I was referred to Ian Holten for breast reduction due to persistent rash under my breasts after 40kg weight loss. At my first consultation he suggested a lift rather than reduction as I was happy with the size but not the sag. He also suggested small fat grafts to compensate for age related upper pole volume loss. I had 50ml and 60ml transferred from my abdomen. I’d had a belt lipectomy and thigh reduction in the past with another surgeon. As I result I had unsightly scarring from seroma and wound infection at these sites. Ian revised these perfectly. Ian included red light therapy the day prior to surgery and several during the recovery period to improve healing. A lymphatic massage the day of discharge was also included, Maureen was amazing! My post op swelling and pain were quick to resolve. It was an effort to remember to keep activity to a minimum but is essential to optimise recovery and results. The nurses Kara, Fiona and Natalie were very professional and friendly. Their expertise were available during business hours and I had contact numbers for Ian or the covering surgeon at other times. I didn’t need it but was reassured by it. The main office is based in Geelong and I live in Ballarat. I felt well supported by the staff at the Ballarat rooms and distance was not a disadvantage. I could choose which office to have my post op red light treatment and appointments which was convenient. Ian was reassuring but realistic about expectations pre op. The post op outcome exceeded my initial expectation.
After monitoring RS for months I finally had my BA performed yesterday So far so good 240cc - over muscle - saline I was stuck with sizing choice of 240cc or 260cc - I went with the smaller of the two as my aim was a natural look Slight swelling - however I have a feeling I will be very happy with my choice Updated on 5 Nov 2016: Feeling good. Dropping off pain meds now - have a slight touch of boob greed and questioning whether I should have gone with the 260cc. The swelling and bruising is subsiding The
It started when someone asked when I was due. At first I laughed it off but then it happened again and again and again. I would go home and cry for 2 days and think of what I should have said if I'd had my wits about me at the time and not been so shocked that someone could be so rude. I am 45 years old and the thought of being pregnant at my age horrifies me - I've been told I look 10 years younger so maybe that's why I get asked all the time. My 'children' are 20 and nearly 17. I've always been a fairly constant weight, around 67kgs (147lbs) and I'm 163cm. I'm a bit of a health nut but fate has not been kind to me. I've had chronic lower back pain for 20 years, 3 years ago I was diagnosed with coeliac disease, then told I had the bone density of a 90yo. Then diagnosed with TMJ pain, ice pick headaches, IBS and arthritis in my sacroiliiac joint (psoriatic arthritis). When I went on a GF diet I thought great, now my belly will disappear. It didn't. Then I cut out all packaged food from my diet. Still had the belly. Then I joined a clinical pilates gym. Still had the belly and the back pain was worse. Last year I got so sick of myself being sick (still working FT and hardly ever taking sick leave) and the constant rude people asking if I'm pregnant I ended up on anti-depressants. We go to Thailand every year and I think I joked to my husband maybe I should get a TT one year. He suggested I look into it. I actually mentioned this to my GP and I thought he would freak out. He surprised me when he said that he believes most plastic surgeon's charge a ridiculous amount of money. But he suggested referring me to a local PS just to discuss the procedure and weigh up my options. So along I went in February 2013 and I would say at the time I was about 50/50 as to whether I might go ahead or not. Well I walked out of there feeling fantastic and felt really strongly I should go ahead. In the space of a fairly short consultation I was told I was a really good candidate for this surgery. I think his words were "you're not overweight, you're healthy". I was told I had about a 2inch gap in my abdo muscles (why had no-one ever suggested this before?!) And the PS said that the surgery would very likely help with my back pain and IBS symptoms (as the abdo muscles would be better able to do what they need to do). So the funny thing was I went in there just thinking about the physical appearance and left with this overwhelming sense of wow! it doesn't matter how much I exercise or diet I won't ever get rid of this pouch. It was like a massive weight off my shoulders. I really liked the PS from the start. Very laid back, friendly and confident. I didn't even bother shopping around. Well that's my story so far. When I first found this site and read a few review I freaked - it was a bit confronting and I thought I won't be able to go through with this if I keep reading, but then after a few days thinking about I figured it's best to be as informed as possible to aid in my recovery. So I came back and been addicted ever since. I will post some before pics in the next few days and discuss my preparations for surgery. Updated on 3 Mar 2014: So I decided in January 2013 that a TT with MR was right for me but there was only one problem. My PS only operates out of the private hospital and not the public hospital in my city. He said "Those bureaucrats in the public system make it too hard for me" - I replied, "I work for those bureaucrats" lol. My problem was that my basic health insurance only covered me in a public hospital so I would need to upgrade my cover and wait out the 12 month waiting period before going ahead. Even though I first considered having the TT done in Thailand, once I met my PS there was no doubt in my mind - he put me totally at ease. And for an extra $1000 - $2000 I could have it done in my hometown. Besides the thought of wearing a CG in the Thailand humidity - arrgggh! So I upgraded my health cover and mid last year I came up with a plan that seemed perfect. In January 2014 I became eligible for long service leave with my employer but I had no job security beyond June 2014 so it was a case of now or never. So I spoke with my boss about taking a month off as long service leave in February. My time to get myself and my house in order, ready for surgery. Have my surgery on March 26 - this is exactly 12 months and 1 day after upgrading my cover. This then left me with 6 weeks to recover before heading overseas on a holiday we had already booked. My manager approved of the plan, and even suggested I might need 6 weeks and that was fine as I have plenty of sick leave. It is better for me to break up the absence from work rather than one long stint as there are things I do that no-one else can do. And now it looks like our funding will be continued so I will still have a job after June. But to be honest I haven't really focused on this uncertainty, my focus has been on my upcoming TT and whatever happens beyond that is fine by me. I am excited more than nervous! So I have just had one month off work in which I cleaned out my house which had become somewhat depressingly cluttered. We did a renovation 5 years ago and all the kids toys just got stuffed into a spare room and there it stayed, but now my kids aren't kids anymore! I have been through nearly every cupboard and drawer in the house during the past 4 weeks and it feels great! The thing is I am one of those people who just can't sit still if there is something to be done so I figure I needed to do this so I could really just relax and recover post surgery. It was also my time to get myself in as good shape as possible, lose a bit of weight and gain some strength. Unfortunately I have had major issues with plantar fasciitis and achilles tendonitis (my arthritis tends to attack these areas) and walking has been really painful. But I have been eating really well and having fresh juice every day - I am having 3 BM's a day right now so I will keep this up after surgery, for sure! I have told a few of my work colleagues that I am having an abdominal wall reconstruction, but omitting the TT part. I want them to know it's about restoring function moreso than vanity - which it is. I work in an all-female health care