POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck Reviews
TT W/ MR & Lipo(flanks)! Finally!
UPDATED FROM Tee in CA
Post Op Week 12 New Pictures UP! It has been a...
WORTH IT$9,700
Post Op Week 12 New Pictures UP!
It has been a while since I've done an update and thought since I'm at the 3 month mark, that now is a good time to do one. I am no longer wearing my CG. I have gone down several pant sizes. I haven't lost anymore weight, but I also haven not gained any which is wonderful! I am still applying Mederma on my scar. It looks a bit darker now which I hear is a normal process of scar healing. I have a very slight bulge on my left side (it doesn't seem as tight as my right). Maybe I'm being too picky about it... I don't think it's that noticeable now that I've taken a picture but I'll bring it up to my PS at the end of the month during my po visit. I've seen what dog ears look like and I don't think that's what it is; I'm unsure. My BB is great and I love how it looks. I know I had my va-jay-jay pulled up since it was bulging pre-TT but I'm starting to not like the scar I have right at the center. It curves up instead of down like most people. When I wear low rise jeans it covers the scar but sometimes the very top part of it will show. Other than those small little minor things, I am VERY HAPPY with my results! My swelling is almost nonexistent and I have started the Insanity Workout (daily) and also resistance workouts every other day. However, I've been so busy with different fam events that I haven't had time to work out. That's why I'm so thankful that I have been watching what I eat and that I haven't put on any extra weight. I spent my 34th b'day with friends and the hubby in Las Vegas and it was so nice to be able to wear a swim suite and lounge around poolside and not feel uncomfortable or insecure!
I also decided to get the IUD Mirena put in last week. I hate having to take BC pills everyday and make sure I remember to take them! Now I don't have to worry about anything!!! I love it! I chickened out a few months back because of all the horror stories I read online, but I know a few who have it and they love it so I decided to give it a try. No problems at all (knock on wood)!
I hope everyone has a wonderful week! Happy Healing tummy tuckers!
It has been a while since I've done an update and thought since I'm at the 3 month mark, that now is a good time to do one. I am no longer wearing my CG. I have gone down several pant sizes. I haven't lost anymore weight, but I also haven not gained any which is wonderful! I am still applying Mederma on my scar. It looks a bit darker now which I hear is a normal process of scar healing. I have a very slight bulge on my left side (it doesn't seem as tight as my right). Maybe I'm being too picky about it... I don't think it's that noticeable now that I've taken a picture but I'll bring it up to my PS at the end of the month during my po visit. I've seen what dog ears look like and I don't think that's what it is; I'm unsure. My BB is great and I love how it looks. I know I had my va-jay-jay pulled up since it was bulging pre-TT but I'm starting to not like the scar I have right at the center. It curves up instead of down like most people. When I wear low rise jeans it covers the scar but sometimes the very top part of it will show. Other than those small little minor things, I am VERY HAPPY with my results! My swelling is almost nonexistent and I have started the Insanity Workout (daily) and also resistance workouts every other day. However, I've been so busy with different fam events that I haven't had time to work out. That's why I'm so thankful that I have been watching what I eat and that I haven't put on any extra weight. I spent my 34th b'day with friends and the hubby in Las Vegas and it was so nice to be able to wear a swim suite and lounge around poolside and not feel uncomfortable or insecure!
I also decided to get the IUD Mirena put in last week. I hate having to take BC pills everyday and make sure I remember to take them! Now I don't have to worry about anything!!! I love it! I chickened out a few months back because of all the horror stories I read online, but I know a few who have it and they love it so I decided to give it a try. No problems at all (knock on wood)!
I hope everyone has a wonderful week! Happy Healing tummy tuckers!
Tee in CA's provider
UPDATED FROM Tee in CA
Post Op Day 57 - 2 month po pictures up! (Yay! a...
Post Op Day 57 - 2 month po pictures up!
(Yay! a whole 2 months and 1 day post op!!!)
Hello everyone! It has been such an amazing & exciting 2 months of recovery! I officially don't need my cg! However, I'm wearing a high-waist body shaper made by the creator of Spanx called Assets. I found it at target & way cheaper than Spanx. There were different "slimming levels" I got the ultra. It's nice to put on when I'm out running around doing errands or working because I still feel sore and swollen at the end of the day but not any where near as close to as before. The hole that opened up closed but for whatever reason I decided last night after taking a shower to apply neosporin on it and this morning it opened up again and bled a bit. Ugh! So I called my PS and he told me I could come in today and they could pull out the dissolving stitches that are poking through and that should speed up the healing of the hole or I could just wait till my appointment next Monday. I had so many things to do today that I will just wait since this doesn't seem to be a serious issue. He also told me (and I've found some info online) that this is sometimes called "spitting stitches". Once they surface they will no longer dissolve and I need to trim them or have the PS remove them. I wore jeans out today and they were literally falling off! I don't own any belts (I know strange.. but they never looked right on me). So the jeans I tried on last week that were the smaller size that fit right, are now even too big and loose to wear! I'm very happy about that! It's funny I have the same problem as before my TT when I'm in my closet. I can't find jeans that fit right but now it's because they are too loose! I could really just cry with joy!
