Tummy Tuck: Stories

I had a tummy tuck and inner thigh liposuction yesterday. So far so good.

When I went to the surgery, my blood pressure high and they could do it at first (I was really nervous) and they stayed with me to get it calmed down. The relaxation discuss did it and I was ready to go.

So far, I've had a little pain (like a big workout soreness) but not that much. I'm sure the pain pump helps!

The staff was so amazing and so helpful. After I had the surgery, I felt good and was coherent. I walked around the house some. I'm hunched over. I've stayed propped up
Day 1 – I felt much better than imagined. I'm sure the pain pump helped.

Today was my post op check up day one. Everything is going well. I am sore but it's not unbearable. They seemed surprised at how well I was doing (I put on makeup and tried to look presentable). No showers until Saturday. Yikes!

Today seemed to be a much better day. I showered (yay!) I've had some pain, but it was better. I put on makeup and fixed my hair a bit. I'm going to walk around a bit. I took a nap again today, which helped. The smoothies are helping nausea. Water helps a lot with hydration. Plenty of water!

Yesterday was Day 3. My husband and I took my pain pump out per my doctor (whoa! You can feel the difference). I did feel better seeing my new belly button (was worried about losing my old one), seeing the results of a swollen, but flatter me.

I went to the mall for a few things with my husband and kids. It sounds crazy, I know, but I needed to get out and walk a bit. I ran out of steam by 2 stores, but I was able to get shoes for my daughter and a jacket for my son. I will call that a success.

I stepped on the scale (I know - another crazy thing to do but curiosity got the best of me. I am down 1 lb. from my normal weight. That's 3 days post surgery, no bowel movement and premenstrual.

My back has been sore. It's time for my period. I have really bad periods, so I am not looking forward to that at all.

Day 4 - so far so good. I woke up really sore. The shower was exhausting but makes me feel like a human being afterwards. I used Tylenol Extra Strength today for pain. No bowel movement, but drinking plenty of water.

I went to Target, Nordstrom, and drugstore (had to get stool softener!) and to get some stocking stuffers.I was only out a couple of hours and wearing my sweats, puffer vest to hide my drains. I put on makeup and tried to be presentable, but I was not the fashionista. :) I didn't carry anything, just pointed to my son, who drove (my husband was at a NFL game today, so my son had mom duty). I was tired when I got home.

I am now propped up on the house for the rest of the evening. I'm taking the pain meds at night when I need it. I also had a prescription for ambien for 5 nights. I wake up in the middle of the night (pain, discomfort - I am a side sleeper and a snoring husband!). I don't know how I will sleep when I don't take it anymore. I am a side sleeper who is also a light sleeper. I stay super propped up by pillows. I took a short nap today on the couch. Nothing like those amazing 2 naps yesterday. :)

I've stayed on water, low sodium food. I've had less of an appetite. I've had a smoothie of some kind every day, which has helped me with energy.

My drains are different - one is 10, 15 or less than 20 daily. The other is 50-70 but slowing down. So weird. My appt. is December 26. I hope to get them out by then.

Day 4 - Warning this may be TMI for many of you, but it's a Christmas miracle - or at least a happy event! I finally had a BM. I used the stool softener. Holy wow, was it was painful. However, I feel much better now.

The drains are barely draining after I emptied them at 10:30pm last night.

My husband and kids are doing last minute shopping. I'm tired. I slept until 9:30 am. I got out yesterday and the day before. Today, I feel like resting, propping up, watching Christmas shows or reading trashy celebrity magazines. Tonight, I will enjoy my family.

Happy holidays to all.

One week update: I had my doctor visit today. Dr. Salemy took out one of my drains and removed some of the stitches. He is awesome and answered all of my many questions. I feel like I am in good hands. The inner thigh lipo is doing well, too.

My biggest challenges in recovery are mother nature (monthly cycle + constipation = back pain and swelling after surgery). I'm going to rest up and try to stay off line (my husband's instructions to rest up.)

Day 13 - Happy New Year! Well, my cycle ended, I've had BMs and I am off pain meds, I almost feel like a normal person! I looked in the mirror yesterday and saw a shape. It was a waistline like I had before kids. I was so happy. I went in immediately to show my husband. He agreed and asked if I did lipo there. I said no, just inner thighs. So, I saw results yesterday. I've been wearing yoga pants, walking but no exercise. I was worried about being so inactive. I stepped on the scale yesterday and today and I am 2.5 pounds down. I've been drinking a lot of water, smoothies (fruit and veggies) and watching out for sodium.

I still have swelling in my tummy and some bruising from lipo but the bruising is getting better.

My 2 week appointment is tomorrow. I go back to work on Thursday. I'll need to figure out clothes with this garment.

I had my 2 week Post Op Appointment today. The 2nd drain is gone. My pain went away more with the drain pulling and tugging. My pain is mostly night and morning but manageable during day. My legs get more sore during the day from the inner thigh lip..

I need to wear the binder for 6 weeks post op. My shape on side good, but my front is still swollen and my legs are swollen. I'm watching sodium.

I go back to work tomorrow. I work in an office environment (business casual). I can't button my jeans but can wear some of my stretchy pants and skirts.

3 weeks, 3 days: I am back to work as of 2 weeks post Op, back in my pre-op jeans, I am slowing seeing a difference. Some days I am fine and some I am more tired that others. 5lb weight loss but I still have some swelling. I think the weight loss may be do to paying attention to sodium and drinking plenty of water.

One month one day update - things are getting better every day. My scar is getting better and my swelling is going down. I feel better, my clothes fit better, less swelling and I am 8 lbs down (more water, less sodium helps any daily fluctuations - trust me. Still wearing the binder or spanx. Feel more comfortable in it, but will be happy when I can get rid of it! :)

I had my 6 week check up today. Everything is going well. I had some blood/scab around my old belly button area that the doctor looked at and it's healing. I've lost 9lbs and you can see the definition on my stomach. Yay! Also, I can exercise and get rid of the binder. Water plus laying off of sodium has helped. I've had people ask me if I lost weight. Things are fitting better. I will post pictures soon.

I bought a pair of skinny jeans today. Wow. A size smaller. I never thought I would dare to wear anything called "skinny" in the title.

I made it back to the gym. I wore my compression binder under my workout gear. I did a weight sculpting class and yoga. I can feel it today but happy to be back in the groove.

This isn't an easy process. Some days are better than others. I've had some swelling above my belly button since mid-February. Things were looking good then I got this bulge above my belly button. Uhg! On the positive my clothes fit better but I am bummed to see the swelling/bulge. I know there is nothing I can do about it right now but stay positive. I had my appointment today and my doctor suggested lipo around my belly button as an option in a few months.

I still have some swelling above my belly button. I've started with a personal trainer and working out and got a massage to try to help with swelling. The good news is that my spring pants from last year are loose.