POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck Reviews
Tummy Tuck Done Sept. 22, 2011
UPDATED FROM Buttercup74
I can't believe it has been 6 weeks already. I am...
Buttercup74November 2, 2011
WORTH IT$6,800
I can't believe it has been 6 weeks already. I am starting to feel almost normal again. I finally started walking upright at week 5. That was a long time to walk hunched over. Thank god that's over.
I really, really want to exercise, but I don't know what to do. Can I do slow aerobics, or just walk? The thing that sucks more than anything is that I used to lift heavy weights, and I really miss it. I don't really know what 5 pounds is going to do, if that's all I can lift.
Clothes still fit weird, but the fact that pants lay flat on my stomach makes this all worth it. I love that my pants are loose and that I don't have a pouch anymore. My husband always said it never bothered him, but now that it's done, he says he's glad I did it. I am too!
I really, really want to exercise, but I don't know what to do. Can I do slow aerobics, or just walk? The thing that sucks more than anything is that I used to lift heavy weights, and I really miss it. I don't really know what 5 pounds is going to do, if that's all I can lift.
Clothes still fit weird, but the fact that pants lay flat on my stomach makes this all worth it. I love that my pants are loose and that I don't have a pouch anymore. My husband always said it never bothered him, but now that it's done, he says he's glad I did it. I am too!
Buttercup74's provider
Replies (3)
January 15, 2012
Thank you Buttercup! The breast reduction is really a breeze compared to the tummy tuck. I think I stayed over for the night due to having both at the same time. It's crazy how at this point it is mass that counts rather than weight. My shape is completely different even though I am very very swollen. I will be patient and wait. How soon did you drive?
January 15, 2012
I only took 13 days off, including the day of surgery (that's all the vacation I had). I was okay to drive by the time I had to go back to work. The crazy thing is, you don't realize just how much you use your abs until something like this. If you had muscle repair you will know what I'm talking about. It was even hard to steer, and get in and out of the car. Every bump seemed to make me tingle. I think it took quite a few weeks before driving was comfortable again. As far as your shape, you will swell for a while. In the morning is a good time to look at it, because I don't have swelling then. I still get a little by night, but I barely notice it. If you saw the way I looked before, a little swelling still looks good to me :)
You should have had post op visits by now, and probably had one of your drains removed?
You should have had post op visits by now, and probably had one of your drains removed?
January 17, 2012
Buttercup74, you are correct. I had my first appointment yesterday and had one tube removed! Yaayy! Still sore but doing great. Every day is still up and down but I would do this again in a second. Dr. Cramer stated that I am still very swollen due to the amount of cc's and skin that was removed. She stated that she hadn't removed that much in a long time. Seeing her excited about my outcome pushed me even more to keep going and to heal! I am so excited. I tried on a shirt that I bought from the Limited over 8 years ago and it fit! It fit!!! I amazed at just the difference of the breast reduction. I will be patient with my stomach. Every day is a new day!
January 18, 2012
I know how excited you are. I can wear clothes now that I never thought I would be able to. Everyday I am so grateful that I went through with it. You will start feeling more normal when you get the other tube out. toward the end of getting the second one out, my body did start to reject it, and clear, slightly pink fluid would seep out. They said it was normal. If it happens, just keep it clean and keep bacitrasin on it. And, I hope someone has told you how very important it is to drink lots of water, and eat lots of fiber. I found out the hard way that I wasn't drinking enough water. I only had a tt. I bet you must feel so different after having a breast reduction also. Your back is going to thank you, I'm sure :)
UPDATED FROM Buttercup74
This is an experience I will never forget for sure...
Buttercup74October 9, 2011
This is an experience I will never forget for sure. It's been 2 1/2 weeks since my surgery. I knew it would be painful. But...I didn't know how much I would have to depend on someone else. My husband has been awesome. Although sometimes I think he tries to push me too much. He doesn't realize how much this surgery has affected my body.
