POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS
Finally Time to Do Something for Me! - Decatur, AL
ORIGINAL POST
After lots of research, debating and internal...
WORTH IT$5,000
After lots of research, debating and internal strife I finally scheduled an appointment with Dr. Gordon Telepun. I have decided that now that I am done with child bearing it's time to do something for me. I was rather terrified that I would not "qualify" for a tummy tuck procedure but we met and he says I am good to go. I have schedule my procedure for June 1, 2016.
I am still rather terrified. This will be my first major surgery ever. My children were born via vaginal delivery and I have never even had a minor surgery. I'm a little scared of the anesthesia, surgery and all that but I know this will be a good thing. I've struggled with my self image since having my first child six and a half years ago so here goes nothing!
My next post will be photos, my stats and expectations.
I am still rather terrified. This will be my first major surgery ever. My children were born via vaginal delivery and I have never even had a minor surgery. I'm a little scared of the anesthesia, surgery and all that but I know this will be a good thing. I've struggled with my self image since having my first child six and a half years ago so here goes nothing!
My next post will be photos, my stats and expectations.
TigerMom2's provider
Replies (6)
May 20, 2016
good luck!! It will be so great to be on the 'flat side' like I've seen folks on here say! I am new to this... just had my consult this week and going to call and schedule with Dr Telepun for July 21!!
June 2, 2016
He is a great doctor. When we did pre-admission at the hospital the staff was talking about how good he is with everything which really helped ease some of the anxiety. I'm now 7.5 hours post op and I feel good about it all. A little sore for sure and the unique positioning is tough at times to get comfortable but overall I'm glad to be doing this.
June 2, 2016
Ok good to hear from you!!! I'm still learning how to navigate this site, so just asked how you were doing on another comment! I have my pre-op July 13 I think. Are you sleeping in a recliner with your knees raised up somehow? Seems like that's what most people suggest. But yeah that will get old, I'm sure!
June 1, 2016
I feel like I could've written your exact same story! Best wishes!
June 2, 2016
Thank you. Have you completed your procedure or are you still in the planning phase?
UPDATED FROM TigerMom2
1 day pre
Tomorrow is the big day
Tomorrow morning I'll head into the hospital for my surgery. I got my pre-admission done and am ready to head in and see how this all goes.
The doctor provides a binder so I didn't bother with getting one. A lot of reviews have indicated a need for a hospital bed or a automatic recliner but I am not doing those. I have a great recliner that I used with my son so that is where I plan to hang out.
Here are my pre surgery photos... sorry about the sideways photos. The mobile site doesn't let you change the orientation even when it's set to a different orientation.
The doctor provides a binder so I didn't bother with getting one. A lot of reviews have indicated a need for a hospital bed or a automatic recliner but I am not doing those. I have a great recliner that I used with my son so that is where I plan to hang out.
Here are my pre surgery photos... sorry about the sideways photos. The mobile site doesn't let you change the orientation even when it's set to a different orientation.
Replies (4)
June 1, 2016
photos appear upright so think upload must have worked. I may borrow someone's recliner... I don't have one that would put my feet up high, just same height as the seat or lower. I wish I was having my surgery NOW like you... but having to wait till July due to a trip later this month. GRR. I imagine you are home now, but maybe still recovering at the hospital! I will be following your recovery as I expect the procedure to be similar since using same doc!
June 2, 2016
That is what I did with another profile, Yucatan.she had her surgery last moth.
I am home and recovering well, I think. My procedure was done as the second of the day yesterday so I am not 24 hours post op. I have a recliner that we used when my son was born but it doesn't put my feet up to high but I don't think that is an issue. The postoperative papers didn't say to elevate or anything like that.
I am home and recovering well, I think. My procedure was done as the second of the day yesterday so I am not 24 hours post op. I have a recliner that we used when my son was born but it doesn't put my feet up to high but I don't think that is an issue. The postoperative papers didn't say to elevate or anything like that.
June 2, 2016
Hope you are doing ok! I think you'll get the exparel and Dr said would make you feel ok for first 72 hours... hope that is the case and you are just sleeping or keeping occupied with tv and such!
June 2, 2016
Mostly sleep. I am normally awake for 2 hours and then sleep 3-5 and then awake. More sleep than anything at this point.
UPDATED FROM TigerMom2
1 day post
officially 24 hours post op
My journey yesterday was pretty smooth. I arrived at the hospital and got started on fluids and the Dr made the lines for the surgery. It took a few hours to go from "marked up" into the OR but I don't remember much past 1-2 minutes in the OR. I woke up back in my outpatient room and was talked to by the nurse. After the Dr saw me I was good to check out as long I could urinate which wasn't difficult (nothing like trying to it right after child birth). Once I went to the bathroom I got dressed and was wheeled down front to head home. I was awake the drive home but after getting home went to sleep. I've slept a lot today but the meds make you sleepy and I'm sure the body exhaustion from healing makes it more so.
I have an appointment with the doctor to have my dressing changed tomorrow (Friday) and he anticipates drains coming out next week - MWF.
