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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS

A Whole New Kinda Sexy! - Upland, CA

Name: A Whole New Kinda Sexy! - Upland, CA
Item: Tarick K. Smiley, MD - Account Suspended
Rating: 5
Author: Lori59345

ORIGINAL POST

I have wanted a tummy tuck for more than 25 years...

Lori59345March 8, 2013

WORTH IT$6,900

I have wanted a tummy tuck for more than 25 years but have not had the resources to make it happen. Well the time and opportunity has come and I researched many doctors and come across the California Surgical Center Web Sight and liked what I saw. Scheduled my consultation and was satisfied enough to make the commitment to schedule the surgery. So in 12 more days I will undergo a full tummy tuck. I am excited and nervous and I am looking forward to getting it done and getting through the healing process. I am looking forward to feeling better about my body and continuing a healthy and active lifestyle for years to come. I can't wait to pull up a pair of jeans and not have all the loose skin to content with.

Lori59345's provider

Tarick K. Smiley, MD - Account Suspended

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Lori59345 rating for Dr. Smaili:

Overall rating

Doctor's bedside manner

Answered my questions

After care follow-up

Time spent with me

Phone or email responsiveness

Staff professionalism & courtesy

Payment process

Wait times

Replies (22)

Talented

March 9, 2013

Hi! So glad to hear your story! I have 10 more days to wait for my TT, and after finding this site, am so thankful I made the decision to do it! I too have waited a long time, and last November I started saving. Scheduled my surgery then, but never thought the day would arrive. Here it is, only 10 days away. I'm excited to get this flabby skin gone. No matter what I do, the flap stays with me. So good luck to you, and will be happy to read more about you! See you on the flat side is a new favorite saying. Good luck!

Lori59345

March 9, 2013

Talented good luck to you ....thanks for the reply to my post. It feels so good to have stories from other ladies who are going through the same thing ...at basically the same tme. Good luck to you....I look forward to following you through this as well!! Yes see you on the flat side sounds great to me!!

Lori59345

March 9, 2013

Dr. Smaili!! I am so glad to have found you and California Surgical Institute. Thank you for making me feel comfortable during our consultation and giving me the encouragement I needed to make the decision to get this done!!

Lacey3

March 9, 2013

Hi Lori... I just know when you get this done, so are going to be sooo happy you did it! If there is anything you want to know about please don't hesitate to ask.. I'm probably one of the biggest worriers on this site.. So I hope I can bring you some peace and more excitement into this TT surgery! If I knew now, what I didn't know then, I wouldn't have given a second of my time worrying about the TT... (not sure if that made sense?) Anyhoo, I'm here for you TT friend! Hugs! :)

Lacey3

March 9, 2013

*you are going to be sooo happy you did it!

Lori59345

March 9, 2013

Thanks Lacey3 just reading your posts today have eased my mind. You are making perfect sense. I am sure I till be calling on you in the next 10 days as I make the countdown to the surgery!! For moral support as well as to keep me from keeping my stress levels in check. I you find messages from me in the middle of the night you will now why!! You have no idea how good it feels to be connecting with someone who knows the feeling! I can't thank you enough and will keep you updated for sure!!

Lacey3

March 9, 2013

I'm here for you anytime! It's a great feeling knowing you have positive support! :)

Lori59345

March 9, 2013

Lacey....in your pictures after the surgery your not wearing a compression girdle?? I thought that was necessary in all cases.....

Lacey3

March 10, 2013

Yep, I'm wearing one.. Just opened it up to take picture and to check bandages. I have to wear it for 6 weeks. I like wearing it because it just gives your tummy extra support and protection. I have to adjust it alot though, it's either down to low and hits my tubes, which is painful or it rises to high and hits under my breasts... I just had to change bandages around tubes, and boy am i swollen and hard as a rock! But hangin in there! :) have you ever had a c-section?

Talented

March 12, 2013

Hi Lori, I'm scheduled for the 18th and am seriously dealing with the jitters, stomach turning upside down and sleeplessness. Any posts that calm the nerves? If I find one that is talking trouble and pain and issues I freak out! Help please from all you tummy tuckers where it went smooth and in no time you all were back to your life minus the tummy! Gonna read Lacey3. Yikes! Only 6 more days........

Lori59345

March 12, 2013

No Lacey....gave birth to my girls naturally. I have heard that the CG does move around a lot from other ladies. Was looking at some of the one piece full body ones on Spanx.com....Sounds like the swelling is very normal and expected. You have been such a positive influence for me...I am finally starting to get things ready around the house for my upcoming TT so it's really starting to set in. I am so happy you are doing so well! Rest well tonight friend ... talk to u soon!

Lori59345

March 12, 2013

Talented.....Lacey's stuff is great....very inspirational....I am up for all hours of the night on this site. It has become a great comfort to me. I am so excited for you and by the time you have yours done I will behind you just 2 days later. You are going to do just great and so am I!!! It won't be long girlfriend and we will be recovering on the flat side together...Hang in there you are not alone!! I will be thinking of you everyday!! Try and get a good nights sleep we need our rest to be at our best when the time comes!!

