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*Treatment results may vary
One month later: great results with a mild complication
Well, four weeks later and I LOVE WHAT I SEE so far. Well, excluding the abscess I developed on my right hip at the end of my tummy tuck scar. That thing has literally been a pain in my side! Honestly, from what I can remember (I say that because I don't remember much of the early days) this has been the worst part of the whole experience. My surgeon had to cut my incision back open and drain the abscess, then clean the cavity with hydrogen peroxide and pack it with what he calls a "wick." It's now my job to repeat the cleaning and packing part of this process every day for the next 10-14 days. Fortunately, my mom's friend and neighbor is a nurse who volunteered to help me out with the packing for the next few days, since I'm not sure I can do it myself while the wound is still this raw.
Otherwise, I wake up every morning wondering if my new body is real. I'm not hunched over anymore, my scars are healing well, I am in love with my new bellybutton and having bigger boobs is pretty fantastic. Although I'm not wearing pants very often (just maxi dresses) because of my abscess, I have tried them on and I have to say, I don't miss my muffin top!!
I haven't had a formal bra fitting yet, but based on my measurements and the various bra fitting methods I have researched I am either a 34DD, 36D or 38C.
Otherwise, I wake up every morning wondering if my new body is real. I'm not hunched over anymore, my scars are healing well, I am in love with my new bellybutton and having bigger boobs is pretty fantastic. Although I'm not wearing pants very often (just maxi dresses) because of my abscess, I have tried them on and I have to say, I don't miss my muffin top!!
I haven't had a formal bra fitting yet, but based on my measurements and the various bra fitting methods I have researched I am either a 34DD, 36D or 38C.
Hunchback on the move!
Well, it's been less than a week since the surgery and I'm feeling pretty darn good. Better than I expected to, really. I'm off all my prescriptions (just taking Ibuprofen and Arnica Montana now) and I'm up and functioning at about 85%. However, I still am unable to stand up totally straight. I look like I have a hunched back. I can't pick up the kids and I have to take it easy on the chores.
I felt a lot less swollen this morning, which made me very happy. I was able to dress myself and even pull a shirt over my head! Woohoo!
This surgery, so far, is just awesome. Can't wait to see how I'll look in 5 more weeks!
I felt a lot less swollen this morning, which made me very happy. I was able to dress myself and even pull a shirt over my head! Woohoo!
This surgery, so far, is just awesome. Can't wait to see how I'll look in 5 more weeks!
Whew. Made it through and things are getting better.
Not sure if today counts as day 4 or 5 post-op. Surgery was Wednesday and today is Sunday.
I was not nervous the morning of surgery. I really tried to just "keep my eyes on the prize" and go through the motions instead of getting all anxious about what it actually meant to go through the motions. Dr. Hopkins staff was great. I felt very much at ease with what I was doing. They had me put on a gown, take a pregnancy test, took my vitals and then briefed me again on what I needed to do after surgery. Then, the anesthesiologist came and assessed my anesthesia risk, which was as low as anyone could expect. Dr. Hopkins followed and did the pre-op markup that you always see on TV. When that was done they sent my husband away to wait for the next 6 hours and the took me to the operating room. I laid down like Jesus on the cross, they strapped me down, the anesthesiologist put an IV in and the next thing I remember is my husband and mom coming in to see me wake up.
So, that was that. They wheeled me out to the car and we drove home. I don't remember much of that.
Once we were home my family set me up on a recliner with bags of peas all over me. I somehow coherently texted all my close friends (who were the only ones who knew I was having surgery) and I watched some TV... passed out... I think that's what happened.
When evening came I was pretty nauseous. I threw up several times, which was both painful and disappointing. I needed to take my pills with food but throwing up is not conducive to taking medicine and all I wanted was some relief. Fortunately, the nausea subsided, I ate a little more food and fell asleep. This process continued for the next few days: wake up, walk, eat, take pills, sit with peas, pass out and repeat.
