POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck Reviews
29 Yr Old Mom, 5'4'', 150, on the flat side and, so far, loving it!
UPDATED FROM rockb18
4 months post
Ran my first post op 5k! :) :)
WORTH IT$9,650
Hey, ladies!
For Mother's day weekend I ran my first 5k since having my TT. I was joined by my MIL and my son (who cheered me on). It was really invigorating! It stormed all morning so I ran in the wind and the rain. Great experience!
I have been without my CG for …I think about 2 weeks, but I decided to wear a compression tank for the run b/c I knew my body was going to be pushed hard during the run. Thankfully I didn't feel pain in my abdomen -different story for my knees (and today my shins)- but I did swell something fierce! I am still swollen today but am back to not wearing compression.
I have another 5k this coming Saturday. Hoping for another good experience. Get out there and run ladies, no fear :)
I finished up my day with cocktails and a concert! Great day all around! I hope everyone else is having a fantastic Mother's Day weekend!!!
For Mother's day weekend I ran my first 5k since having my TT. I was joined by my MIL and my son (who cheered me on). It was really invigorating! It stormed all morning so I ran in the wind and the rain. Great experience!
I have been without my CG for …I think about 2 weeks, but I decided to wear a compression tank for the run b/c I knew my body was going to be pushed hard during the run. Thankfully I didn't feel pain in my abdomen -different story for my knees (and today my shins)- but I did swell something fierce! I am still swollen today but am back to not wearing compression.
I have another 5k this coming Saturday. Hoping for another good experience. Get out there and run ladies, no fear :)
I finished up my day with cocktails and a concert! Great day all around! I hope everyone else is having a fantastic Mother's Day weekend!!!
rockb18's provider
UPDATED FROM rockb18
3 months post
**Mepitac Tape Review, 1 Week**
Hey RS ladies! I have now been using the Mepitac tape for one week and want to give y'all a quick review on what I think so far.
First, the one con… It is not as sticky as the tape from Dr Stiles office. It sticks fine but will move and bunch some during the day. Also, after just a week one of the edges is starting to peel back slightly after application. Usually I only have to smooth it down once but this is a problem I didn't have with the other tpe until 3-4 weeks out.
Ok, PROS… Again this silicon tape is much cheaper than other brands and you get several feet of tape in the box. Huge plus!
So, I have only been using this tape for one week and I already see improvement! That is AMAZING! I have not seem much change in my scar (other than smoothing) since the surgical tape came off at 3wks post op. The gel seems to be doing nothing and the old silicon tape did help over the 5weeks I wore it but I did not see any color change during that time.
My scar is even smoother now than it was a week ago and is already beginning to change color. YAY! Also, my scar now itches ALL THE TIME when I wear this tape. To me that is a good sign of healing.
My last pro is that this tape is washable. My other silicon tape was not. It become so gross that I hated having to put it on. The Mepitac brand can be washed and hung to dry.
I hope this review helps ladies. I will give another review on the Mepitac tape when I do my 4mo update :)
First, the one con… It is not as sticky as the tape from Dr Stiles office. It sticks fine but will move and bunch some during the day. Also, after just a week one of the edges is starting to peel back slightly after application. Usually I only have to smooth it down once but this is a problem I didn't have with the other tpe until 3-4 weeks out.
Ok, PROS… Again this silicon tape is much cheaper than other brands and you get several feet of tape in the box. Huge plus!
So, I have only been using this tape for one week and I already see improvement! That is AMAZING! I have not seem much change in my scar (other than smoothing) since the surgical tape came off at 3wks post op. The gel seems to be doing nothing and the old silicon tape did help over the 5weeks I wore it but I did not see any color change during that time.
My scar is even smoother now than it was a week ago and is already beginning to change color. YAY! Also, my scar now itches ALL THE TIME when I wear this tape. To me that is a good sign of healing.
My last pro is that this tape is washable. My other silicon tape was not. It become so gross that I hated having to put it on. The Mepitac brand can be washed and hung to dry.
