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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS

120 pound weight loss - extended tummy tuck

Name: 120 pound weight loss - extended tummy tuck
Item: Aaron D. Smith, MD
Author: Strangertome

ORIGINAL POST

120 pound weight loss extended tummy tuck

StrangertomeDecember 26, 2016

WORTH IT$9,000

5 days post surgery and I'm still pretty uncomfortable. I'm way more swollen than I expected. I see Dr. Smith Wednesday for my post op. I doubt I'll lose the drain, it's still working a lot.
I was looking at my very extended swollen tummy feeling incredibly discouraged then I made a photo collage with side by side pictures 7 days apart. The difference is pretty amazing.
Dr Smith removed just under 12 pounds of skin plus an additional 2 pounds of lipo.
The swelling is so uncomfortable. It gets better right? :)

Strangertome's provider

Aaron D. Smith, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Replies (7)

HorseyOne

December 28, 2016

Brilliant results so far: you're so different, in a good way. Very well done on losing such a vast amount in weight, it's no wonder you had the courage to undergo surgery after that. Without all that loose skin you'll be able to appreciate how much of an effort you put in. You've been through major surgery so your body will need some weeks and months to recover. I am sorry the swelling is uncomfortable and hope that starts to go down soon and the pain eases. Try and rest whilst you can. Then onto the good: how you look already, how you will look, clothes you can wear and feel comfortable in and the emotional benefits. I wish you well on a successful recovery.

Strangertome

December 29, 2016

Thank you so much. The resting part is rough. With two small kids I'm used to being on the go all the time! Yesterday I pushed myself too hard and boy am I paying for it!

GlassyGirl75

December 29, 2016

It gets better! I had Dr. Smith do an extended TT (and breast lift) on me back in June of this year. It is a TOUGH surgery to recover from; not so much due to the level of pain, but just the severe discomfort and lack of mobility over a long period of time. It wears on you for sure. Try not to be too discouraged! I am very glad I had the surgery and don't regret it at all. In the near future there will be a day when you can actually stand upright, roll over in bed and even wear jeans again! ;-) I know those things seem impossible now, but in a couple weeks it will be behind you and you will love going shopping and discovering a whole new body. Be patient with yourself, your poor body has been through a lot and just needs time to heal. Best wishes!

Strangertome

December 29, 2016

So glad to "meet" someone who has had the tt by Dr. Smith. It really is tough. I'm a little jealous of the breast lift! If you ever feel like it I'd love to see updated pics of your tummy. How much skin did he remove from you? Did you get lipo?

Jessiebb

December 30, 2016

Congrats on your weight loss. You have more than earned your gift of TT. I had a large over-hang of skin and same as you: it negatively impacted my life daily. Does this shirt hide, tucking it 'right' in pants, etc. That's all behind me and will be for you! The swelling is awful....it does get better but for me wasn't really quick. I wore compression garment day/ night for 8 wks. It gets to the point, you actually feel insecure without it! I think I really felt myself around 4 mos post op, though I was back to most activities around 3mos. Good luck.....your after pics are great!

Strangertome

December 31, 2016

Thanks Jessie! I'm at the point where mild depression is sinking in. I'm still 90% in bed and I hate relying on pain meds. I cannot wait to buy normal clothes. It's so simple but I'm just so excited to buy clothes like every other normal woman does.

Jessiebb

December 31, 2016

Oh, I'm sorry you're feeling down. From what I experienced, and read of many others, it's a fairly common thing. Try to get up every hour and walk for 5 min in your house. If you start feeling better, walk a bit more. I used a walker for 3 wks and it helped me a lot. Also, if you are in bed that much you might want to get a pair of compression socks. They sell many on Amazon (20-30mmHg) and help to prevent clots that may happen after surgery and being sedentary. I had my extended TT/Hernia Repair/ Medial Thigh Lift (vertical and groin incision) March of this year. It was a lot and I took pain meds for several wks and then only took at night for a couple more. Just take it day by day. Also, it might be fun for you to make a pinterest board of some of the clothes you'd like to shop for once you're all healed.

UPDATED FROM Strangertome

7 days post

Drain is out! I cannot wait to shower…

StrangertomeDecember 29, 2016

Drain is out! I cannot wait to shower tonight.

I really love my surgeon. The swelling is more intense than most people get but I did not have a typical abdominoplasty, either. I had a 4 inch diastasis as well as ended up with 4 FEET of incisions.

So, yeah, my body deserves to be sore. And my surgeon is a superhero.

Replies (0)

UPDATED FROM Strangertome

8 days post

Before pictures

StrangertomeDecember 29, 2016

When I was looking for before and after pictures on real self I didn't see a lot like mine. I was still heavier (190) but my skin was deeply impacting my life.

I couldn't figure out how to edit previous entries to add pictures from my phone. Apparently I'm not finding this site very user friendly while recovering. Let's see what I can do on OxyContin. Haha.

Replies (2)

the_great_unknown

January 3, 2017

Thank you for posting this. I am heavier than you and am aiming to get to 190 and then I want to have a tummy tuck and arm lift. I've lost about 90 pounds already and I am ready to stop covering my arms. Is the compression garment uncomfortable? Are you able to use the bathroom alone?

Strangertome

January 3, 2017

I was actually 197 the day of surgery if that makes you feel any better. The day I had a consultation with my surgeon I was 220. I lost 23 pounds in 3 months by following a pretty intense low carb diet. It was very rough at first but it was amazing to watch my fat liquefy on a daily basis. I was melting, however the skin stuck around. My surgeon was less worried about my bmi and wanted a 100+ pound weight loss. He saw how much my skin affected every aspect of my daily life. The compression belt doesn't hurt in the least and is actually very comfortable. If you look on Amazon you can find some cheap ones and try it before surgery. They are great for your back and help support the loose skin. So the bathroom. That was my biggest fear. I've read some women need their husbands to wipe them. Oh, yeah, no. That's not something I was interested in. Haha. I bought a toilet seat riser, which was the only big specialty purchase I made prior to surgery, and it was a godsend. They are $25. They will make your recover 25% easier. I can wipe with ease and sit without help. The first 2 days my husband did help me get up a couple times but other than that I am totally self reliant. If you're like me that is paramount. I'm here if you have any more questions. I'm still in bed a lot and bored. ;)

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