POSTED UNDER Drainless Tummy Tuck Reviews
53 yr old, mom of 3. Day 1post Op
UPDATED FROM Soccerfan53
2 months post
Week 5
Soccerfan53November 1, 2015
WORTH IT$16,000
Best week for feeling like there will be a day when I actually feel like myself again !
Going for lymphatic massages twice a week because they help and feel great.
Saw Dr. Lista, he said everything looks fabulous, started with the Mepaform for scar healing, next appointment in 4 months.
Dr. Lista did an amazing job, my scar is low, straight and is healing really well.
Dr. Lista's methods were a bit different than other experiences I have read, it was a drainless procedure, told to start showering daily starting 48 hrs after surgery and to gently wash incision with a mild soap and water, ok to drive 5 days after surgery. All worked well for me.
Was told I don't need compression garment after week 6 is reached as it has done its job however I will wear some sort of lighter compression garment because I actually feel better wearing it, feels more secure.
Anyway I am really happy with the results and would definitely recommend Dr Lista.
Good luck ladies in your journey.
Going for lymphatic massages twice a week because they help and feel great.
Saw Dr. Lista, he said everything looks fabulous, started with the Mepaform for scar healing, next appointment in 4 months.
Dr. Lista did an amazing job, my scar is low, straight and is healing really well.
Dr. Lista's methods were a bit different than other experiences I have read, it was a drainless procedure, told to start showering daily starting 48 hrs after surgery and to gently wash incision with a mild soap and water, ok to drive 5 days after surgery. All worked well for me.
Was told I don't need compression garment after week 6 is reached as it has done its job however I will wear some sort of lighter compression garment because I actually feel better wearing it, feels more secure.
Anyway I am really happy with the results and would definitely recommend Dr Lista.
Good luck ladies in your journey.
Soccerfan53's provider
Replies (5)
September 2, 2016
I'm 65 (five kids ages 24-34 plus some gcs), and I just had a mini tummy tuck with no lipo (5'7"; 106 pounds--no fat to remove). I am in great health and would like to live for 30 more years without the bulging lower abdomen. It was money well-spent. The first three days were rough, but with the mini (and no lipo) I made a pretty swift recovery. It was worth the soreness. I'm glad I did it.
September 3, 2016
Spanx are great! I got a black and a beige one and I could wear it under everything. You have to get the one that covers from below the breast to mid thigh. My doctor said it had just the right compression and SO comfortable.
November 1, 2016
My surgery is Thursday!!! I'm excited and nervous/scared but know it will be worth it!
November 1, 2016
Hey I'm really glad to hear. I am going to Dr Lista for tt in 2 weeks. I'm getting excited and scared after reading everyone's posts. I had breast implants 7 years ago and figured this operation would have a similar recovery. It sounds much worse and I'm not sure how I should prepare. I found it strangely relaxing last time to not have to do anything and just heal. It took time but every week got so much better it never discouraged me. Now I'm terrified that this will be unbearable. I was hoping to go back to work in week and half like last time. I thought the main source of pain was muscular because they tighten your muscles so naturally they are too tight to move. And Lista office says I can't drink ensure or breakfast shakes before or after. I'm gonna drink the high protein ones after because I will need all the nutrition I can get. I'm officially nervous now lol
Replies (1)
UPDATED FROM Soccerfan53
23 days post
3 weeks post op
Soccerfan53October 16, 2015
Hi Ladies,
Well its 3 weeks post op now.
When I look at before and after pics I'm amazed at what Dr. Lista has accomplished. I'm very pleased with the result and decided to be brave enough to post a photo !
I haven't took any pain killers for over a week but I am still quite uncomfortable, my stomach is as hard as a rock and I feel as though Iv'e been dealing with this for 3 months not 3 weeks ! I have an odd good day when I say to myself, OK, that's enough now, time to move on and get on with life, so I take my daily shower, fix my hair nice, put make up on and go out and conquer the world ! Then I pay for it afterwards. Crap.
Don't like the pressure garment but when it's been off for half an hour or so I realize I am actually more comfortable in it than not.
I phoned and asked for an appointment to see DR. Lista in person as I haven't seen him since before pre op. I just want to make sure my stomach discomfort is normal and nothing that needs to be drained etc.
Looking at booking a lymphatic massage, off to see my nutritionist now, I'll take all the help I can get.
Personally, although I don't feel 53, I do think my age contributed to the recovery process, something I never even though of prior to this.
I love how I look though even with all the swelling.
Have a great day Lades
Well its 3 weeks post op now.
When I look at before and after pics I'm amazed at what Dr. Lista has accomplished. I'm very pleased with the result and decided to be brave enough to post a photo !
I haven't took any pain killers for over a week but I am still quite uncomfortable, my stomach is as hard as a rock and I feel as though Iv'e been dealing with this for 3 months not 3 weeks ! I have an odd good day when I say to myself, OK, that's enough now, time to move on and get on with life, so I take my daily shower, fix my hair nice, put make up on and go out and conquer the world ! Then I pay for it afterwards. Crap.
