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*Treatment results may vary
Before and After Pics
One month prior to surgery and 10 days post surgery (the discoloration on my skin in the after photos is from hives)
Back to (almost) normal
Since my last update I discovered I had thrush from the anti biotics which make everything taste weird, which didn't help my nausea but it cleared in a few days.
By one full week out I was back working from home, I had about 2-3 good hours a day but it was really hard to concentrate. Lucky for me its a slow season so I was able to manage the workload. I was still slow moving around, but able to stand up straight. I had someone with me who reminded me to eat and take meds which was wonderful! I tried after a week to get off the Oxy, but my body just wasn't ready so I weaned off by taking 1-3 a day and spacing them out, then 1-2, then 1, then 1/2. I learned a good lesson: Take your time, with everything!
I had my first follow up with doctor, asked about nausea and thrush but he did not prescribe anything. The drain was still draining about 50 a day, ideally there should be <35, but he pulled it out, which I was thankful for and did not have any problems with swelling or anything. I had some weird areas under the binder and used some 1" foam to sculpt the area above my belly button that was weirdly sticking out and around my hips where it was rubbing and it worked great!!
By 10 days out I was going out for 3-4 hour periods but still very tired. Like pass out and take a nap tired. I could go to events if I knew I was well rested during the day. Outfits were difficult because the binder was bulky but I managed with long skirts, leggings and all my old drapey shirts. Unfortunately once the antibiotics were complete (1 week) I was out shopping and realized I was covered in hives. So needless to say my body wasn't happy with me.
Since then I had my second follow up had some pics done and have been feeling great. I'm back on elliptical & treadmill! I started by doing lowest setting 2.2 Mph on treadmill for 20 mins and after one week I've worked back up to 30 minutes on my elliptical but I move slower. I'm not always concerned about where I'm going to sit or if I get bumped in my belly. I've gone out in spanx and a shapewear tanktop and feel pretty comfortable. When I'm home and working or sleeping I put on the binder because I'm supposed to be 12 hours on 12 hours off. My belly is still hard and has the weird foot fell asleep feeling but its getting better everyday. My arms are hard on the underside and feel lumpy but I can tell they look much smaller. They were the easiest part of this whole procedure, they feel sore still like I worked them out too hard but they are completely functional.
I spent about $100 on a big old basket of things I thought I would need after the surgery and didn't use hardly any of them, the walker was helpful for like 3 days but I got that for free. My incisions were glued so I didn't need dressings, tape, gloves, anything to poop, gauze, pads, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide. I had some cute star wars band aids, a pad that was big enough to sleep on so I didn't worry about leaks, tissues to stick in the bandages on days 1-3 so they weren't leaking, two extra pillows to put under my knees to sleep and 4 ice packs which i used nightly and daily. I slept in my recliner days 2-4, and lived in for 3 weeks but I would not have bought one for just a few weeks. I have two binders, two pieces of foam, three shapewear tanks, spanx (which I cut the entire crotch out), and two corset-style shapers. I bought crappy underwear for leaks etc, but found it easier to get in and out of bathroom without any undies just comfy pants (scandalous I know). I hated having to take anything all the way off, so I preferred the corset style stuff rather than the ones that had underwear or shorts attached.
I lived on saltines, oatmeal, applesauce and ready made protein shakes for the 4 days. Now I'm back to a regular diet and try to be conscious of water intake and protein. I've weighed myself and I'm 3-4 pounds lighter than when I went in for surgery.
By one full week out I was back working from home, I had about 2-3 good hours a day but it was really hard to concentrate. Lucky for me its a slow season so I was able to manage the workload. I was still slow moving around, but able to stand up straight. I had someone with me who reminded me to eat and take meds which was wonderful! I tried after a week to get off the Oxy, but my body just wasn't ready so I weaned off by taking 1-3 a day and spacing them out, then 1-2, then 1, then 1/2. I learned a good lesson: Take your time, with everything!
I had my first follow up with doctor, asked about nausea and thrush but he did not prescribe anything. The drain was still draining about 50 a day, ideally there should be <35, but he pulled it out, which I was thankful for and did not have any problems with swelling or anything. I had some weird areas under the binder and used some 1" foam to sculpt the area above my belly button that was weirdly sticking out and around my hips where it was rubbing and it worked great!!
By 10 days out I was going out for 3-4 hour periods but still very tired. Like pass out and take a nap tired. I could go to events if I knew I was well rested during the day. Outfits were difficult because the binder was bulky but I managed with long skirts, leggings and all my old drapey shirts. Unfortunately once the antibiotics were complete (1 week) I was out shopping and realized I was covered in hives. So needless to say my body wasn't happy with me.
Since then I had my second follow up had some pics done and have been feeling great. I'm back on elliptical & treadmill! I started by doing lowest setting 2.2 Mph on treadmill for 20 mins and after one week I've worked back up to 30 minutes on my elliptical but I move slower. I'm not always concerned about where I'm going to sit or if I get bumped in my belly. I've gone out in spanx and a shapewear tanktop and feel pretty comfortable. When I'm home and working or sleeping I put on the binder because I'm supposed to be 12 hours on 12 hours off. My belly is still hard and has the weird foot fell asleep feeling but its getting better everyday. My arms are hard on the underside and feel lumpy but I can tell they look much smaller. They were the easiest part of this whole procedure, they feel sore still like I worked them out too hard but they are completely functional.
I spent about $100 on a big old basket of things I thought I would need after the surgery and didn't use hardly any of them, the walker was helpful for like 3 days but I got that for free. My incisions were glued so I didn't need dressings, tape, gloves, anything to poop, gauze, pads, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide. I had some cute star wars band aids, a pad that was big enough to sleep on so I didn't worry about leaks, tissues to stick in the bandages on days 1-3 so they weren't leaking, two extra pillows to put under my knees to sleep and 4 ice packs which i used nightly and daily. I slept in my recliner days 2-4, and lived in for 3 weeks but I would not have bought one for just a few weeks. I have two binders, two pieces of foam, three shapewear tanks, spanx (which I cut the entire crotch out), and two corset-style shapers. I bought crappy underwear for leaks etc, but found it easier to get in and out of bathroom without any undies just comfy pants (scandalous I know). I hated having to take anything all the way off, so I preferred the corset style stuff rather than the ones that had underwear or shorts attached.
I lived on saltines, oatmeal, applesauce and ready made protein shakes for the 4 days. Now I'm back to a regular diet and try to be conscious of water intake and protein. I've weighed myself and I'm 3-4 pounds lighter than when I went in for surgery.
Vice
Tight tight tight!! I can stand up and move around pretty good, nausea returned and I'm still on pain meds because Tylenol just isn't cutting this vice grip on my whole midsection. I put the binder on and it's not tight but firm (I can easily put two fingers in it) but the skin under it is solid! Any suggestions?
Provider Review
Dr. Jeffrey Darrow
I researched a number of docs in Boston but I thought his work was very consistent, realistic and scarring minimal. His reviews were stellar! His photoshop work isn't the best but I don't care how well he works on a computer, I care about his plastic surgery. I could see results from his website and he was very realistic with me. They were able to schedule me relatively quickly. His assistant Helen is amazing, she makes you feel so cared about and is so honest, I just fell in love with her! I called the doc a few times before and after surgery and he got back to me very quickly (this was after hours). I never waited long for my appointments, I received great service, the work was incredible, I would easily recommend a friend to Dr. Darrow and Helen.