Looking back on the first week, my worst memories are the headaches from sleeping in the recliner and the day I thought I was going to die thanks to a backup. After that prunes, fiber one, and water became by two bff's. I haven't had any complications at all. I stopped the Vicodin on day 3. I occasionally took one to sleep at night. I haven't taken anything else for pain at all. I think the worst things are that when I get up from sitting I get the worst stinging, pinching feeling on my whole left side, and my right hip. It stops me from moving for a minute, then it goes away. The tightness in the muscles is the other thing. By the end of the day I'm pretty hunched over. Twice a day I try to lay flat in bed for a while to stretch out. It feels wonderful.
I finally posted some before and after pics. I didn't want to put the before pics up, but then the after pics wouldn't be so amazing :)
This forum has been a life saver. Everyone is so helpful and thoughtful.
Looking back on the first week, my worst memories are the headaches from sleeping in the recliner and the day I thought I was going to die thanks to a backup. After that prunes, fiber one, and water became by two bff's. I haven't had any complications at all. I stopped the Vicodin on day 3. I occasionally took one to sleep at night. I haven't taken anything else for pain at all. I think the worst things are that when I get up from sitting I get the worst stinging, pinching feeling on my whole left side, and my right hip. It stops me from moving for a minute, then it goes away. The tightness in the muscles is the other thing. By the end of the day I'm pretty hunched over. Twice a day I try to lay flat in bed for a while to stretch out. It feels wonderful.
I finally posted some before and after pics. I didn't want to put the before pics up, but then the after pics wouldn't be so amazing :)
This forum has been a life saver. Everyone is so helpful and thoughtful.
Replies (5)
October 9, 2011
It's a miracle!!! I've been complaining about not being able to stand up and today when I got out of bed...I was standing straight up! I am afraid to sit for too long because I'm sure it will not last, but at least I know it can be done. I am super happy today! I better get my shower out of the way before I start slouching again :)
October 10, 2011
Thanks Kimmers! I took your advice and just laid flat in bed. It worked. Thank you!!
October 9, 2011
Hi Buttercup & congrats! I had my TT/MR/Lipo on the 22nd as well. You look great! Happy healing...
October 10, 2011
today was my first day to stand up straight without terrible pulling too! 4 weeks post op.
October 10, 2011
Congratulations!! I don't know about you, but I think it made all of my fears go away. I can't really explain it, but it's definitely a turning point :)
October 10, 2011
yes buttercup, it has really helped me too. standing up straight is part of "feeling normal" and i was starting to wonder if that was ever going to happen again! i take a few tiny walks every day and am getting used to finding my balance and posture with a new body.
ORIGINAL POST
I had a tt yesterday. I know that I am supposed to...
Buttercup74September 23, 2011
I had a tt yesterday. I know that I am supposed to walk around but the most I can do is walk back and forth from the bathroom. I cannot stand up straight at all, which I expected. My back kills me if I stand too long hunched over. I am just wondering if this is how most everyone else felt, and what to expect next.
Replies (5)
September 24, 2011
I had my TT on Monday. Sometimes I can walk upright but mostly I walk bent over, if I go slow straightening up is easy. I still have alot of pain when I cough, which is something that happens quite often now for some odd reason. I read alot of reviews that said they were up and about 4 days post-op. I wish I had their secret.
September 30, 2011
Hi!! I thought that since you are a few days ahead of me in the healing process, i would see how you are doing? I am at day 8 today. I don't really see any difference today then i did 3 days ago. Everyday is the same. Try to walk around a lil bit, sit, walk to the bathroom, sit.
September 24, 2011
Hang on darlin! This is all normal and it will get easier each day. The first week is the worst but what you are feeling is normal.
Walking to the bathroom is good; it's movement and that helps. Another thing you can do while in the bed if keep flexing your calves, ankles and feet. Keep them moving. Keep changing positions often and try heat on the lower back. That will help some of the soreness. Light massage as well is good for this.
You are going to go through an entire emotional roller coaster the first month but this is all part of the process.
