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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS

Drainless TT with MR. No Lipo. 32 Years Old. 2 C Sections. Cary, NC

ORIGINAL POST

I am going in on Thursday the 17th for a full...

eiseisbaby
$8,000
I am going in on Thursday the 17th for a full abdominoplasty with muscle repair with no lipo. I have had 2 c sections one 9 years ago and one 3 years ago. I lost all my baby weight and have kept it off for over a year. I have been continuing to work out and tone and strive for certain physical goals but due to my bubble gum belly I have been unable to attain these goals. I am 5'4 137lbs and in the best shape I've been in in years. I figured now was the best time to do this. Am I crazy? I am way more concerned about the recovery and dealing with my kids and everything than I am about the surgery itself. Anyone else?

eiseisbaby's provider

William T. Stoeckel, MD

William T. Stoeckel, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.8 | 124 Reviews
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Replies (10)

November 16, 2016
It is the best time to do it. You will be very happy. Good luck.
November 16, 2016
Thank you!
November 16, 2016
Good luck! I'm almost identical situation, surgery scheduled for December. Would love any recovery tips/advice following yours.
November 17, 2016
Will do!
November 17, 2016
Good luck!!!
November 18, 2016

Just checking in to see how you are doing?

November 18, 2016
Thanks for checking in. Day 1 post up and feeling very sore on my upper abs and my incision burns a little when I move otherwise I am great. Yesterday was a breeze. I moved around every couple of hours and had very little soreness. I have figured out how to pee without sitting which has been super helpful. Also I never see anything about other people using a 10lb bag of rice on there tummy. My Dr has me keeping it on my lower tummy at all times to prevent the swelling from going down to my vagina where the binder stops. That has helped also. I'm not swollen yet and it a really feels relieving to have on there. Also you can warm the rice and it helps like a heating pad. My walker is indispensable and so is my wedge pillow bc I didn't do a recliner. Will check in again later to update how the day went.
November 18, 2016
Thanks for checking in. Day 1 post up and feeling very sore on my upper abs and my incision burns a little when I move otherwise I am great. Yesterday was a breeze. I moved around every couple of hours and had very little soreness. I have figured out how to pee without sitting which has been super helpful. Also I never see anything about other people using a 10lb bag of rice on there tummy. My Dr has me keeping it on my lower tummy at all times to prevent the swelling from going down to my vagina where the binder stops. That has helped also. I'm not swollen yet and it a really feels relieving to have on there. Also you can warm the rice and it helps like a heating pad. My walker is indispensable and so is my wedge pillow bc I didn't do a recliner. Will check in again later to update how the day went.
November 18, 2016
Thanks for checking in. Day 1 post up and feeling very sore on my upper abs and my incision burns a little when I move otherwise I am great. Yesterday was a breeze. I moved around every couple of hours and had very little soreness. I have figured out how to pee without sitting which has been super helpful. Also I never see anything about other people using a 10lb bag of rice on there tummy. My Dr has me keeping it on my lower tummy at all times to prevent the swelling from going down to my vagina where the binder stops. That has helped also. I'm not swollen yet and it a really feels relieving to have on there. Also you can warm the rice and it helps like a heating pad. My walker is indispensable and so is my wedge pillow bc I didn't do a recliner. Will check in again later to update how the day went.
November 19, 2016

I have never heard that trick about the rice, but it makes sense to me.   I bet the warmth also feels good.   Go very slow for a while and allow your body to heal.  You may notice some swelling kick in as you go through the weeks but this is normal.

UPDATED FROM eiseisbaby
1 day post

Day 1 Post op

eiseisbaby
Today has been up and down. The pain is not unbearable any means. The only issue I have had is when I choose on some water and coughed. I was in agony for a while from that. Otherwise it's been just soreness and some burning at the incision. My TT was drainless so I have been keeping a 10lb bag of rice on my lower tummy for swelling. Sitting up straighter helps relieve the back pain you get from sitting so much and walking around with my walker has helped too. All in all it is NOTHING compared to what I had convinced myself it would be.

Replies (3)

November 19, 2016
Your results look great. I just had my surgery as well. I noticed an increase in swelling today and am going to try your rice bag trick.
November 20, 2016
It really seems to help. I can see a difference in swelling where I don't put the rice.
November 22, 2016
You look great! Are you sad they had to cut off your tattoos? I have seen other people that had their tattoos either cut into or totally cut off....LOL sorry random question I had while looking through your pics! I have mine in 6 days!!! I am glad it wasn't as bad as you thought it was going to be, it makes me feel better because I have felt like I am going to be in the worst pain of my life, so reading this helps my anxiety!
UPDATED FROM eiseisbaby
2 days post

Before Pictures and 2 days Post op!

eiseisbaby
Here are some Pictures from the day of surgery and then 2 days post op. I took the binder off to shower today and it was definitely a lot harder to stand without it bc of the MR. Pain is totally manageable, but finding a comfortable position is tough so when I do I stay there for a while. Getting up is a lot easier then getting down. Sleeping last night was easier bc I was able to sort of turn to the side, I am not at all used to sleeping on my back so trying to sleep on my back on a wedge is not fun. I choked on some water yesterday and I could have sworn I saw Jesus....not really but holy hellooooo it was awful and the pain from that lasted hours. So if I have any advice.... DO NOT COUGH OR SNEEZE.....or turn quickly.... Ill update again at the end of the day. Tata til then.

Replies (6)

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November 19, 2016
I don't want to move when I finally get a comfortable position. My back is definitely starting to ache. It will be so wonderful to sleep normally again. I meant to ask the nurse when I can sleep on my side again. ..you look great!!
November 20, 2016
How is everything going for you? Today is a little better than yesterday for me. I can stand almost fully upright. The muscle tightness in my upper abs has decreased some and I can sit and stand without assistance now.
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November 20, 2016
Same here as far as a little better than yesterday. I'm relieved it does seem each day gets a little better. I'm really hoping that later today I can shower without getting lightheaded. I can't wait to adjust the foam pad under my cg as it seems to be off center and lower on left side. I also hope my belly button looks healthy! We are almost through the hardest days! :)
November 20, 2016
Thanks for sharing. I will be following your story. Happy and fast healing! My TT is 1/12.
November 20, 2016
Good luck! Everyday has been a little better. This morning I can stand much closer to upright.
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December 29, 2016
If you do cough or sneeze place a pillow over your stomach and hold it towards your body