I had my son at 27 years old, I am 5'5" and have always weighed around 125lbs except when pregnant. I gained 65lbs with him, and lost all the weigh without an issue but had extra lose skin on my abdomen along with weak muscles. My second baby came when I was 35 years old and weighed in at 9lbs via c-section. Lets just say my extra skin went from bad to worse....I do exercise 5-6 times per week. I run, participate in boot camp, and spin and would consider myself in good shape for 40 years old but as any one knows that has the extra skin it does not matter what you do, it stays. I went for three PS consultations and decided on my PS because of online reviews, along with feeling comfortable with him (and the competitive pricing helped). I did the typical preop testing, along with preparing my household. I went for surgery on 5/20/14, arrived at hospital at 8:45am, was in surgery around 10:30am, woke up around 4:00pm in recovery. Ended up leaving the hospital around 6pm with a lidocaine pump and two drains coming out of my stomach. I took Motrin 800mg every 8 hours and Percocet 5/325mg 1 tablet every 4 hours the first 4 days post op and never had any "pain". I set my alarm so I did not miss a dose. Was I sore and stiff, yes, but not in pain. I also took Senna 2 tablets every night post op to help promote a bowel movement. I had a C-section with my daughter and the pain was much worse than this. My children were taken care of by there father for 5 days after surgery so I could just relax. I did get up every two hours during the day and took a small walk inside my house, this helped with the stiffness and the swelling of my legs. I am at week one postop today, Lidoderm pump was taken out on Saturday, but two drains still remain. PS wants less than 25cc/day in drains before he removes them. I have been wearing my compression garment all the time except to wash. Swelling is still present in the lower abdomen along incision line and trunk of my body along with some slight bruising due to lipo. My incision is scabbing and looks great, the incision is soooo low, it is amazing. I am currently only taking Tylenol as needed (yesterday only took it at bedtime). My lower abdomen is still numb which is a strange thing but completely normal for this procedure. I can not wait to have these drains removed and transition to a lighter compression garment, the current medical grade one extends from under my breasts to my calves. It is difficult to find clothing that conceals the drains along with the compression garment, I have been wearing flowing sundresses. I would make sure you had a few of these to utilize. I followed up with my PS on post op day 3 and have another appointment this Friday. I absolutely love the results so far and can't wait to see what I look like on postop week 8 :)
Updated on 28 May 2014:
Still some swelling which is expected but love how low my incision is...
Updated on 29 May 2014:
Went to see my PS yesterday, as usual no waiting (love my PS), I was brought right into the massage room were my PS and his assistant removed both drains at once. It was definitely a strange feeling, but it did not hurt or burn as I had read in some other reviews. I then had my lymphatic massage done on my abdomen and lipo areas on flank and thighs. It felt so good. I was told by my PS and the massage therapist that I have minimal swelling at this point and to keep doing what I am doing. I do have some minor bruising on both hips from the lipo. The only soreness that is still present is from the lipo, no pain or soreness from TT. I continue to drink at least 64 ounces of water every day and walk (slowly of course) frequently. My doctor said my only restrictions at this point is I can't lift more that 20 pounds and no abdominal exercises. Can not wait to go buy a new bathing suit....
Updated on 29 May 2014:
I am still wearing the medical grade compression garment. He told me that It would help the short term results but overall would not change the long term results, so I will continue to wear it as summer is right around the corner and I want the best results the quickest....was told and shown how to do some massage on abdomen to continue to help with swelling and told to do this twice a day. Also will start to massage incision starting next week, when post op 2 weeks. My PS uses silicone patches on the scars starting at week 3...
Updated on 4 Jun 2014:
Had alot of swelling above incision line day 10-14, seems to be improving slowly. PS did attempt to aspirate fluid but only was able to remove 10cc so he believes it is just swelling. Have been to two lymphatic massages and going for another one today. I am presently taking Arnica 5 pellets 3 times a day, drinking two protein powder/coconut water/flax seed/ginger/chia seed juices every day and I am still wearing my compression garment 23 hours a day. I have no pain just an occasional stretching sensation, I have been walking slowly 2 miles a day. I have a dog ear on the left side of my incision that will need to be corrected at some point. My belly bottom is my natural one so I would not have a vertical incision as well....so far I am extremely pleased with my results and of course can not wait for all the swelling to go down...
Updated on 6 Jun 2014:
This past two and a half weeks has flown by. Swelling is finally going down, I am using Arnica gel 3 times a day with a abdominal binder at present. Really have cut my activity down to nothing except absolutely necessary things. Maybe the swelling was because I was doing to much? Anyway feel 100% better which does not help because I feel great and want to return to my normal life but my body in told me I was not ready yet by swelling like a tick. My incision is healing well, I am massaging it twice a day. My PS instructed me to start using silicone patches on week three. I have one complaint, I don't love my belly button, BUT I do understand if my PS attempted to correct it I would have had a vertical scar which I am sure I would have hated more...overall love it and can not wait to be able to wear a two piece bathing suit this summer....:)
Updated on 8 Jan 2015:
Pooch over incision never improved, always looked like I had "man parts" when I tucked my shirt in, PS also agreed and I had lipo of the lower abdomen and mons in September, 2014. When I went back for my follow up neither my PS or I was completely satisfied with the results so he booked me for a revision which will be done 1/17/15, all of which is being done for free. My PS is supportive. Again this pooch may not seem bad to others but I went into the initial surgery with a flat stomach, just had extra skin. Will update after my surgery. I wish I had taken pictures before lipo as well but I did not so you could see the improvement but not a total fix.
Updated on 17 Jan 2015:
Visited my PS office this morning, took Xanax and Percocet one hour before procedure. Was also given some local anesthesia during the procedure. Felt some pain and pressure during procedure but nothing severe. I was reopened around 6 inches along old incision, PS removed fat which surprised him since lipo was done 3 months ago and restitched my lower abdominal muscles. I am not sure if there was something wrong with the muscles and plan on asking when i go for my follow up on Monday (medication had me foggy), one drain was placed, and I was "glued" back together. At present wearing abdominal binder and taking one Percocet every four hours. I would say I feel more burning than pain but it is not bad at all. Drain is draining bloody. Hopefully will post some picutres tomorrow. Relaxing tonight.