Tummy Tuck: Stories
Write a Review15 Weeks PO....VERY PLEASED :) in SC
- Stepb07
- posted 1 year ago
- updated 10 months ago
- Worth It
- Cost: $7,000
- MUSC, Charleston (SOUTH CAROLINA)
So, I have been reading everyone's stories for...
- 19 Mar 2012
- 1 day pre
So, I have been reading everyone's stories for over a year now....contemplating making my "own" review. I am so addicted to this site, it is my "book" that I read before bed every night! I think it has become part of the reason that I decided to go through with the surgery, seeing everyones results are amazing!! Long story short....I am 38, happily married and have 2 kids, ages 10 and 8. I have struggled with my weight my entire life until a few years back I started "boot camp" exercise program, it totally changed my life!! I have lost 80 pounds, I do sometimes play with 10 pounds, depending on the time of year it is :)! Anyways....the 2 kids and the 80 pound weight loss has really took a toll on my body! I use to dream about having "that figure" that we all want, but really never thought I would come close to even looking like I had "that figure", even with clothes on! So, last August I decided to have a mastopexy (breast lift), that was a pretty tough surgery, it was VERY VERY worth it though!! My PS did an amazing job, my before and after pictures don't even look like the same person! Well, now that I have completely healed from my mastopexy and a small revision...my stomach is soooo beyond disgusting to me! Before, it all just kinda "matched", or you could say, kinda blended together? So I talked with my PS when I went back for my last visit for my breast lift and had my consultation for my TT. He informed me that he thought I was an excellent candidate for the surgery and that I should get great results!! He made me happy with some off his comments, my favorite being "you really do have a small frame underneath all that"...I laughed, I thought yea I have never thought of me having a small nothing!!! I trust him completely!! I am scheduled for my TT tomorrow in Charleston, it seems like it can't get here fast enough! I am nervous, a little scared but I want to be on the other side of this sooo bad! I cant begin to tell al of you ladies on here how much I look forward to seeing and reading all of your posts!!! Wish me lots of luck..and let the count down begin! :)
Well, I'm on the "other side"! Sugary was...
- 20 Mar 2012
- On day of treatment
Well, I'm on the "other side"! Sugary was scheduled for 8:30 yesterday, got started about 8:45 and was done about 10:30, woke up in recovery with a little bit of nausea and some bearable pain...I think the burning sensation where the incision is is my number one complaint! Left the hospital around 2, got home a little after 5 because of ride home and getting prescriptions filled. PS said he took 3 pounds of fat/skin from my abdominal area, and only a few spots of lipo done...can't see my incision yet but have peeked at my BB and I can see it!!! Yes, I can see my BB! I have 2 dreadful drains, I think that was the worst part of my surgery last august with my mastopexy, but I know I need them to heal!
I need to correct my before pictures, I see that for sum reason all 3 pics are the same? I took 3 different ones! But got to wait till I can get to a computer, can't seem to figure it out on this iPad! Anyways...hope to post sum new pics soon, good luck and happy healing to u all~
I need to correct my before pictures, I see that for sum reason all 3 pics are the same? I took 3 different ones! But got to wait till I can get to a computer, can't seem to figure it out on this iPad! Anyways...hope to post sum new pics soon, good luck and happy healing to u all~
Ok so I uploaded some more before pics....uggh...
- 21 Mar 2012
- 1 day post
ok so I uploaded some more before pics....uggh terrible terrible!!
Can't tell much yet, but I am thinking I like it...
- 21 Mar 2012
- 1 day post
Can't tell much yet, but I am thinking I like it already!! :)
Hmmm, almost 72 hours PO and the gas pains begin.....
- 23 Mar 2012
- 3 days post
Hmmm, almost 72 hours PO and the gas pains begin...uugh! I am clear to shower this afternoon, excited about that but it just seems like I shouldnt be getting my drain sites wet? anybody out there shower with drains and have a problem or is all good? I think i remember when I had my breast lift and had these same drains that I was not suppose to get them wet??? I know everybody seems to turn the corner when the drains come out...I totally agree from my last surgery i remember it very well. I go Tuesday for my check up and he seems to think he should be able to take one of them, :)
I know this might be too much TMI, but today was...
- 23 Mar 2012
- 3 days post
I know this might be too much TMI, but today was the day for the BM, all you gals had me worried about that so I was really stressing it!! All I have to say to everybody that scheduled for a TT, buy some COLACE! It was $18 a bottle at Wal-Mart, and I almost didnt buy it...it was worth it ten times that!!!!
I'm really beginning to think that my lipo areas...
- 23 Mar 2012
- 3 days post
I'm really beginning to think that my lipo areas are my sorest!!!!! Both sides of my hips HURT WITH THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH! I looked all around and found the 2 small holes where he did the lipo and can tell I'm bruised a lil. Getting up and down is getting easier day by day but I'm telling you I sure do hope I can tell where he did lipo, bc I am really debating it with the pain from it if it was worth it!
