“Abdominoplasty ”

With my age of 55+, recent massive weight loss via diet of 140+ lbs, and several pregnancies, my poor abdomen was a huge mess. For the past 35 years it has left me so humuliated and embarrassed I didn't even want primary care physicians to see it. The plastic surgeon was able to meet the challenge I presented and gave me a beautiful new tummy. Just 2 weeks post-op and I feel like a butterfly emerging. He is very skilled and I am so grateful for having found him. Besides being an intelligent and skilled surgeon, I found him kind and compassionate in his care of me. Now, my teenage grandaughters call me their new sexy grandma and it is all due to the plastic surgeon, he is my hero!

Updated on 4 Apr 2011:
17 days post-op and I feel wonderful. After 35 years of excessive weight, I can finally stand and look down and see my feet! My tummy is finally in proportion to the rest of me and I love it.

Updated on 24 Apr 2011:
We're finally getting some sun so I bought a tankini and matching beach towel yesterday. Can't wait to get a little sunbathing going. Haven't done that since I was a teen, so will be careful about overdoing. Incision seems to be healing good. My older sis told me to quit 'yanking' the tape off when I change it, to gently "walk" it off...that might help with some of the blood spots/red areas I was getting.

Updated on 24 Apr 2011:
A few stats: 5'3", day of surgery 160 lb, currently 148 lb (10 lb skin removed by PS). Would like to lose 10 lb more then maintain. Didn't wait on TT, as wanted it done NOW!!! and thank goodness not a concern with PS. PS did tell me that due to massive weight loss, I will always be somewhat loose and that was OK as having the hanging skin gone is priceless.

Updated on 24 Apr 2011:
As I traveled out of town to Seattle, I had TT in PS's surgical center and was wheelchair from there by surgery nurse across the street to the hotel, where I stayed with caregivers (older daughter and my younger sister who is a nurse) for 4 days. First drain tube removed at that time and I was cleared to travel home. Felt EVERY small bump in the road. Was glad to get home and into my recliner. Hotel room just had lots of pillows LOL.

Updated on 25 Apr 2011:
Well, on sunbathing, the PS' nurse got back to me today and said "absolutely not" as exposing the scar to sunlight could cause it to be hyperpigmented and it takes months for scars to mature. Well bummer, guess it will just be the rest of me to expose to some sun. And, I'm to keep using the tape on incision until 6 wk mark, then may rub vitamin E on it.

Updated on 26 Apr 2011:
PS said today I can use Mederma on scars, no elliptical machine until 6 wk postop and no hot bath/hot tub until 8 wk postop (I so want one). Local newspaper came out with local fitness center ad today with photos of me at 300+ lb and a week ago at 148 lb. That was kinda fun - one way to show off new tummy LOL. Fitness center asking when I can come back! Get lots of encouragement and support there and from personal trainer I used pre-op.

Updated on 30 Apr 2011:
Will see PS next Friday and will get legs waxed sev. days prior, yeah, - gotta prepare for that After photo shoot. I keep buying bikini underwear, trying to figure out which one to wear on the big day. Incision looked good today when I changed the tape on it. The ends of scar are a little poochy, a little bigger than a nickle. Will ask PS about that. Now its really really hard not to want the rest of me done - inner thighs, arms, and breasts...hadn't thought I,d feel that way once the MAIN concern (belly) was gone.

Updated on 30 Apr 2011:
Is it normal for scar to feel like a 'rope'. Mine is not wide and is healing, but when I touch it, it feels like a hard narrow rope. I'll be rubbing some Mederma on it starting tomorrow, hope that helps it smooth out some!

Updated on 2 May 2011:
Went to hospital today for upper endoscopy and told them if they needed to rescusitate (spelling?) me, NOT to pound on my chest because I didn't want my new abs messed up! LOL. Got to wear my new bikini undies during procedure - yeah! When I pulled off the compression garment to shower beforehand, it stuck to my incision, which I didn't realize until I was pulling it off - ouch! Looks like the Mederma I rubbed on it for the first time yesterday might have been too much or something, as it glued to the compression garment...now I'm scared to rub in Mederma and use garment at the same time. Waiting for PS office to get back to me on suggestions...

Updated on 6 May 2011:
Had 7 wk postop visit with PS today. He said I was healing good. I can start removing the compression garment at night, but will keep it on during the day for awhile longer. Also, when I work out at gym, need to have binder on initially, which is OK with me - feel 'safer' in it. Next visit at 6-mo mark, unless I return for inner thigh lift, which I'd so like to have now. Followed by breast and arm lift, of course LOL. PS is willing to do them for me. I was worried about health/age and reaching a 'too' late mark, but he says I'm ok - yeah!! Now I just need to find lots of $$$$ - LOL.

