Abdominoplasty W/Full Back & Flank Lipo, Bethesda, MD

Please excuse all the (???) in my initial journey. The final edit did not allow smileys, characters etc.. So they were replaced with the question marks. : (( sorry. But Thanks for your support.
My 4 wk chk up with Dr.K and He has decided to put in a drainage tub to relieve the (Seroma) the fluid collection in my abdomen above my Bellybotton. This tub is extended out of my navel into my abdomen under the skin. The initial procedure really didn't hurt much because he numbed the area. After a couple hours it felt a little achy and sore but as the days have progressed; to present date 5/30/16 I don't feel it at all.
I have also added the photos of a few items that I have used to aid in my healing. Thank you again for your patience & support. I will be adding my personal pictures for reference as well. : ))
Hope this helps in any decisions or questions u may have. God Bless : ))

I was motivated to have a TT To rectify the results of a hysterectomy I recv'd a few years prior. That hysterectomy left my belly region in dyer need of help!! . The hysterectomy I recv'd approximately 4 yrs prior left me with an unattractive belly. On top of a metabolism slow down.....I gained about 30-37lbs. taking me from a (size 6/8) 154 -191 (12/14) @ my highest! ????. I was getting sad & depressed!! But I kept my head high & refused to give in to this weight change. My stomach had began to heal with a permanent over hang from the incision recv'd (Similar to a sis Syrian bikini cut) I tried continuous daily routines at the ???????????????? gym but what I wanted by body to return too was just unachievable without some form of intervention. As my husband once said it had became a construction zone....????Awaiting!! ????Help! I did extensive research. ???????? On a quest to find the doctor to fulfill my ???? dream come true....????????PERFECT???? I came across Dr. Marwan Khalifeh I read day/night about his credentials, studies and reviews (which were superb). I made my appt. in his Bethesda MD office were I meet with his staff just a few to name Ms. Xiomara & Ms. Georgette (both) very A tentative professional staff whom made my visits so warm and open for any questions I needed answered. Then I meet with Dr. Khalifeh whom I now no to be as excellent as his reviews read superb. He listened to my concerns as I was given his expertise analyst in rectifying my problem. He gave me a fair quote and I was on my way. : )) I was a little petered after a week or two of not hearing from the office after my appt. but I called & things got back on track as planned. My surgery was performed as scheduled 4/29/2016 in the nearby Sibleys Memorial hospital (The staff again.... were awesome!) : )), no complaints at all!! Everyone was so accomadating & professional. I remembered waking up in some discomfort and the recovery nurse attending to my every need... Nausea, Pain, bed change.... I was a mess but felt like a ????queen. I was given the option to be admitted but I refused due Dr.Khalifeh recommendations to just go back to my nearby hotel room and relax. I stayed at the hotel for a couple days and awaited my three day follow up appt. with Dr.K and his instructions for returning home which was two hrs. away in DE..... With plans in motion as expected I returned home. I stayed in discomfort followed by excessive swelling????all over!!! Mostly my legs. I Ordered some leg compression socks from Amazon. On Top of the swelling Dr.K realized I was having a severe allergic reaction stemming from my antibiotic meds. (Causing yeast in my esophagus & mouth, the swelling was an added reaction from the antibiotic Meds ????Man!!! It was gross! I couldn't or should I just say food!! Was not an option. Everything taste horrible ??????????????????Soup, tea, juice, fruit so I nibbled on ???? crackers to coat my stomach so I could take my pain medications in between sleeping????. After a cpl days fruit smoothies were the only thing I would more less have throughout the days. My husband & my Mom whom both have been sweethearts ????in my recovery in making sure I've stayed hydrated as Dr. K prescribed. (Lol) My husband gets me to & from my Appts.?? As It's so needed & appreciated to have a great support system in this very evasive elected surgery. At week two I got my initial drains removed ???? Yeahea!!!! but ????I got diagnosed with a seroma in my upper abdomen. Dr. K drains my belly with two full syringes of fluid. I still can't drive yet and still walking hunched. The swelling in my legs have gone down significantly . The more I walk the more flexible I become with standing errect. After sleeping for hrs. at a time I get hunched again in my attempt to stand up. So I get up and walk casually around my house. I got the okay to shower ???????? but I'm not ready yet, so I continue to take bird baths. ???????????? Ugh!! OMG!! I'm not feeling too well, Aches, Fever, temperature. HIT WITH T FLU???? Feeling all of HORRIBLE, again! back to sleeping a lot. Day four (flu recovery)????Feel like moving around~ back to casual walking around the house. Week 3 Check up with DR. K. My incision from the abdomeninalplasty is looking pretty nice under the dressings healing well. Dr. K gives me an ok to start using my scar Away silicone stripes (Amazon) on the incision & the scar guard formula (Amazon) for the healing of my belly button. : ))) but ugh!!! second ????Drainage needed from the seroma in my upper belly. This time he was only able to extract a syringe and a half. Dr.K says it will lesson over my wkly visits. I sure do hope so. Dr. K also prompt me to begin weekly lymphatic massages were lipo was performed. These massages can be professionally performed but in my case I'm electing my husband because he's cheaper and also because he doesn't mind. I must add ????These massages hurt a lot ???? The back tissue is VERY VERY TENDER & truly brings me to tears when touched in the slightest way. In my experience this lipo hurts more then the abdominoplasty Healing process. Just no this process has been no walk in the park. But I believe the results will be worth all the pain. ???????? Dr.K has been fantastic?. If I needed to speak with Him throughout this all he has been accessible via phone directly (not an assist waiting to take your message for him to get back to you) NO! I've spoken with him! ????????He is professional, assertive, respected & truly knows his stuff. He shows concern & care for his patients. If your in search of a awesome plastic surgeon; He is it!!! I'm happy I chose him. He's a five star ????????????????????in rating of his practice. I will upload pictures soon please be patient with me. Thank you so much for your time & attention to my journey of events. ????. I'll also add more as time progresses. : ))