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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS

Just Had a Full Tuck on April 7, 2010 - Boston, MA

ORIGINAL POST

I was terrified about the whole procedure and...

chickenlady184April 10, 2010
$7,000

I was terrified about the whole procedure and still am really. i had three children of my own and then carried 4 for another couple (the last two were twins!:) One of the greatest expeiences of my life. Then lucky me, the dad is a plastic surgen and offered his services to me. i went back and forth for over 3 years, tried to get rid of the diet and exercise route, but of course it is not that easy.

Anyway, i finally got up the courage and here I am BORED and sore! So glad that i found this group that gave me the BEST idea of renting a chair lift! This has been a real help. But my back kills, don't know how the heck I will wash my hair,...and most of all feeling guilty about a surgery I didn't "need" technically. My husband has been great, but I still feel vain for doing it.

I really hope that in the end, later this summer i will be thrilled that I did it. Right now, I just feel like a sore lazy lump. Oh yeah, they removed over 4 1/2 pounds from my belly area.

Any advice how to best get through the next week or so? How often should I get, up what kind of exericses, ect I will try to post photos if I can figure out how! :) Oh yeah, how do you know if your drains are clogged in the tube? And what color is bad, coming from the drains?

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Replies (21)

redapples
April 13, 2010
My surgery is not until next week, so I can't give you any advice. I just want to say that a woman who not only had her own children, but carried children for another couple deserves this. You do not need to feel guilty. Keep us posted.
poet2
April 15, 2010
try to rent a recliner if you haven't done so -- it's a blessing!! and take your pain meds and don't wait until the pain kicks in to do so. It's so hard to get the pain down when it's up there -- better to keep it as low as possible
5248anon
April 13, 2010
I had my surgury on Friday April 9, 2010. The first day home was great I felt no pain as they gave me something just before I left. I had a very bad day 2. I figured out I was very allergic to the pain meds the Dr. prescribed. I checked out my symptoms on google and phoned the doctor with my findings and asked for different meds but this was not until I took the T'3's several times. I am 51 and never knew. It set me back until I figured it out early day 3. I am on new meds now, I was so scared and thought I was dying, could hardly breathe with the reaction. Up until last night I could not get off the lazyboy alone so I used a housecoat belt around my back under my armpits and my husband would pull me up. Today I was able to get up on my own and had a shower. I went for a checkup and yesterday when I saw the surgeon he noticed redness on my belly. I also asked why I was so sore not on the incision but down my centre from the chest down and he said I had a very big seperation between the muscles so it was pulled together and this is causing pain and tightness. This morning it was still red and itchy, the nurse said it looks like the gauze pad is causing the problem so she suggested I take Benadrly. Took twice today and it feels better. She suggested I also use a clean dishtowel over wound much better no more itchy belly. Another thing I use is a long shoehorn as I can't bend well I use it to reach things and for scratching my itchy legs. Boy has that thing come in handy. I also found you need to have strong leg muscles as you need to bend at the knees so strong legs are a must. Good thing I exercised like crazy a few weeks before surgury. Anyway day 4 I feel much better and stronger and hope to keep getting better every day.
poet2
April 15, 2010
I had mine on April 6th -- day 2 and 3 were hard and thank god for that reclining chair. I can't imagine how I would have done this without it! Love the shoehorn idea LOL - I just leave what I drop on the floor -- I figure it will still be there when I feel better.
chickenlady184
April 14, 2010
Thanks everyone! Well, I am going in for my first checkup today, and maybe we will have a better idea for pain meds for me too. I get nausuea with the ones I am taking, and very constipatated, probably causing at some of my back pain. Just wish that a week later, Iwas feeling better. I like the back scratcher I idea too! :)
5248anon
April 14, 2010
My surgury was Friday April 9 and Tomorrow (Thursday) I get my tubes out, so excited. Yesterday I cut down on meds and by supper I finally felt like I needed to go #2 and I realized it would not be easy. Since I usually go 2-3 times a day not going for 4 was not normal for me. I have not eaten much the last 4 days but it's still not good for me to not go daily. I Spent over 1 hour trying and no way so I waddled to safeway to buy something to insert to help. 1 hour later no success. My husband came home and he offered to take me to the drugstore for an emema kit. After 3 different stores we found none so I suggested I get a wendy's soft ice cream as it always gets my bowels upset when I eat it. FInally after eating some it moved and it was not without pain. It took 3 visits to the bathroom until I felt empty. Now my butt hurts more than my belly. I feel like such a reck and when I look in the mirror I do question what the heck I got myself into. Everyone says after a few weeks it's all worth it, I do hope so as today I feel so tired and sore. I don't want to have to take any more pain meds if it causes this problem. I wanted to take some for when the tubes come out but I don't want to go through the constipation. Luckly this weekend we have no plans but by next weekend we have 3 outing to attend. ALl I want to do is stay home and rest, this really took alot out of me, maybe because I am 51. Hopefully you younger gals will recover faster especially those of you with young kids. Also try to keep those meds low if you can so your bowels work. At least I can sit up on my own without my hubby pulling me up. After the tubes come out I plan to try and sleep on my side in my bed, I am tired of the lazyboy couch. Hanging in there.
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Miz.Liberty
April 23, 2010
It's been about a week since you have posted this- How is your progress coming along? :) If I am going to do this- I want to go into it fully prepared! I know everyone heals at different paces, but I think my biggest fear has been the bathroom relief part of it! Thanks!
5248anon
April 26, 2010
Hey Miz.Liberty. You are right I am finding everyone is healing at different rates. Since I am probably older than you (51) I found it to be difficult and I am now 17 days post op and still tire during the day. Hopefully you can have 3 weeks off from work. Everyday is getting better and I feel stonger. The bathroom issue was a real problem for me so take softeners with your pain meds. I noticed the younger women bounce back faster. My tummy is still not as flat around the incision but I think this hard swelling will go down. It is a bigger procedure than I realized, it is considered major surgury especially if they have to stich your muscles back. Mine had a large seperation so he said I had double layers to sew so I had a lot of tightness but as I said every day is getting better. Went today and bought 2 different bikini tops, that was fun. When is your surgury?
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MommyofthreeinCT
May 24, 2010
I am a nurse and we have the following regimen for women that have csections: 2 colace (docusate) twice per day, 1 senna (senokot) per day, mylicon/gas x (simethicone) tablets 2-3 times per day. I really helps because it tackles gas and bowel issues.
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brittany88
April 14, 2010
I had my surgery one day after you. The pain pills I have give you really bad constipation but I have been able to stop taking them so hopefully that problem will go away. My drains were leaking a dark red fluid for the first few days then went to a light red and are now an orange color. I think it just means that your fluid it drying up since I am now well below 30ccs a day. I'm going in tomorrow so I am hoping they will pull them out! I am totally bored too so if you ever want to talk to anyone, talk about recovery or anything send me an email!
5248anon
April 14, 2010
I have the same problem and after 4 days finally had success but now my butt hurts. My tube fluid is also turning orange, tubes come out tomorrow. I am not bored as I waddle around doing a few things and have been out a couple times to walk to the bank and store. I am also very tired and napping so much. I miss my bed. After the tubes come out I want to sleep in my bed on my side if I can. That constipation is a setback so I also quit the painkillers. Not sure if I should take a couple before they take the tubes out, not sure how much it hurts. I do want to get back to normal but this recovery is a slow process.
5248anon
April 14, 2010
Hi Brittany 88, since you had your surgury 1 day after me I was wondering how your stomach feels around the belly button, I can't see much of my belly button, mine is not only swollen but feels very hard all around the area and it is sore. I hope this is normal. I also have redness on my incision line. SInce it has only been 5 days since surgury maybe I am expecting good results too soon but this hardness is a bid worrysome. How is your belly button area?
chickenlady184
April 15, 2010
Hi, I had my surgury on April 7th and my stomache is hard and swollen esp. around the belly button area. Sore too. My incision line does not appear to look red, though hard to see with all the tape. I "think" the hardness is normal, at least my doc was not concerned yesterday. Hope this helps. :)
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backtome
April 14, 2010
I have not had the surgery yet but my doc told me that your blood will start off dark red, then pink, then the color of straw. Sorry that is all the advice that I can give you.
UPDATED FROM chickenlady184