Updated on 9 May 2011:
Looking at my TT scar and the placement, it really is placed in bikini line - something I hadn't really expected due to how much upper hanging skin I had. Nice! Also the scar is really narrow, seems to be coming along nicely. Overall, I'm extremely pleased with the results. So much MORE than I had hoped for or expected. The decision for TT has been BEST decision I have ever made for myself.

Updated on 12 May 2011:
Got a lympatic drainage massage today from a lady who used to be therapist with Wash. State University Cougers. She was awesome and I loved the massage (never had any kind before). She also massaged the scar and showed me a few moves for it. I have been using Mederma in the morning and lavender massage oil in the evening. She did a MUCH better job. I'm going back to her next week to have it done again. She also told me two moves to do at the fitness center to help me get a butt back. My g-daughters said there was nothing there and I needed undies with built in butt padding LOL. I'll try the moves at gym first LOL.

Updated on 14 May 2011:
Feeling alive, vibrant, happy, beautiful, feminine and sexy - thank you TT and PS!

Updated on 17 May 2011:
Had 2nd lymphatic drainage massage today. MS also worked on the scar, which felt good. Also got some regular massage. Wish I could afford her every week - LOL. Am looking into getting inner thigh lift done in September. Maybe heal a year after that and then go back and get arms and breasts done.

Updated on 19 May 2011:
Well, I'm committing to decision to have medial thigh lift on September 23 in Seattle. Hopefully I'll have a caregiver to go with me willing to stay the whole 5 days before PS will let me travel back home...TT was for health, this is so I can wear shorts!! Then once all healed from that, will consider arm lift and breast lift. My my, what a journey.

Updated on 29 May 2011:
Well, since light ab workout a week ago, my tummy is still in some pain (none before workout), so I backed off any ab workout since then...right knee kicked off with weight bearing pain 4 wk ago, so not walking either at the moment trying to determine what is up with that! Not sure if it is difference in my gait now that belly is gone or what. This is a real setback and very discouraging not being able to work out/walk like I had been prior to TT. This level of inactivity really bothers me - I don't LIKE it!! Wearing hipstir undies and new pants (no elastic mind you) is still fun. Maybe I'll just have to go shopping again - oh well. LOL

Updated on 31 May 2011:
Had TT scar massaged today by MS to work out adhesions and make sure it is loose. My, does it feel good! He worked the dog ear areas and the whole incision and suggested I get a warm pad (kind with rice & heated in microwave, long one like for neck) to put on scar just prior to when I massage with lotion/oil on my own. I will return to him in about 2 weeks for another massage work out.

Updated on 31 May 2011:
PS says to back off light exercise (abs) and try again after pain subsides. Bummer, but I got to take care of the tummy.

Updated on 2 Jun 2011:
Saw PS today and told me not to beat myself up over the tummy pain issue and the ab workout, that I'm doing good. I'm definitely backing off workout for awhile. Might have to go back to local college pool to walk in the water, like I did after knee joint replacement. Whatever it takes to get some sort of exercise in!

Updated on 13 Jun 2011:
Still have pain in abs to right of belly button. Notice it when that part of tummy is 'stretched' or moved - like when turning over onto stomach, sneezing, etc. Still wearing compression garment and as I gained 5 lb this weekend (back to diet now), it's still compressing. I think it helps with this new ab pain area, so am still wearing garment during the day and sometimes at night. We're heading into hotter weather, so will be nice not to have to wear the garment. It will be fun to select from the new hipsters I have!

Updated on 18 Jun 2011:
10 min on elliptical & 20 min on recumbant bike - stayed away from any ab workout, but knees did ok. Might be getting back on track...sure hope so. Pain in ab diminishing, not so bad when sneezing that one sneeze per day I've been getting.

Updated on 19 Jun 2011:
No more ugly size 16 grannie panties - hello size 6/7 hipsters - my new favorite undies! PS saved my life when he performed TT - that is how I feel.

Updated on 19 Jun 2011:
Sneezed 3x today with dull pain only, no "OMG what did I rip" so that is good.

Updated on 3 Jul 2011:
What has the TT done for me: self confidence boost, smiling and happier, energy level exceeding all previous limits, new wardrobe full of COLOR and in all styles of articles (shorts, crops, and full length, long sleeves, short sleeves, and sleeveless); from one pair of shoes (othropedic black ugly) to so many pairs of all kinds my closet is running out of room. Formerly I wore black stretch pant ONLY, and a few short-sleeve tops ONLY in black, dk brown or dk blue. This is a complete 360 degree change in me. It's a miracle I still have trouble believing is actually real.