Don't like the pressure garment but when it's been off for half an hour or so I realize I am actually more comfortable in it than not.
I phoned and asked for an appointment to see DR. Lista in person as I haven't seen him since before pre op. I just want to make sure my stomach discomfort is normal and nothing that needs to be drained etc.
Looking at booking a lymphatic massage, off to see my nutritionist now, I'll take all the help I can get.
Personally, although I don't feel 53, I do think my age contributed to the recovery process, something I never even though of prior to this.
I love how I look though even with all the swelling.
Have a great day Lades
Replies (3)
October 16, 2015
Thanks so much for all the info. I'm prepared to feel like crap for a while (yikes how can you really ever be prepared right?). I'm almost 51 so I hear you about the age thing. Our bodies are a little slower to recover I think than these ladies in their 30s and 40s. I'm amazed that some women do this in their 60s! I just wanted to let you know that your comments have been very helpful in preparing for the emotional part of this. I have help and told my daughter that she will have to be my "slave" for a few weeks, literally. I told her to expect a long, slow, painful recovery so she doesn't expect me to bounce back quickly. My husband will be home the first week and will be good in helping with my drains (I do have to have two). I am getting Exparel in my MR site and incision sites so my doc said that would help with pain the first 72 hours. I am hoping this will reduce my need for narcotics a little so constipation won't be quite as bad. My pharmacist (whose wife had same procedure by same doctor) told me to take Senna Plus EVERY time I took a pain pill. He said that should help. We will see. Countdown is almost over. Monday morning at 7:30 a.m. The 19th can't come fast enough. I bet you're so glad you are where you are right now in the recovery process! Thanks again
October 17, 2015
Hi Catherine, Best of luck to you. Wish I had done my homework and demanded Exparel. You are lucky to have a surgeon that offers it.
I'm thinking Senns Plus every time you take a pain pill may keep you hopping. If you can, alternate and make a fruit smoothie using fruits you love with prune juice, flax seed and chia seed. Sounds yukky but actually tasted good.
Having the Exparel will help you enormously, it'll get you over that major hurdle. I'm kind of angry that it wasn't offered to me but too late now. Please don't let my experience make you feel concerned, it would have been a different experience using Exparel.
I will be thinking of you on Monday, all the best !
I'm thinking Senns Plus every time you take a pain pill may keep you hopping. If you can, alternate and make a fruit smoothie using fruits you love with prune juice, flax seed and chia seed. Sounds yukky but actually tasted good.
Having the Exparel will help you enormously, it'll get you over that major hurdle. I'm kind of angry that it wasn't offered to me but too late now. Please don't let my experience make you feel concerned, it would have been a different experience using Exparel.
I will be thinking of you on Monday, all the best !
October 17, 2015
Thank you. I will try the fruit smoothie every other time. I was thinking the same thing with the Senna Plus every time I took a pain pill but then I did hear anesthesia and narcotics together are a constipation guarantee. BTW I had to ask for the Exparel. It is not standard with my doctor as it is $300 a vial. However, one of my other consults uses it for every TT. Interestingly another doctor told me "it's up to the anesthesia people" if you get that or not. Needless to say that wasn't the surgeon I picked lol. I just read about it on here and thought I would ask. Anything to help speed up the recovery. Thanks for the tips. It is much appreciated. I'm very grateful for this site. I feel kind of alone; not telling anyone really I'm having this done.
October 17, 2015
After paying $16000 for my TT and hip lipo another $300 is nothing. Well worth the money. Good luvk
October 16, 2015
Are you glad you did it? Also, do you feel leaving the pain pump in for a few days would have helped? I'm having a Tt in December and doc wants to leave pain pump in for three days? In hindsight, anything you could do to help the back pain before it gets bad? Back pain seems to be a very difficult part of the process
October 17, 2015
Hi, my surgeon would only allow the pain pump to be in until the following day, less than 24 hrs. In hindsight I wish I had a surgeon that allows it to be in for 3 or 4 days because they are the worst days
I've also hear about an injection that will kill the pain for a number of days. It's crazy to me to not be offered a way to relieve pain if it's available. I'm not looking to be a martyr ! I'd like my surgeon to experience what his patients do. I vote for TT's for all surgeons, lol. Jump all over the offer for the extended time for the pain pump.
Yes the back pain is uncomfortable but laying down and using a heating pad helps enormously. At least there's a solution that works.
I found the back pain was treatable yet the tummy tuck pain could not be diminished. So don't worry too much about the back pain, Tylenol and a heating pad is your best friend.
Today I had a lymphatic massage, it was wonderful, booked another for tomorrow.
It's a crap process but darn I do look good, lol.