Well, tomorrow is my one week mark...I have to say...
- 26 Mar 2012
- 6 days post
Well, tomorrow is my one week mark...I have to say I think it has really gone by pretty fast :). I have been off my percocet since 12:00 am Thursday morning, just been alternating Tylenol and Advil. He did put me on an antibiotic for 10 days so I have had to keep up with taking that. I am still sleeping in my recliner, scared to try and lay in the bed...think my big problem are these drains! I really don't see him taking both of them tomorrow, but would love to lose just one of them?? My lipo spots on my outter thighs are STILL VERY sore, I was not expecting that to hurt like it has :/. From what I can see and tell I think I am really happy with my results, the top of my tummy is VERY FLAT and tight and the lower part feels really numb and more soft? Hard to say what I think of that part yet?
Anyways, thought I might post my before and after pic of my BL from last August...same dr did that procedure too and did (in my eyes) a fantastic job. I decided not to go with any implants, he assured me that I had enough breast tissue that he didn't think I needed implants...my pre op size was 38DD and I am now a 38D. I thought with me having the BL done that I would be happy to stop with that, the TT was not even thought about really until he fixed the boobs and I was like OMG I can see my stomach now and it is NASTY! So my last revision appt that I had with the boobs, he also did the consultation on the TT...it all happened so fast after that! Oh by the way...my BL surgery (in my opinion) was way more painful and just more aggravating of a recovery the first week. That has kinda surprised me too~
Anyways, thought I might post my before and after pic of my BL from last August...same dr did that procedure too and did (in my eyes) a fantastic job. I decided not to go with any implants, he assured me that I had enough breast tissue that he didn't think I needed implants...my pre op size was 38DD and I am now a 38D. I thought with me having the BL done that I would be happy to stop with that, the TT was not even thought about really until he fixed the boobs and I was like OMG I can see my stomach now and it is NASTY! So my last revision appt that I had with the boobs, he also did the consultation on the TT...it all happened so fast after that! Oh by the way...my BL surgery (in my opinion) was way more painful and just more aggravating of a recovery the first week. That has kinda surprised me too~
So went for my one week check up yesterday, PS...
- 28 Mar 2012
- 8 days post
So went for my one week check up yesterday, PS removed one drain! :) still have other one, next appt is next thursday, boo! But I will have to say that my one and only drain that I still have is putting out a lil more than it was, so I guess it is making up for the one that was removed?? Glad he didnt take both! :/ He said everything was looking really good, he asked me what I thought, told him I was already happy with results, he laughed and said, you look nothing like you are going to look, it only gets better! That made me happy!! :) Did say I had some swelling and that it would subside in the weeks to come, have to wear my binder as 24/7, says I can take it off for 30 minutes couple times a day to rest from it, but I think I like it on better then off!! Hope to take some pics today, I want to post some of the whole tummy, show it off!!!!
Added a couple pics of my bruising from my lipo,...
- 28 Mar 2012
- 8 days post
Added a couple pics of my bruising from my lipo, it is looking alot better! Hope to get some pics with the binder off tonight, just scared I cant get it back on by myself right now! :/
So I am 9 days PO and I have not slept a full...
- 29 Mar 2012
- 9 days post
So I am 9 days PO and I have not slept a full night yet! is this normal for everyone else too? I mean I am not in any considerable pain? i think it had alot to do with this last drain that I still have, there is just something about a tube in your side!!!! I have also noticed that since PS pulled my left drain that the right one has picked up a little, wonder if that is ok?? He said that it had to put out less than 20cc for 3 days for him to take that one, ugh...and I was about there until the left one came out!
So I am 9 days PO and I have not slept a full...
- 29 Mar 2012
- 9 days post
So I am 9 days PO and I have not slept a full night yet! is this normal for everyone else too? I mean I am not in any considerable pain? i think it had alot to do with this last drain that I still have, there is just something about a tube in your side!!!! I have also noticed that since PS pulled my left drain that the right one has picked up a little, wonder if that is ok?? He said that it had to put out less than 20cc for 3 days for him to take that one, ugh...and I was about there until the left one came out!
So I am 10 days PO, incision is starting to itch,...
- 30 Mar 2012
- 10 days post
So I am 10 days PO, incision is starting to itch, I have been told that is a good thing? healing supposively :) never got the depressed days that I have read so much about from all the gals on here, Im thankful for that! But the impatient part is about to drive me insane...i know its only been 10 days and i have a long road ahead of me Im sure but i am just wanting to see end results, like the rest of us I guess? I did finally sleep in my bed last night, spent the first 10 nights in the recliner...it felt oh so weird to finally lay flat, but felt good at the same time. I also weighed myself this am, was scared to do it but curiosity was killing me!! I as down 3 pounds from the day of surgery, so I will take that!!! Still want to take some pics with binder off, I just seem to feel light headed when that thing comes off and I never get around to taking them!