environment where everyone is very supportive and empathetic - though they are a little jealous that I am having so much time off I feel it is well-deserved. I have put up with so much for so long - not just the unwelcome comments from colleagues who should know better (not those I work directly with but staff from other departments) I have spent countless $ over the years on chiro, physio, remedial massage, naturopaths etc just trying to improve my health and overcome the chronic back pain, muscle tightness, headaches and gut issues. What I have spent would easily have paid for my TT! It is only fairly recently I came across a wonderful remedial massage therapist who believes that all my health issues stem from the back muscles overcompensating for the laxity in my core. This tightens the soas (?) muscle, just inside the bony point near the hip, this in turn tightens the IT band, the glutes, the quads and hammies, the calves and in turn affecting the achilles. This also means that when I walk I am using the wrong muscle groups, so my muscles fatigue really quickly and this leads to more issues. I am starting to realise he is right. I never had all these issues before I had kids! My back was just never the same since my two pregnancies. The support I am getting on here is wonderful and hopefully my story can inspire and inform others. Thank you all so much and I will get around to posting my pics soon! Updated on 3 Mar 2014: Updated on 4 Mar 2014: A couple of weeks back I had my pre-op. I actually went in for a 2nd consult with my PS as the last one was more than a year ago, then his nurse said we might as well do the pre-op today to save me coming back, which was nice of her. He kept me waiting for ages and I was so nervous, lol - finally it's real, it's really happening. He took my photos and reassured me that this was really going to benefit me. Here is the run-down of what will happen: I will stay in hospital for one night. I will have drains but these will be removed before I am discharged (phew!) A massage therapist will come in and do a lymphatic drainage massage on me, I can't remember if this is on the day of my surgery or the following day but there is no cost for this as it's included in the surgeon's fee. When I wake up from my op the CG will be on and I will be very comfortable (according to the nurse) as my PS puts a lot of local anaesthetic in there to keep me comfortable for a couple of days. She says it's important to tell the medical staff if I feel nauseous so they can give me something for the nausea - obviously throwing up is something to be avoided! When I am discharged I will go straight to the surgeon's rooms where they will put me under some special light to assist with healing. I haven't heard of anyone else having this done. Then home to rest and zonk myself out on as many painkillers as I can handle! The best part of this consult was when the nurse measured me up for my CG, and as soon as I lifted my top she said, "You're going to have a really good result, I can tell" - that made my day. My CG arrived 36 hours later (from interstate, mind you!) It is beige, ugggh, I really wish I had asked if it came in black when she said she had ordered beige. When I looked at the pack I thought, it's not too bad it's just like a wrap around the waist. Then I took it out and it is this awful thing like a corset and straps that go over my shoulders but the straps seem to come down right where my boobs are not on the outside of my boobs like a bra. It has a pee hole but if I have to do a BM it is going to have to come off and it doesn't seem like something that you can remove in a hurry! I actually tried it on, or rather tried to try it on and i struggled to even get it up over my hips. Thank goodness I will be unconscious when they put it on me! Good luck with that. And it was a size LARGE....what?! It's funny how we have different approaches to our surgery and expectations....I never went in with any expectations around what I want to achieve, it was just like, well here I am, this is what you have to work with, see what you can do! No wish pics, no nothing. The only thing that is a little disappointing is that I will have to remove my belly ring which I love. My PS said I can have my new BB pierced down the track again if I wanted to. It's hard to believe in just 3 weeks I will be waking up and it will be all over! Updated on 5 Mar 2014: Today I woke up with a thumping headache and when I got out of bed it got so bad I thought I was going to throw up. Went straight back to bed and called in sick. That's ok as I have plenty of sick leave I just feel a bit guilty as there are tasks I need to get done before I have my surgery. My body is in so much pain, the stiffness in my lower back and neck is just awful and I keep thinking how am I going to cope in 3 weeks when I will be waking up post op day 1. I am supposed to stop taking my arthritis meds as they can increase the chance of bleeding but I take one anyway as it's so bad. Ok it's only one I tell myself. I sleep the whole morning away and wake up feeling 80% better with that groggy post-migraine hangover feeling. I make myself some fresh juice, I'm loving the fresh juice. Pineapple, orange and a bit of ginger to help with the nausea. Suddenly I remember the dream that I had this morning...they say when you dream about a house you dream about your own body. Well in my dream there was this old character-style home that I had bought with my ex-husband and I had 'forgotten' about it. No-one had lived in it for years and the weeds were a metre high. It was really run-down and neglected but it was on a nice street and had great views from the second storey. My current husband and I went through room by room and made a mental note of what needed to be done in each room. It was clear this place had loads of potential but it needed quite a bit of money spent on it (!!!) We decided to get an expert in and get him to check that the building was structurally sound before we decided whether to go ahead with the cosmetic stuff like new paint, window furnishings etc. Then when it came time to go and look upstairs I couldn't do it. I said I've never been up there, I felt really scared. My family were there and my sister went and looked upstairs and she came back down and said it's got so much potential. Well I hope I haven't bored you all with my dream but when all this came back to me I got quite emotional as it is exactly how I feel about my body. I have this huge hang-up about my wobbly belly and this has totally changed the way I feel about myself. I used to be really confident and wear sexy clothes, heels etc. For the last couple of years I have been wearing pants with elastic wait, long tops and kaftans, can't remember the last time I wore heels. I'm on anti-depressants, my sex drive is zero, I just hate the way my body feels when having sex and seeing/feeling my tummy wobbling. My husband tells me I'm the sexiest girl in the world but even that doesn't make me feel better. My husband is incredibly supportive and keeps telling me that once I have this surgery and feeling better about myself I will get my mojo back. I really hope I do. Still feeling emotional as I write this I am going to pull myself together and make a trip into town to the chemist and stock up on all the supplies I will need post-op. Love and healing to you all. Updated on 11 Mar 2014: I can't believe 2 weeks today I will be having my TT. Am I sh**ting myself? Absolutely. It's all I think about every waking moment. I have been cleaning out the house like a woman possessed. Over the weekend we did the garage and the garden shed. My plan is to have the house looking positively minimalist over the next 2 weeks. I have been thinking about lipo. So many reviews on here for TT with lipo. I never considered it when I had my consult with PS. I never brought it up. He never suggested it. Does that mean I don't need it? Would he have suggested it if he felt this would get a better result? I have been mulling over this as I weighed myself a couple of weeks back and I was 72kg (about 158lbs). I don't weigh myself often I tend to just go by 'jiggle factor'...apart from the belly jiggle which is always there but hip/butt jiggle and lately I'd been 