Much Needed TT, 25 Years Later! - Chapel Hill, NC

I spend a boat load of money on smartlipo about 5 years ago. I was told then that I was a better candidate for a TT, but I had made up in my mind that I would never undergo an invasive surgery experience. I was happy with the results then but 5 years later, I had put on a lot more weight. I started exercising with a personal trainer about 8 months ago and while I built muscle, was stronger, and lost a reasonable amount of weight, the tire around my waist just wasn't going anywhere. I went back to that same provider a few weeks ago hoping for retouch and this time he told me that smartlipo would not do anything for me. He gave me Dr. Ruff's name and number, I had a wonderful consult with him and his team, and I have a date scheduled for June 10th! I will post more pictures on the day of my surgery.

I went in for my procedure at 8am and was home by 1:30pm today. I was very groggy and could not remember anything until about 3pm. I ate and took a Percocet at 2:30pm for pain and dozed on an off for an hour at a time. I immediately began with my fresh juices (kale, spinach, carrot, beets) and water, which sent me to pee every hour. Every time I went to pee, I walked a circle inside me house and then flexed my legs. I rented a lifting recliner which is amazing, even with a home health nurse. I'll be sleeping there a few days.

My pain level was a 2 out of 10 (don't laugh or cough), until about 7, then it went up to a 7 out of 10. I ate spaghetti (no food restrictions), took 2 Percocet, and feel better now. My back is beginning to ache a bit but I've gotten relief from putting a pillow behind. I'm also trying a lot of homeopathic approaches Arnica, Bromelain, natural stool softener - not a laxative!

The most incredible thing about my PS. He uses a barbed, no tension suture and NO DRAINS! He called personally to check on me around 7ish pm.

I will shower tomorrow and post pics then!

Having a few mixed feelings....

My recovery has been almost too easy. I've not not had any pain or needed any meds since Day 3, slept in my own bed last night for the first time (still with lots of pillows) and made it out this morning for a hair appointment. No bruising. No major swelling. I was able to do about 4-5 hour of office work from home the last 2 days without any difficulty. The no drain thing is amazing. My 5-year old granddaughter gently sat in my lap this afternoon.

Now the complaints.... The compression socks are irritating. I still can't drive yet. My major physical woe is this dull, annoying, chronic back pain that is most likely due to me still only being able to stand up with about a 5% bend. Also, I seem to get winded very easily. Again, probably due to the bend. I engage in a lot of Lamaze-like deep breathing to get me through. Did I mention the backache?

Now the worries... Could he have pulled me tighter? Why do I still have some loose skin? Why didn't I insist on getting lipo to sculpt my flanks? I don't want to pay for that separately, have another procedure, and have more downtime. Why does my belly button look so pitiful?

I try to remind myself that I only wanted a semblance of a normal figure - which I can clearly see when I have clothes on. I haven't seen my belly button in 25 years so why does it matter now? I try to remind myself that I know it will get better over the weeks.

Tomorrow is my 1 week follow up. I also have my first lymphatic massage scheduled to help speed of the rest of the healing.

The pictures below are at day 1 postop, so I get that I'm still swollen. Will post more pictures at my 1 week.