/I am scheduled for consultation on 7/3/19- which is in 3 days from today. Dr. Baker did my cousins TT surgery last year and after seeing her results I feel it's time to take the plunge. Though surgery won't be til next July (I'm planning on scheduling a year out to be totally mentally prepared), it will then be 2years and 1/2 since my sleeve. I have pretty much reached my goal weight, so this new surgery will just be icing on the cake. I'll post an update after I meet with Dr. Baker. But I am super excited. Updated on 16 May 2020: well, I can't believe it's nearly been a year since I posted about my tentative procedure, now today may 16 I find myself less than 60 days away from my procedure. I just checked with the office to make sure it's still on despite the current health crisis and was informed that it is on & cracking! Im slowly getting supplies ill need. I just transferred over the money to pay my procedure. Once I get orders for blood work, I will pay for it. Im just working on staying saying and preparing myself emotionally. Will start posting weekly and share before & after pics as we go. Updated on 28 May 2020: well, my surgery date has been confirmed for july 13. I've received the bloodwork orders and am starting to fill out necessary paperwork for disability & FMLA. I went ahead & ordered the holistic supplements ill likely need for my recovery, and will be ordering my recovery clothes (the comfy ones) next. My cousin recommended I use a walker once I am able to walk more, good thing I can borrow one from work. Im excited and I'm so ready. I see my PS on the 10th then ill see my PCP to be cleared the week following. I'll continue to update and definitely share pictures! Updated on 10 Jun 2020: I met with Dr. Baker, for no special reason other than to give me reassurance and provide some relief to the high anxiety I've been having. I just love her approach, she's so calm and confident and didn't appear bothered that I went in for what sounded like a dumb reason. I told her ive been working out and she was impressed by how good my stomach looks... anyhow, im attaching a few before pics taken 6/4 a lil over a month from my procedure Updated on 17 Jun 2020: Well, today I had my EKG, labs will be done tomorrow, my PCP will then send requested items to plastic surgeon's office. My last day at work is June 26th that was at the request of surgeon's office due to COVID-19 testing as well as quarantine, which im totally not looking forward to. Dr. Baker put me at ease during my final visit but I'm sure the anxiety will be back as the time draws closer. I'm still working out daily, will post more before pictures as the days go by. Updated on 5 Jul 2020: it's hard to believe that I exactly 1 week I'll be anxiously falling asleep and waking up to travel to my surgery center. Im so excited! It's been such a long time coming. It's hard to believe I booked this surgery 1 year ago and now it's finally here. I've got pretty much everything ill need here. Am missing 2 dresses that are hand me downs, arnica,, bromelain and quercitin are stocked. Got my post drain faja ready to go. Just now have to get this done! Still working out daily until day before. Updated on 9 Jul 2020: well I just did my pre-operative COVID-19 test. Im excited to see results but more so to see how well or unwell I tolerate whatever this recovery brings me. I'll post some more pre-op pictures as the day draws nearer. Updated on 11 Jul 2020: Good morning RS world! I just took a bunch of pictures of my shapeless gut. It makes me excited to know that all the extra shir I've carried around all these years will be nipped and tucked and snatched. No more kangaroo pouch, no more pockets of fat over my ass. I do have a waist that is visible but it is underneath the evidence that I love me some cookies and carbs. Im excited about this but it still isn't real. I guess it'll be real when they're starting my IV line on Monday??? Or perhaps when I come home from surgery, wrapped in a binder. It doesn't help that I can't go anywhere cause of my self-quarantine. I'll post again tomorrow. Updated on 13 Jul 2020: Well, surgery came and went this morning. I've been home since about 3pm this afternoon, sitting on my recliner, which will be home for the next week or so. My drains have been draining nicely. I've been draining every 2hours or so just case seeing them filling up is really gross and annoying. I've not experienced pain, per se, it's more of a tight discomfort. Im hunched over as expected,trying to walk around the house every lil while. I took my arnica, bromelain & quercitin shortly