I've chosen Dr. Scott Vann, and I'm looking forward to being 3 months post op when the healing is mostly over! My Mommy Makeover (tummy tuck, lipo, Breast lift and augmentation) is scheduled for 7/7/17. I'm 5'2" and have always been a B cup although it's mostly empty when I diet and lose weight. I'm saggy and everything just looks like a landslide from a profile view. I've always tried to get my belly flat, but thanks to a c-section with my 2nd child, I'm thinking I will always have "the flap" unless I do the tummy tuck.
Updated on 1 Jul 2017:
Went for my Pre-op appointment last Monday. It was mostly a lot of signing waivers for liability. That's always comforting. We took the before pictures. I was instructed to go to the lab and have blood work done, and the cost was about $50. I was also given my prescriptions...a total of six I believe and they were a little less than I expected coming in around $100 without insurance. I was instructed to have a liquid only diet the day before surgery and nothing at all after midnight or on the morning of the surgery.
Updated on 9 Jul 2017:
I'm one day post op and in so much pain. I feel like I have to pee very, very badly but when I go, it only drips out. Had anyone else had this problem or known why its happening? My breast are the only think that doesn't hurt. Probably from all the pain in my lower abdomen. I've heard about the constipation problems, so I'm kind of afraid to eat much.
Updated on 11 Jul 2017:
Went to my pre-op today. Took the before pics in that beauti. They gave me a list of meds to have filled, and I'm getting my blood work done now.
Updated on 11 Jul 2017:
It's getting a little better each day. Evenings and nights the pain seems to be worse of course, probably from all of the moving around during the day. I was having a hard time with my bladder feeling overly full all the time and not being able to Pee much but that all changed yesterday. My doctor said that it was probably the combination of the catheter irritating my urinary tract and also the Percocet causing my bladder to not operate properly. I also believe it was partly to do with the fact that everything had been tightened up so much in my midsection and I hadn't had a bowel movement in over three days. I started taking stool softeners the day I left the hospital and finally yesterday I took 60 mL dose of milk of magnesia and drink lots of water and walked around as much as I could and I finally had several bowel movements. That also seem to alleviate some of the bladder problems I was having. Yesterday I tried to skip a dose of Percocet and take extra strength Tylenol instead but that definitely was not a good idea. I was hoping the Valium would've been enough with the extra strength Tylenol but it was not enough not only was my stomach area and the incisions on fire but my breasts were on fire also and I haven't even had any pain from my breast since I got home until yesterday. So I won't be trying that again for another day or two. My first postop appointment is tomorrow that's roughly 5 days after I was discharged from their facility. My right breast has starting to hurt a lot so I'm wondering if I'm overusing my right arm. Other than that I haven't had any notice that my breasts have had any work which is shocking I really would've thought the nipple area would've been painful. Even the swelling has been minimal. As far as the tummy tech part of the surgery so far the worst has been the drains. Accidentally tugging on them the wrong way and causing little pings of pain. And of course the girdle straps on through the crotch tea and it has to attach right on top of where the drain is installed so sometimes that's a little uncomfortable. My husband was here with me the first couple of days day and night and he was absolutely amazing. Unfortunately he loves sticking me with the anti-blood clot needle med... haha. You'll be disappointed to find out that he forgot to give it to me before he left this morning. And my mom has been staying here when she's not working and she has been a godsend. Mothers are so awesome!
Updated on 14 Jul 2017:
Went to my first post op appt 5 days after my surgery and was given permission to remove the girdle and wash it. The nurse suggested wearing one of my sports bras, and was lucky enough to find 2 of the many in my drawer that happened to be a larger size. Drains may come out Monday if the output is less than 15 cc per day I think combined. Trying to wean myself off of my Percocet since my dr looked at me like I had 2 head for having consumed 30 Percocet in 5 days. I was taking one every 3-4 hours even though the bottle said I could take 1-2 every 4 hours.... thought I was doing good... lol. Anyhow, I'm reserving the Percocet and Valium for the evenings when I sleep and mornings, when it feels like I've been run over by a truck. After that, extra strength Tylenol only and it seems not too terrible. A little more breast pain than I was used to but the stomach isn't bad nor are the incisions. Really amazed that the incisions haven't really been noticeable, much less painful in the abdomen or the breasts. So far, its looking like
Dr Vann did an amazing job. Let's just keep our fingers crossed for the great healing of the skin which will be mostly on my own health and nutrition.
