POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS
Post-Op Day 27 Update/Photos
ORIGINAL POST
This surgery is something I've wanted for many...
PositiveOneFebruary 3, 2013
WORTH IT$7,000
This surgery is something I've wanted for many years. I have twin teenage daughters and am so proud my body was able to carry them to term and they came into this world healthy. For many years I've struggled with the excessive loose skin - spilling over the waist of my pants, intimacy issues and with the support of my loving husband and family am now able to move forward. I am not going into this lightly, this is something that is important to me and I haven't been able to get myself to NOT want to proceed. I'll take the scar and the recovery to lose this extra entity I've been carrying. I'm so grateful to the many helpful hints, stories, advice and support on this site. I'm 44 yrs old, 5' 6.5" and weigh 128. I lead a healthy and active lifestyle and find great joy in working out, running, swimming, snowboarding and just being outside. This has been a dream of mine and I feel fortunate I get to have the procedure.
UPDATED FROM PositiveOne
Day of treatment
First evening home. So, pain meds are good! So is...
PositiveOneFebruary 4, 2013
First evening home. So, pain meds are good! So is help getting in and out of bed or a recliner. So is reading all the wonderful supportive comments from everyone. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it!!!
Resting comfortably in bed and really, the only pain I'm experiencing is the upper portion/torso of the diastasis repair. No other pain except there...
I called the doc's office and they said I may have pulled the sutures there getting back in bed. I had this very strange rippling/pulling sensation and wondered if I could have possibly ripped them out at that spot. She assured me that I probably lightly pulled them and it would affect the outcome.
I have an ice pack on it, but with the binder, it isn't getting terribly cold. I have one drain and taking care of it has been easy. They have me on both ibuprofen and percocet (YAY, my friends!!) and I started my stool softener (THANKS for that reminder, Niptuckgrl!) as well as arnica. The bromeliad (sp?) is on it's way. Still no nausea, I'm thinking the patch and residual anti-nasea med in the IV bag still may have an effect. Oh, I also don't remember if I wrote that during the procedure they had me on a twilight sedative and an epidural, which worked wonders.
All in all, I'm feeling better than I expected. Today. :) Hugs to everyone!
Question: They didn't send me home with compression socks. Does everyone use them? They seemed to think I wouldn't need it...thoughts?
Resting comfortably in bed and really, the only pain I'm experiencing is the upper portion/torso of the diastasis repair. No other pain except there...
I called the doc's office and they said I may have pulled the sutures there getting back in bed. I had this very strange rippling/pulling sensation and wondered if I could have possibly ripped them out at that spot. She assured me that I probably lightly pulled them and it would affect the outcome.
I have an ice pack on it, but with the binder, it isn't getting terribly cold. I have one drain and taking care of it has been easy. They have me on both ibuprofen and percocet (YAY, my friends!!) and I started my stool softener (THANKS for that reminder, Niptuckgrl!) as well as arnica. The bromeliad (sp?) is on it's way. Still no nausea, I'm thinking the patch and residual anti-nasea med in the IV bag still may have an effect. Oh, I also don't remember if I wrote that during the procedure they had me on a twilight sedative and an epidural, which worked wonders.
All in all, I'm feeling better than I expected. Today. :) Hugs to everyone!
Question: They didn't send me home with compression socks. Does everyone use them? They seemed to think I wouldn't need it...thoughts?
Replies (18)
February 5, 2013
I have 2 year old twins and a 3 month old. I'm thinking about surgery next year. Do you wish you would have moved forward with a TT sooner?
February 5, 2013
ABSOLUTELY!!! We were done with children after our twins and I only wish I had one it sooner! For years I felt guilty about even wanting the procedure. I had a lot of support from my family and then it was a matter of timing - with work, my husband's & kid schedule demands. My advice would be to get as much help as possible with the kids, house, etc, because lifting them for a while will be difficult. My best to you!!!
February 5, 2013
Whoops! I miswrote - the nurse actually said it would NOT affect the outcome.