As for pain, it is not pain in the sense of a cut, but for me, it is muscle pain. It feels like I just did crunches for 24 hours straight and cannot relax my muscles. Also, I have some pretty serious bruises which are very tender. I am not sure if this is normal or not, but I bruise very easy. I still have the bruise from the pre-admission blood draw over a week ago.
The hospital sent me home with the compression socks which I'll wear for 3 days and I have one binder on and another in a box; both were provided, I did not buy them. Outside of charting and emptying drains I don't do anything with my wounds, that is all the Dr at the appointment on Friday.
Standing and movement has gotten worse as the day goes on but I think that is probably all the healing process.
Overall - I'm in pain (not nearly as bad as labor contraction pain) and I can move about gingerly. I have been taking the meds as prescribed even if I don't think I need them as my pain level, I'm sure, is in check because of the meds.
I'll see about more photos tomorrow after the appointment.
I have an appointment with the doctor to have my dressing changed tomorrow (Friday) and he anticipates drains coming out next week - MWF.
As for pain, it is not pain in the sense of a cut, but for me, it is muscle pain. It feels like I just did crunches for 24 hours straight and cannot relax my muscles. Also, I have some pretty serious bruises which are very tender. I am not sure if this is normal or not, but I bruise very easy. I still have the bruise from the pre-admission blood draw over a week ago.
The hospital sent me home with the compression socks which I'll wear for 3 days and I have one binder on and another in a box; both were provided, I did not buy them. Outside of charting and emptying drains I don't do anything with my wounds, that is all the Dr at the appointment on Friday.
Standing and movement has gotten worse as the day goes on but I think that is probably all the healing process.
Overall - I'm in pain (not nearly as bad as labor contraction pain) and I can move about gingerly. I have been taking the meds as prescribed even if I don't think I need them as my pain level, I'm sure, is in check because of the meds.
I'll see about more photos tomorrow after the appointment.
Replies (3)
June 3, 2016
Thank you so much for the thorough review!!!! 2 binders, compression socks.... glad I haven't bought anything bc it sounds like they provide it all! I will follow the same schedule since I'm on a Wednesday too. Did Dr t have another surgery prior to yours or another Dr using the same space? I guess the mess aren't as strong as I hoped... thought no pain at least first day or so post with the exparel, drat. But I'm glad it's helping!!!! Good that you are sleeping and also moving about, even if it's gjngerly! Both will help with healing!! I think I will have easier time resting than the walking around every couple hours that people on here says helps. Happy healing... wish I was healing with you! I still have a while... so will live vicariously through you! And, yup, read Yucatans posts also... all that I could find who used our Dr plus tons others! Interested to see if 3 weeks off work is needed... seems like Dr t may be more conservative bc some others are told 2-3 I think??? I plan for 3 but hope for less.... no idea how some can take 6 weeks off... OK they probably didn't use up lots of sick time by having babies recently!!!
June 3, 2016
Dr T had a procedure before mine. Yes, he provides most of you need initially. You will have to pick 2 OTC drugs but that is it.
I go in today and will have my bandages roomed so I am guessing that if I need to buy anything else he'll tell me.
The pain isn't unbearable just uncomfortable and I'm not sure how much is surgery vs being stuck in this recliner. My tail bone hurts from sitting for nearly 24 hours.
As far as pain, I'd say day 1 not much at all, day 2 muscle pain ad lots of it, day 3 tail bone pain from sitting and muscle pain when getting up and then sitting back down.
I go in today and will have my bandages roomed so I am guessing that if I need to buy anything else he'll tell me.
The pain isn't unbearable just uncomfortable and I'm not sure how much is surgery vs being stuck in this recliner. My tail bone hurts from sitting for nearly 24 hours.
As far as pain, I'd say day 1 not much at all, day 2 muscle pain ad lots of it, day 3 tail bone pain from sitting and muscle pain when getting up and then sitting back down.
June 3, 2016
Oh wow he stays busy with back-to-back surgeries! I read somewhere where he said he did 40-50 tummy tucks a year, but had no idea how to verify that!
Good luck with the reveal!!! Exciting!!!
Ah yeah I'd say tailbone is due to the chair! Oh man! Yes, would be better lying down since can roll to your side and such but that wouldn't feel good right now either! So I need a doughnut to sit on... maybe more pillows under your bum would help???
Good that your muscle pain is more while moving and not as much overall pain as yesterday. Hope it continues to diminish!!! Wishing you the best of luck in recovery... you're doing GREAT so far!!!
Good luck with the reveal!!! Exciting!!!
Ah yeah I'd say tailbone is due to the chair! Oh man! Yes, would be better lying down since can roll to your side and such but that wouldn't feel good right now either! So I need a doughnut to sit on... maybe more pillows under your bum would help???
Good that your muscle pain is more while moving and not as much overall pain as yesterday. Hope it continues to diminish!!! Wishing you the best of luck in recovery... you're doing GREAT so far!!!
Welcome to the community. You are about to feel and look like a new woman. Please update us often. Don't forget to take your before and after pictures.