I have waited almost 24 years for this procedure and it seems soooo unreal to look down and my "inner tube" is gone! I am still healing and have a ways to go, but I am really happy thus far with the results. Me, the one who HATED showing my belling to anyone, can now lift my shirt and not cringe with embarrassment. My journey has made a difference in my self esteem and I am really pleased that I decided to do this!
I arrived at the clinic at 8 am. I was BEYOND nervous! I had my friend Nikki with me for support. She had to leave to run some errands so I was all alone. The receptionist was very patient and understanding. I was pacing back and forth like a rabbit in a cage! I was given two Ativan to help me relax before the procedure began. UHHHH, it didn't work....at all! When the nurse called me back, I was pretty much shaking from head to toe. She had this way about her that immediately put me at ease. She took my vitals and answered all my questions....they were endless! How patient she was! Within minutes, Dr. Hamel came in and greeted me with a "Hello Princess". I found that just the sweetest thing, and then I thought to myself, "OHHH HELL, this is going to be bad if he is calling me Princess!"
He took me into the next room and did the markings that he would use as a guide. He talked to me the entire time and asked me questions. I don't remember what they were, I was too scared. Once I was all marked up, I was taken to the procedure room. I got on the table and it was show time. I was given two squeezable breast to use in case I needed them. I told him I would have preferred balls but ohhhh well. Just before he started he said a prayer with me. That was very touching and soothing. I had been praying since my eyes opened that morning! He gave me a couple of shots near my hip bones where he would be making the incisions. It did sting, but nothing too bad. Next, he made a couple of small incisions. He told me he would be inserting the cannula and administering the numbing medication. Ok, this part was not FUN! It really hurt! Nothing that I couldn't tolerate but OUCHHHHHHH! I was given another Ativan....which still didn't calm me. I am just a big baby, admittedly. Anytime it hurt tooo much, I said stop and Dr. Hamel did immediately and gave me a break. It took about 15 minutes or so to get me numb. AND NUMB I was! It was like an outer body experience. I could see my abdomen but it was heavy and didn't feel like a part of me.
He then did lipo on my abdomen and then I stood up and he did it on my love handles....and if you notice the photos, I had some hefty handles! I could feel pressure but no pain. This is his signature... the Hamel Maneuver. You can Youtube it. Right after, I was taken to another room where the actually tummy tuck would be done. I walked! Now, granted it hurt like hell during the numbing, but to be able to walk was pretty darn cool. I got on the table and was draped as if I were having a C-section. My friend Nikki came back but she couldn't handle it (she peeked) and had to leave the room. I didn't feel anything but tugging and pulling. I asked questions every ten seconds it seemed. Dr. Hamel talked to me during the entire thing! He told me when he had removed the extra skin, when he had to cauterize a few little bleeders, and when he was pulling me together so he could stitch me up. I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful he was! I remember telling him to pull it as tight as he could! Lol. It kinda felt like my vagina was being relocated to the top of my pubic bone although of course it wasn't. I was thinking, "Give me a flat belly!" Before I knew it, it was over! I was being cleaned up and dressed. Somewhere around that time the Ativan finally kicked in and I was like a drunk. I don't remember getting to the car or getting home, only that I could see 2 of everything. My friend Nikki got me inside and situatuated on the couch. I had a couple of visitors and then everyone cleared out.
I spent the first night alone. I am a single mom so that was a big issue during my pre planning process. I had everything I needed next to me (I had made up a basket of everything I could possible need) and I was really numb from the medication still. I took my meds and went to sleep. Days 2,3, and 4 I had friends here to help me. They were soooo wonderful! They cooked, they cleaned, they helped with dressing me, you name it.....they did. I felt very fortunate to have such a close group of friends that took time out of their lives to take care of me.
Today is day 6 and I am getting stronger everyday. I am still sore and limited to what I can do but that is to be expected. I get the drain out in a few days. Its a pain, but not that big of a deal. I drove my son to school yesterday and am very mobile. During the first 3 days he was on his class trip so he didn't see the initial after effects of the surgery. That was planned as well. He is 11, almost 12 and has been a big help. Vacuuming, trash duty, cooking a bit, and other things for me. So, if you are reading this and you are a single mom, just know that with a few good friends, you CAN do this.
My journey has been worth it. I have HATED my belly for soooo many years! Even going to the doctor for a physical, I cringed. I'm not even going to mention bathing suits or sex.....if you have a belly, you know what I'm talking about! I look down now, and even though I am swollen, I don't have the belly that has bothered me for 24 years! My self confidence has already improved. Vanity? Maybe, probably....but am I any less vain when I put on makeup or do my hair? Vanity is subjective....and to me if I can do anything to make me feel better about myself, I'm going to do it!
