Both of my grown children weighed in at over 9 lbs, with my second nearly at 10 and a c-section to boot. When he was 2 I had a laproscopic hysterectomy, which resulted in a bad scar and a tuck on one side of my already stretched out abdomen. About three years ago as part of a major lifestyle change, I went from a size 11 to a size 4/5, but the stretched skin has never gone away. I hate doing exercises like PiYo or Yoga and looking down at my downward facing dog stomach or seeing that bulge that will never go away, despite the fact that I otherwise look good in my exercise spandex. So when I had an appointment with a plastic surgeon/dermatologist earlier this month for a skin cancer screening (all clear), I asked about a tuck to take away the extra skin. I was delighted to learn that it would be within my budget and under local anesthesia. After spending the weekend watching YouTube videos and researching the procedure, I called this week for the earliest surgery date available. I can't wait! Will get some pictures to add soon. Updated on 2 Nov 2014: Drug my camera to my full length mirror. This is what I'm hoping to get rid of. I don't mind if I still have a bit of tummy, but the loose skin and drapes and tucks. I don't want to look at that the rest of my life. Updated on 26 Nov 2014: I had my consultation with the nurse who did measurements and gave me the preop and post op info last week. Now I'm simultaneously excited and nervous. She said the anesthesia used is tumescent, which is fluid beneath the skin so there will initially be a lot of drainage from that and I could have a drain, which I was hoping to avoid. My quote includes some lipo to even things out as needed, but she said I probably won't have much due to my size being fairly lean already. Although I've heard my doctor is very abrupt and not the best at bedside manner, his staff has been wonderful. I've also heard he is very good at what only he can do. Because I'm having surgery on a Friday my paperwork also includes his cell phone in case I have issues over the weekend, so that's comforting. Ten days and counting. Updated on 8 Dec 2014: Surgery was Friday and took a little less than two hours from check in until I was getting back in the car. Since I was awake for the procedure, I took along ear buds and my phone's music/audio collection and listened to a track designed for going to sleep with that lasted 1 hour and 17 minutes and got me through most of the actual procedure. Started out with changing into hospital gown (I bought scrub pants at Goodwill to wear afterwards) and some before photos. Then onto table and shots for first round of numbing. Most of numbing was tumescent, which I had been told was a lot of fluid into my skin. For some reason it did not take well higher on my abdomen or on my right side, and when the doctor began doing lypo there I nearly came off the table. They had to add more. Lyposuction awake is as brutal as it looks on TV. Even though you don't really feel it, you can tell there is something going on. It reminded me somewhat of my c-section, a lot of movement. Just kept my eyes closed, concentrated on breathing, and listened to my meditation music. The area excised was so numb I really couldn't tell they were doing it other than the slight smell from the cauterization (I did watch a lot of YouTube before committing). Cut from hip bone to hip bone with stitches and staples and a drain tube at each end, gauze pads, wrap and sent home with my zip up compression garment. I had already been given prescriptions for valium (one the night before and one morning of and a few for nights afterwards), an anti inflammatory, an antibiotic, and two pain pills -- one with codeine and one a step down. I was also prescribed a vitamin K supplement that my insurance didn't cover and cost over $800 so I didn't get it but did order vitamin K from Amazon and taking double doses to be same mg level. Also a vitamin K OTC cream. The supplement and cream are to aid in bruising and I started those three days before surgery. Antibiotic started morning of surgery and everything else post surgery. I waited until Saturday afternoon for a shower and by that time most of the drainage had stopped. Using panty liners inside my compression garment for the residual but as of Monday they're pretty much staying dry. The codeine pain reliever makes me about half sick, so only taking it at bedtime and I have managed for several stretches with just ibuprofen or Tylenol. I can tell there is a lot of swelling, but I could get my jeans on this morning, although I opted not to wear them due to where the waistband hit (about suture level) so I'm still in scrubs, which are a great option, tie waist, not elastic. I skipped my Rx pain meds to get out a while this morning but very glad to get home to pills and an ice bag. (Ice is very important as a pain reliever and to control swelling.) Other than today I've stayed ahead of the pain and it's not been too bad unless I overdo it. Remembering to take pills and use ice is crucial. Get drain tubes removed tomorrow. Anxious for swelling to go down and see what I've got. Lots of swelling but bruising seems minimal so far. Updated on 10 Dec 2014: I was determined that this would not be a big thing for me as far as physically, and I hate being sidelined as much as I am. Having a skin cancer removed from my thigh yesterday has only added to the misery, but I figured I should just heal from both at once instead of being down twice. Getting up and down is tough. Reminds me of being pregnant in that I put a hand back to help lower and raise myself, but I'm managing. Have been taking care of three preschool granddaughters everyday and my boarding kennel with a half dozen dogs or so, so I can't just sit around and be completely lazy, I have had some help from my husband and a local teen in the kennel, but have been able to lift my 20-month old OK since it was only skin. Because I've had to drive most mornings (and getting in and out of my SUV is one of my biggest challenges), I've only taken Rx pain meds in the afternoon or evening. Managing with just Tylenol or ibuprofen in mornings. Swelling seems a bit worse in evening so it's good to have something to turn it up a notch. Honestly today the leg is bothering me way worse than the 30 plus staples across my abdomen. My PS will be removing them all in 10 days. Drainage tubes were removed yesterday when doctor performed the MOHS on leg. Glad to see them gone. I have been using panty liners inside my compression garment but after today will be without them as they are staying dry now. Swelling has gone down tremendously, but scrubs are still the most comfortable clothing option, although a little thin for the weather. Going to try a short walk because I'm going stir crazy, then a mid day shower since my little people are gone early. Showers are the best! Updated on 27 Dec 2014: Surgery was three weeks ago yesterday and I am well pleased, although the first two weeks of healing seemed to take forever. For me the initial swelling went down quickly, although my PS says it takes 3 months for all the swelling to go away. During my last visit five days ago, he told me that the swelling went away quickly because I was in excellent shape so keep that in mind for your own results. I'm already so pleased that I cannot imagine how much better it may be by then. I still have some loose skin (hey, I'm 53 and not really elastic anymore), but my expectations were realistic and with clothes on I no longer have the roll of loose skin and attached fat that I hated so badly. I worked out one day earlier this week doing PiYo and was delighted to not feel my little roll in a yoga child position. I still have one spot on the incision where the skin didn't heal well and I'm wearing DuoDerm on it. Once that has filled in I'll start with the silicone tape. Even if my scar never looked better though, I would be so pleased with my clothed results that I would not complain. The incision itself is still tender and has numb spots and I know needs to heal and I still have tenderness near one of the liposuction sites where more work was done. I am, however, back in my jeans (yoga pants were retired as of today but are great initially) and trying to get used to the changed feel of my skin. I look forward to resuming working out next week although I'll have to cut myself some slack for a while until my skin can handle the twists and stretches. Updated on 2 Jan 2015: Quick recommendation for any abdominoplasty clients, get the silicone scar tape and start using it ASAP. I ordered 7" strips from Amazon and had them ready to go as soon as the scar quit peeling and scabbing, a little over three weeks post surgery. These things are amazing and after only four days I can tell a big difference in the way my scar looks and feels. Wearing the tape about 18 hours a day then taking it off to wash and dry and reapply it before bed each evening.
Absolutely the best facelift doctor around the Triad. Have done two facelifts with him in the last 11 years, scheduled a third one for 12/7/2018. Amazing bedside manners, great nurses. Recommended totally without any reservation. If you try Dr. Spencer you will never consider anyone else. Prices are very reasonable!
