POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck Reviews
33 Yo, No Kids, Am I Really Doing This?? - Munich, DE
UPDATED FROM UNLV7120
22 days post
3 Week check in!
UNLV7120February 9, 2017
$8,000
Tiny break through this morning: I rolled over to my side as was able to stay comfortably for about 5 mins! Sounds completely idiotic, but it felt so good I almost cried.
Half my belly button stitches got pulled today, I have a little raw spot that's bleeding a little, so doc wants to wait til next week to pull the rest. I've apparently been taking it too easy on my scar as there's still bits of scab which have to come off before next week when we start scar treatment.
Snapped some pics a few mornings back when I was feeling' myself,I can't believe that's my tummy!
Half my belly button stitches got pulled today, I have a little raw spot that's bleeding a little, so doc wants to wait til next week to pull the rest. I've apparently been taking it too easy on my scar as there's still bits of scab which have to come off before next week when we start scar treatment.
Snapped some pics a few mornings back when I was feeling' myself,I can't believe that's my tummy!
UPDATED FROM UNLV7120
10 days post
Day 11, swelling slightly better, incision closing up!
UNLV7120January 28, 2017
Here we are at Day 11. Muscle pain has improved significantly and I'm off all pain killers. Standing a bit straighter, and made it out to my 1-week post op appointment on Thursday. Everything on track, although my scar is weeping a bit in one spot on the right. Belly button still looking good, and I'm supposed to start working the stitches out with q-tips on my own.
So what else...though I'm walking around easier and trying to rebuild some stamina, I'm mostly exhausted. Even though I still feel like an over-filled blimp, when I overdo it, I absolutely notice the extra swelling and increased blimp-ness. I'm starting to see a little bit of shape coming through under my rib cage, which is exciting, but I'm still so swollen above the incision that the swelling only seems more exaggerated. I'm feeling much better overall, physically and mentally. There's such a difference between day 3 or 4 and 10 or 11, it's really remarkable how much progress your body can make in a week.
So what else...though I'm walking around easier and trying to rebuild some stamina, I'm mostly exhausted. Even though I still feel like an over-filled blimp, when I overdo it, I absolutely notice the extra swelling and increased blimp-ness. I'm starting to see a little bit of shape coming through under my rib cage, which is exciting, but I'm still so swollen above the incision that the swelling only seems more exaggerated. I'm feeling much better overall, physically and mentally. There's such a difference between day 3 or 4 and 10 or 11, it's really remarkable how much progress your body can make in a week.
Replies (3)
January 28, 2017
From here on everyday you will notice improvement . Today (day16) I notice the swelling is starting to give me a break .. you will see you will start feeling better soon .. you look great !
February 4, 2017
Hi UNLV7120,
How are things going with you? I've been thinking about you this week and wondering how you did going back to work?
I had my second PO appointment on Thursday and got my stitches out. They said everything looked fine and to start using scar cream on my incision. I'm finally allowed to try to stand up straight now. I've had a lot more swelling this week then last. It gets better at night and then seems to come back the next evening. I can switch from my surgical CG to another one now that I had my last appointment, but I still have not found one that is very comfortable and supporting. The first one I bought was too lose, although it seemed tight when I initially tried to get it on. I've been trying another one that is tighter with that one (wearing them together) which seemed fine, but just difficult to deal with when you have to go to the BR. It seems like my tummy feels better with more support so I bought a different one today too. Right now that one seems better, but I think I will sleep in my original CG tonight to try to help with the swelling.
I'm going back to work this coming Wednesday, but I'll only work 1/2 days for the first 3 days. I do a lot of standing so I wasn't sure how that would work out.
So far I'm really happy with how everything looks - I'll just be glad when the swelling subsides more. My clothes seem a little looser, but I think they will even be better once the swelling finally gets better.
Take care,
Vickie
How are things going with you? I've been thinking about you this week and wondering how you did going back to work?
I had my second PO appointment on Thursday and got my stitches out. They said everything looked fine and to start using scar cream on my incision. I'm finally allowed to try to stand up straight now. I've had a lot more swelling this week then last. It gets better at night and then seems to come back the next evening. I can switch from my surgical CG to another one now that I had my last appointment, but I still have not found one that is very comfortable and supporting. The first one I bought was too lose, although it seemed tight when I initially tried to get it on. I've been trying another one that is tighter with that one (wearing them together) which seemed fine, but just difficult to deal with when you have to go to the BR. It seems like my tummy feels better with more support so I bought a different one today too. Right now that one seems better, but I think I will sleep in my original CG tonight to try to help with the swelling.
I'm going back to work this coming Wednesday, but I'll only work 1/2 days for the first 3 days. I do a lot of standing so I wasn't sure how that would work out.
So far I'm really happy with how everything looks - I'll just be glad when the swelling subsides more. My clothes seem a little looser, but I think they will even be better once the swelling finally gets better.
Take care,
Vickie
February 4, 2017
Hey Vickie! So glad to hear things are going well for you:) I actually go back to work on Monday. Objectively, things are pretty good. Belly button and incision are both still healing well and, at least optically, I'm standing completely straight. My stamina for walking around, getting up and down, etc is probably back at 90%. I still feel incredibly tight and am still sleeping on an incline. It's funny because the time seems to be dragging, but when I look at the progress my body has made over just two weeks, it's crazy. I too am struggling a bit with my garment. The one my surgeon gave me never really fit well, as I'm very short-waisted. I feel like I have essentially no compression on my waist and the garment is very bunched. I'm still very swollen too, and I can't help but think this is the fault of an ill-fitting garment. I bought a binder-type garment and it feels much more secure and actually fits, but it's so bulky I don't think I can wear it to work under my already-too small clothes. I'm panicking a little because, though I haven't tried any street clothes on aside from leggings, I can't see how I'm going to fit in any of my professional clothes :/ I've been putting off trying them on til this weekend, when I have to figure out what I'm going to wear for the week...