I would definitely recommend Complete Laser Clinic and Dr. Hamel. I cannot begin to express how wonderful they are! I can't imagine going anywhere else! And for those of you that are scared to be awake, take if from the biggest coward in the world, if I can do it....YOU CAN DO IT!
I arrived at the clinic at 8 am. I was BEYOND nervous! I had my friend Nikki with me for support. She had to leave to run some errands so I was all alone. The receptionist was very patient and understanding. I was pacing back and forth like a rabbit in a cage! I was given two Ativan to help me relax before the procedure began. UHHHH, it didn't work....at all! When the nurse called me back, I was pretty much shaking from head to toe. She had this way about her that immediately put me at ease. She took my vitals and answered all my questions....they were endless! How patient she was! Within minutes, Dr. Hamel came in and greeted me with a "Hello Princess". I found that just the sweetest thing, and then I thought to myself, "OHHH HELL, this is going to be bad if he is calling me Princess!"
He took me into the next room and did the markings that he would use as a guide. He talked to me the entire time and asked me questions. I don't remember what they were, I was too scared. Once I was all marked up, I was taken to the procedure room. I got on the table and it was show time. I was given two squeezable breast to use in case I needed them. I told him I would have preferred balls but ohhhh well. Just before he started he said a prayer with me. That was very touching and soothing. I had been praying since my eyes opened that morning! He gave me a couple of shots near my hip bones where he would be making the incisions. It did sting, but nothing too bad. Next, he made a couple of small incisions. He told me he would be inserting the cannula and administering the numbing medication. Ok, this part was not FUN! It really hurt! Nothing that I couldn't tolerate but OUCHHHHHHH! I was given another Ativan....which still didn't calm me. I am just a big baby, admittedly. Anytime it hurt tooo much, I said stop and Dr. Hamel did immediately and gave me a break. It took about 15 minutes or so to get me numb. AND NUMB I was! It was like an outer body experience. I could see my abdomen but it was heavy and didn't feel like a part of me.
He then did lipo on my abdomen and then I stood up and he did it on my love handles....and if you notice the photos, I had some hefty handles! I could feel pressure but no pain. This is his signature... the Hamel Maneuver. You can Youtube it. Right after, I was taken to another room where the actually tummy tuck would be done. I walked! Now, granted it hurt like hell during the numbing, but to be able to walk was pretty darn cool. I got on the table and was draped as if I were having a C-section. My friend Nikki came back but she couldn't handle it (she peeked) and had to leave the room. I didn't feel anything but tugging and pulling. I asked questions every ten seconds it seemed. Dr. Hamel talked to me during the entire thing! He told me when he had removed the extra skin, when he had to cauterize a few little bleeders, and when he was pulling me together so he could stitch me up. I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful he was! I remember telling him to pull it as tight as he could! Lol. It kinda felt like my vagina was being relocated to the top of my pubic bone although of course it wasn't. I was thinking, "Give me a flat belly!" Before I knew it, it was over! I was being cleaned up and dressed. Somewhere around that time the Ativan finally kicked in and I was like a drunk. I don't remember getting to the car or getting home, only that I could see 2 of everything. My friend Nikki got me inside and situatuated on the couch. I had a couple of visitors and then everyone cleared out.
I spent the first night alone. I am a single mom so that was a big issue during my pre planning process. I had everything I needed next to me (I had made up a basket of everything I could possible need) and I was really numb from the medication still. I took my meds and went to sleep. Days 2,3, and 4 I had friends here to help me. They were soooo wonderful! They cooked, they cleaned, they helped with dressing me, you name it.....they did. I felt very fortunate to have such a close group of friends that took time out of their lives to take care of me.
Today is day 6 and I am getting stronger everyday. I am still sore and limited to what I can do but that is to be expected. I get the drain out in a few days. Its a pain, but not that big of a deal. I drove my son to school yesterday and am very mobile. During the first 3 days he was on his class trip so he didn't see the initial after effects of the surgery. That was planned as well. He is 11, almost 12 and has been a big help. Vacuuming, trash duty, cooking a bit, and other things for me. So, if you are reading this and you are a single mom, just know that with a few good friends, you CAN do this.
My journey has been worth it. I have HATED my belly for soooo many years! Even going to the doctor for a physical, I cringed. I'm not even going to mention bathing suits or sex.....if you have a belly, you know what I'm talking about! I look down now, and even though I am swollen, I don't have the belly that has bothered me for 24 years! My self confidence has already improved. Vanity? Maybe, probably....but am I any less vain when I put on makeup or do my hair? Vanity is subjective....and to me if I can do anything to make me feel better about myself, I'm going to do it!
I would definitely recommend Complete Laser Clinic and Dr. Hamel. I cannot begin to express how wonderful they are! I can't imagine going anywhere else! And for those of you that are scared to be awake, take if from the biggest coward in the world, if I can do it....YOU CAN DO IT!
