Update 9 years later.....still loving it. 7 Weeks Before/After Pics -Tummy Tuck and Lipo of Flanks - Charlotte, NC

Over the past 2 1/2 years I have lost over 75 pounds and have decided it's time to make my clothes look as good on the outside as I feel on the inside. Two years ago I had the lap-band procedure done and it has been a great tool to help me lose weight. It is by no means easy but it helps, if you work it and follow the program.
Now to deal with the tummy I have left behind. I have heard about diastasis - after having two babies - 9lbs 8 oz and 10lb 4 oz, I have a feeling my abs muscles are pretty far apart - my excercising seems to make it bulge more in the middle.
I have gone from a size 22/2X to a size 12/L -I went out today and bought a pair of jeans in size 10 - the fit everywhere but the tummy - about an inch or two to button. It reminded me of high school and laying down on the bed to button jeans - that may have worked for these, but I wouldn't go there. I was excited to have the legs fit as well as they do. I know they will be perfect post surgery (and post swelling).
I will post before pictures soon.Updated on 1 Dec 2011:I went for my Pre-Op visit on Tuesday. I brought my husband with me so he could ask any questions that he may have had. I am so glad I chose this doctor. She is really excited about what she can do for me, "this is going to look sooo good." It just makes me all that much more excited myself. She gave me a box of supplements to begin taking a few days before my surgery. We went over my long list of questions, took a few more photos and got my prescriptions, then paid my balance. So the waiting begins - it's two weeks from today.
I am glad that I have a lot to do between now and then, especially when I need to have Christmas ready to go, so I don't have to think about it after surgery. My Doctor also gave me information about Medical Grade Silcon strips for the scar. I have been using over the counter Scar-away strips since Sept. on an 18 month old scar and it has made a difference in he last 2 months. It's flatter and lighter, wonder how much better the medical grade would be. I need to check out them out I guess.Updated on 10 Dec 2011:I am now 5 days out and trying to make sure I have everything all set for after - especially since Christmas is only 10 days after. I am looking on Craigslist for a hospital bed - seems to be about the same cost as renting and if I can use it for a few weeks then resell it. Our church has a few medicals devices - I am going to borrow a walker, just for some extra support for the first few days. Just in case it may help.
I am getting one Compression Garment from my surgeon, she said she'd put it on while I am on the operating table. I went ahead and ordered another last night so I could alternate and not be without while washing one. I have been warned not to dry it in the dryer on high as it will shrink.
I am going to make a list of medications and when they should be taken. I have 3 Rx's and 2 supplements - afraid it will be too much for my husband to keep track of. From everything I read for the first two days it is important to take the pain meds every 4 hours and to set an alarm if you may be sleeping - sounds like a plan.
Got my protein powder ready too. I have learned the importance of my protein intake during my weighloss process and have had it reinforced in the last 3 days. My weight started to creep up a couple of pounds, I had thought it was because of my cycle - which is now 10 days late. 3 days ago I added an scoop of protein to my daily intake - I had gotten away from the daily protein powder about a month ago. As a treat I went to Starbucks and got a Nonfat Chai tea latte and added the unflavored protein powder to it. After 3 days of doing this I am back down 3.2 lbs. Just reinforced that when I am down on protein my body stores water to process carbs. I told my husband this morning that I need him to make sure that if I am not eating much that I need 3 scoops of PP a day to make sure I am getting 60 grams of protein, although 90 would probably be better. If we have less than that our body will snack on our muscles and not the fat stores. I have spent too much time in the gym to let that happen.Updated on 15 Dec 2011:Made it to the other side with flying colors - no more shelf. Excuse typos - vicodin is in full swing.
Did great - has 5lbs removed and 4 liters in lip. Dr. said it could not have gone any better - now hoping recovery is also textbook. So far all is well, have been peeing like crazy - gone 4 times since 3 pm - about once an hour. Glad I got a hospital bedfrom Craigslist to rest up in and the walker help with the tummy tuck shuffle to get to the bathroom.
Hubby is making me some soup - have been doing just water and a little chai tea with protein powder - been 24 hours w/o real food - ready to try a bit.
I am a bit sore - learning to use my legs and arms and keep my core stable helps with movements. The worse pain was from an unexpected cough, got my cough drops at my to side help keep throat mosit. Honestly, my troiat is what hurts the most from the trach tube.
Go for post-op appt tomorrow at lunch - she said I could shower first if I want, think I will wait I don't want to undo the binder and compression garment myself - a little afraid to do that. The CG goes mid=thigh to my chest with the bra cut out - it zips up from both sides (thigh to underarm) Can't wait for my first peek at all of it.Updated on 16 Dec 2011:First Post-op visit went great. Dr is very pleased with how it all looks, me too from what little I saw - hubby took pictures but it's hard to get a good view from them. I will post pictures tonight - he promised he'd help me with that.
I am most uncomfortable on my lower back - like someone hit me with a lead pipe a few humdred times - oh wait, basically she did with the lipo.
Getting a little bit to eat and drinking lots of water with all the meds. Had protein shake a little bit ago. Overnight took pain meds at 4:30 on an empty stomach - not a good idea ended up waking my husband up and getting a phenegren tablet to stop the nausea. I was greatful it stopped - afraid of the pain with the ab muscles had I thrown-up, I know coughing kills (got my cough drops) at my bed side).
May try to shower later - Dr said its ok. Just not sure I am ready for the water to hit my back. My drains aren't bad I hardly notice them. Time to rest - my eyes are getting heavy.Updated on 17 Dec 2011:Day Two post-op here and doing well. Having issue with nauseau guess I need to keep that pill going for a bit longer on a regular basis. Took a shower this morning - stuck a folding chair in there and had my huband wash my hair. It felt good to be out of the CG and binder for while - my swelling is really lopsided. Once I put them back on they seem to be itchy.
Haven't had much of an appetite - forcing myself to eat a little bit before each medicine round.
My PS sent me a bouquet of flowers today - with wished for a Beautiful Recovery.Updated on 20 Dec 2011:Day Five - Have missed the last two days of posting. I was sick to my stomach on Sunday so I cut out the pain meds thinking that was the issue. I felt like I had so much gas that I had a 9 month old baby rearranging my insides. Woke up morning of Day four and felt much better. Finally felt like I had an appetite - send my husband to Subway for my favorite Tuna sub. At noon took my antibotic and within 10 minutes I was so sick. Went from feeling great to feeling like someone threw me down the stairs. But at last I knew the issue. Called the Dr office after a 3 hr rest got them to switch to a new antibiotic.
Today I took my second shower. Still put a chair in their and used a neck lanyard to hold by drains this time - worked much better than the hanger last time. I went in for my second post-op and I got one of my drains removed. Didn't know what to expect she told me some tuggling well... it was weird, she (the nurse) had never seen this happen - she removed the one on my right and I had this burning sensation on the left. It felt like she layed a really hot instrument on my skin. It subsided but was weird. She went and asked the Dr, who said it was a nerve response. When the Dr came in said said it all looks good, but I looked bloated. She told me to get MOM Dulcolax, something. Even though I had a small BM yesterday, she said she felt it backed up and wanted it out to not mess up "her" stiches. Took some Ducolax in v-8 juice when I got home and within 2 hours things were moving. Things are rumbling in my tummy but my appetite is still minimal.

