POSTED UNDER Mommy Makeover Reviews
Mommy Makeover - No Kids, Needed for Years of Yo-Yo Weight Loss - Jacksonville, FL
UPDATED FROM AvaFern
2 months post
2 Months Post-Op Update
AvaFernOctober 20, 2014
WORTH IT$20,000
As of today I am exactly two months post-op. At five weeks I got to have a drain put back in, which was wonderful, then it was pulled a week later, and two days later my seroma came right back. My doctor drained it again in the office and pushed alcohol into the cavity, let it sit for a half hour, and then pulled it back out, in the hopes that this would help resolve the issue. Two days later, I could again see fluid squishing around my stomach, so I got to visit my doctor again. He believes that the movement that I’m seeing may be fluid inside of tissues as opposed to a seroma cavity, but just to confirm I believe he will be using an ultrasound during my next surgery (thigh lift) to confirm that there is no seroma. If there is, he said he will throw in a few quilting stitches, and voila, all fixed.
As a note, the worst part of the drain is having the stitch pulling on the skin. My stitch ripped out the first day I had the drain, so I got creative with tape, and the week of having the drain in again was nowhere near as awful as the first time. It’s funny how that little tiny stitch could be such a giant B. Had I known that, I would have totally cut out the stitch the first time, lol.
At two months, my breasts feel fine and I can comfortably lie on my stomach or my side. I had a massage the other day and I was thrilled to find out that I could lay on my stomach on a hard table again without feeling like I had boulders for boobies. My incisions have all healed. The second incision in my stomach to place the second drain looks exactly like the others…my doctor clearly paid attention in stitches class- I am very pleased with the scarring thus far.
I went back to the gym last week and at first I felt really tentative, but once I started working out, I didn’t feel any pain. Outside of admiring my new rack and stomach every time I see a mirror (yes, I’m shallow) I really feel almost normal again. Nothing hurts, nothing is sore, and while occasionally my stomach feels a little tight if I stretch too much (pull-ups feel like I am ripping myself in half, so those are a no) and it’s still a little squishy, at two months I feel quite nicely healed. My stomach is still swollen in the mons area, but I’m hopeful that will resolve over time.
Overall, I am very happy that I had the procedure. I was really worried about gaining weight while I wasn’t able to workout but I actually lost 16 pounds since the day of surgery (whew!). I feel so much better not having to worry that my flap of stomach skin is ever showing or that the girls look saggy. I feel much more comfortable in my skin now and I have to say…plastic surgery is awesome. A few weeks of misery and you can be a whole new person!
My last appointment before my thigh lift is the first week of November, at which point we will see if my lipo swelling in my lower back area is gone. I still look like a duck…my butt protrudes, and not in a J-Lo sexy way, lol, and I figure if I’m putting myself through the misery of anesthesia and six weeks of recovery, I might as well fix as much as possible and maximize the use of time that I’m stuck spending recovering either way. I’m also back and forth about fixing my arms…batwings are such a bummer, but are the scars really an improvement? Either way I have two weeks to obsess over deciding on everything before my poor doctor has to deal with me and my 300 questions and then three weeks from then its D-Day number 2!
Countdown: 2 months post-op mommy makeover/ 37 days until thigh lift
As a note, the worst part of the drain is having the stitch pulling on the skin. My stitch ripped out the first day I had the drain, so I got creative with tape, and the week of having the drain in again was nowhere near as awful as the first time. It’s funny how that little tiny stitch could be such a giant B. Had I known that, I would have totally cut out the stitch the first time, lol.
At two months, my breasts feel fine and I can comfortably lie on my stomach or my side. I had a massage the other day and I was thrilled to find out that I could lay on my stomach on a hard table again without feeling like I had boulders for boobies. My incisions have all healed. The second incision in my stomach to place the second drain looks exactly like the others…my doctor clearly paid attention in stitches class- I am very pleased with the scarring thus far.
I went back to the gym last week and at first I felt really tentative, but once I started working out, I didn’t feel any pain. Outside of admiring my new rack and stomach every time I see a mirror (yes, I’m shallow) I really feel almost normal again. Nothing hurts, nothing is sore, and while occasionally my stomach feels a little tight if I stretch too much (pull-ups feel like I am ripping myself in half, so those are a no) and it’s still a little squishy, at two months I feel quite nicely healed. My stomach is still swollen in the mons area, but I’m hopeful that will resolve over time.
