39 years old, 5'3 200lbs - Extended Tummy Tuck 2/9

Incision tapes were removed during 2nd week post op and started marble therapy for the belly button. Few incision spots opened, painful, and leaking, I put maxi pads to absorb the fluid. Additionally, there are fluid build up above incision area. I will continue to monitor these issue and reach out to my doctor if worsen. Swelling and tightness are worse when I eat too much sodium. Not sure if this is common but I noticed when I wake up I catch myself involuntarily stretching it’s quite painful if I don’t stop it.

Being mentally and physically ready really helped with the anxiety of being put under. I checked in at 8am filled out paper works and were sent back fairly quickly. I was able to bring one person back there with me, she was able to stay in the room and use their guest Wi-Fi. Surgery came and went without a hitch. It took about 3.5 hours. The nurses at Carmel ambulatory surgery center were amazing but Stephanie my night nurse was the best!

I woke up with a compression binder with zipper on the side. The pain level wasn’t bad by the time I got back in my room the nurse had 2 Percocet ready. Wish I would have known ahead of time but pack your own food or have someone drop it off, the surgery center does not have a kitchen staff so you can’t order food. Stephanie was amazing she brought variety of crackers, jellos, chips and a can of chicken noodle soup and explained/taught me everything I need to know from physical activities to cleaning the drains. The unknown pain makes the experience worse but once your body understands what to do it gets better. The worse part is the breathing exercise to get rid of the general anesthesia in your lungs, it makes you cough and hurts like hell. Catheter came out at 2am and it’s required for you to pee on your own. I was discharge at 8am. The drive home was not painful at all. TT vs Cesarean as far as pain level and overall recovery, cesarean was WAY worse in my opinion.

Day 2, i had a bowel movement and every day since. I highly recommend starting stool softener 2x daily 2 weeks before and miralax 2 days before and continue until after taking pain medications.

Day 4, starting to feel tingling sensations around the stomach, feet starting to feel numb, and side stitches are stinging. I’m constantly shifting to alleviate numbing sensations.

Day 5, period started a week early guess trauma can jump start it so long for planning ??????. Recovery week hasn’t been too challenging. Take it easy, take your pain meds, and walk when you can. Looking forward to tomorrow to remove the drains.

After many years of saving and researching, completed 6 consultations, I decided to go with Dr. Joseph Fata (which was my very first consultation). Mainly due to not finding a single negative review online and final cost. I am schedule to go Wednesday 2/9. I been taking my multivitamins, vitamins C, and stool softener twice daily and I'm looking forward not having to take them.

I am 39 years old, 5'3 200lbs muscular build. I have had 2 big babies (10.1 and 11.9 lbs) both cesarean. I have chronic low back pain after the first one 18 years ago via emergency c-section. The 2nd one through the miracle of God came out bigger than the first via planned c-section. I have low back and neck pain, my stomach muscle cramps up just thinking about a sit-up, I cant sneeze without peeing, and I want to be able to wipe my private without having to lift up my FUPA. It's as though all the fat deposit collected below the cesarean scar and now my FUPA is the size of Jupiter. In addition i still look pregnant after 6 years and I overeat because my upper muscle is loose as a goose.