POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck Reviews
Full Tummy Tuck with Lipo to the Flanks - Halifax, Canada
UPDATED FROM newbelle
1 month post
Well I'm now at 5 weeks and three days. I can see...
WORTH IT$8,000
Well I'm now at 5 weeks and three days. I can see improvements in most things now. I can walk with no problems, exercise for the most part. I still have tons of swelling. It's nice in the morning but as soon as I've been up for even a half hour the swelling starts and by the end of the day I really have a lot. But I know this is normal and again I have to be patient. I still am really happy with my results overall. It's not perfect by any means and I of course see how fat my legs and thighs are now and the other parts of my body that need work. But it gives me motivation to do better with exercising and eating better too. :-)
newbelle's provider
UPDATED FROM newbelle
25 days post
Today is day 18 and I can see improvements all the...
Today is day 18 and I can see improvements all the time in my ability to get around. I went for my first real walk yesterday and that was nice. I still have to take it slower than usual but I just pace myself and listen to my body. One bad thing that happened when I got my stitches removed from my belly botton was the nurse changed my steri strips on my incision and when she did on my right side on my hip bone area I think likely 3 sutures got ripped out. When I got home I was bleeding a lot. I called and asked about it and they said it was normal. So Now it's been over a week since then, thankfully that spot is not bleeding anymore but it's open and looks like raw hamburger, not to be gross but it's true. I know it's not infected. I keep cleaning it and putting new steri strips on to keep it closed shut but while the rest of my incision would be mostly healed it's still that open and raw. I'm hoping it'll heal ok on it's own and wont take too long. I got a gel zone wrap for my incision that is a compression garment but has a silicone lining for the scar but I cant wear it until the wound is healed. So I'm guessing another 2 weeks anyway before it's healed. This TT process is not for wimps thats for sure. It take a lot of patience and perseverance as silly as that might sound to get well. I am hoping to be able to put on better pictures really soon. I'm still very swollen, not seeing a lot of difference there, but again it's hard to remember 6 months to a year for full results considering I had some lipo and muscle repair done too. :-)
Replies (5)
July 10, 2011
I just made an appointment for a consultation with a PS. Thank you for posting your story. I have four children, one baby weighed over 10lbs at birth. I've been going back and forth about the surgery for years. After reading you posts, I really feel motivated. Your pictures look amazing!!
July 10, 2011
Thanks a lot for writing me. I totally understand your feelings of going back and forth. I did that too really for about 10 years. I tried dieting, exercising and I got down to about 114 and I'm 5'4 and that was way too thin for me. I looked sick but thats the only way I felt ok about my belly. When I gained weight back to not look so thin my belly got much worse. Even at my thinnest it was gross. So it just felt like a battle all the time. I then went through a hard divorce as many people do, and went through a criminal trial with my kids after I learned they were being abused by their father. That took a lot out of me. I got custody and they are finally safe and this was something that after everything we've been through the last 5 years, I just wanted to do, to help heal physically and emotionally. It was my finance who really loved and supported me through this. My finace and I are starting a new life together with my sons and I just really felt like this was a new start in so many ways. So the healing part takes a while and it's not for wimps for sure. But if you have the time to heal I am glad I have done it even though I dont see my results by any means yet.I wish you all the best in making the decision. I know it's a big one. :-)
July 10, 2011
I wish I could be as patient as you! My favorite part of the day is first thing in the morning when the swelling isn't terrible yet! Then after work its like I'm inflated!
You're looking great! I'm sure the area will heal fine...sounds like you are doing everything right...when the doc removed my bb stitches he left one about 2 inches...tore open the left side of bb! I'm having the same thing sort of....most all my incision is healed, but everyday nursing one little part! Your patience is inspiring!
You're looking great! I'm sure the area will heal fine...sounds like you are doing everything right...when the doc removed my bb stitches he left one about 2 inches...tore open the left side of bb! I'm having the same thing sort of....most all my incision is healed, but everyday nursing one little part! Your patience is inspiring!
July 10, 2011
OH my goodness I hear ya!! Swellage big time. I dont feel patient...ha ha. I can start to see a difference in the morning just a little bit, but yeah my tummy is no where near flat. I see other ladies who are only a little over a week or where I am and they are already flat as can be and look great so then it's hard to be patient knowing we are all different. I am not as thin as some ladies too so maybe thats why. I'm not sure. But I dont think it's fat on my belly. It must be swelling. I'm doing the same as you nursing the part of my incision that is so raw. I really hope yours gets better soon. Thanks so much for your message. Meant a lot.