Overall, I am very happy that I had the procedure. I was really worried about gaining weight while I wasn’t able to workout but I actually lost 16 pounds since the day of surgery (whew!). I feel so much better not having to worry that my flap of stomach skin is ever showing or that the girls look saggy. I feel much more comfortable in my skin now and I have to say…plastic surgery is awesome. A few weeks of misery and you can be a whole new person!
My last appointment before my thigh lift is the first week of November, at which point we will see if my lipo swelling in my lower back area is gone. I still look like a duck…my butt protrudes, and not in a J-Lo sexy way, lol, and I figure if I’m putting myself through the misery of anesthesia and six weeks of recovery, I might as well fix as much as possible and maximize the use of time that I’m stuck spending recovering either way. I’m also back and forth about fixing my arms…batwings are such a bummer, but are the scars really an improvement? Either way I have two weeks to obsess over deciding on everything before my poor doctor has to deal with me and my 300 questions and then three weeks from then its D-Day number 2!
Countdown: 2 months post-op mommy makeover/ 37 days until thigh lift
AvaFern's provider
UPDATED FROM AvaFern
1 month post
Five Week Update
AvaFernSeptember 24, 2014
It’s been exactly 5 weeks since surgery and as of yesterday I have a brand new drain! The seroma I developed around week 2-3 refuses to go away, so yesterday the doctor placed a new drain in the hopes that a week of constant draining, minimized movement and compression would fix the issue.
The drain placement was pretty cool and far less painful than I imagined. I clearly underestimated the magical power of Lidocaine. The doc sliced open part of my incision scar, found my seroma cavity, and then placed the drain. I appreciate doctors who let me watch procedures because I feel like it is an expression of their skill and confidence. Having the person whose stomach you have your hand in eyeballing your work from a foot away must be a little disconcerting, but no surprise, he was as polite and professional as ever.
I now get to have a drain leash for a week, which is frustrating on so many levels, but eh, whatever, part of the process I guess. After the trauma I intentionally inflicted on my body, I can hardly get upset about an extra week of a drain. Also, with the compression garments, at least half of everything I eat I throw up, so who needs the gym! Haha.
Outside of that, I have no other issues. The breast lift scars around my nipples and down the lollipop line are so faded you can barely see them. The tummy tuck scar was doing really well until we re-opened part of it yesterday, but other than that, it is healing perfectly. No issues with any of the lipo incision sights either. I’ve been using Biocorneum once or twice a day, so fingers crossed that it works as well as it’s supposed to! I’m very happy that I had this procedure done and unlike the serious concern (terror, lol) I felt before this procedure, I am moderately excited about the next one.
Countdown: 5 weeks post-op mommy makeover/ 63 days until thigh lift
The drain placement was pretty cool and far less painful than I imagined. I clearly underestimated the magical power of Lidocaine. The doc sliced open part of my incision scar, found my seroma cavity, and then placed the drain. I appreciate doctors who let me watch procedures because I feel like it is an expression of their skill and confidence. Having the person whose stomach you have your hand in eyeballing your work from a foot away must be a little disconcerting, but no surprise, he was as polite and professional as ever.
I now get to have a drain leash for a week, which is frustrating on so many levels, but eh, whatever, part of the process I guess. After the trauma I intentionally inflicted on my body, I can hardly get upset about an extra week of a drain. Also, with the compression garments, at least half of everything I eat I throw up, so who needs the gym! Haha.
Outside of that, I have no other issues. The breast lift scars around my nipples and down the lollipop line are so faded you can barely see them. The tummy tuck scar was doing really well until we re-opened part of it yesterday, but other than that, it is healing perfectly. No issues with any of the lipo incision sights either. I’ve been using Biocorneum once or twice a day, so fingers crossed that it works as well as it’s supposed to! I’m very happy that I had this procedure done and unlike the serious concern (terror, lol) I felt before this procedure, I am moderately excited about the next one.
Countdown: 5 weeks post-op mommy makeover/ 63 days until thigh lift
Replies (2)
EOI
September 24, 2014
I was there yesterday too! That's crazy! I'm glad everything is going well, despite the drain. It will be out before you know it...just a tiny bump in the road!
AvaFern
September 24, 2014
It would have been so cool to run into you! Although I would only be able to recognize you from the bottom of your hair, lol. I think I was their last patient...I was the only person in the waiting room which doesn't usually happen. How is your recovery going? All of your pictures look awesome!
