POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck Reviews
8 weeks post op Monday 1/16
UPDATED FROM Ivyinca
2 months post
Let me first say: so happy i did this- will try to...
IvyincaJanuary 13, 2012
WORTH IT$12,000
Let me first say: so happy i did this- will try to post pics soon!
I had no major complications during recovery but nonetheless some stressful moments. Around 17 days post op around 1am , I started experiencing pain between and below my ribs. After about 3 hrs, the pain got so bad, I could barely breathe- pain all the way thru my spine, can't even explain it. My hubby and i went to the ER where they did bloodwork, x-rays and CT scan. Nothing showed up. Same day saw my plastic surgeon who suspected that somehow some nerve endings got irritated. After I was administered pain meds thru IV in ER, my pain immediately subsided and thankfully stayed away.
Also, at week three, I started to notice that a little fluid was coming out of my incision. My Ps said it was just sutures dissolving and nothing to worry about. Eventually it took about 3 weeks to fully close up, but I don't need a revision or anything as the opening was tiny and is now fully healed.
Lastly, for those of you with small kids (I have 15 month old twins): I had prepared most of their foods in advance and frozen, about a months worth. Due to the storms and subsequent power outage in CA, all the food got spoiled. This was week 1 into my recovery. However, we managed even without the tons of preparation so don't stress too much about getting everything ready. Sometimes things happen beyond our control and it's just fine :)
As for lifting my babies (about 23 lbs each), i got cleared at 6 weeks post op. However, because I was still very sore at that point and still am a bit, we decided to keep our nanny a bit longer until about 12 weeks. But if I had to lift them, i could and I had a pretty extensive hernia + MR. So it can be done even with small kids.
I will post new pics soon! Happy recovery everyone and good luck to those who haven't had their surgery! You won't regret this (I pinch myself every day I got to do this and that it all worked out and I have a F-L-A-T tummy ! :)
I had no major complications during recovery but nonetheless some stressful moments. Around 17 days post op around 1am , I started experiencing pain between and below my ribs. After about 3 hrs, the pain got so bad, I could barely breathe- pain all the way thru my spine, can't even explain it. My hubby and i went to the ER where they did bloodwork, x-rays and CT scan. Nothing showed up. Same day saw my plastic surgeon who suspected that somehow some nerve endings got irritated. After I was administered pain meds thru IV in ER, my pain immediately subsided and thankfully stayed away.
Also, at week three, I started to notice that a little fluid was coming out of my incision. My Ps said it was just sutures dissolving and nothing to worry about. Eventually it took about 3 weeks to fully close up, but I don't need a revision or anything as the opening was tiny and is now fully healed.
Lastly, for those of you with small kids (I have 15 month old twins): I had prepared most of their foods in advance and frozen, about a months worth. Due to the storms and subsequent power outage in CA, all the food got spoiled. This was week 1 into my recovery. However, we managed even without the tons of preparation so don't stress too much about getting everything ready. Sometimes things happen beyond our control and it's just fine :)
As for lifting my babies (about 23 lbs each), i got cleared at 6 weeks post op. However, because I was still very sore at that point and still am a bit, we decided to keep our nanny a bit longer until about 12 weeks. But if I had to lift them, i could and I had a pretty extensive hernia + MR. So it can be done even with small kids.
I will post new pics soon! Happy recovery everyone and good luck to those who haven't had their surgery! You won't regret this (I pinch myself every day I got to do this and that it all worked out and I have a F-L-A-T tummy ! :)
Replies (5)
January 14, 2012
Hi newmomat37! Yes, I remembered you had asked about the lifting. I would def. make sure to get those first 2 weeks of March covered. After just 4 weeks, I was in no position to lift my babies. My understanding is that your body needs to build up sufficient scar tissue in order for the sutures to be "safe" in place so lifting earlier than 6 weeks would not have worked for me. Also, the progress i made between week 4 and week 6 was enormous- a really noticeable difference in how my tummy felt. I found my nanny thru sittercity.com. I paid a sign-up fee ($35 for 1 month- it expired or I'd give you my password) but it was soo worth it. I got tons of replies to my ad, made it clear it was a temp position w/ a bit under the market flat rate, but that nanny would not have to do any cooking/cleaning or other household stuff. Honestly, since my twins are on a rigid schedule, most of her time is spent playing with them. Other than lifting, I've been doing almost everything myself as of 4 weeks post op.
About the nerve pain: no one really knows what caused it, but personally I think it was because I tried to lay on my sides too soon. It felt really strange and suddenly, my pain went from 0 to 60 in no time. Listen to your body and you'll notice what you can and can't do.
I will be thinking of you on Feb 6! So great you're doing this for yourself! Again, so worth it.
About the nerve pain: no one really knows what caused it, but personally I think it was because I tried to lay on my sides too soon. It felt really strange and suddenly, my pain went from 0 to 60 in no time. Listen to your body and you'll notice what you can and can't do.
I will be thinking of you on Feb 6! So great you're doing this for yourself! Again, so worth it.
UPDATED FROM Ivyinca
6 days post
Yay! Just came from my 1 st post op appointment...
IvyincaNovember 27, 2011
Yay! Just came from my 1 st post op appointment and not only did my pain pump come out but my 2 drains as well!!! Today is just post op day 6! Will post pics later. Very pleased with my results!