'feeling' lighter and feeling less jiggle so I felt good....until I jumped on the scales and saw 72kg which is the highest non-pregnant weight I've ever been. Panic stations! I am now on 70kg and hope to be down to 68 when I have my surgery but I have this nagging voice in my head - should I ask about lipo? I've been waking up every day with so much pain and stiffness because I can't take my arthritis meds I must surely be nuts to want to put myself through more pain. I have a confession to make. I haven't worn a bra for about 3 months now! I just woke up one day and thought stuff it, I'm tired of being uncomfortable, besides my posture seems so much better when i don't wear one so surely that's got to be better for the girls. So when I read stories of how tight and restrictive the CG is going to be, how it's even hard to breathe....I just know I'm going to hate it. My PS said I should wear it before my surgery to get used to it. The nurse said this is a new idea that he has - well I can tell you right now there is no way I'm going to wear that thing any longer than I absolutely have to, lol. My pre-op preparation checklist: Supplements - taking B12 (as I have been feeling tired), Vit C, zinc, green coffee bean extract (supposed to boost metabolism so thought it might help me lose weight) olive leaf extract (for immune support - am also giving the death stare to anyone who dares cough near me!) Have also gone back on the pill and I will take this continuously for the next 3 months or so to skip periods. Diet - everything healthy, lots of raw food, juicing everything I can get my hands on, very little of my food comes out of a packet. Plenty of water. I have had a few appointment with a physio who specializes in women's health at my pilates gym. She has shown me how to do certain exercises that engage my pelvic floor muscles so that my stomach muscles don't bulge up when I do pilates. 2 days before surgery I have booked a remedial massage just to work on any areas that are tight, not functioning properly to get this sorted prior to surgery. I know that being hunched over is going to screw my back/neck in no time. 1 day before surgery I have booked a colonic to have a nice cleanout. Hopefully this will avoid constipation as I always tend to poop lightly for a couple of days after colonic. (sorry TMI) In exactly 60 days I will be on a plane to Singapore. It boggles my mind to think that between then and now I will have the surgery and be recovered enough to go on a holiday. It is a nice thought that I will be looking fabulous in a bikini! Updated on 11 Mar 2014: Nearly every review here there is pre-op 'blood work' to be done, EKGs or ECGs or whatever and I have had nothing! Not even a blood test. My PS doesn't even know what my blood type is - what if I need a transfusion or something? Very different healthcare systems in US and AUS - maybe the PS get kickbacks for ordering all these tests?! Updated on 14 Mar 2014: Today is Saturday and a rare thing happens...I am home alone, just me and the fur babies. Kids are staying elsewhere tonight, husband has gone to see his boys and won't be home until tomorrow, so it is just me and my gorgeous, faithful doggies who I love more than life itself. Those of you who have teenage boys will understand this - I can walk to my letterbox and when I come back inside my dogs are ECSTATIC to see me. They always make me smile. As for teenage boys...! I go to my pilates gym and do a big, strong session. I'm feeling really good. Then the physio at my gym had a vacancy so I saw him about my hip pain. He's a lovely old bloke and he wishes me all the best for my surgery. He knows I have struggled with back issues for a long time and he acknowledges I've tried everything I possibly can to maintain fitness and strength despite these issues. And TT with muscle repair is really my last hope. When I get home I tidy my outdoor area and sweep, and I realise that I am happier at this point now than I have been for months. After going on antidepressants mid-2013, and being quite depressed (but in denial about the need for chemical help) for a long time before that, I just feel really HAPPY! It's a gorgeous warm and still autumn day, after a very hot and windy summer. I sit outside on my deck as a thunder storm rolls in and I listen to the rain on the tin roof with my little rescue dog, my constant companion, sitting in my lap, and I just feel extremely grateful and lucky. That I can afford this surgery. That my husband and I both have full time jobs. That I have weeks of sick leave I can use for my recovery. That my husband thinks I am the most beautiful girl in the world, and fully supports my decision to go through with this surgery as he feels it will be great for my confidence and help me get my sexy back. That I have these two lovely dogs to keep me company while I recover. That I have this beautiful garden that my husband and I created together, with its palm trees and bamboo and buddhas. This whole lead-up to surgery, with the clearing out of the clutter at home (at work also as I have to shift offices) feels like such a therapeutic process. Out with the old, in with the new. Letting go of the past. Hopefully also letting go of the big chip I have on my shoulder from so many people asking me if I am pregnant and feeling quite angry and resentful about this. One thing I haven't done is clear out my clothes - and let me tell you I have a lot! I went through them all recently, my thin clothes, my not-so-thin clothes, the clothes from my corporate phase, the clothes from my hippy phase. A lot of clothes bought to try and cover up a problem. A lot of clothes I've bought and never worn, like the box of sexy figure hugging dresses that I dare not wear because of my sticking-out belly. I decided not to get rid of any of them until I have a chance to see how they look after my TT. You ladies who decide to book in for your surgery in a weeks time because your PS happened to have an opening, or those of you who go back to work after 2 weeks because you have to, and those of you who come home from surgery to little kids to be cared for....I take my hat off to you - you are incredible! I have no fear about the surgery. I'm not the type of person to have a hundred questions for my PS. I do my research. I inform myself. I prepare as best I can and then leave it up a higher power. I know from past experience I heal well after surgery. I know I can cope with pain - both my kids were natural, drug-free births. I'm taking the best possible care of myself right now. Bring it on, I say. I can do this! I still haven't had any bills from my PS. Only 10 days to go. This is the first time in my life I have WANTED to get a bill. It just makes it more final and more real. I hope they haven't forgotten I have booked in. I guess I am rambling but I don't think anyone reads my blog, lol. Til next time... Updated on 18 Mar 2014: 7 days to go! After feeling so positive and excited on the weekend I returned to work yesterday and fell into an absolute panic, heart palpitations, shortness of breath. Aaargh I just want this to be over. I am an absolute danger to myself or anyone else on the road at the moment, I am so preoccupied when driving, lol. I'll probably have a bunch of speeding fines in the post next week! I guess this rollercoaster of emotions is completely normal. My kids were just exasperating when I got home yesterday, I ended up having a full-on meltdown. I don't think they realise just yet that I won't be able to do ANYTHING for at least a couple of weeks. I rang my surgeon's office yesterday about my bill and silly me, the fee estimate that they sent WAS the bill. Good thing is I can pay for my procedure on my credit card (once I clear it!) so that will postpone actually paying it for a few weeks. I'm undecided whether to buy bromelain tablets...I already have fresh pineapple juice nearly everyday anyway. Would love to know if anyone has found these helpful. Updated on 19 Mar 2014: So this time next week I will be in hospital, I will be on the flat side and hoping like heck the drugs are doing their thing! I'm told I will be given endone to manage my pain. This is provided by the hospital so I don't have to worry about filling scripts. My husband had