POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck Reviews
Tummy Tuck in Mexico a Success - Mexico, MX
UPDATED FROM RonnieP
1 month post
6 weeks out
WORTH IT$4,000
The seroma is subsiding on its own. I have very little fluid remaining. I tend to feel more swollen late afternoons and evenings and then feel pretty good in the mornings. My doctor said a diuretic may help with the fluid. I will take one as last resort, but for now it is manageable. My wound is healing again, after debridement. I have an open hole that I have to pack daily. This is not a pleasant experience at all, but I am very relieved that I do not have to undergo any surgical correction at this time. Maybe down the road I may need a scar revision, but can take care of that when I am on the table for other skin removal procedures I will need. The PS I saw today told me that this was common in they anchor cut. 30-40-% of anchor cuts get infected at the juncture of the horizontal and vertical cut. The surgeon is happy how it looks...me not so much. I almost passed out just watching the packing process so I could do it. I will really have to bite the bullet and just do it. Hopefully after a few times of doing it, I will lighten up. But right now, I am very anxious. Docs said, I have no physical limitations and can do what I want. I on the other hand, still feel very fragile and am careful. If I move around too much, I get tired, sore and swollen. So my body is telling me something a little different. However, I feel much improved week to week. I can sleep on my sides again. I can't wait to lie on my stomach again - I want to go to the spa and get a massage!!! I need to post some new photos.
RonnieP's provider
UPDATED FROM RonnieP
1 month post
5 weeks out and Seroma
Well, I am at 5 weeks out, and while all the scars are healing nicely, very think silvery lines already (and I just started to use bio oil on them)... BUT... i went from infection that is leaving a 3x3 inch area very slow to heal, and now I believe I have a seroma. I am leaking a clear blood tinged fluid, and the area around the top of my mons pubis where the incision is is very hard and sore. I am very swollen. I see my primary care doc tomorrow and will be requesting a referal to plastics as well. I just want this to be done! I was supposed to go back to the office today, but I have postponed til Wednesday to see what the doctor says. After care is definitely a down side to surgery abroad! Unfortunately, I can't afford it here in the states, and I just don't want to lug around 40 lbs of skin from a 175lb weight loss. I'd rather be fat! So not having a happy day, actually I am pretty damn mad! though I would rather be mad than depressed and defeated. At least when I am mad, I feel like nothing will be me and I will beat it!! I also underestimated my surgical procedure, which is not a typical tummy tuck. I had an extended around my back hip and the anchor cut up to my sternum and the muscle plication. The infection really knocked me down and is still very slow to heal, and now this! which I believe is a seroma, but will know more after my appointment tomorrow!
Replies (1)
J
October 7, 2013
The main cause of seroma is overdoing activity and twisting, bending, and stretching. Please slow way down on the housework and walking until you heal. Your activity may also not be allowing your incision to heal well. I know it is very hard to keep still! But my doctor said no housework at all until after 4 weeks, and I basically just stayed in the recliner for a month to allow those tissues to heal together. A seroma forms when the front surface (skin flap that was peeled off, stretched, trimmed, and reattached) and back surface (ab muscles and other tissues) don't stick together properly and fluid collects in that pocket. For your skin to re-drape properly and for the two surfaces to properly stick together with new college, they have to be against each other for weeks. Any twisting or bending can shear the two surfaces apart from each other, and you literally have to start all over again. Tension on your incision line from activity may be slowing your healing, too. This is a great time for a few weeks of rest, rest, rest. Hope this helps, and I hope you are better really soon!
R
October 7, 2013
Jenfrogrn...thank you so much for this message and advice! I think I have been doing to much, but I was told at week 4 i could start exercising again. I guess I needed a little longer. I so appreciate your wisdom!!
J
October 7, 2013
You are welcome! Trying to help. Maybe rent some great movies or read some good books for a while? :-)
R
October 7, 2013
so do you think that if I just sit still and sleep in my "lawn chair position" for a couple weeks, I can mend this? Also, I am leaking the pinkish tinged fluid, I am putting a surgical dressing under my compression garment to absorb the liquid and showering and changing it 2 times a day, morning and night. Is there anything else you recommend I do?
J
October 7, 2013
Yes, all that sounds great. Definitely keep your doctor's appointment and stay in close contact - seeing a PS would be by far the best, as you have indicated that you are going to get a referral to do anyway. He/she might need to drain your seroma if you have one - that is usually necessary to empty and flatten that pocket so the sides can heal together. But occasionally it can be absorbed by the body. Also, he/she needs to closely monitor the healing of your incision and evaluate the need for further antibiotics or other treatments. People who have lost large amounts of weight typically have more trouble healing, and their skin is more fragile. Remember, everyone heals eventually! You just might need to rest a bunch more and keep in closer contact with the docs for a while. Best wishes to you!!
UPDATED FROM RonnieP
28 days post
4 weeks out
I did have muscle plication done during my procedure and they started coming back to life this weekend. So I was getting some very bizarre zapping feelings. My scars are healing very nicely - I will do some photo updates soon. The area of incision infection, still does not look good to me. I have some scabbing and it is red and continues to "ooze". It is just very unnerving. I think I would feel much better if it was all nice and closed up like the other incisions. I am sleeping better and can sleep on my sides again. I have been easing into doing some chores and doing well - vacuuming, mopping, dusting. I have been doing lots of walking and doing well with that - can do a couple miles no problem. I still worry about incisions opening up, so I am being so cautious still. I miss the pool! But soon enough. I have been working from home and go back to the office a week from today. I still have trouble sitting up straight for more than an hour or so.
Replies (3)