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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck Reviews

29 Years Old, 2 Kids, TT, Muscle Reconstruction, Lipo on Hips - Bryn Mawr, PA

UPDATED FROM mermaidgirl5507
20 days post

3 weeks Post - Scar

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mermaidgirl5507
WORTH IT$10,000
I have attached a couple of pictures of my scar and how it's looking so far...I'm happy with the progress thus far...I have high hopes that it will heal pretty nicely...my PS recommended I get a silicone strip called the Oleeva Scar Shaper...I'm going to order it tonight...he said it will help the scar heal flat and get rid of the lumps it has currently.

I also posted a pic of my previous drain hole sites. I wanted to show how no stitches were needed and they just scabbed over shortly after being removed. I know I was curious as to what happened after the drains came out so I added this picture for everyone who hasn't went through this step yet. It still feels very tender around the immediate area and it has some extra swelling. I did try "grooming" my area but I just avoided to the drain scabs and my incision the best I could.

Because I have been so swollen, I have not set foot on a scale since before my surgery. I was so afraid of it saying that I lost little to no weight. So I finally got on and I have lost 15 pounds since surgery!!! I guess my eating super healthy and clean since surgery is really paying off :-D

mermaidgirl5507's provider

David A. Bottger, MD

David A. Bottger, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.9 | 80 Reviews
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mermaidgirl5507

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Replies (1)

September 30, 2014
Your results look fantastic! Are you still happy with the results? Any pain still?
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October 3, 2014
Thank You!!!...I will be posting more updated pictures soon :-)...I am still happy with my results....I constantly stair at myself in the mirror lol...i just can't believe that I finally have a flat belly after all these years...I'm not going to lie, I do still have pain and discomfort from time to time but it's minimal... for the most part I'm almost fully back to normal. The recovery is tough but I don't regret at all having my surgery...I'm also able to sleep on my side and partly on my stomach now so I'm really grateful for that. The thing I think that bothers me the most is the numbing sensation I have on my incision and on my back where my lipo was performed. It's very sensitive to touch :-/
October 3, 2014
I am excited to see how you're looking now! I really want to get a TT and BA. I had 3 kids, I would love to have my body back! I'm pretty scared about doing it though. Lots to think about.
UPDATED FROM mermaidgirl5507
20 days post

Started Back to Work 18 days Post Op

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mermaidgirl5507
I'm a few days late writing this post but I started back at work 2 days ago (18 days post surgery). I woke up swollen but still some what flat. By the time I got home I was super swollen. My stomach was hard as a rock and I was so uncomfortable. Every day I come to work is the same. I don't do much activity at work. I sit at my desk most of the day and take short walks though out the day to stretch and get some movement. I'm hoping as the weeks pass I won't be so swollen when I get home. I have cut salt almost totally out of my diet and any salt intake I might have is such a small amount. My scar is healing nicely which I'm happy about. I will post a picture of it later.

Replies (1)

August 20, 2014
I woke up from surgery with the CG already on and it has a big hole from front to back for the two important businesses:) the brand is marena and closes on two sides with hooks and a thigh to armpit length zippers. Tight but comfortable and helps with the swelling. Also, to make showering easier, i used a suggestion on this board. Get the PT or yoga stretch band and tie loosely around your neck like a necklace, pin those drains on it and take a shower. Your review really cracked me up. You look amazing!!! I'm still 7days post op but still with drains in place and yes, cannot wait for it to come out. I have lost 5 lbs post op from just eating very light and cutting out salt. Swollen but not too badly. Happy Healing Everyone..
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August 20, 2014
Thanks for the info on your CG!!...I'm going to definitely look into that...I tried wearing the Spanx on Saturday and only lasted about a half hour before taking them off to go to the bathroom...I didn't want to go through the hassle of pulling them back up so I just left them off :-/....how much are you draining daily? At how much will your PS take your drains out?...I HATED them...they made me so depressed...everything started getting better so quickly after they were removed
August 20, 2014
The drainage is slowing down a lot but he won't take them out until it is less than 10ml in a 24 hr period he said. So we are looking at this Friday or Monday the 25th which will be 12 days post op. I still have 30ml coming.
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August 20, 2014
Well I'll say a little prayer for you that they come out Friday...I know how uncomfortable they can be....Keep me posted on how you make out :-)
UPDATED FROM mermaidgirl5507
14 days post

2 Week Post Op

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mermaidgirl5507
So today was the 1st day back behind the wheel since surgery. I didn't go too far just to drop my kids off at camp and meet up with my cousin for a bit but it was so nice to have that little piece of independence back. I'm getting back to normal living slowly each day and I can not be more relieved.

I also took a trip to Target today to pick up some dresses for work since my swelling is still pretty bad and I don't think I will be into my pre-surgery work clothes by the time I go back on Monday. At least the dresses will give my stomach some room if it swells throughout the day and I won't have a waist band digging into me making me even more uncomfortable.

One of the most exciting parts of my day was walking into Target and seeing the bikinis on clearance and actually being able to go over and look through them knowing that I will actually look good in them!! I even tried one on just for the heck of it and even with my swelling it looked AWESOME!!! I can't wait until next summer when I can flaunt my flat non swollen belly :)

Even though it felt great getting out and feeling semi normal today, I think I might have over did it just a bit. I'm super swollen and in a little pain now. I think i plan to just lay low this weekend and try and relax the best I can until I have to go back to work on Monday.

Replies (3)

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August 15, 2014
You look amazing! Thanks for sharing your progress :)
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August 15, 2014
Thanks!!!! :-)
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August 16, 2014
Your activities will actually speed up recovery, as crazy as that sounds!! Next week u will feel fatigued so take it easy, walk around, and eat well. Rest in the evening for sure! Blessings to u:-)
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August 17, 2014
Everything is looking really great for where you are!! Keep doing what your doing but don't overdo it;)
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August 18, 2014
Thanks!!! I'm trying not to over do it too much but it's so hard lol