44 Years Old + 4 Kids = Tummy Tuck

I've always been relatively fit, but in the past couple of years my metabolism has slowed a little, and my stomach has started sagging more. Thinking it was mostly a little extra fat, I was hoping I could get rid of it with non-surgical intervention like Sculpture. In May 2017 had a consult with Dr. Sorokin in Cherry Hill NJ who said that most of my floppy belly was muscle laxity from my four pregnancies and loose skin, not fat. While I have some fat, liposuction or Sculpture would not solve my problem, only a tummy tuck would tighten the rectus muscles and get rid of the excess skin. So, my search for a tummy tuck surgeon began.

In researching and preparing for a TT, I've had five consults in the past four weeks. Once I found out that there was such a thing as a drainless tummy tuck, my goal was to have a drainless TT and find a doctor who specialized in them. Why on earth wouldn't I? I've seen a lot of pics on a Facebook group I belong to and think drains are gross. But, finding doctors who do mostly or exclusively drainless TT is hard. Most doctors still do traditional TT with drains.

I booked five consults: Dr. Evan Sorokin in Cherry Hill, NJ (drains only), Dr. Ryan Hoffman in Wynnewood (most drain, but will do drainless if requested), PA, Dr. David Bottger in Newtown Square, PA (mostly drain but will do drainless if requested), Dr. Christian Subbio in Newtown Square (drains only), and Dr. R. Brannon Clayton in Bryn Mawr, PA (drainless only).

I narrowed it down to two doctors: Subbio and Claytor. Subbio does NOT do drainless at all and explained why (he thinks the tension technique does not work with his style of contouring the abdomen during surgery). Claytor ONLY does drainless, which is awesome. Subbio and Claytor are priced almost the same, they both have GREAT bedside manner, their office staffs are great, and I think choosing either one would be a good decision. But, because I really really want drainless, I will likely go with Claytor.

Had my 1 week PO check up with my PS today and things are going great! Surgery was one week ago on Monday, September 25 — a drainless TT + MR + HR + flank lipo. I am 5'4", 125 pounds and have had 4 kids (3 of them c-sections).
When I started researching TT and interviewing surgeons in May and discovered the drainless procedure option, I was determined to find a doctor who did it. Fortunately, there is a nationally renown doctor just miles from me who does them, Dr. R. Brannon Claytor, so after having consults with four doctors who do typical drain TT and Dr. Claytor who does just drainless, I knew I had to have drainless. My follow-up with Dr. Claytor today only solidified my belief that drainless TT should be the STANDARD tummy tuck method. Why tummy tucks with drains are still being performed boggles me.
I will also add that prior to my procedure I planned to have Exparel, the pain relief medication that is injected during surgery and lasts for about 3 days post surgery. Due to a series of frustrating events, I was not able to have Exparel during my surgery as expected, but shockingly, I was absolutely fine. I had low-to-moderate pain the first two days (pain level of 4 out of 10) and was off prescription pain meds after day two (pain level 0). When I saw Dr. Claytor at my follow up today I told him how shocked I was that I had almost no pain, and he said that he has never had a patient complain of excruciating pain following a TT. During his procedures, he injects marcaine, the primary ingredient of Exparel, into the abdominal muscles at about 90% of the maximum safe level (determined by patient's body weight), which essentially acts as an immediate-acting Exparel. Whereas Exparel takes effect about 12 hours after surgery and lasts for 36 hours, the marcaine injected into the abdominal muscles takes effect immediately and lasts for about 8-12 hours, so the body does not have time to initiate an intense pain response. The most discomfort I have had the past four days has been the tightness in my tummy and the stiffness of the binder. Oh, and my back hurts because I can't sleep comfortably. I have had absolutely no pain from the surgery since day 3. And I had no drains.
The most disappointing thing about this week has been how ugly my tummy has gotten, and I know it is just swelling and recovering. While I was sure I had a seroma when I saw him today, Dr. Claytor showed me and assured me that I do not have any seromas and that I am healing perfectly normally. I will continue to have uneven and at times exaggerated and ugly swelling, and in a week I may actually look better, then look worse again. I know it will take a good 6 months before I can actually see my intended results and may still experience periodic swelling even after that. I may have to have "dog ears" snipped off in a few months, and Dr. Claytor will review scar therapy with me at my visit next week or the week after, depending on how my incision is healing.
I am so incredibly pleased and happy with Dr. Claytor, his undying passion for the drainless technique, his bedside manner, the time he takes with patients (he spent an HOUR with me just during my consult back in June, and every phone call and visit has been unhurried and a truly relaxed conversation), and my recovery. To say that my surgery so far has been pleasurable and easy is not an exaggeration. I know things can still go wrong and that I can develop seromas or infections, but I am confident that Dr. Claytor will do everything he can to make my experience as troublefree as possible. And I can't stress how wonderful his drainless + marcaine TT technique is. If you live in the mid-Atlantic area (or anywhere and are willing to travel) please feel free to PM me. I can't recommend drainless technique or Dr. Claytor enough.