I have been wanting have this "FAT" on my tummy gone for a few years now. I was always worried about the cost and the "downtime" until recently….I realize the more weight I loose, i could not get rid of my "baby pouch." I went to see a PS a few weeks ago and was shocked when I saw how much excess skin I had hanging on my lower abdomen. I was more determined when I left his office to have this procedure done more than ever! I can home and talk to my husband about it and he said if this is something that I really want to do, then go ahead and schedule the surgery. So I did some research on the procedure and I can honestly say…I am super nervous, but soooo excited! I have become addicted the the RS website lately and I am glad that it is here because I get to see what others have gone through after the surgery and what their transformations look like and I cannot wait for my transformation. I have to gain the confidence to post some before pictures of my body. I plan to do that this week.
Updated on 28 Apr 2015:
So today, I went in and paid for the surgery in full. I am so excited. I have 22 days before the big day. i have even added a ticker widget to count down the days for me. I took some pictures this morning, so I am going to try and upload them. I am nervous and excited at the same time. I enjoy reading everyone's post since I cannot talk to my friend's about the TT. My husband is so laid back, he just nods his head when I talk about it and say "it's whatever you want to do" and he doesn't say much about it unless I bring it up. Sigh...blah, blah, blah!
Updated on 28 Apr 2015:
Before pics. I call this my playground! Ready to get rid of it!
Updated on 6 May 2015:
I am so excited I have less than 15 days before I go to the FLAT side again! I have not seen this in about 11 years! I have so many questions running though my mind. The one question that I had was how many compression garments does the Dr give you and how many would you recommend that I need. Also what type of scar cream should I get? I guess these questions might be answered at Pre op but it is about a week from my surgery date and I wanted to be prepared just in case I needed to order another CG.
Updated on 15 May 2015:
I had my pre op this week and most of my questions were answered. I am excited and nervous to the point I want to write the kids letters just in case...well...ya know.lol I have such a fear of someone else taking care of my babies but it will be ok. This past week has been very stressful as hubby is about to graduate law school and family is coming down...blah blah blah....so I have been cleaning and organizing everything...which is good timing since I have 6 days before I'm having surgery so I will not have much to do next week. I have to upload more pics soon so I can compare the difference after surgery. I am so excited to finally wear fitted dresses again!!! I have not shopped for clothes in 5 months because I was saving for new shirts and dresses....and new panties! Victoria Secret will be my new friend! Anyhoo,I am just excited and have so much on my mind trying to make sure I will have everything done. Good luck to my fellow TTUCKER's that are having surgery this week as well!!
Updated on 19 May 2015:
I am so freaking nervous about the surgery that I am having headaches. I don't want to get my pressure up and not be able to have it. I called the nurse and she is prescribing me some Valium to take tomorrow ro calm my nerves. I just keep thinking I will not wake up after surgery! Sigh....anywho, I am ready to be on the flat side. I have purchased the necessary items. I have to go and get fruits on tomorrow and some granny panties lol....please say a prayer for me. Good luck to everyone going in for surgery this week! Will upload more photos tonight.
Updated on 19 May 2015:
Buh-bye Tummy!!!?
Updated on 21 May 2015:
So it is finally here! My TT day and boy am I nervous. I stayed up until 1:30, couldn't sleep and making sure all the laundry is complete and all the bills are paid. Now my tummy is in knots and I have already been in bathroom this morning. Please please say a prayer. I know in my heart that it will be fine but this darn flesh is trying to take over! My hubby is still asleep and he hasn't said much about the surgery. I think he may be a little nervous too! I have loved on my kids soooooo much this past week and I think they think I'm crazy lol....well I will check-in this afternoon after all is done! Good luck to everyone going in today as well!
Updated on 21 May 2015:
Surgery is complete. It lasted about 3hrs and one hour in recovery. In a good amount of pain right now and I keep falling asleep every few minutes. My hubby is doing so well with my meds and my drain. I only have one drain so was am excited about that. I will post on tomorrow of all details. My daughter just told I fell asleep posting this post.