Took a quick picture when I took a shower...
- 1 Apr 2012
- 12 days post
Took a quick picture when I took a shower yesterday...with the binder off finally!! Hurts me to look at that incision, hope it improves quickly, I think the drain is what looks so yucky!! 12 days with this thing, I am sooo ready for it to be gone! I dont go back till Thursday but I am hoping by then it will be good to remove! Still 3 pounds down from surgery date weight, waiting for the swelling to start anytime :(
Today is 2 weeks since my surgery, this time 2...
- 3 Apr 2012
- 14 days post
Today is 2 weeks since my surgery, this time 2 weeks ago I was laying in my hospital bed waiting on my PS to come mark me all up, thinking is this really about to happen, am I really getting ready to put myself through all this pain and recovery? And then, it was 8:30...it was time!
Glad I have those 2 weeks behind me, will be glad to get this other drain out and behind me too...I know from my last surgery (BL) that when u are drain less you tend to really start to feel on the normal side again! It is sore, aggregating and just plays on ur mind!!! I can really tell that my incision is starting to heal, I have already seen a few little spots were the scab is wanting to flake off...I have very little swelling, I am so thankful for that, although I know it can still happen for weeks down the road.
Anybody out there contemplating this surgery, I will have to say u need to go for it, it's not as bad as ur mind makes it out to be, at least for me I was blessed enough for an easy and not very painful recovery...you are worth it!
Glad I have those 2 weeks behind me, will be glad to get this other drain out and behind me too...I know from my last surgery (BL) that when u are drain less you tend to really start to feel on the normal side again! It is sore, aggregating and just plays on ur mind!!! I can really tell that my incision is starting to heal, I have already seen a few little spots were the scab is wanting to flake off...I have very little swelling, I am so thankful for that, although I know it can still happen for weeks down the road.
Anybody out there contemplating this surgery, I will have to say u need to go for it, it's not as bad as ur mind makes it out to be, at least for me I was blessed enough for an easy and not very painful recovery...you are worth it!
SO...I went back to PS today for my check up,...
- 5 Apr 2012
- 16 days post
SO...I went back to PS today for my check up, didnt have alot of hope that he would remove my other drain, (still draining about 35 cc in 24 hrs) and he didn't! :( I completley understand why he doesnt want to remove it but yet I was so hoping after 16 days that it would be ready! I noticed last night while taking my shower that I can tell that I have some fluid/swollen to the right of my belly button, he said that it was fluid and was swollen and that is why i still have my drain in, it is all now trying to find its way out through one drain, instead of 2. He also said that the lipo caused extra fluid too drain too, uuugh! Good news is that he said that my incision looked great and he saw not problems with that or the BB!! Wonder if me being on my period this week makes the swelling worse in the TT area?? hmmm...just hoping that it will ease up, he said to call the office when it was less than 20 cc for 3 days...his opinion is at least another week :(
Pretty bummed that I still have one drain! But...
- 12 Apr 2012
- 23 days post
Pretty bummed that I still have one drain! But even more bummed that I cannot even think about getting my pre op shorts or jeans on?! And I have been very good with my eating habits since surgery :(
Today is 4 WEEKS PO, I will have to say it has...
- 17 Apr 2012
- 28 days post
Today is 4 WEEKS PO, I will have to say it has gone by fast even though I still have one drain. I go this Thursday and feel very very good that he will remove it then (30 days, really??). I will have to say that the drains were the worst part of my recovery, they are just plain pain in the a$$!!!!! Happy with results so far, I do have some swelling even tho I have the drain, hope it keeps going away with each day that passes, my swelling is much worse in my hips and thighs than in my tummy! :/
So, I am 8 weeks PO...I still have some swelling...
- 17 May 2012
- 2 months post
So, I am 8 weeks PO...I still have some swelling in the afternoons right above my incision, and my hips and thighs "I hope are still swollen! I did have lipo on the outter thighs so I am hoping I continue to go down in those areas :) Overall I am VERY HAPPY with my results, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my doctor, I could not have asked for a better surgery or recovery (he did my breast lift too)!!
15 Weeks and counting....still very numb all...
- 8 Jul 2012
- 4 months post
15 Weeks and counting....still very numb all around the BB, started the silicone strip scar treatment about 3 weeks ago and I am getting GREAT results already :)
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LOVE LOVE LOVE my doctor and his staff, so laid back but so honest. Would highly recommend him if anyone is looking for a GREAT PS in the Charleston area, I traveled 2 hours to have him do both of my surgeries...well worth the drive!
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