45 Yr Old - Tummy Tuck and Lipo - Huntersville, NC

Six weeks out and feeling great! Looks like the pics may be loading sideways but not sure why. Scar cream is working nicely, stitches feel as if they've all dissolved, and swelling continues to work with gravity and settle in my hips and legs. I am getting a waist again, so happy dance for that.

I am still swollen and sore but am looking good and still expect to drop another size or so. Started the "massages" to help with swelling. Got my Spanx instead of the oh so fashionable white velcro binder. More comfortable and doesn't shout out to the world I'm getting over surgery.

I was joking around with the Dawn at the HK Center during the massage about my family teasing me that my belly button looks like a coin slot and she told me a trick I hadn't heard before - place a small marble in the naval and hold it in place with paper tape. As the swelling goes down and healing continues, this will help form a perfectly round belly button.

Wow, a month post op! Finally feeling good. I tire easily but that is to be expected after this surgery. Drains are out, swelling down A LOT; still there though. Dr said swelling could take 3-4 months to go away completely. Pain killers are spaced further apart and being replaced by ibuprofen.

Got the OK at last doctor follow up appointment to move from the elastic binder to Spanx. Don't have another doctor appointment until 9/3 but I will be starting my massage therapy Friday.

I've been working from home but will head into the office this week one or two days...see how that goes. Also did some shopping today (needed to get the Spanx). I can really see the difference - both dressed and undressed.

Sleeping is still an issue. I just can't get comfy in bed yet; still sleeping in the recliner. Was given a Rx for Ambien but won't be taking it. Took it for 2 nights - first night was a horrid nightmare that I had to be shaken awake (multiple times). Second night wasn't as bad with the nightmares but left me in a major fog. Took pill about 8:30 PM, asleep by 9 PM, didn't get up until almost noon. Wasn't fully awake until almost 3 PM.

Even with the pain, which was a lot more than I was expecting, I'm so glad I did this.

Finally feeling alive again. I had still been on my antibiotic because I still had a drain in but started running low grade fever and the swollen area (left half of tummy) was red and hot to the touch. Dr K gave me a stronger antibiotic. I'm already feeling so much better. I can stand upright, need fewer pain meds, and am starting to see the completed work - what I'll look like once the swelling is all gone.

Fingers crossed drain will come out at tomorrow's follow up.