Because the reviews on this website have been very beneficial in helping me make my final decision about cosmetic surgery, I have decided to share my experience as well.
My surgery:
My mommy makeover, including tummy tuck, muscle repair, breast lift, and lipo of my hips and thighs, is scheduled in just 2 days. I have my final consultation tomorrow and surgery on December 1st. After much research and several initial consultations, I finally chose Dr. Heieck as my surgeon. While my family is still leary about the surgery, I am excited and ready to have my fat suit removed.
My story:
I am 5'1". I am a mother of 4 who has been pregnant a total of 6 times. My weight has yo-yo'd before and after each pregnancy.For example, I weight 250lbs after my 4th child and 140lbs after my 2nd child. Before I was married and had my children I was very active and weighed 120lbs. I currently weigh 160lbs.
Since my 4th child was born, I have taken to exercise, like a fat girl takes to sweets. Currently, I run about 5 miles every other day. I also do an ab and thigh video every other day. Even with all this exercise. I have failed to rid myself of my fat suit. Now that I am done having children, I want to get my prepregnancy body back.
Now, I am getting ready to travel to Omaha for my surgery. I am trying to get all the last minute details worked out. Babysitter scheduled: check. Hotel booked: check. Review written: check. Bag packed: uncheck(I am still uncertain on what type of clothes and things to pack). Any ideas would be much appreciated. Thanks!
TT, MR, BL, and Lipo of Hips and Thighs - Omaha, NE
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sportychic
- Worth It
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Cost:
$10,120 - John J. Heieck, MD (retired), Omaha, Nebraska
Because the reviews on this website have been very...
Today is day 3 post-op. I am still pretty sore...
Today is day 3 post-op. I am still pretty sore and tender. I find myself really sleepy. I am unsure if this is an aftereffect of the surgery or if I am tired from not doing as much as normal. I started taking only 1 hydrocodone 325mg tab every 4 hours instead 2 today. I believe most of my discomfort is from the liposuction bruising. However periodically, my breasts, belly button, or abdomen incisions will sting.
My pain is no surprise. The doctor estimated from my abdomen and liposuction of hips and thighs, approximately 9 pounds were removed. Currently, my thighs are massive. They are very swollen and full of fluid. My abdomen is also quite swollen. I seem to have a "man" pouch just under my abdominal incision. Let us hope this goes away.
My breasts look much perkier, but much smaller. This will take quite a lot to get used to. I have always been known for having large "twins". I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't remove a pound or 2 of tissue from them as well.
After discussing it with my husband, we have decided to have one of our older children stay home to help with their youngest sibling who doesn't attend school yet. As for now, we are taking this day by day. I will keep you updated.
My pain is no surprise. The doctor estimated from my abdomen and liposuction of hips and thighs, approximately 9 pounds were removed. Currently, my thighs are massive. They are very swollen and full of fluid. My abdomen is also quite swollen. I seem to have a "man" pouch just under my abdominal incision. Let us hope this goes away.
My breasts look much perkier, but much smaller. This will take quite a lot to get used to. I have always been known for having large "twins". I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't remove a pound or 2 of tissue from them as well.
After discussing it with my husband, we have decided to have one of our older children stay home to help with their youngest sibling who doesn't attend school yet. As for now, we are taking this day by day. I will keep you updated.
Day 4 post-op and I am still pretty sore. I...
Day 4 post-op and I am still pretty sore. I started out with a burst of energy, only to have it replaced with major fatique. I still cannot sit in a chair for more than 5 minutes without falling asleep. Reminds me of when I was breastfeeding.
I have experienced a few concerns today including a declining supply of pain pills, an excessively tender area on the back of my right upper thigh, and a rather large mass of muscles in my abdomen. I will continue to work on my concerns throughout the next few days to get them resolved. Feel free to offer suggestions.
I have decided to wait until the swelling goes down before taking after pics. I will keep you posted.