endone when he had some major surgery a few years back. He was delirious. Not sure if that's a good thing! Bugger...for the last few days I've been spotting. I have been taking the pill continuously for about 6 weeks now and i usually have no problem skipping periods. But I think I have to listen to my body so I didn't take it today, hopefully I can get it over and done with by next Wednesday. This probably explains my sobfest in front of the kids the other day. My PS only operates on a Wednesday, by happy coincidence my hubby has a rostered day off this day and he has advised work he will be on carer's leave for the rest of the week. Come the following Monday I am going to play it by ear and he will stay home if I need him. My biggest concern is how to get my CG off if I need to do no. 2! Then how to get it back on. Aaaah first world problems! Tomorrow I pay for my procedure, once I have cleared the credit card. I am not sleeping well at all at the moment. I get off to sleep ok but I wake in the early hours and am wide awake so get on my tablet, usually get on RS. Before I know it I've been on for 2-3 hours, then I fall back to sleep, wake up late and have to rush to get ready for work. Add to this my other half is a Type 1 diabetic so often wakes in the night when he has a hypo. I am kind of looking forward to post surgery so I can sleep - a lot! I have told my hubby and the kids to expect that I will be an absolute cranky [RS bleep] for a few days, I said you better pray those drugs knock me out! There are no prizes for not taking the painkillers! Updated on 20 Mar 2014: Procedure was paid for today and am expecting the bill from the anesthetist any day. No backing out now! Tomorrow is my last full day at work. I put in my sick leave form today and it is only 20 sick days as there are quite a few public holidays coming up. Expected return to work is April 28 but we'll see how we go. My nerves have settled finally. It helps that my baby (who turns 17 tomorrow) has gone away with his dad for a few days. I miss him but he stresses me out so much, he is high functioning ASD and can just be SO difficult and frustrating. My hair is freshly colored, pedi done and toe-nails painted. I'll pack an overnight bag on the weekend. I'm going to order this slimming tea called Bodytea, which comes from China but is marketed by a young guy in the next suburb to me who is apparently earning $45,000 a week selling this stuff. I mean he's in high school FGS! It's supposed to be good for bloating. I'm going to write a room by room list of jobs that the kids can do while I recover. As much as I feel like I have everything under control right now I know that by the weekend I'll be running around like a mad thing trying to do all the things that no-one else does like clean the poop out of the hen house and brush the spider webs off the house. Happy healing to you all! Updated on 21 Mar 2014: Today just dragged at work...5pm could not come fast enough. I really now want this procedure to be over and done with. The anticipation is really wearing me down and I kind of regret telling everyone, and I mean everyone that I work with as I just seem to be having the same conversation over and over. My anaesthetist bill arrived today. Just over $1400 (not bad considering the guy will have my life in his hands for a couple of hours) and I have to pay upfront but will get some back through Medicare and my private health insurance. I have so many things I want to do on the weekend it's sure to go fast. I am a bit of a control freak but I know I am going to have to let some things go while I recover and just hope hubby and kids do a bit, I'll have to turn a blind eye to some things otherwise I'll just get cranky and stressed. On Sunday we have to visit my husband's parents and take them grocery shopping as they don't drive. This will take most of the day but my mother-in-law has been baking and freezing meals for us which is really nice so the boys won't starve. I think I'm going to have to make a list of meals and snack suggestions for myself as I want to eat clean and really healthy while I recover and let's just say hubby doesn't share my passion for fresh food. Going to enjoy homemade veggie pizza for dinner, always good on a Friday night and probably the last pizza I will have for a few weeks! Updated on 22 Mar 2014: It's my last weekend to get stuff done before my surgery so of course there is too much to do, too little time! Yesterday I said to hubby we MUST go buy a new toilet as we are having some renos done in our ensuite while I am in recovery mode so we have to get it this weekend. Mission accomplished. I've not been sleeping well at all, very disrupted. A few hours of sleep, a few hours awake then a bit more sleep. Oh well I guess this is what it will be like in a couple of days anyway. Yesterday I felt like crap with an awful headache, I was hoping like hell it was just from lack of sleep and not coming down with something. Then we met a friend for dinner and she had a cold....noooo! Went to bed early but had a rude awakening at midnight with a knock on the door from a police officer - every parent's nightmare. My son had rolled his car on a gravel road and did a runner from the scene. Soooo did not need this sort of stress two days before my op. Today I can't decide whether to hug my boy because he's alive or throttle him for being an idiot. Kids! Dogs are much less trouble. So I have acquired this lovely recliner from the in-laws who were going to give it away to the op shop. Actually it is the ugliest thing you have ever seen, but hey it was free. It has a massage and heat function which is awesome but it is manual recline so I have been practising how to recline in it and get up again without using my abs. I think I have it all sussed out. It's pretty comfy but I will put a doona under it when I sleep I think for some extra padding. When the massage function cuts out you get this really nice tingly, weightless feeling....it's pretty cool. Most importantly there is room for my little dog to snuggle in beside me. I am planning to set up a number of comfort zones around the house in an effort to reduce back pain (which I already have in spades). I figure if I set up the couch in the spare room with lots of cushions, my bed with lots of pillows (and electric blanket - bliss!) and the recliner then that gives me various positions to sit in so hopefully it won't be too taxing on my lower back. We'll wait and see if it works I guess. So today my wonderful hubby said he would go by himself to take the in-laws shopping as I woke up feeling like crap after the police visit, then having horrid nightmares. I have done the big grocery shop of all the staples, it kind of felt like the day before Xmas when you just madly throw things in your trolley for fear of running out of something! I also have put together a box of recovery items....I will upload a photo shortly. Hoping to have a nanna nap this afternoon and catch up on some zzzzzs. Updated on 22 Mar 2014: Through all the wonderful information gained on this site I have put together a box of recovery items. Senna tablets for that all-important first BM! Crystallised ginger and lemongrass/ginger tea - for nausea Metamucil - fibre supplement B12, zinc and sugarless C Celery seed tablets - it says they are are a mild diuretic and helps with fluid retention. And I haven't been able to find bromelain, but hey it's pineapple season here in Australia! Nasal inhaler - I buy these in Thailand and they are great when you have a blocked nose, it clears your sinuses and I have also used them during flights when I feel a bit queasy. Rub on Relief - anti-inflammatory pain relief cream. 