Tummy Tuck, 40 Yrs Old - Miami, FL

I decided to write my experience in hopes to help others as much as I was helped with theirs on this website. For the moment I wont be putting the PS name as I want to give an overall fair review and am still in the process. I had a TT with lipo to the flanks six days ago. After 2 csections I figure by what Ive read from other reviews that this should be a breeze.....NOT, definately not for me. My last csection was 12 years ago and maybe because I was still under 30 yrs old my body recovered very fast (3 days). This TT has kicked my bum. So I will begin my story:
After researching PSs for 3 years I got 2 consultations. Both quotes the same price. They offered $300 less in price if you didnt finance. I elected to finance with Care Credit at no interest for 12 ms and paid $1,000 cash. I elected my PS based on the reviews and results on this website and others. I also researched the license, complaints, experience, handling of patients reviews and concerns, etc. When I met the PS he was nice, informative, professional and didnt suggest I get another procedure done along with the TT ( non overselling made me like him more). Blood and urine work along with an EKG were done 2 wks prior to the procedure. I elected to have it done at the PS office for convienience and the price was minimal vs going to my primary. The day before surgery I received a call from the anesthesiologist who was very nice, informative and answered my questions. I had asked for early morning but got an afternoon appt (they call you the night before with the time). I will say this when I woke up I was shocked and how much pain I was in. I was still in the bed and honestly I don't even remember if I was dressed or the medical assistant help me dress afterwards. She gave me the pain medicine (oxycodone) after I was sitting in the wheelchair. However I did have a pain pump attached ( honestly I think was empty because I never saw a change in the cc's decreasing and when you shook it you couldnt hear liquid inside. On my post-op I did make the medical assistant aware of it). I had a binder on and once I was getting help from the wheelchair into the car the medical assistant made a comment that the binder was too big and went back to get more medical pads and stuff them in the back of the binder. I had a guess about reaction to the anesthesia because I was shaking uncontrollably especially my right hand which is where I had the IV. When we made it back home I couldn't even get into the recliner and felt like I was going to throw up. I took my nausea medicine and was fine. I slept 5 hours at night and feel a lot better once the pain medication kicked in.

Pictures take 2 days post op of my belly button and sides. Sorry I dont know how to flip the pictures around. I will say that when I saw my belly button I said "wow did he even move it" because it looked like my own . On day 2 it was tolerable pain so long as I took the pain pills every 5 hours. I have 2 small puncture wounds (one on each back cheek) which were draining ALOT the first day and partially the 2nd day. By the end of day 2 it had stopped draining. Going to the bathroom was tough (continues to be in the sense of manuvering around, binde, pads, cleaning, etc) and it took a while to urinate even though I had to go bad. By the way, going #2 is like a spiritual experience! I finally went yesterday (day 5) and WOW, the pain to pass it I can imagine is similar to child birth. I was scared I was going to rip but thankfully I didnt. Didnt know that I would be unable to clean myself from behind....duh. On day 2 had started the Keflex (antibiotic) and Arinca Forte (to help bruising). Noticed I was itching everywhere but didnt think much of it until it got worst by day 3. Seems I am allergic to one of the pills. My skin got a rash in different places but especially my face, neck, chest and upper arms. Now I have chapped/dry skin around my lips and most of lips my face. I had my post op on the 4th day. My PS said I had a rash and to stop the antiobiotic which I did (only had 1 day left to take). It makes me uncomfortable because I still have the drain and tonight is day 6 and I dont want to run the risk of an infection. I did follow up with PSs office and was told if he didnt prescribed another antibiotic is because I didnt need it. Since yesterday Im on Tylenol Extra Strength 500 mgs every 5 hours (moving it up to 4 hrs tonight). Im still completely exhausted and pain is at a 4/5, my back is totally killing me, sleep is sporadict (I never took the valium prescribed) and Im on my recliner, cant stand or walk straight so Im still using the walker. Im tryng to walk every one to two hours but its havoc on my back and legs. My feet and calves were slightly swollen day 2 thru 4. Now its my thights are swollen and go numb, ugh.

Here are my 4th day photos. On this day went to see PS and got the pain pump removed and I didnt feel a thing. The drain will remain most likely until next week. The awefully big dirty binder was thrown away and I was given one that fit! Was told not to use the medical pads to let the stitches breathe and to take the binder off for a few minutes a day. Also was shown how to clean daily the drain my sliding down the hose to allow the build up to pass (I havent been able to do this on my own. My husband has done it). Was still walking with walker and on the pain pills. This day he saw my rash and advised to stop the antibiotics and if I was ready to switch to not use the pain pills I may switch to Tylenol which I did the next day.