33 Yrs Young, 3 Boys and a Tummy Tuck! - Philadelphia, PA

HI, I am a 33 yr young mother of 3 beautiful boys who has finally decided to give in and get a tummy tuck. This is a decision that did not come easy as I went back n forth for over a year. In fact, I was scheduled to have a tummy tuck last year and canceled about a wk b4 my scheduled date due to fear (and hubby not being conpletely on board.) Fast forward a yr later, although the common fears associated with surgery was definately still there, I took a leap out on faith and hubby has agreed and provided full support (not because he wanted me to get it, but just to make me happy and I I bet 4 sure, so he wouldnt have to hear about it anymore, lol). I am actually grateful that I held off last year, the ps I was going to go to was always rushing and seemed as if he had little to no time for questions since the office was always busy. He would actually interject b4 I could finish a sentence (which I never could) to speed things along and always minimized any concerns that I asked about instead of providing what I thought was realistic answers, everything seemed to be minimized. Its almost like he wanted a tummy tuck to seem equivalent to going to ur gyn and getting a pap smear! I believe that he would have done a great job on the procedure but honestly no better than where I ended up. He was double board certified and had close to 20 year experience. A reputable dr in my area (that I wont name), and while all of that is great I just wish some drs would understand that bedside manner is just as important as their actual credentials/work. ok, enough about that. I had become obsessed with RS and had been gathering a TON of information. Finally I found the perfect place to have surgery. I decided on UPHS (university of Pennsylvania hospital) the residents clinic for plastic surgery. My procedure was performed by Dr.Anthony Taglienti and overseen by an attending Dr. Ivonna Percec. I had actually read several past reviews of rs members who had work done at this hospital and were pleased, but the last up to date review convinced me to go to my ps. I have nothing but wonderful things to report. From the very first meeting my PS was very welcoming and took the time to address all of my concerns and provide realistic expectations along with his own ginuine opinion. We both agreed that i was a good candidate for a full tummy tuck with muscle repair and liposuction to the stomach, flanks and waist. I will admit at first I was a bit leery going to a resident, but couldnt ingnore how secure and comfortable they made me feel. I felt that he could deliver the results I wanted. Not only was he knowledgeable, but also genuinely compassionate, patient and understanding.(Hubby went with me to every appointment and thought he was great as well, so that was definately a plus) About 1 month after my initial consult, I went in for surgery on 6/16/2015. My surgery was performed outside the hospital at their surgery center where they also perform many of their procedures (the tuttleman surgery ceneter) I had the option to get the surgery done in the hospital or at the surgery center. My ps assured me there was no difference in the level of care I would receive and he actually preferred the surgery center as it was more private and less hectic than the hospital. I had complete trust in his words and was just fine at the surgery center. The staff there was truly amazing. I cant say enough good things. Each one of them introduced themselves, told me the role they would play in my care and went out their way to make me feel comfortable (and I did) the anesthesiologist, held my hand, talked me through any last minute fears, assured me he would be with me every step of the way and I would wake up with him right there. Off to sleep I went! What took about 3 hrs, felt like 30 mins and I was beyond relieved I made it to the other side as promised. Day 1~cant say I was in pain, but was hunched over like I was about 80yrs old, very drugged and pretty much spent the whole day sleeping (outside of taking my meds) I would be up for 10mins or so and then sleep again. Day 2 was pretty similar. I dont know where I would be without the husband. I know everyone is different and their recovery will be for sure. But this is my journey. Week 1 I couldnt do a thing by myslef. Walking, wiping my ass, settling back into my recliner (which is still my bed) sitting down, getting up, showering, etc. I required full assistance. (Or maybe I had just become spoiled at this point, idk) I never experienced a LOT of pain at any point (at least nothing that couldnt be controlled with my meds). I would say it is more discomforth with the limited mobility. But I also took meds as prescribed. My worst pain would be in the morning, after sleeping all night getting up was a real B***! I just remember that awful pressure I would feel when I first stood, the worst!) Week 1, my appetite was completely diminished. Im talking eating maybe a graham cracker or 2 a day with a watermelon slice and I forced that just to take my meds but week 2 my appetite seemed to have returned with a vengence. Now that im 3wks post op I am sticking to a more balanced diet, in hopes 2 drop some weight. I am 3 wks post op 2day and am no longer walking like an 80 yr old (but definately not like im 33 yrs young either) my posture is still a bit hunched and my shoulders are up to my ears sonetimes when im walking without me even realizing it. It just seems really hard to get back to that complete "normal place" right now. My muscles feel so tight, which plays a big part in my posture because u feel the pulling when u do try to stand straight and be relaxed but it truly gets better each day. Im doing much more, feeling much better and I am so early in the recovery process still. I happy withy results. Absolutely hate the sweliing, which I choose not to dwell on cus I no this Is only a temporary side affect associated with this kind of major surgery. I did extensive research and prepared myself emotionally so im really in a good place. As we all no, there will be swelling and even knowing this it can be frustarting, but its something I was well aware of so I wont complain. My scar is looking great! Oh, lets talk drains. They were placed in my hips (2)one on each side. The first came out 1 wk post op, and the 2nd exactly 13 days post op. I managed to hide them from my 3 children the whole time, so I didnt have to freak them out (my boys are 13, 10 and 2). Now I realizey review may be a little all over the place because I didnt sit down and do this step by step, but just did 1 overview and this is my first time posting on a social media site. If I left put anything, please ask, ill be happy 2 share. My dr is no longer at uphs, he has completed his residency and has moved to NYC where he is now practicing in his own office but i would travel there to c him again if I ever decided to get additional work (which hubby says isnt happening, so we dont need to worry about that, lol) although my ps jas relocated, he is still very much in contact and I am still going to recieve my post op visits at penn, with another dr that he worked closely with prior to his departure. this is all the info I can think of at this very moment, my main goal was to document my journey to maybe inspire others as this site has done 4 me. I no once I go back 2 work, I wont have this kind of time on my hands so I didnt want to put off documenting any longer, but I will continue to post as things come to me, new pics, experiences, etc. If u r wondering I stopped working about 10 days b4 surgery on 6/5 and plan to go back the first wk of august. Now this was more of a personal decision for me to take this much time from work, not just due to surgery, but because I needed it. And honestly I can say that 2 wks post op would not have been sufficient for me 2 rwturn 2 work and I sit at a desk all day. I am a precertification specialst for major health insurance company In my state, but again everyone is different and I suppose u gotta do what u gotta do. I consider myrecovery to be going great. I am progressing each day, havent had any complications or setbacks. This is MAJOR surgery, not a walk in the park, but its been a good experience for me the cons to getting the tt are the downtime and swelling, but I went into it knowing this and while there are a ton of other things that could be considered "cons" these are pretty much the only 2 that has affected me.

I am really pleased with my scar. Today I am exactly 22 days post op and all the scabbing has pealed off. I have pretty good skin, so am anticipating this to be a great outcome. I am not using any creams. I am still keeping my incision covered with tape, which I will probably stop after next week when I go to my next post op visit. At that point I will probably just use coco butter or whatever cream I would normally put on my skin and just massage the area and apply that daily. I havent invested in anything outside of my marena garments for this tt. I also have an Ardyss corset which I wear over my garments. I actually had the corset for about 2 yrs and couldnt get into it when I purchased it, so it stayed tucked away in my drawer. It definately came in handy now.

Some more pics exactly 9 days post op that I stumbled accross. I bought this bikini from vs last year when I was gonna get the surgery, but didnt follow through. Well here it is now . Not bad, but im gonna need to invest on a bigger bottom for my behind!