'White Monkey Holdling a Peach' - a type of tiger balm I get in Thailand also, it's fantastic for aching, stiff muscles. Camu super food powder - reduces inflammation, promotes skin healing and healthy skin, antioxidant and promotes strong immune system. I'd never heard of it but when I read the pack I thought I just have to get some! Updated on 23 Mar 2014: Only 2 more sleeps to go. Tomorrow afternoon I ring the hospital to find out what time my surgery will be. I really hope I am on first or second. I wouldn't want to be on towards the end of the day when the PS is getting a bit weary, lol. I've had a massage this afternoon so feeling pretty chilled right now. I must say I feel very healthy with all this clean eating - I feel really light and lean even if the scales don't show a big difference. I say bugger the scales. I really think us women place too much emphasis on being a certain weight or getting down to a particular number. It all comes down to how you carry it. I'm currently at 70.5kgs (about 154 lbs) and sure I wish I was a bit lighter going into surgery but TBH I look in the mirror and I see slim, toned arms, perky breasts, a pert rounded butt, strong toned thighs and the only thing I see that I don't like is the saggy, sticking out middle bit. Well that's about to change! I have been thinking about this CG I have to wear and how horrid it looks - I know it is going to feel awful. I still haven't even tried it on. So I figured I had better have a back-up for those times when I just know I am going to want to take it off in the evening and let it all hang out so to speak. Yesterday I went to Kmart and found these seamless, high cut, shaping briefs. I had to buy a size 16 which is ridiculous as I'm fairly petite but when i tried them on at home they fit perfectly and feel amazing - really firm but comfy around the belly and they go all the way up to the waist. Tonight I am going out for dinner (Thai) for my son's birthday and then tomorrow it is all light and healthy eating. I am hoping that my damn period finishes soon. I nearly always have light and short periods but this one is the heaviest in living memory, lol. Of course my hubby wants some happy time before the op, doesn't he! At this rate he'll be lucky! Updated on 24 Mar 2014: I'e rung Admissions at the hospital thinking please don't let me be last on the surgical list. I don't have to be there until 2.30 - yep I'm tipping I'm last. Nothing to eat/drink after 8.30am, I am going to be cranky as hell I just know it. Hope the PS can still bring his A game after operating all day. I absolutely must pack my Biotene dry mouth spray...if I can't drink at least my mouth will feel nice and it has a pleasant minty taste. This morning work was completely mental. Needed to have things finished off and waiting for people to get back to me and they never called back - so frustrating. I hate leaving things unfinished, I'm a bit of a perfectionist. Well now I'm finished and they can all just deal with it. I've been a bit manic all morning, talking 100 miles an hour. My boss says as soon as I get to hospital they will give me something to calm me down. I sure hope so! Been to colonic irrigation and thank goodness I got all that out of me before the surgery - it's unreal how stuff is there you aren't even aware of! Sorry for the TMI. I also been given a little bag of white powder (!) by the woman at the clinic - it's called 'colon cleanse' and she said it's great to get things moving in the morning so I will get some of that into me tomorrow. I'm really glad that I don't have much hair 'down there' to get in the way of healing. I had IPL years ago and I'm almost completely hair free, just a few random hairs that I can pluck, so that's a blessing, no itchy regrowth. Now I just have to pack an overnight bag, remove the belly ring (boo!) and have a few calming sav blancs with dinner. 24 hours from now the PS will be putting me back together! I took a few more pre pics yesterday. Bye bye belly. Happy healing to you all. Updated on 24 Mar 2014: BTW the red blotches in the pics are from cupping when I had my massage yesterday, not some weird skin disease! Updated on 25 Mar 2014: just woke up at 4.50am after one of the best sleeps in weeks. Surgery is around 10 hours away! Updated on 25 Mar 2014: I am all packed and ready to go, leaving in about 90 mins and right now it's lunchtime so I'm soooo hungry. Yesterday my Bodytea arrived. It is supposed to help with bloating so thought I'd give it a go. Had some with breakfast and it's actually quite nice. My 20yo son went off to work this morning without even popping his head in to wish me luck or anything. 20yo boys think the world revolves around them - so darn selfish! That hurt. Haven't even had a call from my mum. But I've had messages from friends, my sisters and colleagues which is lovely and of course all the wonderful support I get on here. I love it this secret women's business! Hubby took some more before pics for me - these photos remind me why I want to get this done as I don't look too bad in clothes (baggy shirts, loose tops!) but naked is a different story. Not too sure if I'll be able to post from hospital - do private hospitals have free wifi? lol But I'll be home in around 24 hours. See you on the flatside! Updated on 26 Mar 2014: Quick update aa I'm on my mobile. After a very long day surgery started around 5pm. PS even had a nose to do after me! Woke up in recovery thinking what a great sleep. Was shaking uncontrollaby. Not cold just a reaction to anesthetic. Had a frog in my throat so had to keep huffing then little coughs to clear it. Pain was 1/10. Can actually breathe in the Cg which I was worried about. Back to ward at 9pm to wonderful husband, private room with a big tv on the wall no less. Have had lots of water. Had some crackers. No nausea at all. Feeling a bit buzzy actually but soon I will hit my pain pump - first time - so I can sleep. Bonus...when my PS marked me up he said I will look great and he said he would do a bit of lipo on side if my hips. We had never discussed this before. No worries I said! He told hubby he got around 3/4 kg sorry am not up to converting to lbs. Was such a nervous wreck today but so far it's a breeze. Thank you for all your prayers and good wishes The big guy up there must have been listening! Updated on 26 Mar 2014: I thought I had a catheter in but no! After a couple hours sleep I woke up and called the nurse in to help me go and wee. Now that was an adventure! Not nearly as difficult as I thought but take my advice and don't leave it until you are busting to go. It takes a good while to sort out all those drains and tubes! So I just shimmied over to side of bed, then nurse said to tuck my chin to chest and she gently swung me round to sitting on edge of bed. Am a little hunched over but not as bad as I thought. So glad I do pilates and have strong legs! Toilet had side rails too which was helpful. Did a big wee trying really hard not to pee on the cg but might have a little. I figure when I get home I will give that a rinse as we have hand held shower head. Getting back in bed was a little more painful than getting up. Nurse used a towel under my knees to swing me round from sitting to laying back. Had another press of the pump and have zero pain now. Wide awake at 2.30 am though! Feel like I would bw fine to go home tomorrow but with my insurance once I pay the excess ($250) I am covered 100 percent for hospital fees so it wont cost me to stay another night. The nurses here are all so nice. She said I am doing really really well. Have to say it's a lot easier than expected. I guess that's where RS is so helpful. If you expect the worst scenario you can only be pleasantly surprised! Happy healing all my TT sisters! Updated on 27 Mar 2014: All was well until the nurses gave me endone (oxycodone) just before lunch. After i was discharged i went round to my PS rooms for UV light therapy to help with bruising. Started to feel tired and unwell on the ride home and headed straight for the bathroom. Lost my lunch - lucky it was soup and a pear. Of course i peed everwhere all over my cg and man, it hurt! Got cleaned up and settled in my recliner. Hubby got me some crackers and made fresh pineapple and mint juice. Had more panadol, too scared to take the endone now. Then a few hours later, sick again. Couldn't stop. Very very painful. I have a strange feeling in my throat like the tube they anaesthetist put down my throat has damaged the inside of my mouth. It feels like there is something hanging there and i can't clear it. Sorry this is a gross update. In better news my little recovery buddy has not left my side and seems to understand I'm not well and can't sit on my belly. I really hope there's no more sickness. So painful although there doesn't seem to be any bleeding