Updated on 15 Jul 2017:
It's not the first time this has happened. It's happened here and there randomly this past week but yesterday an excruciating pain in my right breast keeps reoccurring. The pain is described as a shooting pain, a lightning bolt of sorts, and it brings me to tears. I can't figure out if it's from overuse of my right arm resulting in overuse of the muscle on my right chest or if it's really just a cut nerve that the nurse seem to think it was. It definitely seems worse when I use my right arm for any reason at all. I don't even have to be lifting anything just movement of any kind. It'll definitely be a subject that we'll approach again on Monday when I go back to the doctor. If it weren't for that pain I'd probably be be able to do away with Percocet and Valium for good. Unfortunately the Percocet and Valium still only make it bearable. On the brighter side I love the size of my breasts and I can't wait to go bra shopping! I do wish the swelling would go down in my abdomen so I could see how amazing it's going to look. I can hardly believe I'm going to have a flat stomach for the first time in my adult life!
Updated on 20 Jul 2017:
Went in for my post op and had the drains removed. All my research didn't prepare me for the pain associated with the drain removal. All I can say is it felt as if after the days they were in, nerves and skin and whatever else began to grow I To it and when the nurse poked it out, I couldn't breath from the pain and then all I cold do was cry.
Updated on 25 Jul 2017:
Finally got out and bought some Spanx yesterday. I bought the ones that have a shoulder strap and open cleavage area. Didn't feel like trying them on so I bought a med and a large. Luckily. Cause the large was definitely the way to go! It feels really, really good though. Very supportive and smooths everything out nicely. Much better than the binder the PS gave me. Only downside is I miss the heck out of the Velcro crotch! The Spanx have clasps and they're in such an awkward location. Not close enough to the front to be able to reach down and clasp them but not really all the way in the back either.... so strange. Since I have limited use of my right arm due to severe nerve pain, I've had to have everyone else clasp the crotch for me after I use the restroom... even my 8yr old daughter...lol. Otherwise love it!
Updated on 25 Jul 2017:
Healing nicely but the nerve pain in the right breast is still there. I will say say it seems to have calmed down a bit if I ice it and keep my arm in a sling and don't use it...lol. So ready to just be done with the breast pain and get sized for a cute bra!!
Updated on 29 Jul 2017:
Percocet free now for 4-5 days. Approved to start taking Advil and it seems to help a lot better for what was thought to be nerve related pain I've been having in my right breast. I think what triggered it was overdoing it and using my right arm way too much by brushing my very long thick hair one day after a shower. I'm still taking the Valium just to keep me down. Otherwise, I tend to get bored and over do and then I pay for it later in pain. Now that my right breast pain has calmed down, I seem to notice the abdominal pain more or maybe the Advil doesn't work as well on it... whichever. It's not excruciating or anything, just annoying. The stitches came out of the belly button a couple days ago, so no more of that. PS said my stomach is healing perfectly. Can't wait to get back to normal!
Updated on 29 Jul 2017:
Belly button stitches were removed a couple day ago, and it wasn't uncomfortable or anything. And I totally expected it to be after the trauma of having the drains removed. That truly was horrific. Can't wait to see what the end result looks like after all the healing and swelling is gone, cause right now my belly button looks rediculous!
Updated on 2 Aug 2017:
Yesterday I hit a milestone. Took a shower, removed the girdle and realized that the horrible pain that I had been having in my right breast didn't present itself. Today, I used my right arm a little more to experiment and its official, the pain is gone! Just like that. Drove to the store and and ran some errands, and it caused a bit more swelling than I would've liked, but it was a good day and can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. So happy!