EOI
September 25, 2014
My appointment was at 4...I would have loved to have met you. I only have one more appointment in Nov. before we move so the chance of us running into each other is slim. I just love that I had someone on here with the same Dr. It's nice to share experiences like that since I've told so few people. I'm really happy with our Dr. He is so laid back but professional and talented. I tend to over think and over-research everything, it was nice to have a relaxed Dr. My recovery is going great! I felt pretty good before yesterday but even feel tremendously better the past two days now that I'm out of a sports bra. I'm just wearing bralettes. He cleared me to wear anything I want and I feel pretty much "normal" now that I'm in regular clothes. No complaints here. I'm sorry about that stupid seroma. I hope it clears up with this drain and you can be done with it! I'm glad the rest of your recovery is going so well.
AvaFern
September 25, 2014
My original appointment was at 4- we would have so run into each other! They pushed me back to 4:30 since I guess they anticipated the drain insertion process would take awhile. I'm glad you're doing well! I also really like our doctor....I too tend to research things into the ground and over think everything and he's never once been like...omg, stop googling and asking so many questions. I tapped my own seroma for a few weeks and have somehow managed to rip out the stitch holding my drain in place and it's been really nice having a doctor that just goes with everything and doesn't freak out at all. I have an appointment next week and then one in November before my thigh surgery, so hey, we have one more chance- maybe we'll see each other! :)
September 25, 2014
awww..sorry to hear about the seroma. ..But you have a great attitude. my ps told me it's getting to the point where if I haven't developed one at six weeks (which is in ten days) then it's unlikely I will develop one. I hope this is true. ....hahaha....how are you doing otherwise?
September 25, 2014
Just saw your newest post- you look great! I'm doing well other than the drain issue. Except for the seroma, everything else healed perfectly! I tried jogging for a few paces during my last walk before the drain went in and I felt comfortable, so hopefully in 11 days I can go back to the gym seroma free! If not, I will possibly lose my mind, lol.
September 25, 2014
The drain has to be in for that long?? That sucks…but at least the seroma is being taken care of…I really hope I don't get one……ugh…just worried….Are you moving around ok with the drain back in?
September 26, 2014
I think at this point you probably don't have to worry about it. Mine happened at 2 weeks, which seems like a common point for them to pop-up. You're at 6 weeks? I'm sure you're healed far enough now where there shouldn't be any issue. I think mine was a combination of the fact that one of my two drains after surgery had a clot and never worked (the seroma is on that side) and partly because I was walking so much a week after surgery. I wasn't walking fast, but in hindsight there is some shearing force in our stomach when we walk, so I doubt that helped the issue. I'm moving well enough that I can go to the grocery store, walk around my house, and function like a normal person, but even though my stitch ripped out I can steal feel the drain pulling on the skin which makes taking it easy very motivating- that tiny little spot hurts worse than the entire surgery! Oh and the drain only has to be in about a week, but then he told me 5 days of limited activity after that. It's already draining at 20cc's, so a few more days I should be able to pull it, take my 5 days of doing nothing, and then fingers crossed, back to the gym a little over a week from now. :)
September 27, 2014
At least it's getting fixed!! I'm at five weeks. ..almost six...next week!! i cannot wait to start going to town and lifting...but most definitely have to take it slow...I know it's gonna take time. my squats are starring to look more normal. ..lol. yeah....even after a day...I didn't even drain 20 with both drains combined. When my ps took my drains out on day five. ..I was draining less than 4ml throughout the day combined. Everyone is so different. I'm glad he left it in until it drained so little. ..even though it was hugely annoying. lol. It's good he didn't just keep draining it with a needle like I've read some people had to go through...
September 28, 2014
Wow! Your drain output was way less than mine. I'm still draining about 15-18 every day with the new drain although my stomach now looks way better! I almost look thin, lol, now that my big blob of fluid is gone. I'm nervous that we pull it on Tuesday and I take off until next Tuesday, that the first day I'm back at the gym the thing comes back. Logically it should be healed, but still! I'll think happy back-to-the-gym thoughts for you! :)
October 7, 2014
Hey:) Are you drain-free yet??? How are you feeling? Are you back at the gym? How's the healing going???
UPDATED FROM AvaFern
23 days post
Three Week Update
AvaFernSeptember 13, 2014
As of today I am three weeks and two days out of surgery. I appear to be healing well. Yesterday at the doctor’s office, my steri-strips were removed, so soon I can start using the scar cream. My initial reaction was one of relief because my scars do not look anywhere near as awful as I imagined they would. The abdominoplasty scars are symmetrical and really light in the middle of my stomach. The lateral edges of that scar still have some stiches that haven’t fully dissolved, so it’s a little bumpy there, but that will resolve soon. The scars from the lift are ok looking and I think they will fade very nicely. I am still jealous of everyone who gets to just have an augmentation and not a lift- I can’t even see the scars under my breasts. I will say though, that for basically having my nipples cut off and stitched back on, the girls look pretty good. They have not yet finished dropping, although I don’t really notice a difference from last week.