around the incision so hopefully no damage. Updated on 27 Mar 2014: If day 2 is one of the worst then I can get through this. I had panadol about 5 hours ago and will have some more soon even though I'm not in a lot of pain. I just transferred from my recliner to the couch in my spare room where hubby has set me up with lots of nice smelly candles and pilows. I just wanted to be somewhere quiet this morning as I have a cleaner come on Fridays to do the basics and didn't want to be sitting in the lounge room in my recliner looking like death warmed up! This morning I had my Bodytea herbal tea. Straight away I was having a very welcome release of gas from both ends that made me feel so much better. Then juice and all my healing vitamins, then GF toast with cheese. Hubby made it so nice! Thankfully no return of the nausea today. I was able to get myself up from the recliner (upright position) by myself. Am grateful for having fairly strong arms and thighs (lots of squats!) Walking like a granny, really hunched over and that's the only time I have pain when I walk I feel like someone used my tummy as a punching bag! I had a bit of a headache and stiff neck this morning but I used my Rub on Relief on my neck and now it feels much better. I will get hubs to take some pics once my cleaner goes home. At some point today I may have to take this CG off as there is no way I can poop with it on. Otherwise i have to keep it on for a week even in the shower. I had my one drain removed by the nurse at the hospital just before they sent me home. I didn't feel the drain coming out but she did have to cut some stitches or staples to get it out and that really stung. She also changed the dressing on my BB and I got hubby to take a look. He said it looked like a bullet hole but assured me it would heal just fine! I really recommend putting together a box of items you will need post-op. I have one with vitamins, pain meds, lip balm, mp3 player, laxatives etc just makes it easier for your support person to have everything in one place. Will have first pics up later today! Updated on 27 Mar 2014: Updated on 28 Mar 2014: Well technically I'm 2.5 days post op (it's 4am) but as Aussie time is a day ahead the RS date is a bit out of wack! One thing that bugs me is when you read someone's review and they post heaps then after their surgery they hardly post at all. It makes me wonder are they too sick / in pain to update? Well I'm determined not to do that as these first few days PO are so crucial and helps to know what you are getting yourself into. Things I've learned... The tubes down my throat really made a mess of my mouth. And here i was all worried about my tummy. i have ulcers all through my mouth and some hanging tissue at the back of my throat that i feel every time i bend forward and it makes me want to gag. Lucky i have throat lozenges and difflam gel they help a lot. My PS nuse rang to check on me yesterday and i said my mouth was bothering me. 10 mins later the anaesthetist rang to check on me so she had obviously told him. He apologised but said it can happen! When you sleep you will breathe shallow if you have a full cg on like me. So when you wake up prepare for a few 'huffs' to clear your chest and do this BEFORE you get up. Walking - rather than hunching over and hurting my neck and shoulders i prefer to bend my knees and keep my upper half as straight as possible. You will need good leg strength to do this. Do squats every day in lead up to surgery. Peeing - my toilet is SO low it's like a little kiddies one lol. I find the best way to pee is lower yourself with hands on knees and spread knees as wide as you can as you go down. Then shimmy back on the seat as far as you can. I find it easier to watch the stream to have better control over it as it really has a mind of it's own. Hubby helps me back up to stand and pull my pants up. I guess that is true love! I took the cg off last night to try and do a BM. No luck there but had a little peek and my god i think I'm gonna have abs lol. Have quite a big bruise on one hip and the incision is all covered with dressing which is ok I don't really want to see a tummy full of staples. Hope my 4am / typing with one hand post is not too rambling! Happy healing all. Updated on 28 Mar 2014: This morning after breakfast I had my first BM. It was a breeze! I have been taking senna tablets since day 1 PO. Also had some stuff called 'colon cleanse' this morning with my grapefruit juice. Then soft boiled eggs and avocado. I've been drinking lots of water with lemon. I felt so much better afterwards. Sometimes it feels like WW3 going on in my tummy. The good thing is that yesterday when I took my CG off to try and do a BM, when I put it back on it was actually positioned so that I could poop with it on. I imagine it would be hard to poop without that support. After lunch I needed to go again and this time had the runs but hey I'd rather have that than constipation. Feeling quite good today. Pain is minimal and only taking panadol, not even 4 hourly. I'm walking 95% upright but I do have to work at it. Had a shower this morning, just used the handheld shower to do my underarms and girl bits. I have to leave the CG on even when in the shower. I washed my face and brushed my teeth while hubby sat on the toilet and dried my CG with the hairdryer. It takes forever to dry. We got it to about 80% dry then gave up as I was tired from standing (for 15 mins!) I even sat out in the sun for a while and it still feels damp. I can now do more things without assistance. I can get up from my recliner, sit on the toilet, get up off the toilet and I use a grabber (it was a kids toy we thankfully still have) to pull up my pants. Other than that I am not doing anything, just giving orders, lol. Happy healing TT sisters. Updated on 29 Mar 2014: and each day seems to get a little easier. Last night I thought I would try sleeping on the couch in the spare room, literally metres away from hubby, rather than on the reclner in lounge room. (OK there were supposed to be thunder storms during the night and I didn't want to be stuck out in the lounge all by myself.) Huge mistake. I had about 5 pillows behind me and 2 under my legs, that's got to be comfortable. Er, no. Woke at 2am needing to pee but couldn't get up off the couch myself as it's quite low. Took 15 mins of calling hubby to wake him (did I mention he was like 3 metres away?) Couldn't get back to sleep due to the pain in my back and shoulders. Ever done lat pulldowns at the gym? Well imagine you did a set of 1000, followed by another set of 1000 and that's kind of how I feel. Woke up in so much pain at 7am I got hubby to put the electric blanket on in our bed and just cooked my back and popped a panadeine forte. Got another hour of sleep! I think the anaesthetic has done something to my sleep patterns. I didn't even have a nanna nap yesterday. After having the runs all day after my first BM I'm pleased to say I am now a pro at getting on and off the toilet - tuck chin to chest, hands on knees, spread knees wide and lower, then wriggle back as far as you can toward the back of the seat. This position is also idea to do a bit of a neck stretch...drop chin to chest, then drop your head back, eyes to ceiling as far as you comfortably can. Feels SO nice! Just realised I haven't had any pain meds all day, not even panadol and it's now 4.30pm! I just had a visit from a gorgeous friend who celebrated turning 50 and divorcing by getting a BA so she is partly the reason I went ahead with this TT as I was so inspired by her. We sat outside on a gorgeous sunny afternoon and I completely forgot that I'd had surgery less than 4 days ago. Don't be afraid of weird feelings down there - so far I've had a baby kicking (haven't felt that for a long while), what felt like worms crawling through my belly, a sensation like cold water being poured over my thighs and I've had the occasional very very painful, but thankfully very brief spasm in my back and shoulders. Tonight it's back to sleeping in the recliner! Happy healing TT sisters! Updated on 30 Mar 2014: Took some pics first thing this morning and I do have this bulge below my BB (although not as much as there was before) I am thinking ok there are staples and gauze