Replies (5)
November 27, 2011
So looking forward to your pics! So glad to hear things are going well and you are drain free! :)
November 28, 2011
Nice tummy Ivyinca! So, your drains came out 6 days post-op? Wow, I hope my body does that well so that mine will be able to be removed 6 days post op. I know everybody is different. So happy for you! ;o)
November 28, 2011
stephanielpn- my drains came out 4 days post op. I was a little worried but it drained 120cc the 1st night then after that their was only like 15-20cc every day.....so it can happen, i still get nervous about fluid but even when i went home i didnt have any drainage...so fingerscrossed
November 28, 2011
Wow Flmommy, thats even better! I think I read that you have to drain less than 25 or 30cc's in a 24-48 hr period, so hopefully my body will respond well to the drains. Definately will be keeping fingerscrossed on this one!;O)
November 28, 2011
looking good...its crazy to see where your moles/freckles are on before and after photos (mine too)
UPDATED FROM Ivyinca
4 days post
I made it!! Whew! Today is the first day I feel...
IvyincaNovember 25, 2011
I made it!! Whew! Today is the first day I feel like a human so sorry for the late update.
So my surgery date was Monday 11/21. Got there at 8 am scheduled for 9. I was SO nervous but everyone was so nice. They were running late and while I was waiting they covered me up in heated cozy blankets. I actually cried and asked my surgeon to assure me I was going to be ok:-). He just hugged me and said I would be healthier and better if I did this and I am so glad I went through with it.
They wheeled me in around 10 am. Last thing I remembered is that I was breathing in oxygen from the mask. I woke up in the recovery room a little before 4 pm to my surgeon asking me to wake up. I was so groggy and kind of annoyed someone was interfering with my sleep!-)LOL
It was the strangest thing after that. As i was waking up more, I felt panicky and shaky. My surgeon instructed to give me Ativan which helped. I stayed overnight and next morning ps to check on me. I asked 'is my stomach flat?' and he modestly answered that it is and said my hernia was pretty big. I barely dared to look when he took off my binder (has to stay on 24/7 for 6 weeks) and when I did my mouth fell open. I mean it is SURREAL! It is flat and pretty! LOL
My anxiety and panic continued throughout yesterday. Until yesterday Thu night I also hadn't slept a wink since the surgery. I just felt drugged, dizzy, drowsy but also really alert and panicky in a weird way. That's when I figured it was a side effect from one of the drugs. My ps told me to cut my Vicodin in half and to take Ativan and yesterday I finally slept like a baby. Sunday is my first post op appt and my pain pump comes out. I also have 2 drains, I had a leak yesterday when I got up from a drain site (charming:-)), called ps and said that could happen. The pain is bearable comparable to c-section so far. My appetite is enormous:-). I just want to eat all the time but big portions are not a good idea I found out yesterday:-)
Still no BM though but because I felt so weak and lightheaded until today, I didn't take MOM. I just would not have been able to sit on toilet that long without fainting tmi sorry
Will post post op pic after my appointment on Sunday
This forum is awesome. So much support. On my way to surgery center, I thought of all your good experiences and it really helped me! Glad I did this!
So my surgery date was Monday 11/21. Got there at 8 am scheduled for 9. I was SO nervous but everyone was so nice. They were running late and while I was waiting they covered me up in heated cozy blankets. I actually cried and asked my surgeon to assure me I was going to be ok:-). He just hugged me and said I would be healthier and better if I did this and I am so glad I went through with it.
They wheeled me in around 10 am. Last thing I remembered is that I was breathing in oxygen from the mask. I woke up in the recovery room a little before 4 pm to my surgeon asking me to wake up. I was so groggy and kind of annoyed someone was interfering with my sleep!-)LOL
It was the strangest thing after that. As i was waking up more, I felt panicky and shaky. My surgeon instructed to give me Ativan which helped. I stayed overnight and next morning ps to check on me. I asked 'is my stomach flat?' and he modestly answered that it is and said my hernia was pretty big. I barely dared to look when he took off my binder (has to stay on 24/7 for 6 weeks) and when I did my mouth fell open. I mean it is SURREAL! It is flat and pretty! LOL
My anxiety and panic continued throughout yesterday. Until yesterday Thu night I also hadn't slept a wink since the surgery. I just felt drugged, dizzy, drowsy but also really alert and panicky in a weird way. That's when I figured it was a side effect from one of the drugs. My ps told me to cut my Vicodin in half and to take Ativan and yesterday I finally slept like a baby. Sunday is my first post op appt and my pain pump comes out. I also have 2 drains, I had a leak yesterday when I got up from a drain site (charming:-)), called ps and said that could happen. The pain is bearable comparable to c-section so far. My appetite is enormous:-). I just want to eat all the time but big portions are not a good idea I found out yesterday:-)
Still no BM though but because I felt so weak and lightheaded until today, I didn't take MOM. I just would not have been able to sit on toilet that long without fainting tmi sorry
Will post post op pic after my appointment on Sunday
This forum is awesome. So much support. On my way to surgery center, I thought of all your good experiences and it really helped me! Glad I did this!
My biggest concern contiues to be caring for my 17 mo old who weighs around 25 lbs. The good news is that my husband was able to get almost the entire month of Feb off...he has a crazy amount of PTO racked up and has Feb 5 thru the end of the month off (he does have to work the last weekend of the month but his folks are going to come down) SO...I am covered for all of Feb! This is a huge relief but I will still need to think about first 2 weeks of March if not cleared to lift little one (of coarse it will only be diaper changes and crib for a long time!!)
I had been thinking about you b/c you were active on this site when I first joined. I am so glad you checked in. :)
One last thing..where did you get your nanny?
Can't wait to see your pics.. I am not as thin as you but have the same kind of bulge that goes all the way up to just beneath my breasts like yours does. Take care. :)