Lacey3

March 12, 2013

Biggest compliment ever hearing I can help you get prepared for your awesome new body aka TT! Thank you Lori... Gosh I wish there were magic words I could say to you to calm all your fears. I had to be one of the biggest scardy cats on this site! And I don't even know where to begin to calm your fears because I worked myself up for nothing!!! High five girl, you're gonna do just fine, I just know it! :)

Talented

March 12, 2013

5 more days and I will be on the flat side! Ups and downs constantly, and every hour or so, I look for posts from Lacey3. And Lori, thank you for checking in with her, because it could be me saying what you are saying. Love hearing from both of you! Makes me feel better. Just wish it were a week from now and I'd be on the recovery road. Love all the posts, thank goodness we have this site!

Kimmers25

March 9, 2013

Welcome to the community girlie! You are going to end up with a beautiful new tummy:)

Lori59345

March 9, 2013

thank you!! I have been carrying the tummy in the picture around for a very long time. More than half my life.....so I am excited to feel and see what it is going to be like to have a flat tummy after all these years!!

Kimmers25

March 9, 2013

It's going to be just beautifully flat:)

Lori59345

March 9, 2013

I am worried that I will not be fully prepared when I get home from surgery...Any tips on what I should get done....or things I may need to purchase before hand.

Lacey3

March 10, 2013

I've read where women have a list a mile long for what they need.. I think maybe most of that was for going out of country. I didn't buy anything special. I have quite a few yoga pants and comfy shirts. My husband set my recliner up in our tv room, and put a long folding table right next to me so i can reach my drinks, meds, ipad etc.. The hospital sent home with me everything i needed for bandages.. I'm treating it just like my c-sections and hysterectomy. If i need something my family will get it for me.. :)

Lori59345

March 10, 2013

Thanks Lacey.....I am going to be in my bed at home don't have a recliner or room for one in our family room. And the bed is very high from the ground so...I do have a step stool to step up on with help from the hubby and get into our bed. I have seen long lists also and that is why i felt somewhat intimidated but hubby will be with me here so I won't be alone at all and get me things I need as well. I am assuming that at my preop appointment they will let me know if i need anything in particular. Glad your doing so well!!

Princessera

March 10, 2013

Neosporin for sure vitamin E oil and I heard lemons for color bleaching

Cboo35

March 11, 2013

All you will need to purchase is gauze pads and hydrogen peroxide. Have some comfy shirts ( I use my husbands when I don't want to wear pants) and some sweat/ pj pants and tank tops. That seems to be all I've needed. Also I created a sling with the the rolled gauze for my drains to hook on when I'm in the shower. My husband rented me a hospital bed for 2 weeks so I can elevate my feet and sit up when needed. I've heard a lot of women use the electric recliners. I like the bed personally. I'm 10 days po. So if you have any other questions please feel free to ask. And good luck to you!

UPDATED FROM Lori59345

9 days pre

No sleep for me tonight. It has been one of those...

Lori59345March 11, 2013

No sleep for me tonight. It has been one of those days. 5 days until my preop appointment and 8 days until surgery. I am started to second guess my decision even though this is something I really want to have done. I don't feel like I have a big enough support system even though my husband is attentive he seems distracted and not as connected to me emotionally as much as I would like. Maybe I am just getting nervous about the recovery who knows. Lack of sleep doesn't help matters any. I normally take some over the counter sleep aid to help me relax and fall asleep but with surgery so close I have stopped taking them as I don't want to add anything that may complicate things for my surgery. Just feeling quite lonely and a bit blue with any luck it will pass as they days go by and I will feel better and ready to go when the time comes. Glad to hear many of you are healing with each passing day on your recovery. And for those of you awaiting ... my heart is with each one of you.

Replies (0)

UPDATED FROM Lori59345

9 days pre

Added some more pictures of me before....just to...

Lori59345March 11, 2013

Added some more pictures of me before....just to share with you all!! Can't wait to share the ones from the flat side!!

Replies (7)

Anewmesoon

March 11, 2013

Good luck to you! I'm very nervous too and the stories here have helped me as well. My surgery is April 12 pre op is tomorrow (3/12/13)

Lori59345

March 11, 2013

Thank you so much. Good luck to you as well.

chris59

March 11, 2013

I also am considering going to your doctor for TT so please keep us updated with pics, etc.-will he be doing a drainless TT? My stomach looks similar to yours so I'm really looking forward to your after pics and your review of how it went. Good luck!

Lori59345

March 11, 2013

Chris I am certain that I will have drains placed after my tummy tuck...I go for my pre op on Friday and will be sure to post an update and let you know.

midriff

March 11, 2013

Our built is very similar. I'm eager to see your results!! Thanks for posting.

Lori59345

March 11, 2013

Sure....as you stated I figured I should post my pictures to share with all wonderful woman on this sight who shared theirs ... and if my post can help anyone going through this procedure then all the better. Are you at your goal weight? I am still 10-15 lbs heavier than my goal but have been assured that this will not bring disappointment to me with regard to my results...and after reading for hours and hours it seems I can continue my weight loss goal without negative effect on my results.

midriff

March 30, 2013

So sorry Lori, I just now saw this post. I'm not near my goal weight, but I'm ok with it. I was wondering too about weight loss after the surgery and if too much weight loss would jeopardize the results. What have you heard?

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