and I am hunched over so don't get too hung up on it! My hips are definitely slimmer after my PS did the surprise lipo. I feel really good again today. Walking hunched over for first few steps then I can straighten up to about 90%. Had a great shower this morning, I have to leave cg on for 7 days under dr orders and it is a pain to dry but had to be done. I had a little brain fade this morning when I got up to pee, sat down and thinking something feels strange, then I realise I have my underwear over my cg, as I hadn't been wearing undies for the first few days! Have to laugh! Took Panadol at bedtime last night and don't even feel the need for more now at 10am. Slept in the recliner again last night aftera failed attempt at being on the couch with pillows. So glad I have this recliner, even though it is manual lift, most of the time now I can manage to get out of it on my own, if no-one is around to help me. I am getting so creative with doing little things for myself sometimes I feel like MacGyver! The downside of this though is that my husband, who is wonderfully supportive, simply forgets what I can and can't do for myself. Like he will put a drink down next to me but won't move it close enough for me to reach. He really is struggling with taking care of me and the house. He is quite stressed about doing all the little things that I just do without even thinking. I mean on Saturday he did less than HALF the jobs I would do on a typical Saturday and he was so stressed and exhausted and he complained at the end of the day he didn't even get time for a shower. Lol. Granted I am the queen of multi-tasking but girls you have to remember your other half is not a trained care-giver so don't expect them to pre-empt everything and don't nag them to do everything. I am trying really hard to keep my mouth shut, I really am. I think this afternoon we will watch a funny movie just to enjoy each other's company. I have worked out this little exercise stretching routine for post TT. I think it has helped doing clinical pilates as you learn to work certain muscle groups and isolate your stretches, so I can do little exercises in my recliner or standing at the kitchen counter and this really helps with the tight achy back and shoulders without stretching or straining the core in any way. Maybe I should do a post TT workout DVD! Have a great day :) Updated on 31 Mar 2014: Hubby is back to work today and I am on my own. Each day gets a little easier and I can do a little more. But bear in mind day 1 you can't hardly do anything. Today I showered myself without help. I can be up and abut for 10-15 mins before I get woozy, then it's back to the recliner. Pain from the incision is minimal, the killer is the neck, back and shoulder pain. Last night I started to get short, stabbing pains from my incision (staples pinching?) and that was no fun. The achy back is managed through changing position, changing chair, stretches, seated exercises (that don't pull on the sx site) then panadol when all else fails. Here's a few more tips/thoughts from me... Research....you owe it to yourself to research this procedure and be as informed as possible as to what you are getting yourself into. Don't shy away from reading RS reviews because they are confronting or gross. Breathe...learn to do yoga breathing. Put your hand on your abdomen, breathe in until your hand rises. It's hard at first to breathe with the cg so you will need to consciously deep breathe especially when you wake from a sleep. And always have a pilow/cushion handy as you may find you cough as you clear your airway. When sitting in your recliner, place your hands behind your head to open up your chest (and also give yourself a nice stretch) Expectations...TT is not a quick way to lose weight. Your PS can improve only on what nature / genetics gave you or what your kids destroyed. I want to weep when I see some people who have these celebrity wish pics but their before pics show they have an obvious weight issue. The best TT results I have seen are those where diet and exercise have been tried but haven't resolved the pooch. And by diet I mean a life-long adherence to eating REAL food most of the time. Not a quick fix fad diet where you change your eating habits (or even worse, drink diet shakes) for a few weeks in the hope of losing a few kilos. Your PS can only work with the source material you give him. Do yourself a favor and get into the best shape you can be pre-op to get into the best shape you want to be post-op. Boredom...I'm amazed when women come on here and complain about being bored during their recovery. For the past 10 years I've worked my ass off in a full time job, raised 2 kids - half that time as a single mum, and spent my weekends doing stuff around the house. My idea of heaven is sitting around in my PJs and watching all the DVDs I've always wanted to watch, read the books I've always wanted to read, I could go on and on but honestly I have heaps to do sitting here for the next month! (And then there's online shopping!) My only frustration is wishing i was further along in my recovery so I can stand straighter, do more for myself etc but I see no point in dwelling on this as I can't change it. So I guess I am saying enjoy your downtime, you deserve it. And don't stress about not being able to do things. I told my PS I was going to sit on my ass and be a princess and he said I totally have the right idea! Happy healing all. Updated on 1 Apr 2014: I've had terrible insomnia PO (it's 3am as I type this!) not sure if from the anaesthetic or trying to sleep in the recliner. Well tonight my bed looked so soft and inviting I thought I will just lay down for a minute....and never got up. I'm in heaven. I have a cushion under my knees and propped up with 3 pilows behind me, one I am going to ditch as soon as I do this update. It feels so much better. I even suggested hubby should sleep in the spare room in case he rolled on me and hurt me so I have the bed all to myself! **evil laugh** Updated on 1 Apr 2014: I woke up this morning laying almost flat and I felt fine. One pillow under my head and one under my knees, which is how I normally sleep anyway. I was so pleased as I've read some women say they have trouble lying flat after 3 weeks. It was the best sleep I've had since the sx. Went to my PS rooms to see his nurse and she said the incision is healing beautifully and she said she can tell when people have been taking it easy when she looks at the sx site. She said she would remove all the staples today and the 2nd one she did hurt like hell! She didn't expect that at all as she said patients are usually still numb along the incision line. Well this spot was where I had been getting some hurting/pinching so I guess the nerves had started to work again. After that it was all fine just some tugging but no sensation. I took a little peak and the incision looked kind of gross. And there is a skin crease about 3cm long above my incision on the left, hopefully that will flatten out now. My whole belly is like a waterbed there is so much fluid I barely look different to pre-op. I've been told to keep an eye on this and look for areas of swelling that gets worse or looks uneven, and especially if I don't feel well to come in. Basically she said I can come in everyday if I want to. She also said my PS doesn't pull the skin up too tight above the pubic region as this can affect our ladybits. She said it is not unusual for patients after 6-10 months to ask for this skin to be tightened up some more, that I just have to tell my PS if I'm not happy with how it heals once all the swelling settles down. My incision has been retaped and I can now take the cg off to shower. Yay! I will take it off tomorrow to wash it as it's probably a bit stinky after being on 24/7 for a week! I'm not taking pics today I am exhausted after being out this morning and besides it was a bit confronting and disappointing to see. The nurse rang the lymphatic massage therapist while I was at the rooms and I have an appointment on Friday - hope that helps with the swelling. I had one massage before I left hospital (included in my PS fee) but I will have to pay for this one. Oh btw after you have that first BM, don't stop the laxatives. I repeat - DON'T