September 24, 2011
Thanks for the advice. Today is day 3 post op. I have stopped the pain meds for the most part. It is getting easier to get up and down, but I still need my husbands help with it. I understand now what you mean about the emotional roller coaster. I have too much time to sit and think. My husband took my binder off today to help me clean up. My stomach does not look flat like I thought it would. It looks like a wrinkly mess. I am not worrying about it right now though, I figure I will wait until I am able to stand up at least.
September 27, 2011
Yes give it some time. The swelling really causes distortion so don't panic. It takes time for everything to settle down.
And just ride that roller coaster because that will also end. I know how frustrating this can be though. We are all here for you:)
September 27, 2011
Thans to everyone who gives advise. It really is helpful. I hope someone can help with this issue: my hips are apparently much bigger than my waste and chest. I have to wear my binder for another week but because of the proportion... I cant stop the binder from riding up. It doesnt stay tight because of this. Any suggestions?
October 9, 2011
hi buttercup. my tummy tuck/muscle repair/lipo of flanks was sept 8. i am four weeks post op.
i have had the same frustration with the binder riding up and not staying in place. i realized the binder did not work for both the upper abs and the hips, it covered one or the other. i started wearing a second "binder" to cover my entire midsection, it was an exercise belt that velcroed like a binder. at three weeks post op my surgeon said to wear a girdle that covered my pubic area to keep compression there (have swelling and necrosis). i went to the mall and bought a spanx shaper that goes from under the breasts to mid-thigh (real spanx, not generic, it costs about $80 and is very supportive). i don't wear the binder any more. this shaper is great and i can wear it under my clothes much easier.
hope your recovery is coming along well.
i have had the same frustration with the binder riding up and not staying in place. i realized the binder did not work for both the upper abs and the hips, it covered one or the other. i started wearing a second "binder" to cover my entire midsection, it was an exercise belt that velcroed like a binder. at three weeks post op my surgeon said to wear a girdle that covered my pubic area to keep compression there (have swelling and necrosis). i went to the mall and bought a spanx shaper that goes from under the breasts to mid-thigh (real spanx, not generic, it costs about $80 and is very supportive). i don't wear the binder any more. this shaper is great and i can wear it under my clothes much easier.
hope your recovery is coming along well.
September 24, 2011
I had my TT done On Monday 9/19. I walked hunched over for Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday I was a lil more up right. Remember you do not want to put strain on your cut/stitches. I still do feel tight in the abdomen. Pain was not bad at all for me. I also stopped taking my pain meds since yesterday. Take it easy and relax let your body heal. everyone heals differently hun :)
September 26, 2011
Hi Buttercup, Yes, Kimmers is right, its so normal to find it challenging to move the first week. If you can move across the room at least once an hour while awake, that will be good. I had to have help the first 3 or 4 days to get up, it's very painful but then it gets easier. I was going up and down steps by day3 post op, albeit, one step at a time and very slowly! Rest dear, listen to your body. Good luck!
September 26, 2011
Well it's Monday. I had my tt Thursday morning. I had my 1st follow up today. My doc said I should be walking straight by now. I am doing better,I am almost standing tall:) She said everything looks great and I got one of my drains out. She advised taking a warm shower to help stand up straight. I will try it today. I guess I was just afraid to stand, thinking I would tear muscles inside. Now that I know this, it takes alot of stress away. At least off of my back.
I was afraid to look at my stomach for the first few days. I wasn't sure what to expect. When I finally did look at it, I was a little discouraged. It looked all wrinkly and saggy. Don't worry, it will look like that, but it tightens up really quick. Dr. Cramer does some awefully tight stitching. I couldn't stand up straight for weeks. The good thing about that is, she makes it almost impossible for you to pull a stitch. She actually told me it has never happened to any of her patients. After doing kickboxing for a few months now, I believe her. Let me know how it goes for you, and if you need help, I'm here for answers if you need them. Take care!!
The first two weeks are pretty hard, just so you know.I know all about the embarrassing things; my poor husband had to see way more than he should ever have to. The things they say about depression is true. After sitting in a recliner, being helpless it sets in a little. But just so you know, it's been 4 months for me and it's almost like it never happened. Time really does fly by.