I have experienced a few concerns today including a declining supply of pain pills, an excessively tender area on the back of my right upper thigh, and a rather large mass of muscles in my abdomen. I will continue to work on my concerns throughout the next few days to get them resolved. Feel free to offer suggestions.
I have decided to wait until the swelling goes down before taking after pics. I will keep you posted.
Today is day 6 post-op. I am finding myself more...
Today is day 6 post-op. I am finding myself more and more swollen especally around my peri area under my abdominal incision. I wonder if I am wearing the binder tight enough or even too tight. I also feel like my muscles in my stomach are balling up at times. I might be overdoing it. Not having my elbows go any higher than my shoulders has proven to be really hard to do.
I was scheduled to go to my 1 week post-op appointment tomorrow, but I called and had it moved to next week. The nurse said they like to see the total amount of fluid in the each drainage tubes around 25 cc's or less. I am still having quite a bit of drainage. Each drainage tube is around 75 to 100 cc's still.
I am now down to taking the tylenol throughout the day and 2 hydrocodone every 4 hours at night. However, after being out and about today for the first time since the surgery doing errands , I broke down an took more than what I had planned too of the pain medicine.
I would love feedback from others about the swelling issue.
I was scheduled to go to my 1 week post-op appointment tomorrow, but I called and had it moved to next week. The nurse said they like to see the total amount of fluid in the each drainage tubes around 25 cc's or less. I am still having quite a bit of drainage. Each drainage tube is around 75 to 100 cc's still.
I am now down to taking the tylenol throughout the day and 2 hydrocodone every 4 hours at night. However, after being out and about today for the first time since the surgery doing errands , I broke down an took more than what I had planned too of the pain medicine.
I would love feedback from others about the swelling issue.
I am now 2 weeks post-op. I am feeling better...
I am now 2 weeks post-op. I am feeling better everyday. Not exercising and being confined to the house more than I am used to, seems to be the downfall to this surgery for me.
I am happier everyday with the transformation of my results. I thought my swelling # 1 is not ready to be taken out. I am so ready for the drain to be taken out. A warm shower would be awesome. Sponge baths are just not cutting it. My remaining drain is still putting out numbers around the 100 mark. This seem excessive to me.
My peri area still seems to be one of my biggest concern, as it is almost manly in size. The doctor reassures me this will go away with time. I hope.
I am happier everyday with the transformation of my results. I thought my swelling # 1 is not ready to be taken out. I am so ready for the drain to be taken out. A warm shower would be awesome. Sponge baths are just not cutting it. My remaining drain is still putting out numbers around the 100 mark. This seem excessive to me.
My peri area still seems to be one of my biggest concern, as it is almost manly in size. The doctor reassures me this will go away with time. I hope.
Today I am 18 days post-op. Overnight I noticed...
Today I am 18 days post-op. Overnight I noticed my last remaining drain was starting to come out. By this morning it was over half way out and no longer was holding any suction. Unfortunately, the drain wasn't ready to be removed. I still was drain around 60 to 80cc in 24 hr period. I went ahead and pulled it the rest of the way out and called the PS. My appointment is tomorrow.
I am unsure what the process is after a drain falls out. I am hoping that I won't have to make several trips back to the doctor's office with it being 3 hours from home to have drainage suctioned out. Come on body, absorb!
My peri area still remains my biggest concern. It is still manly in size. I also have a lot of excess swelling in my thighs, butt, and abdomen. The scale has not been kind to me. I weighed in at 159 lbs on the morning of surgery. I had 9 lbs removed. I currently weigh 164 lbs. GRRR!
On the bright side, today marked my first shower in 18 days. Boy did it feel good! Hopefully, this will be the longest I will ever go without a shower.
Also on the positive side, I am drain free. Let's just hope it doesn't cause me any problems.
I am unsure what the process is after a drain falls out. I am hoping that I won't have to make several trips back to the doctor's office with it being 3 hours from home to have drainage suctioned out. Come on body, absorb!
My peri area still remains my biggest concern. It is still manly in size. I also have a lot of excess swelling in my thighs, butt, and abdomen. The scale has not been kind to me. I weighed in at 159 lbs on the morning of surgery. I had 9 lbs removed. I currently weigh 164 lbs. GRRR!
