Tummy Tuck: Stories

I have fought with my weight since I was a child. I got my oh shit moment when I 20 and weighed 265 at 5'8. At 22, I was at my skinniest of 145 and was measured at 5'8. It was very difficult to stay at that size and my skin sagged everywhere. Now at 24, I am back 230 and I cannot believe I allowed to let myself to do that.

My Surgery is next Wednesday on June 6th. I do not have a boyfriend and doing this completely 100% for myself. I am done battling. I realize that I will not be as small I as once was and I am okay with that. This is a good stepping stone and desperately need something to motivate me again. I'm stuck. My family has been very supportive.

My PS, Dr. Fata (Indianapolis) and his staff has been wonderful so far. Answering every question before I even had to ask. i am going to have a full abdominoplasty with liposuction in abs, flanks, back and hip rolls, along with muscle reattachment. He predicts that I will need a second surgery in about six months for my breast because if I continue to loose weight after the surgery. I have never had kids and he plans on doing the temporary stitches that dissolve in time.

I am very excited and very nervous. I am a big baby and worried about the pain that comes along with it. Any words of wisdom?

Two days before my surgery. I feel like I should be more nervous than I actually am. I'm pretty pumped and cannot believe its so close!

Tomorrow is my surgery at 10:30am!!! My procedure is going to be about 4.5-5hours long and I have to stay over night. Donette, (My Coordinator in Dr Fata's office) told me to bring an overnight bag and few light snacks. She has been wonderful and has answered all my questions. Plus, all of his reviews are near perfect and his before and after photos are phenomenal! http://www.realself.com/find/Indiana/Indianapolis/Plastic-Surgeon/Joseph-Fata

I have been taking my Arnica Montana 30X and Bromelain Supplement 1500 religiously to help prevent bruising and swelling afterward. I have also been taking my daily supplement and vitamin C tablet that my PS suggested. I have my pain pills and antibiotics filled.

My parents have been very supportive in my decision to do this. They are going to take me and pick me up from my surgery and let me stay and recover at their house. They are truly saints. My mom had researched the recovery of this procedure and even put a recliner in the spare bedroom at their house for me.

I so desperately wanted to see a lady on here that is about my height and weight with her weekly progress. I really haven't found anyone quite like me (but if you're out there, please comment!!!). Because of this, I decided to update weekly afterwards for everyone else who may be close to what I am. [< hopefully that made sense.]

I'll be in suregury in less than 24hours!

This is supposed to be 07 June 2012 at 4am
(I accidently put this in the comment area)




I'm not even 24hours post op yet. Things I can tell you, you will be immensely uncomfortable when they wake you up because you would have had the best sleep. I also have muscle reconstruction, and I know this is hard, but for the love of god do not tense your abs up. You will regret it immediately.

I was not at all nauseated. I was actually starving. They got me chicken noodle soup and I downed it like it was the best thing I've eaten in years. I dosed in and out for several hours before I fell to sleep.

My throat has been very dry and I am constantly drinking water. The nurse took out my catheter about 3hrs ago. Then about an hour ago she had me get up and use the restroom then walk around the nurse's station. I won't lie. Getting in and out of bed has been the most difficult thing so far, but it has helped. I will continue to update and be as throuogh as possible.

Time to go back to sleep.

3 days post op.

That first day you are home is the hardest. Make sure you have a strong support system at home. Getting up and down has been the hardest. But it gets better each time. Make sure you have someone buy you Magnesium Citrate. Don't take it until your second day. It unclog your insides without making you hurt.

My left tube is draining much faster than my right tube, I asked Dr. Fata's RN if that was normal and she said yes. But I am actually leaking in a couple of spots and they also said that was normal.

Make sure you keep up on your pain meds, set an alarm if you have to.

Week post op. I got my drainage tubes taken out yesterday. Didn't hurt at all. He also took the stitches out of my new belly button (

I just realized that my update the other day did not post properly. Basically what I was going to say was that my swelling was so bad the other day that it hurt more than my actual procedure. It turned out the ted hoes the doctor gave me did not fit properly. I am no longer miserable. Now it feels like I worked out too hard at the gym. There is still an excessive amount of swelling. I cannot wait for it to go away.

Updating some pics.

I just realized that my update the other day did not post properly. Basically what I was going to say was that my swelling was so bad the other day that it hurt more than my actual procedure. It turned out the ted hoes the doctor gave me did not fit properly. I am no longer miserable. Now it feels like I worked out too hard at the gym. There is still an excessive amount of swelling. I cannot wait for it to go away.

Updating some pics.

I just realized that my update the other day did not post properly. Basically what I was going to say was that my swelling was so bad the other day that it hurt more than my actual procedure. It turned out the ted hoes the doctor gave me did not fit properly. I am no longer miserable. Now it feels like I worked out too hard at the gym. There is still an excessive amount of swelling. I cannot wait for it to go away.

Updating some pics.

Does anyone know when the swelling will start going away? I keep my feet propped up as much as possible.... but uhh....

I know that there isn't a huge difference with my tummy tuck, but I already feel so much more confident. Even with the full body swelling.

SOMETHING EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW BEFORE GETTING A TUMMYTUCK

When people tell you that you will have swelling after this surgery, they are not kidding and are actually underplaying it. You will have full body excessive edema. Some days your swelling will get so bad it hurts.

Drink plenty of fluids, no salty foods and keep your feet elevated!

Look up what it means to have excessive edema. Know and fully understand your side effects before your surgery.