Day 9 post-op -


I have missed a few days posting. Day 6 was great felt almost normal most of the day, then late afternoon took some more Ducolax to make sure things kept moving. Two hours later I started blowing up like a giant hot air balloon - I had to take my binder off then my compression garment off. I was walking laps around my house trying to help get things moving. After another 2 hours of nothing - not even a rumble I got worried. My belly was so swollen and tight - my belly button was pushed out flat. I called the PS Office and the on-call nurse got back to me - she had me get Milk of Magnesia and Dulcolax supposities. After a round of each, things started moving - in the process of all this I pulled a muscle in my back, so each deep breath, yawn or movement causes the muscle to spasm.


Stopped taking pain meds - except Tylenol or Advil - trying to keep my intestines functioning normally.


Day Seven was slow but good - just the muscle spasm in my back to deal with.


Day Eight was by far the best. Got up and around most of the day - no naps but some chilling movie time. Did have an issue with my drain leaking today but it stopped and it was still suctioning so didn't need to make a trip to the office to have it checked. I am still putting out a lot of fluid, hopefully it will subside over the next 3 days before my next post-op appointment.


All this leaves me at Day 9 Christmas Eve - the swelling is moving south as the say - someone else said it best recently - I kind of feel like a Ken Doll. I am so puffed down there that it is sticking out of the CG - a wee bit uncomfortable.

I fogot to add this - so far in the recovery process the tummy tuck work has been by far less painful than the Lipo of my backside. I know the TT is worth it. I am starting to see beyond the swelling and the shelf that was removed. I am waiting and wondering if the Lipo was worth all the extra discomfort. Time will tell.