38 Yr Old Looking for my Waistline..have You Seen It? - Jasper, TX

Thank you...:) I have been quit from smoking for almost two years and from the money I have saved from not buying cigarettes I purchased a new car....so now its time to fix my body from the years of abuse...LOL. when did you have yours and how did you heal? Quickly? Painlessly? Returned to work? Sorry for all of the question.s...LOL. just trying to figure things out. Thanks again....

Thank you...:) I have been quit from smoking for almost two years and from the money I have saved from not buying cigarettes I purchased a new car....so now its time to fix my body from the years of abuse...LOL. when did you have yours and how did you heal? Quickly? Painlessly? Returned to work? Sorry for all of the question.s...LOL. just trying to figure things out. Thanks again....

Ask all the questions you want, that's what is so great about this website! Everyone is different, but for me I am healing pretty easily. I had my surgery on Jan 21. I did not stay overnight and my husband stayed home with me for the first week. I was up on day 3 doing little things around the kitchen. I did sleep alot but some of that is the medicine. I was taking oxycodiene for 10 days, but I never took the full dose as I didn't really need it. I did swell up from the knee down and was giving a diuretic for 2 days to get rid of the fluid. I never had any real pain, just discomfort from being so tight and feeling like your skin has been pulled too much. The meds really take care of any pain you have. Day by day you feel a little better. I'm 5 weeks post-op and I would really like to exercise, but I was told to wait until week 6 and I don't won't to mess anything up, so I'm waiting. I do not have work, so I'm lucky to be able to take my time on the healing. I did go to my daughter's competition at week 2 and a wedding at week 3. I've been to the grocery and the mall, etc. I was driving at week 3, but could have driven at week 2. So I think I've felt pretty good. Luckily I haven't had any complications. My stitch might be coming through, but it doesn't hurt and my PS Asst is looking at it on Tues. Keep reading all the posts on here and you will see people healing at all different timeframes. Again ask all the questions you want, no one minds answering them :) Be sure and look at Kimmers list of tips and things you wish you knew. It gives a really good idea of what to expect.

Thank you soooo much! I am feeling better about all of this already. Still nervous but no more guilt. My hurdle is going to be the healing process. I am a single mom of two and have made plans for my kiddos but for the first few days I will not have anyone here except a friend that works a few blocks from my house that can check in a couple of times a day...She is a nurse too! Lucky me...lol.

Is the pain going to be as bad a c-section since the muscles are not actually being "cut" into? I have had two of those so I "think" I can handle this. I do have a high pain tolerance but can be a baby at times...lol.

What about if the doctor does it in the hospital, are are you "required" to stay overnight if you do not want to? Not that I want to go against procedure but I am just curious if anyone hasd been faced with that choice.

Thanks for all of the help with me looking at EVERYTHING...:).

I thought the tummy tuck was worse than the c-section.  I think because of the muscle tightening and lipo.  It really hurt bad for the first week. 

I had mine done in an outpatient surgery center at 8:00 am and was home by 7:00 pm.  I wanted to go home and was happy to be out of the center.  Each doctor is different so I would discuss that with him.  Let him know your wishes and see what he says.

Hang in there!

I am going to call and ask tomorrow because i really won't have a ride home from the hospital since my boyfriend is having to go out of town for work the following day. I would really like to be at home in my comfort zone to heal. I guess the worst he could say is no....lol. Then I will have to call upon one of my friends to get me home. Just trying to tie up loose ends and get plan a and plan b in place...:)

I stayed in the hospital for 2 nights, 1st night was required second was my choice. It was worth it.

I could not imagine driving myself home from my TT. It was hard enough to just get out of bed to go pee. My Dr. required someone provide transportation.

I know that is right! The money I save from the quitting my nasty habit has made it possible for me to buy a new car and pay for it each month with that money...:). Now that it has been so long since then, it is time to do something else that will help me feel better about myself...:)

Whats a flex care account and how do you obtain something like that?

Angie,
That was an extremely comforting comment! Thank you for posting that, it def. helped me since you are a moderator and seen few worst case. I too have been getting pretty nervous.

Definitely! We can go through this together! Are you having to stay in the hospital overnight? I do...don't want to but I guess I have to...I'm scared of the pain...but I have had two c-sections and an augmentation under the muscle so I'm kinda prepared...LOL. hopefully I will be given some medicine....:). I'm having liposuction done at the same time. Are you?

Email me your number if you would like....so we can encourage eachother...LOL.

I am having lipo and also staying in hosp for 1 night. I'm having a "sling" put in by my urogynocologist for slight incontinence problem at the same time so insurance will pay for that part. I have to do lifting at work as well, and I'm sooo looking forwar to dry panties and a flat tummy!!!

Thank you...I am glad to hear that I am not the only one with feelings of guilt, nervousness, and excitement. I think I am pretty much over the guilt part, until I pay for the procedure on monday...lol. Other than that, I am nothing but excited with some anxiety in the mix. I am also doing this in spring so I can be healed by summer so I can look so HOT in my bikini! Especially when I am on my hunnie's boat fishing with him....lol.

I am nervous about the healing process the most. It appears that most people heal quickly. I am hoping that I am the same. I was only able to take 2 weeks off of work because I cannot afford any more time than that. I work for walmart and I do a lot of walking but have made arrangement with my team to have them do the heavy lifting for atleast 3-4 weeks after I come back. I am a department manager for hardware and paint as well as furniture. So there is a lot of lifting but, not nearly the amount I was doing while I worked in the pet department. So has your doctor discussed when you can return to work or do a lot of walking?

First off: I am a nervous cat when it comes to surgery and shots...yes even after two vaginal babies. If you ask your doctor for anxiety pills they will give you ten. Take one before bed, then 6 hours later depending on surgery take one with a tiny sip of water. They allowed this for me, it helped a little. I just had my Tummy Tuck March 8th, with the amount of anesthesia they give you, and pain meds before you go home (outpatient) you don't feel it as much. Just soreness, I don;t even remember the recovery processs, just remember being put in my hotel bed. Since we live 45 minutes away it was best to stay close to the doctor. Cause you see him the next day (at least i did) be patient and don't do for yourself. My boyfriend has propped my pillows and legs so your stomach skin does not stretch. Two weeks may not be enough, at least for me it wasn't. I have to walk up stairs and i get light headed. So i am now on FMLA with my employer--due to doctor wanting me fulling recovered.

They will put two to three drains, drain/milk them to get most fluid out to prevent infection etc. Walk to restroom when needed, slowly. I got spasms meds, and vicodin for pain, don't miss your dose--cause it's less pain.

Drains for me were pulled out one at a time. The first one HURT, but it should be expected. Deep breath in and nurse pulls it out...each time. Its a much better once those drains are out. I am 2 weeks 4 days since surgery. I walk a little better, but slowly. I get bathed my mom or boyfriend. Don't over do it, it at least takes 6-8 weeks to ease the pain and feel sort of normal. Incision wise it takes of course up to a year or two depending on skin and the individual. Good luck-its worth it, no more stretch marks for me! I have a boy and girl, so i am complete. For now...lol

As of now pain has eased, i become full faster, but you still need your meats etc, don't diet until fully recovered--you will become week as i did...think dieting was good as a first start. I get lighthead sometimes cause we live on 2nd floor, so for dr.s visits i take it slow. Good luck, any question comment back.