Dr. D and Staff Are Beyond Expectations

Aside from my brain having a hard time processing looking at a totally new body (some body euphoria, some confusion????) I’m adjusting super well!!
There’s one very stubborn spot of swelling that I believe to be the consequence of a single too soon walk that caused discomfort for a week, which has led me to choosing to stay in 24/7 compression for the entirely of the last 11 weeks, as well as delaying any uptick in activity.
Dr was amazing and gave extra compression advice, checked thoroughly for seroma (even after letting me know he was very sure it was not, which was great because I need to see it to believe it usually) and was beyond patient with my anxieties.

Seroma check was awful; 0/10 do not recommend but at no fault of doctor, just sort of the nature of the process.

Section of stomach under belly button still has no feeling. Very weird but am holding out hope for change. Everything else is fully back along the incision line, with only residual numbness in Lipo areas on hips. There are some tissue based imperfections and dips however knowing that it was possible I’m not too bothered by them. It’s nothing working out and future adjustments can’t deal with.

Basically every time I think I can’t get happier with the results, they change and I’m excited all over again! I’m already planning for future procedures with Dr. D and staff.

After 16 years of living in a traumatized body I finally bit the bullet and sought out the only procedure that could offer me assistance. Dr Dickie and team did a tummy tuck with deep muscle repair and liposuction of the hips and waist on me on June 23, 2021 (I’m writing this 3 days post op!). Recovery so far has been interesting - I pulled an abdominal muscle and tried to take only low dose pain killers for the first 48 hours. Tried. Failed. But a good effort on my part. The best part of everything so far has been the absolutely astounding team Dr D employs (and himself). Every single person who came into contact with me over the process so far has been compassionate, thorough, more than capable, and beyond comforting. I walked into this with extreme medical trauma causing me to have deep fear of everything from medications to needles, anaesthesia, you name it, and I was treated honestly like I was so valid and cared for. Dr D is straight to the point and I like his honesty - if you’ve done your own research, been honest with yourself, and managed your expectations in advance then you won’t hear anything surprising in your consultation. Beyond that he was such a kind and soft presence in the moments before procedure. His wife Shaunie, and his anesthesiologist (Dr Taylor? I can’t remember but I wish to god I could because he was incredible) are both sympathetic and likeable humans who really know how to listen and want to make your experience with them as pleasant and easy as possible. I can’t explain the ways the clinic went above and beyond to make accommodations for my physical and mental health issues - and not once did I feel like a burden or that I asked stupid questions. The desk staff and nurses on site were kind and thorough and great communicators with me and my caregivers - this I think played a huge part in how quickly I was able to be released from recovery (which was quicker than everyone expected!). The procedure itself seemed like it was a breeze taking less time than expected. I was also given the most efficient amount of pain and nausea management without being completely out of it - literally making coherent “I didn’t die” FaceTime calls shortly after waking up from anaesthesia. I had a two hour drive home and a stop for medication pick up and was completely comfortable - even posting on Instagram stories. Follow up calls were on evening of surgery and 24 hours (and I personally added a 48 hour one with my primary care giver for extra safety). Again nothing but kindness and compassion and availability for any and all issues. Despite the aforementioned early recovery surprises and having no idea what I’m even going to look like yet I can say the experience with Dr Dickie and staff alone would make me do this all over again. I will absolutely be seeing them again for future procedure without question.