after I got home and have been taking arnica religiously. My mom is the angel she always is when I've had surgery. She holds my walker in place so I can stand, she pins and unpins my drains to help me drain them and makes sure I get back to my recliner. Having had posterior trunk lipo, my back is leaking (funny as it sounds), so my angel in the flesh changed the leak pad. I feel so that that it sounded like it had hurt her when she saw all the blood ive leaked. My binder is soaked with blood, I have an extra purchased from Amazon, that I'll change it out for tomorrow so I can wash the OG binder. Im supposed to have my 1week f-up next Wednesday, so am excited to hear how much the skin weighed. Everyone at Huntington Ambulatory Surgery Center was absolutely amazing, the pre and post post nurses were so kind and caring. My anesthesiologist was very very awesome and I can't say enough about Dr. Baker, her approach i cannot say enough about. She is an absolute blessing. Funny thing was I didn't know how to feel prior to my surgery (ime anxious, excited, curious, etc). Last night I slept like a baby, my SIL drove me & she was more excited than I was lol. I started feeling excitement when Dr. Baker made her markings, then I got over it. I was wheeled to the OR, stating up at the ceiling and still wasn't all jazzed lol. Then I fell asleep and woke up with drains and was given percocet. And THAT is when it became real. I'll post pictures when I change my binder. Overall, fast, easy, painless, even pleasant process from start to finish. Thankfully I have vowed to Never have another procedure again. This culminates my plastic surgery adventures. I'll keep sharing pictures.. ? Updated on 14 Jul 2020: Last night was horrendous, not cause of my tummy tuck but cause I have chronic pain in my ass of all places and being that I've been sitting, it was hell. I woke up about 5 times, 2 to pee and the others just trying to get comfy. My right drain has been outputting less than the left so I'm hoping that these annoying things get removed soon. I make it a habit to get my walker and walk "around the block" (the kitchen island) a couple of times every so often just to keep the circulation going and get some relief to my ass pain. Im trying to stay off the percocet as much as i can. I was given one at HASC after surgery, took one last night anticipating ass pain and took one this morning just because I needed to sleep. Haven't had a bowel movement, not looking forward to it either. My back isn't leaking today, maybe just a tad but for the most part I hope it's done leaking. Ok so pictures come up tomorrow. Updated on 15 Jul 2020: I've cleared day 3 and I feel like a brand new woman! I slept a good 6hrs and I feel amazing. Still a lil sore and hunched but overall amazing. I was able to shower today and it really is mind boggling what a simple shower can do for ones self esteem. I put on a clean binder after my shower and will attempt to put the compression garment on for my post op appointment, of course i will practice putting it on. I can't believe it's only been 3 days.. Updated on 16 Jul 2020: I'm halfway thru my 4th day post op and feel a lil better than yesterday. My tummy isn't as sensitive when I raise my voice or laugh. Im still hunchwd over, using a walker. One thing I will strongly recommend is getting a toilet seat raiser for the first few days post op. I only needed it a day or so, again i recover like a pro. I have nothing new to report. Will post pictures after my first post op appointment. Updated on 17 Jul 2020: I did another long, full shower today and it felt so good. Got more pictures, there's still alot of swelling, I have lil to no sensation in my belly and my back feels numb (from lipo I guess???) Pain has been none for me, except up to day 1. Am totally and completely done with narcotics, thankfully 3 was all i needed. The discomfort is subsiding a bit. My drains are draining minimally im just hoping they get removed next week cause they are annoying!! Im up and about all over my house, I get very tired so rest is a necessity. Earlier Here, I sat on my bed (which is kinda high) and crossed my left leg like Indian style and left drain leaked from the drain site. Contacted Dr. Baker and she just asked me to milk it to ensure there was no blockage. That resolved my lil issue. Here my day 5 pictures. Updated on 19 Jul 2020: I booked my TT a year ago this month and finally the day came and went. I am now 5 days post op and can't tell you just how satisfied I am with my PS and process. Dr. Baker exudes so much confidence, I just love it! In these 