So ttyl
Updated on 22 May 2015:
Hello ladies....boy am I glad this is over! I was nervous as a tick before surgery until I spoke to my PS and nurses. The made me feel so relaxed and was very encouraging. My Doctor and hubby cracked jokes the whole time he was marking me up. Once I got in the OR room, I don't remember anything else. When I awoke, my compression garment was already on and he gave me an extra one to take home. I cannot shower until Tuesday when I see him again, so I've taken two sponge baths. I suggest everyone to have those flushable wipes handy. They work great duing after using the potty. Well I am taking the pain meds around the clock. I will not sugarcoat this, but this is painful!!! Make sure you have help around the house. Thank God for my Hubby and kids....I have tried taking off the compression garment to get pics, but my husband freaked out on me and would not let me take it off. Of course that make me cry..sigh... I will try and get a pic of me in the garment. It snaps in the middle so it's easy to go potty. I have not had a BM yet, but boy did I have gas about 1100pm last night and I boo hooed!!! I finally got a sprite and I sat up after drinking it and goodness I burped so long that they thought a cow was in the house....that made me feel such better. I have so much to tell you guys but my eyes are closing in on me, so I will update the rest later and with a pic. Take care
Updated on 22 May 2015:
So I made my daughter snap one pic while walking around the house. This CG has a lot of padding in it and is very comfortable!
Updated on 24 May 2015:
All I do is sleep! I wake up to talk to my family and in the middle of the conversation I just fall asleep. I am getting some Tylenol this afternoon. I one thing I suggest you all have is flushable wipes and Gas X!!! I woke up last night in some serious pain again. I walked around and the gas slowly release. My pain is mostly from my back being humped over. I took my compression socks off and my daughter massaged my legs with some mint oil cream?,.... and let me tell you that was the best feeling. ... (besides passing gas). I am moving a little better. My mother came down yesterday while hubby ran some errands and she brought me a walker! Can you say life saver!!?w when I was reading other TT post and they was saying all of the things they gathered, I laughed when they said a WALKER....but goodness, it is well needed considering that my bathroom is down the hall. I tried again to sleep in the bed with the hubby...nope, still not ready...back to the recliner I went! I think I will be pleases with the results, I just can't wait too see them and show you all. Well my time is up here. Ttyl....hope u can overlook some of the spelling.
Updated on 25 May 2015:
Today was my emotional day. I just cried over it all. I thought my drains were clogged and I was trying to explain to the hubby. He didn't respond like I thought he should, so I cried while looking out my living room window, then I move to the recliner, fell asleep and woke up to feeling better. I am so glad tomorrow is my fist post op appt. I get to see the results and hopefully shower! I am not happy that the PS or no one has,called to check up on me in the Last 5 days....so I will address that kindly on tomorrow. He was available when I called today to ask about my drains....
I am still not able to sleep in my bed as I am still in the recliner. I think I will try the bed on tomorrow night. Also, still no BM and I can feel it! Hubby went out and got some Milk of magnesium, and I have taken it, so hopefully I will be a happy camper between now and in the morning. Anyhoo, the meds are kicking in, so I am excited to have pics to show you ladies on tomorrow. Everyone have a good night.
Updated on 26 May 2015:
All I can say is....I LOVE THE RESULTS! I had my first post-op appt today and when he took off the dressing and the garment, I could have cried! I was so worried about how it would look and if this was worth it....and it totally is! My PS was very nice today....(for some reason, I think he is much nicer when my hubby is around.) But I still have my drains, no problems with the incisions, I have to see him in a week to check the drains. I think he kinda pulled the drain a little and now it is bothering me a little. Ladies, I cannot stress how pleased I am Esp with the before and after pictures! I am still having back pains and it makes it hard for me to walk for more than 3-5 minutes without holding on to something. Once I can get over this hump, I will feel much better! I am going to upload a pic I took this morning after my visit and when I shower tonight, I will upload more.
