“Tummy Tuck/Lipo in - Monmouth County, NJ”

I'd been thinking about getting this done for a while - I'd lost about 75 lbs a few years ago and work out but couldn't get the belly flab gone.

The pain has not been as bad as I thought it would be, although it is lasting longer than I thought it would, and I don't think i was fully prepared for the tightness and being stooped over. I'm 9 days post op and still have one of my drains and can't drive so I'm a little antsy from being at home, but I'm happy to have an overly cautious doctor.

Although I'm still swollen, my belly is so flat already - it's such a huge improvement i can hardly believe it. I can't wait to be a bit more healed so i can start trying on my clothes again and of course GO SHOPPING!!! I am so glad I did this!

Updated on 8 Nov 2010:

i just figured out how to update this - I was updating in one of the other threads!
I am almost 3 weeks post op now.
My stomach is much flatter but I still have to wear my size 10s to accommodate the soreness of my incision and my hips still seem really puffy. i'm hoping they will go down!

Today was my 3rd day back at work and my first full day back. I sit at a desk and try not to get up too much - I still can't stand up too straight.

I can kind of sleep on my left side if I use a lot of pillows under me (I had the drain on the left taken out first so it's more healed)

The doctor told me to use Mederma 3-4 times a day - I am, but it's kind of stinky, and i feel like it's kind of peeling off. i'll see him again at the end of the week so i'll ask him.

I think i finally hit that "blues" period a lot of people have mentioned. i hope it doesn't last too long.

Updated on 10 Feb 2011:
It is 3.5 months post op - I don't have any pain, just numbness around my belly button and I still "feel it" when I pull myself up into a sitting position. I have a flat belly for the most part. I eat less because I can't stand the full tight feeling. My dr has me using a silicone scar strip to help with the healing. I used Mederma, which I didn't like, and now i alternate the strip with Palmers Scar Therapy Oil.

I feel like I'm healing very well. My dr is very responsive to my questions. i hope the pictures give people an idea of the process - I've never had a stomach like this in my life!