February 5, 2013
Awesome...think bromeliad like in pineapple, not bromeliad the weird Jurassic type plant. Lol. They had me wear my thigh high compress stocking to surgery. I had to rock that very sexy look for a week. Sexy.j
February 5, 2013
Thank you so much for your reply and for getting back to me so quickly. I had my twins just shy of 39 weeks. There's no fixing the damage that did, and I'm struggling with the guilt of wanting to fix myself and the pride that I feel having carried them so far. We twin moms walk a tightrope sometimes, don't we? My biggest fear is (obviously) not waking up. I hope you're recovering beautifully. Congrats on doing something for yourself! You deserve it :)
February 7, 2013
Thank you, Nikinikinine! Yes, we do! And you deserve it, too! I was given an epidural and a twilight sedative, so I didn't have general anesthesia, which made me worry less. I struggled with that guilt for too many years and finally came to my own conclusion that I have nothing of which to feel guilty. It's funny, because I asked one of my daughters (out of worry that I would be sending the wrong message to them by having it done) and she said, "I actually can't believe you didn't get it done sooner, Mom." Hah! All that unnecessary worry only to find out she understands why it is important to me. I didn't expect that.
February 5, 2013
Congrats on your TT! I didn't get sent home with compression socks either but i wore them anyway for 3 days. My dr. said he puts them on during surgery and didn't need them after.
Hoping you have fast healing!
UPDATED FROM PositiveOne
2 days post
Well, just got out of the shower - first one since...
PositiveOneFebruary 6, 2013
Well, just got out of the shower - first one since Monday, before my surgery. Wow, did that ever feel good. I hooked the drain up to this piece of material and loosely wrapped the material around my neck, to get it out of the way.
I got a look at the scars (bb & tt line) and I'm thrilled with how they look. Not pretty yet, but I'm happy with what I see so far. I'm not ready to upload a photo of the after shots at this point in time.I just wanted to shower, change my dressing and go back to bed. Mission accomplished.
Yesterday I caved and starting taking 2 percocets. My prescription said I could take one or two, so I'm switching it up for a couple days. Getting back in bed is the worst for me. Really, that's the only time I feel any discomfort. I realize this could change, but so far I'm optimistic.
I have my basket of goodies next to me in bed and a smaller one to hold the meds. I write down when I take them and my husband has been beyond helpful with the distribution in case I drift an forget. I did have a reaction to the pain meds - severe itching all over my body - and was given the go-ahead to take Benadryl. That works!
I've been drinking a ton of water and avoiding salty foods, per the advice of others on this site. Homemade smoothies with yogurt, berries and an extra dose of protein powder with ice & coconut water are what i'm most craving and eating. I've been taking stool softeners and so far, nothing. Yikes. I have been taking it easy and getting up and walking around the first floor of our house about every 1 to 1/5 hours. I'm not hunched over when I walk as I thought I would be. Could be the meds, though. :)
I've really enjoyed reading everyone's posts and am grateful to be a part of this community. I'm drifting as I type this, so I'm going to sleep for a while. All my best to everyone and a happy healing as well!
I got a look at the scars (bb & tt line) and I'm thrilled with how they look. Not pretty yet, but I'm happy with what I see so far. I'm not ready to upload a photo of the after shots at this point in time.I just wanted to shower, change my dressing and go back to bed. Mission accomplished.
Yesterday I caved and starting taking 2 percocets. My prescription said I could take one or two, so I'm switching it up for a couple days. Getting back in bed is the worst for me. Really, that's the only time I feel any discomfort. I realize this could change, but so far I'm optimistic.
I have my basket of goodies next to me in bed and a smaller one to hold the meds. I write down when I take them and my husband has been beyond helpful with the distribution in case I drift an forget. I did have a reaction to the pain meds - severe itching all over my body - and was given the go-ahead to take Benadryl. That works!
I've been drinking a ton of water and avoiding salty foods, per the advice of others on this site. Homemade smoothies with yogurt, berries and an extra dose of protein powder with ice & coconut water are what i'm most craving and eating. I've been taking stool softeners and so far, nothing. Yikes. I have been taking it easy and getting up and walking around the first floor of our house about every 1 to 1/5 hours. I'm not hunched over when I walk as I thought I would be. Could be the meds, though. :)
I've really enjoyed reading everyone's posts and am grateful to be a part of this community. I'm drifting as I type this, so I'm going to sleep for a while. All my best to everyone and a happy healing as well!
Replies (4)
February 7, 2013
Oh, yeah. I asked the doc about the socks, and he said they were for the operating room, while lying flat on my back. So, I don't need them at home. Thanks everyone, for your responses!
February 7, 2013
So glad you are home and doing well. Rest is really important in the first few weeks so get plenty of it. Enjoy your family taking care of you.
February 7, 2013
Glad to hear you are doing so well! I think your results will be amazing!! Take care :)
February 7, 2013
Happy to hear you are doing well. Cant wait to see pics. Take it easy and get some rest. :)
Replies (0)