I was able to shower on Friday with some help. It was a little scary seeing myself with the garment off for the first time. My boobs are definitely unsettled. I'm huge up top and my nipples are just sitting at the bottom. Side view does not look right at all. I knew not to expect anything different this early on so I'm trusting that if I follow all my post-op instructions they will eventually fall into place and I will look awesome. That's what happens, right?
My belly button looks pretty good. I am seriously swollen and bruised where they did the lipo, so I've been applying arnica gel and taking the pellets as well in hopes of healing quickly. The garment they gave me is quite tight, but I still feel more comfortable wearing it than not wearing it.
Going to the bathroom has been a challenge. The will to pee was stronger than my ability to pee and that was pretty frustrating. It eventually happened though. I tried very hard to set myself up for an easy #2, which finally came yesterday. Once that happened I found my bowels to be almost a little too loose. I feel better now though. Anyone who's had a baby or surgery knows what a milestone that is.
So today I woke up feeling a lot more normal. I got a lot of sleep, had an easy time getting out of bed (still with help) and took a shower all by myself. I even blow dried my hair and flat ironed it! Ahhhh.
I don't have a lot to wear. I am still too swollen for most of my pants.
All things considered, I feel like I've turned a corner overnight and am now on my way to normal. I haven't had any regrets so far. Recovery isn't fun, but I still have my eyes on the prize!
I was not nervous the morning of surgery. I really tried to just "keep my eyes on the prize" and go through the motions instead of getting all anxious about what it actually meant to go through the motions. Dr. Hopkins staff was great. I felt very much at ease with what I was doing. They had me put on a gown, take a pregnancy test, took my vitals and then briefed me again on what I needed to do after surgery. Then, the anesthesiologist came and assessed my anesthesia risk, which was as low as anyone could expect. Dr. Hopkins followed and did the pre-op markup that you always see on TV. When that was done they sent my husband away to wait for the next 6 hours and the took me to the operating room. I laid down like Jesus on the cross, they strapped me down, the anesthesiologist put an IV in and the next thing I remember is my husband and mom coming in to see me wake up.
So, that was that. They wheeled me out to the car and we drove home. I don't remember much of that.
Once we were home my family set me up on a recliner with bags of peas all over me. I somehow coherently texted all my close friends (who were the only ones who knew I was having surgery) and I watched some TV... passed out... I think that's what happened.
When evening came I was pretty nauseous. I threw up several times, which was both painful and disappointing. I needed to take my pills with food but throwing up is not conducive to taking medicine and all I wanted was some relief. Fortunately, the nausea subsided, I ate a little more food and fell asleep. This process continued for the next few days: wake up, walk, eat, take pills, sit with peas, pass out and repeat.
I was able to shower on Friday with some help. It was a little scary seeing myself with the garment off for the first time. My boobs are definitely unsettled. I'm huge up top and my nipples are just sitting at the bottom. Side view does not look right at all. I knew not to expect anything different this early on so I'm trusting that if I follow all my post-op instructions they will eventually fall into place and I will look awesome. That's what happens, right?
My belly button looks pretty good. I am seriously swollen and bruised where they did the lipo, so I've been applying arnica gel and taking the pellets as well in hopes of healing quickly. The garment they gave me is quite tight, but I still feel more comfortable wearing it than not wearing it.
Going to the bathroom has been a challenge. The will to pee was stronger than my ability to pee and that was pretty frustrating. It eventually happened though. I tried very hard to set myself up for an easy #2, which finally came yesterday. Once that happened I found my bowels to be almost a little too loose. I feel better now though. Anyone who's had a baby or surgery knows what a milestone that is.
So today I woke up feeling a lot more normal. I got a lot of sleep, had an easy time getting out of bed (still with help) and took a shower all by myself. I even blow dried my hair and flat ironed it! Ahhhh.
I don't have a lot to wear. I am still too swollen for most of my pants.
All things considered, I feel like I've turned a corner overnight and am now on my way to normal. I haven't had any regrets so far. Recovery isn't fun, but I still have my eyes on the prize!
Provider Review
Dr. Michael Hopkins