5 post op days my pain has been a 3- if that and it only lasted until day 1. Now it's more discomfort, soreness but nothing too serious. Im scheduled to see her for my 1st post op next week Wednesday and I swear I just wanna hug her! She's such an amazing physician, her approach is excellent and so comforting, her confidence is refreshing. I give her 20 stars for her approach and bedside manner. Updated on 19 Jul 2020: Good morning RS world! It's unbelievable to me how 7 days have come and gone! I've been sleeping upstairs in my own bed since day 5 post op. My movement is no longer as limited as it once was, the pain.... what pain??? My pain tolerance is either out of this world high or I'm just extremely blessed to not feel any. Last night I had an itch attack, that was no match for my benadryl spray. Oh! This is another must have for TT surgery, im glad someone gave me this tip. Im still alternating between wearing my surgery binder and the one I bought off Amazon. I'll wear compression garment once drains get removed. I also ordered a faja Columbiana because I don't like the way the compression garment fastens and unfastens to use the restroom. It should be here next week. Both my binders are still good and suppoet me well. Early morning yesterday I guess is when the emotions started trying to get the best of me. I hated everything: sleeping upright, these freaking drains, not being able to sleep on my stomach, sore, tight tummy, no sensation in my belly & back bruising and was like im so over it! I've always been one ti believe that the end will justify the means and i had to remind myself of that yesterday and discourage becoming a crybaby about it. Whats done is done and aint no turning back. So here I am today, ready to get this recovery out the way! Here are my day 7 pictures. Good day all! Updated on 21 Jul 2020: I can't believe it's been a week! I feel amazing. The discomfort is almost gone, but not as bad as it once was. My bruises are turning yellow so they on their way out! Im not as hunched, reachibg for things is not happening. I'm still wearing binder I purchased, so that's the only reason I need help after I shower. Tomorrow is 1st post op and I will wear my faja then. I hope she removes the drains! Im draining minimally and it is now yellow versus the red stuff that was coming out before. I am loving the shape my waist is taking! Im loving the silhouette of hour glass figure I have. I say silouette cause of the binder and swelling I still have. My stomach is flat as a board and the swelling in my public area is coming down. I can't wait to be able to wear sweats & muscle shirt with out these damn drains! I think the worse part of this recovery has been those drains. Pain 2-3, discomfort 5, drains 8. Here are my day 9 pics y'all Updated on 22 Jul 2020: had my visit with Dr. Baker earlier today & had right drain removed, hopefully the left will come out next week. In total she took about 6lbs of skin & 1500 mL total from back & flanks. My belly button is healing nicely, as Is everything else. I started wearing the surgical compression garment. Should be receiving the Columbian faja today. That one will be worn when im completely drain free. Im a lil tired from my outing this morning. Pictures are attached. Updated on 23 Jul 2020: I think I'm at 10 days post op. I feel really good, just easily fatigued and can't stand for too long cause it feels like my feet wanna swell up. The last drain is now draining minimally, I'm just looking forward to it being removed next week. Today i put my Columbian faja on and it feels a bit more snug than the hand me down faja I had, maybe cause it's new?? Updated on 29 Jul 2020: Hello RS world! Just got back from my 2nd post op with the best PS on the west coast! She is amazed at how good my scar looks and stated that my belly button is coming. Said I can start with scar treatments next week. We both love how my hips are looking, my back is still swollen alot so I'm not worried about not having an ass, with these long lost hips of mine lol. Im due to see her back in 4 weeks, at which rime im assuming she'll take her own pictures. Im so amazed and pleased at how approachable and easy she is ro talk to. I told her this has been the easiest recovery ive had and she was relieved to hear that. I told her if I had to do it over again, I'd pick her! Here are some pictures for y'all. next update I'll also show off my scars lol Updated on 3 Aug 2020: Well what can I say? It is absolutely unbelievable to me that 3 weeks have passed since my tummy tuck surgery. My belly is still a lil sore, I mean i can