Finally Getting a Tummy Tuck After 95 Lb. Weight Loss Six Years Ago. - Columbus, GA

Haven't been on here in a while, so thought I'd do a quick update. It's been almost 7 months since I had my tummy tuck. My left side was uneven compared to my right side... I begin to notice it 3 months post op. So Dr. Pagadala did a revision on my left side to even it up with my right side. The original surgery was 9/30/14 and my revision was 3/23/15. My waist size hasn't changed much, depending on how swollen I am. I have lost about 4-5 inches off of my hip area (where the largest part of my pannus was). I was a size 16, sometimes 18, in jeans. I'm now a solid size 14. I think I could get into a size12 if my thighs weren't so big. Oh how I wish I could have gotten thigh lipo or an inner thigh lift. That is next on my list. Dr. Pagadala had suggested I get a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck because my upper abdomen had so much skin, but I went with a regular tummy tuck. I still have some loose skin in my upper abdomen area, but everything looks much better than it did before the surgery. I weighed 187 after my surgery and my weight has stayed around that the last few months. I am now seeing a weight loss specialist to try to lose 20-30 lbs. because I feel better in the 150s-160s. I've been trying to lose 20-30 lbs. for about three years now. My medication for my Endometriosis makes it difficult. Dr. Pagadala did a fantastic job and I am thankful for him. I know I would have had a better result had I been 20-30 lbs. less (weighed around 195 lbs. the day of original surgery), but I'm still happy with my result. It feels good to wear shirts now without having to wear a cami underneath to keep things from jiggling. I now wear dresses and skirts much more comfortably. It's much easier to work out now. I feel more confident now around other people. It's a great feeling to finally feel like I am normal. I had dealt with my pannus for over 20 years by the time I got it removed. I would highly recommend this surgery. It's worth the cost and the temporary pain. I feel that my life has been greatly improved.

I guess since I didn't need muscle repair, I'm having a faster recovery. I'm amazed at how much better I am feeling when it's only been ten days since my surgery. Swelling is still there... worse at night and after I eat. Been keeping my sodium down and drinking lots of water. Go to my second post op next week. Hoping to get the drain removed that day. Can anyone tell me it it hurts to get the Jackson Pratt drain removed?

So glad the first week has gone by, but I'll be so much happier in a couple of months when things hopefully will feel more normal. I miss cuddling with my daughter at night when I read to her in her bed. I miss cuddling up to my husband and "other things" with him. I feel guilty that he's having to do so much, but I'm doing more this week (since he went back to work yesterday). My daughter is on Fall Break this week, so I'm having to take care of her all day... but having her here is helpful. She's been helping me and since I'm not able to do as much house work now, we've been playing together more (video games, dolls, etc.). I had my first post-op yesterday and he said my incision looks good and so does my belly button. I go back next Monday to remove my drain and belly button stitches. So ready for the drain to come out! Yesterday I was out for the longest I have been since the day of my surgery (since it's a two hour drive to my surgeon). I did a lot of walking yesterday, so I was sore last night (and very swollen). Today was the first time I showered without the steri-strips (they were removed yesterday) and it was a little scary. I had my husband put padded bandages over my incision after it was all dry. I didn't like the feeling of thin gauze on my incision because it kind of hurt each time I had to adjust my binder. So I'm doing fresh padded bandages each day after my shower. I miss taking baths. Today was the first day I gave my daughter a bath since my surgery (since my husband went back to work) and it wasn't too bad. I just had to wash her hair. She did the rest. By the way, I have not been constipated at all since my surgery. I take two stool softeners each night (started the night before my surgery) and I drink a lot of water (water is all I pretty much drink with exception of skim milk and protein shakes). My surgeon told me yesterday that I am still very swollen and I know I am, so I know I'll have good results by the time the swelling is down. I am happy with how I am now because I no longer have all the loose skin. I look much better in clothes now. Still in the same size for the most part, but that's because of the swelling. But it's so nice to put clothes on and be flat. I no longer have to hide stuff, which is an awesome feeling. I miss working out, so I plan on starting back as soon as I'm told I can. All in all, still happy. No regrets. Just ready to get back to a normal life.