July 11, 2011
how you doin mama, you look so skinny, love your new tummy ;P have you done any kini shoppin yet??
July 11, 2011
Hey Sommiebreezie,
Great to hear from ya!! I'm doing good, thanks a lot for asking. I sure dont feel skinny yet...lol, I cant wait to go shoppin for some clothes that flatter the new belly if it EVER gets unswelled!! :-) Being patient ..lol, trying to be anyway. Not sure I'm brave enough for a kini, feel too old!! ha ha. How are you doing? Gonna check out your profile and see whats new with you.
Great to hear from ya!! I'm doing good, thanks a lot for asking. I sure dont feel skinny yet...lol, I cant wait to go shoppin for some clothes that flatter the new belly if it EVER gets unswelled!! :-) Being patient ..lol, trying to be anyway. Not sure I'm brave enough for a kini, feel too old!! ha ha. How are you doing? Gonna check out your profile and see whats new with you.
UPDATED FROM newbelle
20 days post
Tomorrow will be week three for me. I still have a...
Tomorrow will be week three for me. I still have a lot of swelling and bruising but I'm finally seeing improvements and realize that yes I am going to get there. I know I'm going to be thrilled in a few months time with my results and I am getting more excited every day knowing I'm finally going to not have all that extra sagging skin. IT's a new beginning for me in my life all the way around. Part of a much bigger healing process for me. My belly still looks almost pregnant but I know it's just swelling so I know I have to be patient. My PS did a lot of muscle repair inside and the bruising and swelling on me is a little worse than most people I think. I always bruised easily so this is no surprise really. But I'm feeling good. I can walk around easier every day. I'm finally getting out of the house some and doing light housework too and some cooking. So I'm getting there. Seeing the amazing light at the end of the tunnel. This has been quite a journey already and it so nice to see other ladies results and stories. I love this forum. Happy healing everybody!!
Replies (4)
July 5, 2011
I'm glad you are starting to feel more like yourself!
July 5, 2011
Thanks a lot!! Yes bit by bit I can see that you will eventually get there. I could see a big difference once between two and three weeks. So I know it only gets better from here with the swelling. Thanks a lot for your encouragment!! :-)
July 5, 2011
looks great did u have a mini or full?
July 5, 2011
I had a full TT with lipo to the flanks and muscle repair too because I had a lot of damage that was causing the buldge above my belly button. My first son was 10 pounds and I was very tiny then so it just did a number on me like a lot of the ladies here. My PS said that I'd have more swelling because of the lipo and muscle repair than just a normal TT. Guess he was right...lol
July 6, 2011
your looking great!
July 6, 2011
Thanks a lot Sarah Bug. I think you are looking so GREAT! It's fun to see the changes week by week and improvements to our tummies. :-) It is So exciting to think of being able to buy different clothes that will look so much better now. Hope your feeling GREAT! IT was so nice to hear from ya! :-)
July 9, 2011
Ive gone clothes shopping and being a shorie w/out a belly has created a whole new shopping experience! HAHA almost a new struggle, for pants that don't go up to my boobs! Petite/low rise section here I come!
July 7, 2011
I'm glad that I'm not the only one suffering from the swelling at this stage. I had extreme gas issues after surgery and still have it, to a lesser degree. I'm sure that's what part of my swelling is. You look great by the way!!
July 7, 2011
Thanks a lot! I know I have terrible gas too. It's embarrassing actually because I never had it before my surgery at all. I keep thinking to myself, ok let another week go by and check how things have changed, let another week go by and see how things have changed. I keep hoping it's not going to take 9 months to get there..lol But if it does it's still worth it I think. There is still no flabby skin hanging around and thats what bothered me the most. Thanks for your comment. Really appreciated it!
Replies (5)
You have a sexy little tummy there:)
Your swelling will go away. This is a slow and long process and I can remember so well the frustration. I thought it would never end and then one morning I woke up and it was gone. It honestly happened over night.Â
Seven months for me:(Â
But it was all worth it and I am glad I did this.
You were so brave taking out your drains yourself. Hells Bells - that was really yukky and sore having someone else do it, I can't imagine having to do it myself. Good on you.
Definitely helps to have the 3 days in hospital and I really think it should be the norm for everyone who undertakes this procedure. Also to have good recovery time at home for at least a week to 10 days after ... that is why I think so many of the ladies here on Realself have relapses and incidences of stitches tearing and cuts opening and build up of fluid as they are not having the required amount of rest and are rushing to get back out there to the gym and everyday life. Tummy Tucks are not mickey mouse procedures :) I wish you well in the rest of your recovery and remember to "Listen to your Body"