A Newer Me! - TT with Flank Lipo

I'm a 45 yr old mom of 4. My last son was born via emergency c-section in 2005. Because his heart rate was rapidly dropping, they literally ripped him out of me. I was left with a nasty vertical scar. It has bothered me for the last couple of years because of how the skin grew back together. It has become even more bothersome after losing almost 60lbs in the last 3 years. Between the scar and loose skin my stomach is a mess, so I have decided on a tummy tuck. I had my consult yesterday and my surgery is scheduled for August 2, 2013. I am nervous and excited.

Today I am 2 days Pre Op!!!! It still is sinking in that I will no longer have this inner tube around my waist!!!! I was out of town for the last month and managed to put on 3-4 lbs!!! I am eating healthy for the next 3 days... And hoping I will at least lose what I gained over the last month!!! I will post my pre-surgical pics with markings!!! I'm a little nervous...

Well I'm on the flat side. I arrived at my PS at 7:30 and was immediately greeted by my nurse. She took me back and got my iv started. Then the anesthesiologist came in and spoke with me. My ps came in and did his markings, and said he actually thought I had lost even more weight so there more lipo was required. From there I actually worked over the the operating room. There were a few light hearted jokes from the OR personnel, then it was literally lights out. The next thing I remember was my nurse calling my name 3 hours later.

I saw my ps today and my JP drain was removed and I was cleared to shower!!!!! He said I was coming along fine. I've only had one dose of pain meds today, trying to whine myself down to Tylenol only. I realize I need to take it easy and I will!!!!! So far so good feeling pretty good.

Well after being in a recliner for a week, enough was enough, I put on my big girl panties lol and decided to attempt to sleep in my own bed! Wellllllll that was an adventure!!! It took me almost 30 minutes for find a comfortable position using 6 pillows finally I did! But then it occurred to me that I probably should take an over the counter pain reliever and an sleep aid my ps prescribed, so guess what?? After taking my meds, another 20 minutes finally the sweet spot again. After that it was lights out literally!!!! This morning I am so happy I made that decision I honestly feel pretty good!!!!! I was able to REST which is what I needed!!!!! I was able to wash my hair for the first time and I have on clothes..... Well exercise gear lol.... More pics to come later !!!!!!

I saw my ps yesterday and I am doing great! I'm off all meds and for the most part comfortably sleeping in my bed. When I need to turn over it is done gingerly lol... I'm about 2 weeks away from beginning my scar therapy! As you can see from my pics I'm swollen, more so at night though.... I am delighted with the placement of my scar and looking forward to working out again in a month or so.....

Yesterday I had to make an unscheduled trip back to my ps. My bb is still oozing and crusting and had some funny looking bumps. Thankfully my ps assured me that it's normal and the bumps are granulation tissue which is healthy. My bb is literally healing from the inside out and he applied some silver nitrate to them. My scar is healing well but I have started my scar therapy yet. My ps suggested starting at a month out post op. I have decided to go with paper tape first and go from there... Happy healing to my TT sisters..

Hello my TT sisters!! I'm exactly 4 weeks PO today!!! Physically I'm probably 95% back to feeling like myself! I started back to walking on my treadmill today! I managed to walk to 30 mins and I feel pretty good. I'm was at 3.9. - 4.3 mph but I had to scale it back to 2.8 for now. My weight is still 160 lbs and i plan to lose about another 10-15 lbs. I'm still swollen but not as bad as I was at first. I am very flat in the mornings but as the day goes on I swell a little. My flanks are still a little sore. Appetite wise I have been eating everything that I shouldn't be, but today I am recommitted to clean eating, no more junk food my plan is to pick up where my surgeon left off with sculpting my body!!! My incision is healing beautifully and my bb is slowing coming along. I have been using plain paper tape for my scars but I find that it is irritating to my skin so I plan to use silicone tape. Well I hope everyone enjoys the holiday and be safe!!

Not much change from last week however I have started using Scar Away silicone strips. My incision has turned very dark down but it's starting to thin out. Physically I am feeling great!!! I'm back to walking 30 every other day on my treadmill, I think after my ps visit after the 12th of this month, I will start back to running. I need to tone up my legs and flank area....no back fat!!! Lol

I saw my ps yesterday for my 6 week check up. He was very pleased with my recovery and cleared me from all restrictions!!!! I will see him again at 6 months PO. I'm free y'all lol!!! I can work out again. My incision and BB are looking much better. I will check in monthly with updates and pictures, until then happy healing to all my TT sisters!!!!!

These pictures are after using ScarAway strips for 2 weeks. My incision line is very thin and flat in the front, however my skin has turned really dark around the incision. This is normal and it time I'm confidence it will lighten back up. My bb is almost healed and I'm happy with it. I keep saying I will put a marble in it to shapen it, but I keep forgetting lol. Well until next month my TT sisters... Happy healing!!!

Shopping!!!!!!!! I have lost almost 5 lbs since my surgery!!! Yayyyyy!!!! At my 6 month post will be my swimsuit issue ;-)

Nov 2nd will be 3 months since surgery... Wow time flies.... I am feeling wonderful working out and just doing me! My scar has healed nicely..and I am using Shea butter and silicone tape to lighten it up. I occasionally swell if I work out too hard but other than that... I always pretty flat. I am in the process of trying to sculpt my abs. I have decided that I have lost enough weight and just plan to maintain where I am.... I am sooo happy that I had my tummy tuck!!!