dance merengue which involves a ton of hip movement, with minimal discomfort. This week I started scar treatments with cocoa butter oil and will begin the silicone as soon as it arrives today. My PS had mentioned how pleased she was with my scar and I kinda didn't believe it could be pretty until I removed the dressing this morning. My scar is absolutely gorgeous! It's so thin and low and flat. I have downsized my Columbian faja to an XL. The 2X left wiggle room in the waist area. When this faja outgrows me, im having my aunt tailor it using a special sewing machine so the elastic won't stretch, cause frankly im not buying another faja. I stopped with the hunch entirely mid-week last week. Don't get me wrong some mornings start off with a lil hunch but it disappears as the day wears on. Previously I had a huge ball on my right hip, love the swelling, now it's diminished in size and is on the left hip. My energy still sucks, but I have to remember im only 3 weeks out. But honestly, I feel amazing! Beside having my gastric sleeve done, this is the next best thing I've done for myself in a long long time. I'll weigh myself mid-week, just cajse that's the day ill be seeing my PS. Otherwise, nothing new to report. Out of the 9-10 surgeries/recoveries I've had this has been, by far, the easiest recovery ever. I'm also attaching 3 week pictures of my scars and how beautifully they're hidden under my undies. Updated on 14 Aug 2020: I can't believe I forgot to post yesterday, one of the days that has had a most profound effect on my life. But here I'm posting a day after. I feel amazing, my energy is about 75-80% there. The hunch is totally gone, the sore feeling is gone. If I laugh deeply I may feel a lil pull in my tummy, nothing major. I wish I could exercise but I know I'm not quite there. My diet consists of lots of coffee, cause i drink colagen protein with it. Don't know if it's psychological but I dont crave cookies, which are my kryptonite. Otherwise my diet has consistently been what it was post gastric sleeve. Dr. Baker removed 6lbs of skin and fat and i am intent on keeping any and all of it far away. My old faja outgrew me about 2weeks ago, so I'm now in a XL columbian faja. Im getting the feeling that this one too will out grow me in the next 2 weeks or so. I have lost 8lbs since my tuck, my waist is 34" so far and these hips of mine are sitting steady at 42", I love the combination of waist and hips. Im due back at work in 3 weeks, so I can be a lil more like a normal person then lol. Here are 1 month pictures. That's it for now. See y'all soon! Updated on 26 Aug 2020: So, today was myb6 week post op with Dr. Baker and it came and went exceptionally well. She commended me on my recovery, is flabbergasted by how great my scar looks. I do have a small dog ear on my right side, which she'll take care of at my 3 month visit. I am in a Large faja as of today, the XL just was not supporting my waist, it'd make a small fold in my back. But now with the new size everything is being compressed and supported as it should be.. Otherwise nothing new to report. Updated on 4 Sep 2020: well, im just finishing out my 7th week post-op and getting ready to return to work next week. The majority of my swelling is gone, however the swelling in my waist is still very visible. This recovery was nothing like what I had expected. I heard "pain, pain, pain and more pain". Im not here to minimize anyone else's experience; however for me it was almost pain free and im glad it was. I still wear my faja religiously, just for the extra support. At times I do feel more swelling than others, but those times are few & far between. Well this will be my last post (I hope) and am attaching pictures just ro finish this off. Updated on 4 Dec 2020: I just wanna share my before and after pictures. I am 4 months over, 11/13/20. I feel amazing. I am still in ny faja, but all is well. To anyone even considering this surgery. JUST DO IT! Aside from my sleeve which was $9,000 this was the BEST $10,000 I have invested in myself. Updated on 31 Mar 2021: So, I'm coming up on my 9 months post. I will be seeing Dr. Baker on the 14th of next month so she can address a small dog ear that didn't settle. I'll post a picture of it later and of course the finished product after. Overall, all is excellent! I am so pleased with my results. Updated on 31 Mar 2021: So, as promised here is the picture of this ugly ass dog ear that didn't settle. I sent Dr. Baker's office an email last night and in typical fashion I get a call this morning giving me an appointment to address the dog ear in office.