Updated on 27 May 2015:
Today I slept for most of the day. No swelling and my drain is producing about 20 CC every 8-10 hours. I only empty it twice a day per the PS and when I just changed it, it was about 15 CC, so keeping my fingers cross that it gets removed Tuesday. I walked a little more today to the mailbox and back. I did not have to use the walker much today. I did finally get in my bed at about 7am because that recliner and I have ran our course together! It felt soooo good to sleep in my bed once I got in a good position. I had another BM today after a big salad, so I felt a little better. I just wish I could get rid of the back pains. I read by another RS member to bend your one of your knees while standing and it will help lesson the pain....it actually works! Well I am going back to work tomorrow for 4 hours to see how I can cope with the back pains. My hubs is not letting me drive yet and he works about 45 min from home, so my bf is going to take me on her lunch break. I have my meds handy and my pineapples to snack on. I think I will just wear a maxi dress so I can hide my drain. I really don't want to go back, but sitting in this house and not able to do much is really depressing me. I have enjoyed just spending time with my three girls watching Television, but I also don't want to get backed up at work. Well, I thought I would have more photos, but just taking a shower is exhausting!!! I'll try for tomorrow. :-)
Updated on 28 May 2015:
So I went back to work today for about 4 1/2 hours and it was not back at all. I was a little shakey when I first arrived and I started getting hot flashes, so I took a Tylenol and the next thing I knew, it was almost time to leave. However, of all days, it was pouring rain! So that was a task, but I made it. I am going to try 8 hours tomorrow. I am not driving yet, hopefully, hopefully next week. Everything else remains the same, still hunched over and back pain. I tried to sleep last night without the pain meds and only a Tylenol PM and that didn't work, so tonight I am going to take half of Lortab for a good night's rest. I am going to try and get photos at shower time...maybe I should shoot for the pics before the shower because after that task, I am BEAT!!! Hope everyone had a productive day today!
Updated on 31 May 2015:
Hello all. The last few days have been pretty good...much better than expected. On Friday, I did 7 hours at work and I was ok until I got home...I was exhausted! No pain, just wanted to rest and I took a nap for about an hour and it was needed! Felt ok afterwards, but I stayed the the recliner for the rest of the evening. Saturday was so pretty out that I had to get out, so we went to Starbucks and Frappuccino's and just enjoyed the weather....that felt really good! I asked my daughter to take me to Kohl's for another compression garment and I used there little buggy to push for support and we ended up saying in there for almost an hour....I brought a fee dresses too for work and the weekends. I have a few pics to show. We left there and I went home for a while to relax and the kids decided to go to dinner at Applebee's....that was fine until I ate and I only had a salad, but I felt so full and miserable, I was ready to get home! I took a Tylenol PM and I was off to bed! I am not having any pains and I am standing up a little bit better, still hunched, but better. I can walk a little longer without it starting to bother me. Last night, I even slept a little on my side because I am just not use to lying on my back, but it was only for awhile....I am really please with my progress. Swelling is minimal and my drains are not producing much fluid at all. I see my PS on Tuesday, so I am sure he will remove them...at least I hope lol. The area where he used lipo on my sides are a little tender to touch but no more brusies. I have not had to use any pain meds until I head for bed and that is only to make me sleep without waking! I am at the salon now under the dryer, I washed my hair this morning by myself in the kitchen sink, so I would not have to lay back in their chair, but my stylist is going to roll my hair and I am outta here! I am headed home to prop up for the rest of the day. The hubby has cleaned and did laundry this morning and he was preparing dinner when I left. I think I have coveted my weekend....sorry for not posting, but here are a few pics.
Updated on 3 Jun 2015:
Yayyyy! My drain was removed yesterday. I was so worried about the pain, but I didn't even notice the nurse had taken it out. Now, those BB stitches were another story!!! Even though I am still numb around that area of my tummy, that was uncomfortable! She also changed my incision tape and there was one area that was a little red, so she left it open and advises me to keep polysporin incision on it. The PS recommended it over the neosporin. I am still not walking or standing straight yet, but it's getting better everyday. The PS said to lay flat on the floor for 5 minutes everyday until I straighten out. I tried it and it just feels like I'm stretching and pulling my tummy....I also wanted to know how much fat and skin he removed and he will go over that in 2 weeks and take more pictures to compare to when I had my 1st consultation. I have been feeling well, I am sleeping a little on my side, which feels better. Today was the first day, I notice a little more swelling in my tummy, but it's so tight!! Then I realized I have not used the potty since Sunday, so I've taken some Milk of magnesium, hopefully that will kick in tomorrow. Work is ok, I just cannot sit too long, or I get very stiff, so every 20 min or so, I stand and walk down the hall. I will have to take some pictures since I am free of drains (so happy about that drain being gone). Hope everyone is healing well. I am just grateful my whole process went smoothly. I owe it to my PS. He really has done a great job! Oh, and get this...I was in the store returning a dress and I walked passed the mirror, I stopped and went back, checked myself out and just smiled!!!! Even humped over, I thought I looked great...:-) I think that was my first "AH" moment.....just wanted to share that small victory!
