I had my consultation with Dr. Scott Blyer on 1/23/23 and my ultimate tummy tuck (i.e. extended tummy tuck) is scheduled for April 17, 2023! I previously had a tummy tuck in 2013 with another surgeon, I gained weight after that tummy tuck and had gastric sleeve surgery in 2020 losing 93lbs! I weigh 130lbs now which is 25lbs less now than I did with my previous tummy tuck 10 years ago, and I'm more physically fit now than ever in my life. I had a great experience with Dr. Blyer and his team at my consultation, I liked his attention to detail, he was very thorough and didn't rush. He noticed my naval was not centered by 1/2" from my previous tummy tuck...I never noticed it, but now that he pointed it out....I can see it too! Also, my former naval opening was not pulled down far enough during my previous tummy tuck, the fact he said that he'd get my naval down further than my old scar / below my panty line is important to me! Anyhow, there were several things he did during the consulation that made me feel very comfortable, one of them was his attention to detail and that he recorded the consultation so he would have a means to review it before surgery in April. I wasn't sure if I needed a full circular tummy tuck or if an extended tummy tuck would suffice. One of my concerns was flattening of the booty, which can happen with a full circular tummy tuck when the incision wraps around the full body, it lifts and flattens the booty. My other concern is how the new naval opening will look , I don't want a naval that looks like an anus, or a coin slot...I've seen many unpleasant looking navals after tummy tuck and I know Dr Blyer will be extraordinary in creating a new naval opening.
Updated on 15 Apr 2023:
Two more days until surgery!!! Woohoo!! I’m excited and nervous. I added additional procedures to my tummy tuck surgery…I decided to get a full circumferential tummy tuck (aka belt lipectomy). Dr Blyer refers to this procedure as a full body lift. I’m also doing lipo 360, fat transfer to lower booty to create an under booty / added plumpness, lower bleph (lower eye lid) with fat transfer for fullness /reduce hollowness, labiaplasty with fat transfer to labia majora (labia outer lips) for added fullness. As we age, have babies, gain and lose weight the labia minora and majora changes! This procedure will rejuvenate that area. I did want to do clitoral hood reduction for better orgasms but Dr Blyer doesn’t perform this, he recommended going to an OBGYN surgeon for that.
For recovery, I have a power recliner / sectional in my family room and sleep number adjustable bed in my bedroom so I have reclining options on both levels of my house. I also bought all supplies recommended by my surgeons office (hibiclens, compression socks, unisex urinal for first 24 hours, extra waterproof mattress cover, milk of magnesia, crackers, arnica, bromelain, Tylenol, electrolytes drink, Vaseline ??????) and L Glutamine recommended by my coach to limit muscle loss during recovery!
I bought additional items I thought would be helpful in my recovery including a walker, toilet seat extender, drain lanyard, clear toiletry bags to have HBA supplies nearby, medical shower chair and grabber tool (because when you can’t bend over to pick things up it’ll seem like your always dropping things)!
Let’s go! Here we go tummy tuck #2…10 years apart!
Updated on 26 Apr 2023:
Surgery went well and lasted longer than originally anticipated, I arrived at Dr Blyer’s office at 11am, and got home about 9:30pm.The first week post op was difficult, I was in pain despite using Exparel., I wasn’t feeling quite right on 5 Days PO / Saturday. I knew I should be turning the corner but it seemed like I was regressing. I was very swollen and my one drain wasn’t accumulating that much fluid. I went to see Dr Blyer for an emergency visit to help drain fluid under local anesthetic but not much came out. We then planned to go back under general anesthesia on Monday but when i woke early Sunday morning I knew something was terribly wrong. I was in a lot of pain and my belly swelled up even more than Saturday. My belly literally felt like it was going to burst.
I phoned Dr Blyer Sunday morning… thankful for him and his staff for seeing me right away. I went under general anesthesia for about 3 hours. I recall them telling me there was alot of blood from broken blood vessel and fluid accumulation. I feel SO much better now, words can not describe how grateful I am for their care
Dr Blyer is such a caring surgeon. I’ve used two other surgeons prior to Blyer and all I can think is gosh, I’m glad I found him now but I wish I found him sooner! I get text messages from him checking up on me, he’s always responsive. He even saw my social media posts and noticed my legs were really swollen and texted me to come in for Lasix. I love that he’s looking out for the best interest of his patients. He tops the chart on great patient care. That was my biggest complaint on my previous surgeon who performed my breast lift/augmentation.
Updated on 17 May 2023:
My healing had been great since the 1 week mark.I’m 1 month post op and feeling great! I’ve been walking 90k step per week for the last 2 weeks. My pace is normal now and I’m able to stand upright now. I do find myself hunching over skittle at times causing upper back pain. Everyone at Dr Blyers office has been so welcoming, I love the atmosphere and o happy I chose Dr B! I purchased 20 sessions of lymphatic drainage massage and Yaneth has been so helpful in my recovery process. I’ve used 9 sessions so far…I was going 3 times per week but this week I reduced to 2 times, then eventually I’ll reduce to 1x per week. If you’d like to see more of my journey give me a follow on IG @tinavsgbody
Updated on 3 Jun 2023:
Recovery is going great! My body is getting curvy this early in recovery! My waist is so tiny! It was 28.5”” before surgery and is 26” now. I’m very impressed with my results so far and know it will continue getting better as I. Continue to heal. I’m still wearing a Faja 24/7 and will do so until I’m 9 weeks po then reduce wear time to 16 hours until 20 weeks po. The fat transfer to Booty is fire! So glad Dr Blyer was able to get enough fat to fill my lower Booty (he was skeptical there would be enough). Very happy with Dr Blyer and his team! He is an fine artist… enhancing the natural curves of one’s body!