POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS
46 Years Old, Fairly Athletic, 3 Csections
ORIGINAL POST
I initially met with Dr. Kramer August 2016 after...
WORTH IT$10,800
I initially met with Dr. Kramer August 2016 after being told repeatedly by my good friend that my belly that bothered me so much was never going to go away from diet and excercise. My oldest son is 21, second 19 and youngest 16 and I thought all those years I just needed to work harder. Was always on a diet, had a personal trainer and trained 3 days a week, rarely eat processed foods or sugar and drink seldom, non smoker. I do have a fairly stressful job but have a husband that is extremely supportive and loved me the way I was. I got to be a professional at trying to camouflage my mid section with flowy tops, longer sweaters, etc. it was an "a-ha" moment when I realized it wasn't going to change without surgery. So, I met with Dr. Kramer in Meridian, Idaho. Initially, he was very straightforward that I am a candidate for a tummy tuck and that he would for sure need to do liposuction of my hips if I was going to be happy with the result. I hadn't thought of that really but he was 100% right. So, booked my surgery for 10/31/2016. I think I almost gave myself too much time to worry about it but also, was able to lose 15 lbs and get in even better shape and cleanse for 30mdays prior. All super helpful. So, the prep for surgery....wow, enema, i elected for a colon cleanse the afternoon before and very light eating the day before. Checked in to the hospital, nurses were wonderful, dr. Kramer came and marked me up, I was thrilled he marked below my csection scar and above my belly button. Next I knew I woke up in recovery. 4 hour surgery later, 2 lbs of skin off my belly and a coke sized liter bottle of fat off my hips, I was crying I was so happy even without seeing the result yet. I was home in my recliner by 3pm same day. The first week was a blur, did way too much online shopping. Second week better. I am currently on day 13 and feel really good. Swelling seems minimal, I stopped painkillers in half late in the first week and completely off by day 6. The lipo dosnt hurt at all. That was supposed to be the worst. I highly recommend dr. Kramer. He is amazing. I would do another procedure with him without thinking twice. His nurse Kim took my first drain out 7 days after surgery, 10 days on the second. I am keeping the compression very tight and every time I take a peek I am so very happy. If you are on the fence, Do It!
windpower's provider
Replies (10)
November 14, 2016
Oh I am glad I found someone else who is using Dr. Kramer! I am glad that you have had good luck with him! I am getting a full TT with possible muscle repair on the 28th of November and I am totally freaking out! I am mainly worried about the pain... was it manageable?
November 14, 2016
It really was so much less scary than I thought. I hyped myself up because I am a wimp but the day of surgery was the easiest. I had surgery on Monday, by Thursday, I was taking half doses of norco, but full of the muscle relaxers. By Sunday, I was off everything except ibuprofen and Benadryl because I had a drug reaction . Really no pain at all last week. I do limit my activity though. I don't have small children and that helps. Versus a csection, I thought the TT was worlds easier because of no baby to care for. Dr. Kramer is so good. Day of surgery, he came, marked me up and I woke up in recovery.
December 21, 2016
You're results are great! Did he use exparel ( the numbing med that lasts 72 hours) during surgery or did you just stay on top of your pain meds? I had 2 c sections and I thought they were a breeze and never took one pain pill I was prescribed. I think I took ibuprofen a few times and was fine. Wondering if tummy tuck will be comparable... I hope!
December 28, 2016
Tummy tuck was easy for me but I don't have young kids. My youngest is 16 1/2 , he is the last at home. I don't think I had the numbing . Stayed on top of meds. I have been back to working out a couple days a week for 2 weeks now. I can't believe I am healing so well. When is your surgery? Same doctor? ;)
December 28, 2016
My surg is 1/17/17. Thanks dorisuw your response makes me feel better. My doctor is in Calhoun...Dr Nease. I'm 46 and My children are 15 and 10 yrs. I'm going to look at your profile now. Thanks
November 15, 2016
We really appreciate you taking the time to post your experience, it is so helpful for those who may have the same concerns and questions! Thank you!
UPDATED FROM windpower
14 days post
Pre surgery photo, 1 day post op, 10 days and 14 days post op
Before was the best I could seem to get after working out with a trainer, eating Whole Foods etc. 1 day post op, 10 days and 14 days. Every day gets better. Still hurts to sneeze or cough but the compression garment is doing its job keeping swelling to a minimum as well as eating smaller portions
Replies (11)
November 30, 2016
You look great! When did you actually see Dr. Kramer the first time PO? I went in yesterday which was the first day after surgery and I only saw Kim. I had a couple questions for Dr. Kramer so I was a little disappointed I didn't get to talk with him
December 1, 2016
Did you actually have an appointment with Dr. Kramer? And he was unavailable? I have not heard of that but I guess I always think that if he is unavailable I'm hoping it's for a very good reason that he's caring for someone who really needs it and I would want him to do the same if I was the one that needed that extra care. When you see him, you will notice he's not full of enthusiasm but it he really does focus on the issue at hand and he really does advise you on if it's necessary, and what it will take to make your result the best it can be.
December 1, 2016
So the day after surgery I came to the office Kim looked at me and Dr. Kramer peeked his head in and looked real quick. The real first time that he took the time to really look at it seemed to be at two weeks. At the two weeks he was happy with my healing and I was able to put Vaseline on my scar to have the surgical glue start coming off it took about a week and a half for all of that glue to come off. It's nice and smooth now. I have a six weeks post op appointment in two more weeks
December 1, 2016
Well I had went in for my followup the day after surgery. I just wanted to ask him like how far apart my abs were and how much tissue he took off and stuff. I am going back in monday and hopefully getting one drain out but we will see!
December 1, 2016
So you haven't probably really seeing your results yet right? My husband went with me at my one-day postop and he took those pictures because they put me right back in that binder. I didn't actually see it for a little while I would just look at the pictures. I don't think I knew until two weeks that Dr. Kramer said he brought my abs 3 inches and took 2 pounds of skin and a liter of fat off my hips . I got my first drain out at like six days and my neck strain it like nine days. I got the feeling that my drains were taken out sooner than a lot of people.
December 1, 2016
I have been tightening my binder at night so I have been able to see my tummy. It still looks scary but hopefully one of these days Ill be able to look at it and love it!
December 21, 2016
Did you have to use lovenox injections or other blood thinners post surg to prevent DVT? My surgeon doesn't do that and I'm a little concerned if that's standard? I'm 46 and scheduled Jan 11, 2017 for my tummy tuck and smart lipo and I'm having my breast implants removed. Thanks!
December 21, 2016
No blood thinners at all. Just regular prep, enema, arnica tablets prior to surgery for bruising.
UPDATED FROM windpower
2 months post
1 month post op
I am super happy with my results, my scar is nice and smooth now and I am stretching it a little bit more. Still haven't really started with much activity as far as exercise goes except for making short walks in the mall, around the block, but feeling really good.
This is fantastic news and I am so happy for you. The first 2 weeks are the worst so you made it. Make sure to post some pre and post op pictures for us to see.