Tummy Tuck. Sydney, AU

Hello all, I have read a lot of your post over the past few years gathering information on the do’s the don’ts and the OMG! So I thought I might be able to help others and contribute myself in aid of others after me.
My humble and somewhat naïve journey originally began with a Tummy Tuck and liposuction in Thailand 2008! To my current Tummy Tuck Revision right here in Australia 2015 -2016. My pictures are the red underwear is current the black underwear was done Thailand. I am going back in to see my surgeon Tuesday 5th July 2016 to have my dog ears removed. I will report on my dog ears and post pictures of this also stay tuned.
Firstly a little history on my first Tummy Tuck back in Thailand 2008. I trusted friends who made recommendations and although I did some research using Dr Google Internet It was a hard task to make choices and decisions due to the vast information. The Webb was filled with masses of information in Cyber Space… far too difficult to cypher through. I chose a supposedly reputable hospital with a surgeon who was supposedly qualified in Plastic Surgery and reconstruction surgery and was a well-known surgeon. I know most of you would look at my pictures and think there is nothing wrong with it and you have far worse or seen far worse. You just have to remember we all have a reason and a story. I was made to pay for things I hadn’t signed up for which they performed like excessive liposuction in areas unnecessary unwanted and poorly executed and I was in no situation to argue. I was in hospital for 7 nights then at a nearby luxury hotel during my final consultations I made sure the surgeon was aware I was unhappy as the incision was made too high I complained I had things done which I had not asked for. He assured me he could and would fix the incision at a later date yeh right at more cost to me and another trip back to Thailand! I don’t think so. I left Thailand 14 days later. The trip home was horrific and painful even though I had meds for pain relief. The meds caused bad side effects like muscle spasms and nightmares yep can you imagine involuntary muscle spasms after a tummy tuck ouch. I found out these pain killers are not even used in Australia due to the issues not good you think? I made every effort to contact the hospital and surgeon after leaving BUT sure enough no one wanted to talk to me. You can only guess the rest of the story I cut my losses and was grateful I was alive and I was still better off than most other horror stories. Too many stories of others having far worse problems and not being able to just go back and have their problems fixed but even if you could why would you!

Now for my Tummy Tuck Revision Current 2015-2016 in Australia: I chose my Plastic Surgeon wisely with the blessing of my Doctor GP best move ever. Now as for my plastic surgeon Mr Ross Farhadieh comes with great qualifications, BSc(Med)Hons, MBBS, MD, EBOPRASF, FRACS(Plast), FRCS(Plast) Member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons. His clinic is Panthea Plastic Surgery Clinics Sydney & Canberra. He is my knight in shining armour a truly humble human being, a kind man who actually cared about me who understood my needs without giving me false and unrealistic expectations. We were both on the same page as to what I wanted and he delivered. The best thing was he had every opportunity to sell me on other procedures as I was very keen, he looked at me and said “love you don’t need that” and if you really want that we can look at that in years to come WOW his honesty and caring nature sealed the deal form me . He was very reassuring insisting on doing only what was necessary and relevant to me and my body. I don’t know too many people in the world with such honesty and integrity.
My surgery date was the 20th October 2015! My expectations were: A flatter tummy, my horrible scar gone and lowered so it was not visible above my swimwear. I wanted him to even out my tummy as it was bigger on one side. I wanted my waist back without compromising contours of my body.
My drains were removed within 5 days the first one removed day 3 (yep) the second drain removed on day 5 and I had no problems no leaks or infections perfect.
I was in hospital for 6 days reason being I live 3 hours away from the hospital and Mr Ross wanted to see me day 7 for scheduled it was far better for me to stay an extra day than to go home and come back endure uncomfortable car ride back sweet.
When I was discharged from hospital I was sent home with ample pain medications. I don’t take any type of medication lightly so I took only what I needed when I need it. I do have a high tolerance to pain and everyone is different but whatever you do don’t suffer with pain take the meds rest up trust me you need it.
NOTE important thing to remember that I thought might be worth sharing with you all:
1. If you smoke give it up way in advance and don’t drink alcohol you may not think that smoking or alcohol will make a difference but believe me it does. My first surgery I smoked and well drank and I don’t remember healing as quickly. Stop way in advance of your surgery and listen to your Doctor’s advice
2. Lose as much weight as possible get fit and healthy. You should lose as much weight as you can naturally and be as healthy as you can before your surgery. Trust me it is worth every effort as your chances of getting great results and healing faster.
3. Make sure your catheter comes out the very next day go pee as soon as possible. The pain meds make peeing hard so turn the taps on in the bathroom it helps or put a little water on your hoo-ha it helps TRUST me it sounds weird but IT WORKS!
4. Get up start walking …it gets better trust me just do it.
5. Whatever you do wear your compression garments keep them on and keep them tight wear them for up to 6 months I did and I still wear them on occasions.
6. Don’t try and get back to heavy exercise after surgery give your body time to heal 6 months minimum I say go very slow listen to your PS Advice we are all different.
7. Huge Advice: Do not expose your scars to sunlight no joke. I use a scar gel to help with reducing the scar called Cica-Care-Gel-Sheet I purchased the largest sheet and cut them into strips to go across the scar and it works. Do not expose your scar to the sun not for at least a year. I have covered up my scar from day one I am still overing it at 7 months. The sun can and does penetrate through your clothing don’t forget this it is very important. Layer thick clothing, slap on sun block lots of it. I know a lot of you can’t wait to show your new hot bodies off by going sun baking swimming or wearing more revealing clothes but DON’T just hide the scar for now from the sun you will be grateful later with less scaring in the future. It can take from one to five years for the scar to fully mature this again depends on your skin. I have started using bio oil or coconut butter organic and vitamin E oil I mix them all together or put them individually whatever you like or works best for you.
8. Final note choose your surgeon wisely cheap is not the best nor is the most expensive any better. If you go overseas think about the country you’re in what their laws are and if something went wrong who or what or when and how will you get help? Will you be safe and can you get home and if you come home if something is not right can you go back to have it fixed what will that cost you? Simple things like that can save you money and time.
9. Do not fall for all the bells and whistles they tell you to buy or up sell to you like all the vitamins and minerals unless it is for a real medical reason! The other I didn’t use a recliner chair or a special bed nope! I used 2 extra thick king size doona folded them in half-length wise and put them under me I put a few pillows under my head and one just along my lower shoulder and ten folded part of the doona back over it to hold it in and tucked up so it won’t just come out, then another very large over stuffed pillow underneath the doona under my knees so it allowed me to have a slightly bend so I was laying on my back on an angel which was comfortable. I did not go to all that expense of hiring or buying hospital beds or special items specified to help me get comfortable. You can use what you have at home or go out and buy simple but cheap cushions /pillows and doona to help you.
Good luck to you all.