Outside of that, I went to dinner the other night and for the first time in my entire life since I was 10 years old, I didn’t wear a bra! Ok, the shirt I had on had a shelf bra, but I would never have been able to wear that in public before. That was kind of cool. I’m still not quite sure my new bra size and I’m hesitant to really go shopping for the regular bra-type until they have dropped and fluffed a bit more. I am still really glad we went with the 400cc’s because I would have been disappointed if they were any smaller. I no longer fit into my 34DD bra, but the 36DD seems to fit in the cup area, just not terribly well in the circumferential aspect around my ribs. Also, I’ve always worn a push-up, and there is no more pushing the girls up at the moment, so I’m curious to see if that changes once everything is healed.
The only thing that I’m starting to get frustrated with is my seroma. First, the damn thing will not drain when I do it, and for the record I’m not a hack randomly sticking myself with needles, lol- there is no reason why I can’t get it to drain. So, this week I got to go back to the doctor’s office yet again to drain it and within 24 hours, it was right back to being full of fluid again. Not only is this wasting my time, but it’s also a waste of time for the doctor’s office. I'm like, oh hi, yes I am here again, did you miss me? Ugh. Geez Louize, I am not a patient, inefficient person and the seroma and its total refusal to cooperate with me is trying my temper! It also has this fantastic quality in that it makes it look like I have a big, fat donut around my belly button, which I think is something that only really I notice, but every time I look in a mirror I look like a bloated chunky monkey (granted one with a great rack, lol).
So, this week I officially scheduled the thigh lift for 11/26, the day before Thanksgiving and paid my deposit. I tentatively discussed additional lipo with the patient care coordinator, although I’m not entirely sure about that yet. The thing is…I look like a weebles wobbles. I have normal shoulders, and then my butt and my stomach are round, and then my thighs taper down to normal, athletic looking calves and ankles- kind of like a duck. I think there’s really only so much you can do with surgery and then you’re left with genetics. I believe there’s a Pinterest quote about gracefully accepting this, lol...
Countdown: 3 weeks and 2 days (23 days) post-op mommy makeover/ 75 days until thigh lift
Outside of that, I went to dinner the other night and for the first time in my entire life since I was 10 years old, I didn’t wear a bra! Ok, the shirt I had on had a shelf bra, but I would never have been able to wear that in public before. That was kind of cool. I’m still not quite sure my new bra size and I’m hesitant to really go shopping for the regular bra-type until they have dropped and fluffed a bit more. I am still really glad we went with the 400cc’s because I would have been disappointed if they were any smaller. I no longer fit into my 34DD bra, but the 36DD seems to fit in the cup area, just not terribly well in the circumferential aspect around my ribs. Also, I’ve always worn a push-up, and there is no more pushing the girls up at the moment, so I’m curious to see if that changes once everything is healed.
The only thing that I’m starting to get frustrated with is my seroma. First, the damn thing will not drain when I do it, and for the record I’m not a hack randomly sticking myself with needles, lol- there is no reason why I can’t get it to drain. So, this week I got to go back to the doctor’s office yet again to drain it and within 24 hours, it was right back to being full of fluid again. Not only is this wasting my time, but it’s also a waste of time for the doctor’s office. I'm like, oh hi, yes I am here again, did you miss me? Ugh. Geez Louize, I am not a patient, inefficient person and the seroma and its total refusal to cooperate with me is trying my temper! It also has this fantastic quality in that it makes it look like I have a big, fat donut around my belly button, which I think is something that only really I notice, but every time I look in a mirror I look like a bloated chunky monkey (granted one with a great rack, lol).
So, this week I officially scheduled the thigh lift for 11/26, the day before Thanksgiving and paid my deposit. I tentatively discussed additional lipo with the patient care coordinator, although I’m not entirely sure about that yet. The thing is…I look like a weebles wobbles. I have normal shoulders, and then my butt and my stomach are round, and then my thighs taper down to normal, athletic looking calves and ankles- kind of like a duck. I think there’s really only so much you can do with surgery and then you’re left with genetics. I believe there’s a Pinterest quote about gracefully accepting this, lol...
Countdown: 3 weeks and 2 days (23 days) post-op mommy makeover/ 75 days until thigh lift
Replies (0)