning and releases me around 10:30. Hoping this Exparel stuff really does last 72 hours cuz I've heard that's the most painful.
You're having lots of lipo too ... are you nervous about that part? From what I know about lipo is that it's amazing but there's alot of bruising after. But everyone says it was so worth it!