stop the laxatives! Updated on 2 Apr 2014: Each day you walk a little taller, feel a little stronger, can get up/down easier, can do a little more. Yesterday I made fresh juice and cut the pineapple then washed up the juicer. Today I put on a load of washing, using my grabber to help, but there is no way i could pick up the basket and hang it out. Later today I will have a go at making some soup. I felt a bit a bit despondent yesterday after seeing my belly...lying flat on my back is not the best view. I did take the cg off last night just to take another look and check out the swelling. I look great from bb up, very sculpted - a 2 pack maybe! My hips are much slimmer. The fluid is obvious below the bb but when i showed my hubby how i looked he was like 'wow!' And I'm down 2 kgs since the sx, which is down 4kgs from 3 weeks ago. So am pretty happy and just have to remind myself there is a way to go. And keep an eye on this swelling that I don't develop a seroma. The nurse from the PS office just rang to see how I am today and she said I can come in anytime i have concerns. Hopefully i don't need my belly drained! Updated on 2 Apr 2014: Had a second night of being back sleeping in my own bed - bliss! Although had to share with hubs and a little dog. The recliner is great for the day but I couldn't sleep more than 2 hours at a stretch in the recliner. I always woke up with a sore neck whether I used a travel pillow or regular pillow. Last night I only woke up once and it's the first night since sx I didn't have to get up to pee during the night. I even managed to sleep partly on my side and close to flat. Can't tell you how good that feels! Updated on 3 Apr 2014: This morning I took my cg off for the first time since sx and had a shower. So nice! Thankfully no light-headedness. I did ask hubby to stay in the bathroom just in case and he helped dry me off and put the cg back on. Next sunny day that thing has to have a wash! Last night/yesterday I was feeling a bit flat, I don't mean tummy flat, but just like everything was an effort. I took the advice of my PS nurse and went in this morning so they could look at the fluid above my BB. The nurse was glad I came in, she said better to have it checked out than be home stressing about it. She felt that the fluid would resolve itself. She asked another nurse for her opinion. Then said she would get the PS to have a look. He said he would drain it. Oh great. He had me standing on a stool and got this big ol' needle out (well I only had a quick look, it looked massive lol!) He stuck it in and I couldn't feel a thing. Poor hubby who is a type 1 diabetic and has insulin 4 x day, couldn't bear to look and is staring at the ceiling commenting on the paint job! That made me want to laugh - with a damn needle in my belly! I must say I do feel better now. Just feel brighter and less weighed down. This afternoon I have a lymphatic drainage massage and until then I am going to take it easy. I did a fair bit yesterday...made soup, put washing on, did the dishes etc maybe I did too much. I also read in one RS review that molasses is good for swelling so I have been taking a spoonful a few times a day. We'll see if it helps. Sleepwise last night was wonderful, I seem to have found the right combination of pillows for a good night's sleep. 3 behind me and 2 under my knees. In this postion though it is very hard for me to get up on my own, it takes a fair bit of effort to get up on my elbows, then push up on my hands to sit up so that I can swing my legs round to the floor. My PS nurse always says not to twist. I always ask hubby for a hand up, it's easier than struggling to do it myself. After my shower this morning I am walking more upright, probably about 95%. My back and shoulders are so grateful! Updated on 3 Apr 2014: I forgot to mention at 5 days PO I stopped taking panadol (tylenol) completely. Last night I had one before bed just to help me sleep a bit better. I've had chronic back pain for 20 years, had 2 natural births so maybe I have a high tolerance for pain? Mind you I still am a sook with needles! Anyway, pain-wise this has been much easier than expected. The back and shoulder pain from hunching is actually worse than the sx site. Now the nerves are waking up and every now and then I get a short, sharp sting in my lower abdomen or groin area but it only lasts seconds so is quite tolerable. Updated on 3 Apr 2014: I took these today after having my belly aspirated. Although not as flat as other people's pics at this stage I am still happy wih the changes so far and accept I have a ways to go. Updated on 5 Apr 2014: Today was frustrating. It is really hitting home just how long and difficult this recovery is. Hubs and I took a trip to the supermarket - the first time I'd been out in public (other than my PS rooms) since the sx. I walked around very slowly, leaning on the shopping trolley (hardly anything in there so was easy) and had the checkout girl ask if I was ok. And when I said I'd recently had surgery she then asked what I'd had done! Um a bit inappropriate! And now for the TMI part, I didn't go yesterday. I am usually very regular and have been since day 3 PO. But while walking round the supermarket I told hubs I have to go now. I mean NOW! Lucky the shops are only 5 mins from home. I sat on the toilet for 30 mins for very little result and was so exhausted I got into bed afterwards. I was absolutely wrecked. Mind you I have been religiously taking senna (laxatives), drinking lemon water, eating clean and taking fibre supplement. So unfair! There was so much to be done at home as I am getting the bathroom re-tiled next week so we had to clear out heaps of stuff, and by we I mean me giving instructions and hubs doing the work. My hubs is an absolute angel but he overthinks things, questions repeatedly, gets sidetracked, procrastinates, then thinks on it some more. I was just going crazy. I am the energizer bunny, the queen of multi-tasking, the 'don't think about, just do it' kind of girl, and I desperately wanted to feel normal again and not like a bug that got stuck on it's back. Rant over! The fluid swelling is much better today and I don't even think it's worse this evening. The lower belly swelling at the sx site is still there but I'm really happy with how things are looking. I can't wait to try on some clothes, many of which I have never worn before. Things are awakening around the sx site, I keep getting these very sharp stabbing pains in my side that make me cry out in pain and it scares the s*#@ out of hubby and the dogs. The lovely lady who did my lymphatic massage yesterday gave me a couple of great tips. One is the pillow position for behind the head...2 pilows in a V shape pointing toward the head of the bed, and one on top. Last night was the first night I slept without shoulder pain
Mr Holten performed an eyelift (Blepharoplasty) on me 14 months ago as well as fat grafting to my face. Since that time I have had watery eyes - one a lot worse than the other as well as puffiness underneath the eyes which was never there before. Prior to the surgery I asked if the fat grafting would help with the lines around my mouth. I was simply told "yes". As it turns out the only fat grafting that lasted is in my cheeks. I don't know if that has anything to do with the puffiness. When I expressed my concerns - particularly with my watery eyes and the fact that one eye in particular is so much different to the other, I was told that my expectations were too high. I find it so disappointing that the lovely nurse told me that "Ian wants you to be happy" and in reality I felt that Ian Holten found my concerns irrelevant. As far as he was concerned he had done his job.
I am not happy with my tummy tuck, I was slim before my surgery so Ian didn't not have to deal with much excess skin. I feel as though he rushed my surgery, and didn't pull enough skin down. I have bulges and zero shape. I did address this with Ian early on, I found him to be aggressive and gas light me with that it was my body genetics for why I still have clumps of fat and loose skin. Anyway Ian refused to do a revision and the way he treated me Im done, Im looking at revision in Istanbul. All the surgeons agree so far I need a total revision.