Updated on 20 Aug 2017:
I was 6 wks PO last Friday, and I have been meaning to post an update but I never seem to have my phone/camera nearby when I'm naked... lol. So no pic this time but everything is so much better now. I have a couple little stubborn scabs around my areola that don't want to leave. Other than that, everything is healing incision wise. Just the ugly pink scarring that unnoticed is higher than my bikini bottom around the sides. So that as disappointing but hopefully they scarring will fade over the next year like I hear. The scars from my breast lift and aug are very faint and surprisingly barely noticeable and that what I was mostly envisioning to be weird looking prior to surgery. No real pain, even without Advil or Tylenol, just some soreness in my upper ab area and the boobs are still sore too. Swelling is still present. Pretty much within an hour or two of walking around in the morning and I can feel the swelling coming on but it's not too bad until afternoon. I'm doing everything like normal... driving, grocery shopping, working ????, and all the housework (lucky me). I just have to take plenty of breaks. Went bra shopping yesterday and I got 2 bras from Victoria Secret that I'm not in love with. I'm a 38D and I don't like the lace on one and the other shows my nipples because it's so thin and both have underwire. Their bralettes don't come any larger than a size large and these girls were barely contained... lol. So I bought some others online today without the underwire but with light padding and we'll see how they work out. Next dr appt is 9/10 but I may call and ask questions like should I be massaging my breasts and recommendations for scar creme. Have any of you been instructed on these things? Will post again soon with pics hopefully.
Updated on 21 Aug 2017:
Got some pics this morning before the swelling began although my right side was still a little swollen and bruised. ?? I'm definitely wishing I had discussed other lipo like my back and arms..lol. But I guess now I just need to start working out soon as I get the ok.
Updated on 25 Aug 2017:
Here's my before and after pics so far. Not bad but I can't wait to start working out and see the results of my MM combined with exercise! I tried some weighted leg extensions in my machine at home Last week but it is still too soon to do anything that engages the core which is nearly everything.... I swelled really bad for about 2 days after that. I guess just walking is it for now. I've definitely noticed that sitting too long is way worse than being on my feet a lot. So those of you with office jobs beware! I had to prop my laptop on top of a couple 3 inch binders and misc boxes so I could stand and work at my desk. Happy healing!
Updated on 5 Sep 2017:
So I'm 2 months PO now. I can honestly say I'm not where I thought I would be being 2 months post op. We went to Orlando for 3 nights and spent 2 days in a bikini (which just being able to wear one was nice), but the swelling is still ridiculous, especially without a girdle, and the pain when I engage my upper abs is even more ridiculous. It's a sharp, burning pain. So I couldn't actually swim either because, of course, it engages the core. There was a lazy river so at least I could walk it with my daughter. I've read about some people's recovery, and they're already running and exercising by now. Wth? There's no way for me. I have an appointment Monday to follow up, and I guess soling as everything seems fine to him, I'll just continue to be patient.
Updated on 1 Oct 2017:
If I think back, from 2 to 3 months PO, I can say that there is still improvement week to week. Unfortunately my abdominal muscles are still sore. The swelling and the abdominal pain is much worse in the evening and at night when I'm sleeping. When I roll over it's a little painful, and this morning my hubbie tried to grab my waist and pull me to him, but it was pretty painful. Seems like the lipo areas are still giving me some discomfort. I'm still not comfortable sleeping on my stomach. I've always been a stomach sleeper so I'm impressed at how well I've taken to sleeping in my back. I am able to comfortably sleep on my side since about 2 weeks ago. Prior to that my boobs felt uncomfortable when I tried. I've started lifting light weights with higher reps and that causes my stomach area some discomfort and swelling but I need the exercise, and I'm not a big runner. Anyhow, I'm happy with what I see so far, but I can't wait until I feel "normal" again and can resume activities without worrying about pain associated with my activities. Still believe it's all been worth it and would do it again in a second!