On the bright side, today marked my first shower in 18 days. Boy did it feel good! Hopefully, this will be the longest I will ever go without a shower.
Also on the positive side, I am drain free. Let's just hope it doesn't cause me any problems.
Day 21 post-op and feeling bloated. I'm going in...
Day 21 post-op and feeling bloated. I'm going in tomorrow to have fluid drained. My abdomen looks like a water balloon. It feels like a boiling pot of fluid.
The swollen tummy issue is causing me alot of concerns. I hope I doesn't get infected, need to be drained more than once, or stretch my stomach enough that it looks deflated once the fluid is drained. I hope they prescribe an antibiotic just in case.
The swollen tummy issue is causing me alot of concerns. I hope I doesn't get infected, need to be drained more than once, or stretch my stomach enough that it looks deflated once the fluid is drained. I hope they prescribe an antibiotic just in case.
Day 24 post-op and feeling worse than when I...
Day 24 post-op and feeling worse than when I updated last time. I am back to taking my pain pills periodically. Last Friday I had a doctor appointment to removed fluid build up in my abdomen. They removed 180 cc's of fluid before I passed out. They also told me to take it easy. Yeah, right. Did they realize this is a holiday weekend and I have four kids.
Anyway, with the holiday I made an appointment for Tuesday to return and do the same thing as Friday. However, I feel way more bloated then when I went in Friday. I was told if I need to, I could call tomorrow and have the person on call drain my fluid. My stomach is so big that it protrudes almost as much as it did before surgery. I am quite bummed about that.
In the back of my mind, I would rather them, put in an another drainage tube and call it good. I feel like my stomach stretching this much cannot be healthy.
Anyway, with the holiday I made an appointment for Tuesday to return and do the same thing as Friday. However, I feel way more bloated then when I went in Friday. I was told if I need to, I could call tomorrow and have the person on call drain my fluid. My stomach is so big that it protrudes almost as much as it did before surgery. I am quite bummed about that.
In the back of my mind, I would rather them, put in an another drainage tube and call it good. I feel like my stomach stretching this much cannot be healthy.
26 days post-op today and had a doctor appointment...
26 days post-op today and had a doctor appointment to have more fluid drained from my seroma. Today they drained 150cc and the fluid had started to moved up above where my binder was. I asked for a a 4 panel binder, instead of the 3. It works and feels much better. I have less worry that I have positioned the binder incorrectly. They want to see me back Thursday or Friday. They are talking about replacing the drain which fell out if the aspirated fluid amounts remain high. This doesn't surprise me.
I had my last doctor appointment Thursday of last...
I had my last doctor appointment Thursday of last week, 4 weeks post-op. Doctor didn't think it needed drained at first. I told him I could feel the fluid and so agreed to try and remove more fluid. 90cc's later he admitted that he learned along time ago, always listen to the patient. He has proved to be a good surgeon.
I am set to go back tomorrow and have Dr. Heieck look at again. Trust me, it needs drained again. GRRR... When does the fluid stop? I am so ready to get active again. I was told not to go on 2 mile walks and to take it easy. Boo! Let us just hope that I don't gain all my weight back sitting around and eating.
I am set to go back tomorrow and have Dr. Heieck look at again. Trust me, it needs drained again. GRRR... When does the fluid stop? I am so ready to get active again. I was told not to go on 2 mile walks and to take it easy. Boo! Let us just hope that I don't gain all my weight back sitting around and eating.
I had another appointment today with my PS to...
I had another appointment today with my PS to drain fluid from my seroma in my tummy. They removed a total of 60 cc's today. I guess it is a good thing that is going down. I just am tired of the long drives into the PS office. I have to return again on Friday for much of the same.
I also noticed that I am havinga bit of drainage from my tummy tuck incision and below my breast. It is a small amount, so for now I am not too concerned.
