I felt very comfortable with all the staff and Dr. Assad.
He asked me very clear questioned, reassured me of any of my concerns and we went over my long medical history. He didn't skip along as if I was fit for a tummy tuck until he physically examined me. Although I am in pretty great shape, he didn't jump to a conclusion based on my appearance. Which I respect in a doctor.
During the simple exam, he felt my stomach muscles and discussed the procedure, used a mirror so I could see where my results would show. Then he concluded that I would have amazing results.
We sat down and he answered more questions and told me my risks. Since I have had 5 c-sections my scar tissue is thick and needs to be removed. No other surgeon told me this. Dr. Assad explained how the scar tissue would make it so my tummy tuck scar would sit slightly lower than my c-section scar and how it will come upward instead of across. Still hidden under non skimpy clothing.
He has been the only doctor who I have felt the most comfortable with. His staff was very friendly and I didn't feel out of place being there.
I reviewed price and had photos taken. Which was very exciting to be moving forward. There was no fee for the visit.
I am 95% sure Dr. Assad will do my surgery. I'm working on dropping 5-10 last pounds before making and booking my appointments. I hope to have a date booked by May 2016.
Updated on 21 Apr 2016:
I have had 5 c-sections and finally decide to seek out the best doctor for my new belly. After interviewing several doctors I decided on Dr. Kyle Wenzal in Toronto and I am so happy i did it.
Day 6 and 7 have been rough as i have been nauseous with the pain meds. Throwing up was torture on the belly and I am hoping my belly button is not damaged from that.
I have not taken my binder off as directed by Dr. Wenzal, so tomorrow i have my follow up and get to see my results. I have been able to sponge bath and wash my hair and even taken a peek at the stitches and it looks great. No hanging skin, its so tight but still swollen.
I will try to keep the pictures and updates coming and i will try to figure out how to post the pictures.
Updated on 22 Apr 2016:
I freaked myself out going into my appointment today.
Since I had not taken off my binder and since I had throwing up sessions the past 2 days, I couldn't clear my head enough to even look at what I assumed was a mess & full of yucky blood.
As my binder was coming off, I started to feel light headed, dizzy, sweating. I told the doc how u was feeling and he reasured me that I was fine & he is there, even got me a glass off water and a facecloth. I could feel him touch my belly and take the gauze out of my button. Gross, I can't even describe the numbness sensation.
Moving on, stitches look great and he said I'm more swollen then the average, could be that I'm doing to much. But not doing damage .
He checked my belly button area for fluid and as he was checking it I was breathing and hyperventilating lol. Pretty pathetic. It was so quiet in the room and all I could hear was my breathing heavy to calm myself down and the thought of a needle being put inside my button running in my head. So during my breathing I softly asked my doctor "can you sing to me?" seriously, I needed a distraction and it was pretty funny that it worked. I laughed and said I was just kidding.
Anyways, no fluid was there and doc was very happy.
Still tonight I was to freaked out to look at my belly button. My husband took a picture for me so I could see the picture after I put the binder on so I didn't faint.
It looks pretty good. It is bruised only where doc. Tried to drain it, which isn't even at my belly button. Lol
I was even able to give my lady part a shave up to the stitches. I feel so much better now!
Updated on 24 Apr 2016:
How long will this extra swelling last? I tried on 2 pairs of jeans today and they were both so snug. I had to pull them up around my belly bottom because lower was to much pressure on my belly. Even high up they were still snug. Normally they have been a little on the big size.
Am I just retaining water? Swollen still or gaining weight from the extra food I'm eating so I can take the pain meds every 2 or so hours? Is this fat feeling normal?
I was really hoping to go out feeling sexy today. :(
Any suggestions would be great.
Updated on 25 Apr 2016:
My entire experience was great from my first phone call to the office. I spoke with Helen who is the seretary and she gave me all the information I needed to make my appt.Although there is a consultation fee, with a referal from any doctor they will wave this. From walking in to the office and walking out, I knew Dr. Wanzel was who I wanted to do my surgery. He answered all my questions, Helen was beyond amazing at her job. Before I even left the office I was doing the paper work needed to proceed with booking a date, although I had not left a deposit that day I did book a date and was very happy to talk my decision over with my husband.Every time I had a question, concern or just wanted to see if there was a cancellation so I can get my tummy tuck sooner, I would call Helen and she gladly spent the time with me on the phone.After the surgery I did call Dr. Wanzels office several times and always felt important.. I was not just a number or a paycheck. I highly recommend Dr. Wanzel for this surgery. I have had basically no bruising, my incission is beautiful and I can see it healing perfectly. I had lots of scar tissue to begin with and I had lots of concerns and worries. Doctor Wanzel really does amazing!
Updated on 26 Apr 2016:
Ok i am day 13 po. Doctor did tell me i would notice blood in my urine after surgery but i assumed right away and i assumed it would be red. However days after my tummy tuck i did noticed brown when i wipe, not the dry blood or the in between menstrual stuff, this is different. Only when i use the washroom and it is not going into my panties. When i push in the washroom, as it seems going pee is a little tricky these days, i notice it more than when i don't push as hard. Any ideas? Or is this the blood that i was told would happen.
I also did have my period really late this month, the day after my surgery, lucky me, so i am not sure if it is just a weird pre-menopausal thing.
Thanks for your help
Updated on 3 May 2016:
My 3 weeks post is tomorrow and I will be going to the hospital to be drained. Looks like the doctor thinks via email photos that I have fluid build up. Also based on my first follow up and the swelling at that time. The draining could also be done at his office but then I'm waiting another day.
It doesn't seem to be a big deal to be drained. I guess it's only a thin needle and they extract the fluid. In and out process. So in my case drinking more water wasn't helping the swelling, so I'm having a glass of wine tonight. :)
I am very uncomfortable but not in pain over this inflatable tube around my waist.
At 18 days p.o. I did have sex. Of course now he won't touch me as I'm bruised and swollen and worried he will make it worse. :( it was not painful, not uncomfortable. I was on my back with my legs above his chest/ shoulders. He wasnt leaning on me and I guess you can say he was kneeling. There was motion going on but again, not painful.
I do not believe my swelling is from sex as I was swelling up days before. However, I will tell my doctor as asking when was a safe time to have sex was not something I asked. Lol
I will post pics after the draining is done! I'm hoping it makes sleeping better.
Updated on 26 May 2016:
I have not been myself these days. Being unable to work out (run) has been the biggest challenge. I tried to brisk walk, it's just not the same. I can go without weights but I need to run. Today I did it and I feel great. I was slightly tender when I took the binder off hours later. It seems to have settled down and has not been an issue since putting the binder off and on.
My doctor suggests waiting a few more weeks before full hard running, which is great for me to adjust back into a routine. Today was a 15-20 min jog and a 20 min walk with it. I will increase this every few days.
Now to get the eating under control.
Hopefully the swelling and weight gain are taken care of over the next month.
Updated on 29 May 2016:
I find it so hard to take pictures that look good. My arm shadow was in the way no matter how I stood. Lol
I have had 2 jogs and one time to the gym. I'm still active daily but I notice today that I feel the swelling is less, it looks the same. Maybe the running is helping me. Unlike most of what I heard.
Feeling like the swelling is coming down gives me motivaton to keep going with the jogging this week. Then next week maybe add in some weighless training.
I might start max 30 workouts. Anyone else use this one with great advice? I love that they have an entire set for modified workouts.
I can't wait to see my stomach muscles all defined.