Even though it's only been two weeks, my mind is over recovery lol. I just desperately want to be able to stretch and sleep on my side and snuggle with my husband and not feel like my stomach is going to explode alien-style if I move around a lot.... Patience is a virtue I unfortunately don't possess. Also looking forward to starting scar treatment and confirming that the incision is fully-healed. Onward and upward!
Even though it's only been two weeks, my mind is over recovery lol. I just desperately want to be able to stretch and sleep on my side and snuggle with my husband and not feel like my stomach is going to explode alien-style if I move around a lot.... Patience is a virtue I unfortunately don't possess. Also looking forward to starting scar treatment and confirming that the incision is fully-healed. Onward and upward!
February 18, 2017
Did you get your flanks done I'm debating on should I get mines done
UPDATED FROM UNLV7120
6 days post
Feeling a little better, pics added!!
UNLV7120January 24, 2017
Hey Ladies,
Today has been a better day, trying to just focus on the early healing stage and not be too hard on myself. My best friend came all the way from Texas to be with me while my hubs is on a business trip, and I rewarded her loyalty by making her help shower my naked blimp self first thing this morning. Belly button looking super cute, incision seems to be doing fine, just slightly leaky. I'm starting to get some zingy pains along my incision line, I'll take it as a good sign.
So...6 days out....am I overreacting about the swelling?
Today has been a better day, trying to just focus on the early healing stage and not be too hard on myself. My best friend came all the way from Texas to be with me while my hubs is on a business trip, and I rewarded her loyalty by making her help shower my naked blimp self first thing this morning. Belly button looking super cute, incision seems to be doing fine, just slightly leaky. I'm starting to get some zingy pains along my incision line, I'll take it as a good sign.
So...6 days out....am I overreacting about the swelling?
Replies (3)
January 24, 2017
I am on day 12 and I am soooo swollen !! So don't worry you are not over reacting . My back is killing me of how swollen it is .. my doc says it takes weeks or months for my body to go back to normal . I can't wait ! Totally sucks . You are not alone .. hang in there . I started taking tumeric . Is suppose to be really good for the swelling .. I hope so. !
January 25, 2017
Glad you had a good day. Your pictures look awesome. I don't think you're overreacting about the swelling. I keep having problems with that too. I think we might have to put up with it a little longer. I'm sure hoping to get my drains out tomorrow for my 1 week visit. I did wash my hair today which made a huge difference in my attitude. It I get the drains out I can finally shower. It will feel like heaven! It's hard to believe it will be a week tomorrow! We will get through these first few weeks and look great! Hope your Day 7 is good too!
January 27, 2017
Just checking in to see how you're doing? I hope you are doing well and hanging in there.
I got my drains removed yesterday - not as painful as I had imagined. The NP reminded me that I had been through the worse of this process and it would only get better from here on. She said not to worry about the swelling that all of it would get better too. (I sure hope so!). Have another appointment next Thursday to get my stitches out.
I couldn't take a shower until today and it sure did feel great! It took a lot out of me and afterwards I was nauseated for quite a while.
I am still wearing the same CG and will be so glad to move to a different one after my appointment next week. The one I have rubs on the top of my legs and has almost rubbed them raw. Now I'm having to use thicker pads to cover them which adds more bulk to the CG.
My lower back and the CG rubbing on my legs remain the main source of my pain - I'm still taking Ibuprofen and Tylenol EX during the day and 1 Percocet at bedtime. I'm still sleeping in the recliner. I will be so happy after my appt. next week when I can straighten up and maybe sleep in my own bed again.
I can see a change for the good each day, but I also know enough from reading here that any day could potentially be a bad day.
I got a really good look at my incisions and abdomen today and it looks pretty good for a 62 y/o. My jeans did not seem any looser when I wore them yesterday, but my stomach looks so much flatter with my tops on.
Eventually I hope to post the pictures I've taken.
Hope to hear more from you soon.
Vickie
I got my drains removed yesterday - not as painful as I had imagined. The NP reminded me that I had been through the worse of this process and it would only get better from here on. She said not to worry about the swelling that all of it would get better too. (I sure hope so!). Have another appointment next Thursday to get my stitches out.
I couldn't take a shower until today and it sure did feel great! It took a lot out of me and afterwards I was nauseated for quite a while.
I am still wearing the same CG and will be so glad to move to a different one after my appointment next week. The one I have rubs on the top of my legs and has almost rubbed them raw. Now I'm having to use thicker pads to cover them which adds more bulk to the CG.
My lower back and the CG rubbing on my legs remain the main source of my pain - I'm still taking Ibuprofen and Tylenol EX during the day and 1 Percocet at bedtime. I'm still sleeping in the recliner. I will be so happy after my appt. next week when I can straighten up and maybe sleep in my own bed again.
I can see a change for the good each day, but I also know enough from reading here that any day could potentially be a bad day.
I got a really good look at my incisions and abdomen today and it looks pretty good for a 62 y/o. My jeans did not seem any looser when I wore them yesterday, but my stomach looks so much flatter with my tops on.
Eventually I hope to post the pictures I've taken.
Hope to hear more from you soon.
Vickie
Replies (1)