Tummy Tuck: Stories

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What do you ladies use for your scar treatment?

Hello, I'm 37 years old, 5'6, and I've had three...

  • 20 Oct 2012
  • 2 months pre

Hello, I'm 37 years old, 5'6, and I've had three children. I have two girls ages 12 and 7 and I had a daughter that passed away three years ago at age 11 from complications with cerebral palsy. My highest weight was 306 lbs and I am now down to 177. I would like to weigh between 165 and 170 the day of my surgery. I've lost over 120 lbs with diet and exercise. I do weight watchers and I'm at the gym 4 to 5 days a week. It is very hard for me to lose weight right now, I keep going up and down 3 lbs. My stomach is disgusting and I can't wait to get rid of this hanging skin. i decided to get healthy and change my lifestyle after my daughter passed because I had to be healthy for my two remaining girls. Can't tell you how much better I feel and how much my health has improved. I've posted some embarrassing before pictures and hopefully I will look as good after my surgery as the women on this site.

PO Day 1 I had my surgery today at 7am. It went...

  • 20 Dec 2012
  • On day of treatment
PO Day 1 I had my surgery today at 7am. It went great. I didn't have any nausea. I was really worried about that. After I woke up I went to the bathroom and they let me go. I was surprised how quickly I left. Pain was OK, my upper abdominal muscles were just really sore. I won't get to see my stomach till Monday. I took 2 pain pills when I got home about 12:30. About 8pm I could feel the rest of me getting sore. Here's some pics can't see that much,

PO day 2. Pain has officially kicked in. I thought...

  • 21 Dec 2012
  • 1 day post
PO day 2. Pain has officially kicked in. I thought this was too easy. My tube sites and incision site burn, but its my muscle tighting that's killing me and this tight binder is making it worst. Just took 2 pain bills hope it starts working soon.

So my tummy tuck was Thursday and today is...

  • 22 Dec 2012
  • 2 days post
So my tummy tuck was Thursday and today is Saturday so I am counting this as PO Day 3. Everything was hurting last night at midnight, but now I feel a lot better. I keep going to sleep and it's hard to stay awake. Wanted to know if you ladies are taking stool softeners and how many meds did your PS pescribe. My doctors only gave me a prescribition for one pain med. Should I start taking stool softeners now? Let my know what you think.

PO day 4. I 'm doing really good today. I had my...

  • 23 Dec 2012
  • 3 days post
PO day 4. I 'm doing really good today. I had my husband wash my hair and give me a sponge bath and I feel a lot better. I took a BM yesterday and today without the help of drugs. I thing all the water I've been drinking has really help move thing along. My husband has been the best nurse and is taking such good care of me. He empties my drains, helps me get up and down, brings me my food and basically does everything I need. Tomorrow I go to my first post opp appointment and I'm excited to get to see what's underneath my binder. I forgot to mention earlier i didnot get liposuction, but my PS did say he was going to lipo sculpt under my upper abdomen. I guess it's like liposuction but he just trims a layer of fat off.

I added a pic at the PS office PO day 5. My...

  • 24 Dec 2012
  • 4 days post
I added a pic at the PS office PO day 5. My husband is really happy and says the scar looks a lot better in person. My belly button looks great. I was really worried about it. The only complaint I have right now is my drain sites hurt.

PO day 8. I got my drains out today and it didn't...

  • 27 Dec 2012
  • 7 days post
PO day 8. I got my drains out today and it didn't really hurt. My PS also took out my belly button stitches, took off the steri strips and cleaned up my scar. I'm standing up about 30 degrees. Not really in pain, but I don't like the feeling of having my compression garment off. Will try to post new pics soon.

PO day 13. Feeling really good but still very...

  • 1 Jan 2013
  • 12 days post
PO day 13. Feeling really good but still very swollen. I can almost stand up completely straight. The only pain I have is a little burning from my left drain site if I am standing up for awhile. Everytime I try to go shopping half way through the store my left groin area where my drain was starts burning. I have a doctors appointment in 2 days and I will bring that up. I am very happy with my results and can't believe how flat I am. I can't wait to see how I look after all the swealing goes down.

PO day 17. I had an appointment with my PS...

  • 4 Jan 2013
  • 15 days post
PO day 17. I had an appointment with my PS yesterday and everything looks great. I am so happy with my results and haven't been this flat since I started having children. The pain in my groin is gone and I did some shopping after the doctors and I felt fine the whole time. I can't wait to get cleared to go back to the gym. My PS said all I can do right now is walk. I'm sitting at home bored, so my diet hasn't been the best. I weighed myself and I am up a few pounds since surgery day. My PS doesn't weigh what he takes off, but he guessed it was about 4-5 pounds. I know some of my weigh gain is from swelling, but the rest of it has been from making a few bad choices. I have been back on track the last couple of days and hopefully the scale will start to go down.

PO day 25. I'm so happy with my results and I want...