I hope this review helps ladies. I will give another review on the Mepitac tape when I do my 4mo update :)
Replies (1)
April 28, 2015
Thanks for the update on the tape. How is the non-CG going? Are you still going without it? I'm just wondering because I'll be 3 months on the 30th and I just stopped wearing mine 4 days ago. I did have to put it back on Sunday afternoon because I was hurting and felt like maybe I had overdone it this weekend. I did more yard and housework than I have in 3 months! I was so glad I actually FELT LIKE doing work! But I think I got carried away-lol. I'm still swelling and have a little upper ab pain - like tightness. How is it going for you without it for a week now? I'm just hoping mine will get better and 'adjust itself' like you said in your earlier post.
April 29, 2015
I am doing ok without it. Flank swelling is awful by the end of the day and I have had upper ab swelling bad for the past 3-4wks so that hasn't gone away. *Sodium intake still seems to play a big part in my swelling.
I had to go back and forth with the CG too. I initially stopped wearing the CG at night at week 11, and then a few days later decided to stop with the spanx and go back to my 2nd stage binder. I just toyed around with it from there. I was wearing the CG during aerobics but I have stopped that as well. It honestly feels like the brief time with compression and then removing the compression was confusing my body.
I will be paying close attention to my swelling over the next few weeks and update on (hopeful) improvement. :)
I have a 5k on the 8th. I am going to attempt to do it binder-free but not sure yet...
April 29, 2015
Yay - good luck with the 5K! I'm ready to start working back up to a 5K. I need to find one in my area within the next couple of months so I'll have a goal to work toward :) I'll be looking forward to your updates on the CG - I had to put my Squeem back on last night because I just felt so bloated and uncomfortable :( When I get like that the compression makes it feel so much better, but I'm trying to ween myself off...
UPDATED FROM rockb18
3 months post
3 months!
Hey ladies! I have hit the 3mo mark!
Thankfully, I am finally able to run without pain in my abdomen. I am also able to plank and do some easy 5.6-5.7 climbing routes without pain.
I did pull a muscle - NOT FUN! So, watch out! It happens fairly easily I guess. Results in MAJOR swelling and some pain! I also have quit wearing compression at night and only wear my light weight binder during the day if I am running or on the elliptical. The swelling is incredible but I just deal with it. I think at 3mo out I need to let my body adjust so that the swelling can start to fade. I remember with my lipo the swelling lasted for 6mo, but I believe that is truly bc I wore my CG for 6mo. One week after I quite the CG the swelling subsided. I am working towards quitting the CG now and not drawing this out for 3 more mo.
ALSO, at my 3mo checkup I asked the nurse if there was any point to me ordering more silicon tape for scar maintenance. She said it was absolutely a good idea. ***I ordered Mepitac Silicon Tape*** I like it so far, and you get a good amount of tape for $20. Much better bang for your buck then ScarAway brand. I was told I can reap benefits from the tape until 6mo post op.
Unfortunately, I have managed to gain 5lbs in the past month. I am going through some very stressful stuff in my home life. My husband and I are separating and divorcing. It is a mutual decision, and a long-time coming but still a hard one, and we all know this recovery process is mentally draining so between the stresses I am not being diligent, or unable to be diligent -IDK.
For those of you who are about to join the flat side gaining weight after the surgery isn't much fun. The 5 lbs I have put on is all in my upper/lower body. I feel disgusting! My pants don't fit. My arms are huge. My upper body is becoming linebacker-esque, and the cellulite on my legs and ass has become SO MUCH WORSE. Sigh… KMN please! I hope I am not alone in this struggle. It is hard to keep the positive vibes going.
I am staying very active! I have 3 5Ks in the next 6weeks so I have been rebuilding my endurance for those.
Emotionally I am struggling with the amount of money I spent on this surgery and recovery. I feel guilty as hell for gaining weight, I feel guilty for not being happy with my body, and I feel guilty for everything my family went through during the recovery process. I still feel it has been worth it, but for the surgery to remain worth it I need to get my **** together and work to achieve my goal.
I would love to hear how other RS ladies are staying strong and sticking with the healthy lifestyle.
The stress I am dealing with at home isn't going to end anytime soon, but if I can find a way to cope without drowning my emotions in CHOCOLATE and WINE this battle will be much easier.