Okay, day 15 and no way I could be going back to...

chickenlady184April 22, 2010

Okay, day 15 and no way I could be going back to work.  Feeling more myself, but very sore esp. in my back (It is still very swollen) and I am still walking hunched over.   I am sore all over but not in horrible pain. This is taking much longer than I thought, but I am accepting it now.  Not sure if i am healing right, some of my sutues look puckery and pink. Some look perfect, so I guess my scarring will not be perfect.  I think the overall appearence will still be better this time next year, at least I hope so!!!  I will try again to post photos.   Anyway, Someday next month I hope to find someway to sit or stand or walk that will be comfortsable. As of right now, nothing is comfortable!!   I did sleep in my own bed last night, though I had to call my daughter in this morning to help me up! :) All night though, I couldn't really move for fear of pulling soemthing and I was paraniod that I husband would bump me because he was used to having the bed all to himself!! :) LOL.   This too shall pass and this summer I can't wait to hike and kayak!!!!

Replies (2)

niknkids
April 28, 2010
OMG u r an angel to do that for someone who is unable to bake their own babies...NEVER feel guilty for doing something for urself and taking a little time to relax and rest. U deserve it. it will be so worth it xxxx
Shanbre
April 26, 2016
I also had my TT and Lipo on April 7th. I can't imagine having to go into a job and stand or sit for long periods of time. I hope you do well. Try to take it easy.
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