  • 13 Jan 2013
  • 24 days post
PO day 25. I'm so happy with my results and I want to start some kind of scar therapy, but my PS doesn't recommend anything. Could you ladies let me know when you started and what products did you use? I've been looking at silicone strips, but there are so many different brands I don't know what's the best. I am looking at creams to and wondering if you are suppose to apply a certain cream then the silicone strip. Please help.
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Don Fontana, MD

My Doctor: Don Fontana, MD

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Comments (25)

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KateH (Community Manager) 14 Jan 2013

I have been using Prosil on my nasty scar and it's working awesome.  I'm going to post a review soon for it.  It is made by Biodermis if you want to read up on it. :)

Tucker in Maine 14 Jan 2013
I use vitamin E oil, and like Kimmers said, I massage it into the scar in a circular motion.
VeganMomma 13 Jan 2013
I am using bioCorneum. It is the only FDA approved scar treatment and boy does this stuff work. The first time I used it, my scar flattened overnight. It is about $80 a bottle, but a little goes a long way!
Bethany1999 14 Jan 2013
Did you use silicone strips also?
Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 13 Jan 2013

Massage, massage, massage!!  Do this using either the Bio Oil or Palmer's Vitamin E Skin Therapy Oil.  Use firm circular massage all along the scar lines.

Mine is totally flat and faded from this!

Bethany1999 14 Jan 2013
Did you also use silicone strips?
Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 15 Jan 2013

My doctor had me try them at one point on my nipple scars.  I did not see any difference at all.  I was glad that I did not have to purchase them!

Bethany1999 16 Jan 2013
Thanks for your help.
BuffyR 1 Jan 2013
You look great!
Carmen1 27 Dec 2012
Hi Bethany, I had same surgery day as you. I have a nagging cough that I can't get rid of it. I to had only muscle repair and no lipo. On 3rd day I stopped taking all pain meds because I had a hard time swallowing. You seem to be doing so much better than me. It only hurts when I breathe. It is getting better every day. Happy recovery and Happy New Year!
BuffyR 22 Dec 2012
Your weight loss is remarkable. You are a wonderful example to your girls ,making your health a priority too . Can't wait to see your new pictures. Rest and feel good.
chicagomom1220 22 Dec 2012
I am on day 2 post op and took 1 colace yesterday and have been drinking a smoothie every morning with a probiotic supplement powder. Tomorrow I will start working on taking more colace. I am on vicodin and ambien and just reduced to 1/2 vicadin rather than a whole every 4 hours. The pain is manageable as of this afternoon but I don't plan on missing any pills for the next few days. I set my alarm last night to take a pain med at 1 am and my husband tried to talk me out of it. highly recommend doing this because you don't want the meds to wear off 100%. We had surgery on the same day. We'll be healing together!!
Bethany1999 22 Dec 2012
You must be doing really good because I see you had a lot of work done and you are already cutting your meds in half. Can't wait to see your after pics. I'm suppose to take 1 to 2 tablets of Oxycontin every 10 hours. I tried switching to 1 pill, but that didn't work. I guess I'm going to start the stool softeners tonight.
Sheltybindi 22 Dec 2012
Hi i took stool softeners day 3 and I'm glad i did. So maybe today for you. Good luck
Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 22 Dec 2012
Keep on top of the pain meds as prescribed. Do not let the time lapse even if your not sure you need one or not. The first 7-10 days are the absolute worst and then you will notice some improvement. Hang in there I know you can do this:) Sending you big hugs.
Bethany1999 22 Dec 2012
Thanks for the advice. I tried taking only one instead of two and I was very uncomfortable.
Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 23 Dec 2012

Don'y be afraid to take the maximum dose prescribed.  You need good pain control in order to heal properly.  You won't need these forever and will be off them soon.  

Sheltybindi 21 Dec 2012
Congratualtions im sure it loks great i had surgery day before you and dnt seem to be going as well as you so ill use you for inspiration. Keep healing well
jizfiya 21 Dec 2012
Continue to be encouraged in all that you do. Congratulations on the cross over to the flat side. Your in the perfect place where there's lots of love n support through it all. Jizfiya
Bethany1999 21 Dec 2012
Thanks, can't wait to see your after pictures.
Marykay 20 Dec 2012
May God bless you during your physical and emotional healing. I am so happy that you are able to do something special for yourself and don't ever feel guilty about that!!
Bethany1999 21 Dec 2012
Thanks, so much for the kind words. Hope your recovery goes as smooth as mine.
ZumbaDiva 20 Dec 2012
Your story brought tears to my heart and I am glad that you found something positive to focus on after that unfortunate mishap. You are truly a blessing to your other girls and I am sure your results are going to look fab. Cant wait to see more pics
KateH (Community Manager) 24 Oct 2012

Bethany1999,

Wow your post brought tears to my eyes.  That is so awesome of you to lose all that weight to be healthy for your daughters.... and very impressive you dropped that much!  I am so sorry to hear about your misfortune with losing one of your children.  I'm sure you will look absolutely amazing with your new tummy, and please keep us posted!  I really want to follow your recovery. :)

 

Hugs,

 

Kate

Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 22 Oct 2012

Welcome to RealSelf!

Good for you in getting healthy:)   It's a big step and you should be proud of yourself.   

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