I've also hear about an injection that will kill the pain for a number of days. It's crazy to me to not be offered a way to relieve pain if it's available. I'm not looking to be a martyr ! I'd like my surgeon to experience what his patients do. I vote for TT's for all surgeons, lol. Jump all over the offer for the extended time for the pain pump.
Yes the back pain is uncomfortable but laying down and using a heating pad helps enormously. At least there's a solution that works.
I found the back pain was treatable yet the tummy tuck pain could not be diminished. So don't worry too much about the back pain, Tylenol and a heating pad is your best friend.
Today I had a lymphatic massage, it was wonderful, booked another for tomorrow.
It's a crap process but darn I do look good, lol.
October 17, 2015
Your picture looks fantastic. As far as the constipation, did you ever try miralax? Can you think of anything great that I can do? After I had my son, I took pain pills and had terrible constipation and don't want to repeat that.
October 17, 2015
Hi, I found the doctor recommended stool softners did nothing. It took a heavier med, Ducolax, to work and even then doubling the dose.
Fruit smoothies with flax seed, chia prune juice and coconut milk worked well. I have read a lot of reviews about milk of magnesium working well. The narcotics are short lived so know the constipation will be as well. Don't forget to move around to get things moving
If I did it again I probably would start a laxative prior to surgery and keep taking. It's a short lived problem that can be managed.
You'll do great, take care.
Fruit smoothies with flax seed, chia prune juice and coconut milk worked well. I have read a lot of reviews about milk of magnesium working well. The narcotics are short lived so know the constipation will be as well. Don't forget to move around to get things moving
If I did it again I probably would start a laxative prior to surgery and keep taking. It's a short lived problem that can be managed.
You'll do great, take care.
October 17, 2015
Sorry forgot to answer your question about am I happy I did it. It depends what day, hour, minute, second you ask me, lol.
At this point if I knew then what I know now I would probably not have done it. I feel that my thoughts have been overwhelmed by what has been going on with my body , I haven't really revelled in my new look and what an amazing difference there is.
I've been on the pity pot for a while. Just knocked me for 6, I made a rash decision without completely understanding what I was doing. The fact that the surgeons website also said that he has patients that felt no pain at all gave me a false sense of security ( I'd love to meet those patients !!) thought I had it all in the bag, surgery Wednesday, recovered and back to work Monday, NOT.
I'm a very type A personality, not good for post surgery, worst type of patient. The thought of doing nothing but resting for 2 weeks was not on my agenda and I paid for it.
Maybe next week I'll be so happy I did it. I'm not sorry I did, just still on the fence.
My experience though is not like other people's. I should have demanded Exparel and I should have rested more instead of fighting it. My own darn fault. HOWEVER, I'm really happy with the results - just a bit of a rough journey getting there for me.
Remember though, I'm also not in my 30s or 40s, just feel like I am !!
Best wishes for a positive experience for you !
At this point if I knew then what I know now I would probably not have done it. I feel that my thoughts have been overwhelmed by what has been going on with my body , I haven't really revelled in my new look and what an amazing difference there is.
I've been on the pity pot for a while. Just knocked me for 6, I made a rash decision without completely understanding what I was doing. The fact that the surgeons website also said that he has patients that felt no pain at all gave me a false sense of security ( I'd love to meet those patients !!) thought I had it all in the bag, surgery Wednesday, recovered and back to work Monday, NOT.
I'm a very type A personality, not good for post surgery, worst type of patient. The thought of doing nothing but resting for 2 weeks was not on my agenda and I paid for it.
Maybe next week I'll be so happy I did it. I'm not sorry I did, just still on the fence.
My experience though is not like other people's. I should have demanded Exparel and I should have rested more instead of fighting it. My own darn fault. HOWEVER, I'm really happy with the results - just a bit of a rough journey getting there for me.
Remember though, I'm also not in my 30s or 40s, just feel like I am !!
Best wishes for a positive experience for you !
September 3, 2016
I am 67 and recovering beautifully! Don't let age stop you if you are in good health! Your doctor won't do it if he thinks you are not a good candidate.
Menopause hit last year and I seemed to be adding a few pounds each month, the size 8 became a size 10, I was ok about all areas of my body except stomach and hips, weight just seemed to fall there. I wouldn't describe it as saggy skin, more of a pudgy stomach and hips. Never in my life been 150 pounds and gaining, had to do something.
For me, it was a major change and I love it.
Your fears are understandable, can't imagine going through this and not being happy !
I am amazed at the women who will risk going to other countries to save money to have their surgery, crap, you only have 1 body and it's not like you can just put a band aid on if something goes wrong.
I went to an excellent surgeon and I paid more, but it was worth every penny. Just make sure you have a great surgeon and you will be in that bikini before you know it.
I am going on a cruise in January, gonna buy a kick ass bikini and take a photo, first bikini pic in 30 years !
Keep me updated and go for it !