I also noticed that I am havinga bit of drainage from my tummy tuck incision and below my breast. It is a small amount, so for now I am not too concerned.
40 days post-op and feeling more and more like my...
40 days post-op and feeling more and more like my old self everyday. Still very swollen and retaining fluid in my seroma. Last Friday they removed 35cc's. I still feel like I am getting fluid higher up in my stomach. I hope when I go back this Friday, they will be able to remove it as well.
I am supposed to be able to ditch the binder at 6 weeks, which is Thursday, but I don't think I will be allowed with the fluid build up. I don't look at my binder as a security blanket. I am ready to rid myself of it.
I was also told that I could start light exercise. However, with the seroma, light exercise means not even walking miles. I am about to go insane staying idol. Exercise is my time to do something for myself. I miss it.
I am supposed to be able to ditch the binder at 6 weeks, which is Thursday, but I don't think I will be allowed with the fluid build up. I don't look at my binder as a security blanket. I am ready to rid myself of it.
I was also told that I could start light exercise. However, with the seroma, light exercise means not even walking miles. I am about to go insane staying idol. Exercise is my time to do something for myself. I miss it.
I had another PS appointment last Friday. PA only...
I had another PS appointment last Friday. PA only aspirated 10cc of fluid from my seroma. This was good news. However, she told me I would have to continue to wear my binder until after I see the PS on my next appointment on the 24th. I am so ready to ditch the binder. It makes sleeping almost impossible.
I know they keep telling me that everything looks fine, but I think at times I look huge above and below my belly button. I am sure they know best. This is why I am keeping my exercise low key and continuing to wear my binder.
I know they keep telling me that everything looks fine, but I think at times I look huge above and below my belly button. I am sure they know best. This is why I am keeping my exercise low key and continuing to wear my binder.
8 weeks post-op tomorrow and had my PS appointment...
8 weeks post-op tomorrow and had my PS appointment yesterday. PS did not attempt to drain any fluid this time. He said I seem to be healing well and thought that my seroma was gone. He also allowed me to ditch my binder. Woohoo! I feel so much freedom now without it when it comes to getting dressed. However, I feel better wearing the binder at night for a little extra support.
I was so excited about being able to ditch the binder that I forgot to even ask about exercise and lotion for my scars. I will probably have to call and ask. He also said to call if I felt like fluid was building back up. Because he used the phrase "we will see how it goes," I am assuming I am supposed to take it slow when getting back into exercise. With the area over my belly button looking a little fluid filled, I probably don't want to over do it and produce even more fluid and have another seroma form. Oh well, even if I can't do as much as I would like, I am just happy to say goodbye to the binder and hope all goes will in the next 3 weeks until my next appointment.
I was so excited about being able to ditch the binder that I forgot to even ask about exercise and lotion for my scars. I will probably have to call and ask. He also said to call if I felt like fluid was building back up. Because he used the phrase "we will see how it goes," I am assuming I am supposed to take it slow when getting back into exercise. With the area over my belly button looking a little fluid filled, I probably don't want to over do it and produce even more fluid and have another seroma form. Oh well, even if I can't do as much as I would like, I am just happy to say goodbye to the binder and hope all goes will in the next 3 weeks until my next appointment.
I am around 11 weeks post-op. My last doctor...
I am around 11 weeks post-op. My last doctor appointment was last Monday, the day before Valentine's Day. The PA gave me the ok to start more active exercise, like running and ab work. She did say to only do what my body would allow. I have been away from exercise for so long. It is going to take quite a bit of time before I am back in the swing of things.
I am really happy with my results so far. I feel better when I am dressing. I feel more confident. It is great. While I do find that I swell quite a bit throughout the day, it is way better than it used to be. I can't wait until I no longer have daily swelling from just regular activity and I can see the full transformation.
I am really happy with my results so far. I feel better when I am dressing. I feel more confident. It is great. While I do find that I swell quite a bit throughout the day, it is way better than it used to be. I can't wait until I no longer have daily swelling from just regular activity and I can see the full transformation.
4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5 stars