Updated on 5 Jun 2015:
My tummy is soooo tight! And I still cannot walk straight. Don't get me wrong, as each day goes by, I am progressing, but I am tired of walking like a hunched over lady with scoliosis! I have so much energy, so I'm always telling myself that today I am going to do this and do that...then I realize I cannot walk long enough to do anything!!!! I feel like I am holding myself back from walking straight, like I'm afraid to stretch and bend a little.....sigh. I do so well in the morning, but when I get to my office and sit, boy I am hunched over big time!!! Hubby is still cooking and cleaning because I can't stand too long...(I am not complaining about that lol), but I just want to walk!!! Also when I eat, it feels weird to my tummy, like it is in a knot and them digest and I can feel it! Gas is another different feeling. You know how you feel the flutters when you are first pregnant, well that's what my gas feels like, so I am rubbing it as if there is a baby in there...yeah, I Crack myself up sometimes! Anyhoo, rant is over...on the other hand, when I am sitting on the toilet, I don't have any fat on my belly to play with...oh yeah, LOVE IT!! AWESOME! Sometimes, I just sit here and cannot believe I don't have that big blob of fat anymore. It's seems so unreal!
Updated on 11 Jun 2015:
3 Weeks today and each day is better. Walking is better, but not straight! 3 week photos uploaded.
Updated on 23 Jun 2015:
Sorry I haven't updated lately, been super busy with work and family. I have been doing very well. Today was the first day I noticed some swelling a little, and I think it's because the last two nights, I have not worn my CG. I still find myself walking hunched over aftee i sit at my desk too long, but i can straighten up better now. Every now and then, my muscles will move iny tummy and it feels like a baby is kicking and moving around in there! It catches me off guard and i junp every time. I still hold in my sneezes as it still is uncomfortable to sneeze or cough. I have started scar treatment and I am using Mederma...for some reason, I think it makes my skin feel tighter and I have been walking a little slower, so I am not going to put any on tonight to see if it makes a difference. I have some dog ears on each side, which the PS said they should lay down on their own. I don't have to go back to see him until 2 mths. He has released me to do light cardio and weights, but no ab workout until 8 weeks. I have enjoyed getting up am doing putting on clothes!!!! Even though, most of them are too big lol...that's a good thing. I feel such better. I love walking around naked now..hehehe...of course my hubby is loving it too...sex is even MUCH better! Here are some pics I have taken. I love the difference in my before and afters! This was so worth that $7G!!!
Updated on 14 Jul 2015:
Hi! I have not been MIA, I have been reading and checking everyone's progress. I am doing just great and I have been shopping my tail off. I have dropped and dress and pants size and I think I could go down another size in pants if my thighs were not so thick! (I almost got them done too). Everything is going well, although I am swelling a bit much, but that was to be expected. I still get stiff if I sit for a long period of time and I still sleep with a pillow under my knees...if feels funny when I lay flat. I am sleeping on my sides but not on tummy yet. Sex is good! Maybe better....yep, better :-) I love getting up a few minutes early to take time to get dressed now. I love to walk pass the mirror in my room to look at myself but the most flattering part of body now toe is my back and sides....they look so smooth without rolls! I will upload more pics in the morning, but I made a collage of a before and after that I want to share. Happy healing everyone and good luck to those who are about to come on the flat side!
Updated on 23 Aug 2015:
Hello RS family!!! Hope all is well with everyone. Well, I made it to 3 months and progress is good day by day. I am still wearing a CG because of swelling above my incision. If I go without it, I have tighten sensations and it is very uncomfortable. I am trying to go today without it at all and I do fine walking, but when I sit for a long time, my tummy get stiffs. I still do not have feeling back on the left side of my tummy, but it doesn't bother me until I start to itch and cannot get the right spot. I have been eating right and next week I am starting back at the gym for 4 days a week. I still love my results but I have dog ears so I may be getting them corrected in January. I am loving shopping even more...especially T-shirts! I throw those fitted V-necks on so fast and I am out the door! I have improved my record time of getting dressed because I don't have to try on everything to be sure it fits properly. I will update pics this week. Happy healing to all!