Thankfully, I am finally able to run without pain in my abdomen. I am also able to plank and do some easy 5.6-5.7 climbing routes without pain.
I did pull a muscle - NOT FUN! So, watch out! It happens fairly easily I guess. Results in MAJOR swelling and some pain! I also have quit wearing compression at night and only wear my light weight binder during the day if I am running or on the elliptical. The swelling is incredible but I just deal with it. I think at 3mo out I need to let my body adjust so that the swelling can start to fade. I remember with my lipo the swelling lasted for 6mo, but I believe that is truly bc I wore my CG for 6mo. One week after I quite the CG the swelling subsided. I am working towards quitting the CG now and not drawing this out for 3 more mo.
ALSO, at my 3mo checkup I asked the nurse if there was any point to me ordering more silicon tape for scar maintenance. She said it was absolutely a good idea. ***I ordered Mepitac Silicon Tape*** I like it so far, and you get a good amount of tape for $20. Much better bang for your buck then ScarAway brand. I was told I can reap benefits from the tape until 6mo post op.
Unfortunately, I have managed to gain 5lbs in the past month. I am going through some very stressful stuff in my home life. My husband and I are separating and divorcing. It is a mutual decision, and a long-time coming but still a hard one, and we all know this recovery process is mentally draining so between the stresses I am not being diligent, or unable to be diligent -IDK.
For those of you who are about to join the flat side gaining weight after the surgery isn't much fun. The 5 lbs I have put on is all in my upper/lower body. I feel disgusting! My pants don't fit. My arms are huge. My upper body is becoming linebacker-esque, and the cellulite on my legs and ass has become SO MUCH WORSE. Sigh… KMN please! I hope I am not alone in this struggle. It is hard to keep the positive vibes going.
I am staying very active! I have 3 5Ks in the next 6weeks so I have been rebuilding my endurance for those.
Emotionally I am struggling with the amount of money I spent on this surgery and recovery. I feel guilty as hell for gaining weight, I feel guilty for not being happy with my body, and I feel guilty for everything my family went through during the recovery process. I still feel it has been worth it, but for the surgery to remain worth it I need to get my **** together and work to achieve my goal.
I would love to hear how other RS ladies are staying strong and sticking with the healthy lifestyle.
The stress I am dealing with at home isn't going to end anytime soon, but if I can find a way to cope without drowning my emotions in CHOCOLATE and WINE this battle will be much easier.
Replies (2)
April 21, 2015
I had my tummy tuck on 1/22/15 and so we are at similar points in our recovery. I too have gained 5 pounds and it has all gone to my thighs! Keeping my weight steady after surgery has been a struggle since my doctor is conservative and had not cleared me for all exercise since recently. The swelling seems endless. I just started back at the gym doing full on high impact cardio and focusing back on healthier clean eating. Sorry to hear that you are going through some personal stressors in your life :(
April 27, 2015
Thanks for the support! It seems a lot of ppl gain after the TT. So I guess we aren't alone. It does suck though.
I also haven't been able to really get back into things as I would like. I was only just cleared to get back into rock climbing and to use weights over 10pounds. The only core I am allowed to do are planks… blah. I have been running, walking and using my elliptical regularly but I would like to get back to the gym.
If you find a way to get focused back on clean eating let me know, please?!?! I am having so much trouble. I was so healthy pre-surgery. Lol.
April 22, 2015
Your thoughts on the swelling and cg make sense to me and thanks for the mepitac suggestion. I'm sorry to hear that you're going through such a tough time. Divorce, guilty feelings, and weight gain ALL suck. When I'm having a tough time having a positive inner dialogue, I remind myself to treat myself like I'm my best friend. If your BFF was being down on herself the way that you're feeling about yourself now, what would you tell her? In your mind, you've got to be your own BFF and be nice to yourself. This is probably lame to some, but I've started doing it and it works for me. Hang in there and stay strong!
April 27, 2015
Thank you for the supportive words. I agree with you on being your own BFF. I have actually have had a habit for years where I tell my self " I love you , you are beautiful and strong" and then I give myself a hug. I do this when things are really rough. It does sound stupid to some but it is helpful.
Just hard to get out of this funk. So many dynamics with divorce.
Replies (1)