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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS

Young 45yr, 5st Lighter Got Rid of Hanging Apron - Underestimated Healing Process!!! - London, GB

ORIGINAL POST

Hi all - I am a UK young 45 yr old lady who is 3...

Sans42October 4, 2014
WORTH IT$12,000
Hi all - I am a UK young 45 yr old lady who is 3 weeks PO from tummy tuck and lipo. Boy what a journey so far with healing process. Very swollen that goes up and down like a yo yo and pulls on the incision. The swelling is doing my head in and I have been told by my surgeon it will go down eventually but I am not convinced about how much. Really hacked off about this as paid a lot of money and at the moment got rid of one belly shape only to be replaced by another. Don't get me wrong the new shape to 100% better and I can actually tuck my shirt in now but this yo yo swelling isn't funny, it feels like I am constantly wearing a tight elastic band round my lower belly. Surgeon thought it might be mostly fluid build up which he aspirated but only less than 200ml came out so he said it's just swelling and I need to be patient. Incision healed well but still red, sore and scabby in some places and now got a pusy bit which surgeon says is not an infection and I must keep it clean and protected from wearing clothes irritation which can cause wound breakdown.

Glad I did it but really underestimated the healing process, I have been reviewing people's progress online and my swelling hell seems to the worst I have seen!. Feeling a bit worried and emotional about it all and I am usually a tough, logical cookie!

My advice to anyone is to research what the healing process will be, have realistic expectations for the first 3 months and listen to what your surgeons tells you to do but don't feel scared to get a 2nd opinion! Most of all BE PATIENT RE END RESULTS.

Has anyone else out there experienced this, would love to hear from you. XX

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Very charming surgeon and attentive at consultations. The only thing that let them down is I have been waiting for my before and after pics but after 3 weeks still have not received despite me asking several times. Need to see them to give me a lift in relation to my vision improvement which is clouded by the swelling at the moment.

Replies (13)

AmISkinnyYet
October 5, 2014
Hey there. I am 4weeks PO and feel the same way. Aggh. Just wish j knew how to help the swelling.
Sans42
October 7, 2014
Swelling hell! What I did was drink lots of water and cut down on salt for a start, seems to have helped. Going back to the consultant about my swelling, will post an update after this.
AmISkinnyYet
October 8, 2014
Is everyone wearing a compression garment? I have one and still wearing stage 1.
Cocoa58
October 6, 2014
Yes, I feel the same way! I am 4 weeks and 2 days PO. I am still not sure it was worth it. I want to say it looks so much better, but I too have the swelling in the lower abdomen and it's hard. My PS said it was swelling too. I am dealing with a recent debridement and it has been oozing off and on. I am tired of this healing process and very emotional. I can't think and focus and I seem to work twice as hard to get back into reality. I am very active and inpatient and it's been difficult. You've helped me alot, I was beginning to feel I was alone. Thanks, prayers we get to healing and have the patience to get there. Glad I came across you blog!
Sans42
October 7, 2014
Hi Cocoa58 So glad it helped you somewhat, I was reluctant to post but that was my intention that if I can help someone else then that brilliant and it really helped me get my feelings off my chest. I am also an inpatient person and active and it has been so noticeable that I am not! I feel your pain, you could be sitting at work and then just drift off along with the feeling of your belly swelling! But just keep yourself focused on the outcome that we all with have soon. They say Rome was not built in a day, well tummy tucks healing process does not heal over night (so we are realising). Be positive, think positive, it will be positive and you will get your swagger back! I am going back to my Consultant tomorrow coz I am convinced it is a Seroma. Will keep you posted. XX
Graye
October 6, 2014
I'm in the UK too and had my TT 16 September. I'm due to go to Leeds for a check tomorrow and probably have the dressings removed. I've only had a one week check so far so haven't actually seen the scar since. The dressings are all clean so I'm assuming there is no oozing etc going on. No point in taking them off as I know the nurse put a pile of steristrips underneath so there is nothing to see. I start each day flat as a pancake in the stomach area but by late afternoon I'm quite swollen. I think it's completely normal though. The odd thing is that I seem to have permanently puffy hips - I was previously quite slim there, my problem was loose skin above and below the BB. I'm hoping to get answers tomorrow! No pain whatsoever now though, just some tightness in the repaired muscle area now and again. I bought a fresh pineapple and fresh pressed pineapple juice yesterday. This is supposed to help the swelling. I'll probably be able to comment on that later today...
Sans42
October 7, 2014
Thanks for the tip about pineapple I will try that! How did your follow up go, feels great when they take off the bandages. I am going back tomorrow as I can't stand this yo yo swelling, think it is a seroma. I posted some pics of my pregnant belly. Will post an update.
TTLatina
October 6, 2014
Yes, the healing process is a little slow. I'm just starting back to lift weights (almost 8 months later) it took me longer than usual to even walk straight. Picking up a gallon of milk gave me pain where I had the muscle repair. Overall it was worth it and I'm glad I did it. Some ladies go to work the next week and walk straight by the 4th day. Everyone is different. Hang in there. Sending you hugs across the globe :-)
Sans42
October 7, 2014
Thanks for lovely reply! Makes me feel not alone. Yes, I too have to hunch over still especially when the swelling happens coz it feels like my stiches are going to pop. Can't wait to get back to gym too. Yes very worth it but up and down about that still a bit. I'll get there! Going back to consultant tomorrow to see if it is a seroma, will post an update. Best wishes from rainy UK, Xx
DenaV
October 31, 2014
Tomorrow makes 2 weeks since my tt, flank & pelvic lipo and breast aug. I went back to work ystrdy. Only did a half day. I'm swollen. Looks like I'm 4 months pregnant. From everything I have read, the consensus days 6-12 months for the swelling to be completely gone. My incisions look amazing, better than I ever imagined. Hope you're wearing a compression garment. It will help. I've had many emotional days. It's normal. Good luck.
UPDATED FROM Sans42
29 days post

Mrs UK - picture updates

Sans42October 7, 2014
Thought you would appreciate seeing some pics, will upload before pics soon. xx

Replies (1)

Gembo82
October 31, 2014
I'm from the UK too and just over 3 weeks post op. I too have so much swelling and I wear my binder 24/7 I haven't found a good cg yet to wear once I can ditch the binder. Looking forward to seeing some more pictures and I hope the swelling starts to settle for you soon. Make sure you get plenty of rest and soon all this will be a distant memory although at the min it's seems to last ages. Xx
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