I had my pap smear test/exam today and my OB/GYN was so impressed on how flat my stomach was. She was also careful not to press down hard on my stomach. The exam went well with no pain while she pressed down on my stomach thank goodness! I also discussed possibly getting an IUD put in. I don't want to take any chances of getting pregnant especially after what I've gone through and how much this surgery costs! LOL
That's it for now... Happy Healing Tummy tuckers!
(Yay! a whole 2 months and 1 day post op!!!)
Hello everyone! It has been such an amazing & exciting 2 months of recovery! I officially don't need my cg! However, I'm wearing a high-waist body shaper made by the creator of Spanx called Assets. I found it at target & way cheaper than Spanx. There were different "slimming levels" I got the ultra. It's nice to put on when I'm out running around doing errands or working because I still feel sore and swollen at the end of the day but not any where near as close to as before. The hole that opened up closed but for whatever reason I decided last night after taking a shower to apply neosporin on it and this morning it opened up again and bled a bit. Ugh! So I called my PS and he told me I could come in today and they could pull out the dissolving stitches that are poking through and that should speed up the healing of the hole or I could just wait till my appointment next Monday. I had so many things to do today that I will just wait since this doesn't seem to be a serious issue. He also told me (and I've found some info online) that this is sometimes called "spitting stitches". Once they surface they will no longer dissolve and I need to trim them or have the PS remove them. I wore jeans out today and they were literally falling off! I don't own any belts (I know strange.. but they never looked right on me). So the jeans I tried on last week that were the smaller size that fit right, are now even too big and loose to wear! I'm very happy about that! It's funny I have the same problem as before my TT when I'm in my closet. I can't find jeans that fit right but now it's because they are too loose! I could really just cry with joy!
I had my pap smear test/exam today and my OB/GYN was so impressed on how flat my stomach was. She was also careful not to press down hard on my stomach. The exam went well with no pain while she pressed down on my stomach thank goodness! I also discussed possibly getting an IUD put in. I don't want to take any chances of getting pregnant especially after what I've gone through and how much this surgery costs! LOL
That's it for now... Happy Healing Tummy tuckers!
Replies (3)
July 22, 2012
Hi just checking in! Do you still get swelling? I'm starting to get the painful swelling at random times in the day!
July 24, 2012
Sorry for the late reply. I haven't been on here as often as before (busy busy summer). It's funny you ask, because today I am very swollen!!! LOL I had my post op appt. today (2 months & 1 week) and because I didn't wear my cg the whole day, my belly is the most swollen I've seen it in quite some time. My PS told me I should wear my cg for 1 more month since I get swollen so easily (everyone is different) Some people still get swollen all the way up to 6 months post op (I'm hoping I won't be one of them LOL). The worst of my swelling was at about the 4 week or 5 week post op mark. Your pictures look amazing! I'm so happy for you and your new flat tummy!!! It sounds like you're doing everything you're suppose to do so don't worry about being swollen. It's all part of the recovery process! Take care!!!
August 5, 2012
Hi mamita! just passing by since you are MIA!! hope everything is ok with you....:)
August 9, 2012
Hey there! Everything is going great. I've just been so busy this summer (many fam events lined up almost every weekend) that I haven't had time to post any or read any updates! I plan to do an update soon! Thanks for checking in. I hope you're summer is going well! Your pictures look awesome! Take care!
August 9, 2012
Hi Tee, The spanx like garment in your last pic is a great idea. Is it comfy for doing you're running around in during the day? Do you sleep in a regular CG at night? I wear a light one on and off during the day but at night i slept in the one of heavy duty ones. I think once everything is healed up I will form a better relationship with my CG LOL You are looking terrific keep yup what ever your doing! Take care and happy healing!
August 9, 2012
Hi Sue! The 3rd to last picture is my CG that I wore 24/7 from the day the last drain was removed to 8 weeks post op. I purchased two online from Contemporary Design Inc. It's crotchless & has hooks and zippers on both sides. After that I bought Assets by Sara Blakely (the maker of Spanx) High-Waisted Mid-Thigh Shaper (slimming level = Ultra). It is much cheaper than Spanx. Here's the website if you wanted to check it out http://www.spanx.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=13186418 (you can also get it at Target - I know you're in the UK so maybe one of your Target like stores might carry it).
I actually liked my CG (from the picture above) since it had the right amount of compression and I felt better with it on during the first 8 weeks even when I was out and about or even working. Now that I'm going into my third month post op, I don't really wear anything for compression anymore. Once in a while I will still wear the Assets body shaper if I feel any swelling coming along or if I've had a long day running around I will wear my CG at night so I won't feel sore in the morning. My PS was adamant that I wear my CG 24/7 for the first 8 weeks to keep me from swelling and to keep everything held in nice and tight! I hope this helps! Take care and keep me posted! I just LOVE your new flat look ;)
I actually liked my CG (from the picture above) since it had the right amount of compression and I felt better with it on during the first 8 weeks even when I was out and about or even working. Now that I'm going into my third month post op, I don't really wear anything for compression anymore. Once in a while I will still wear the Assets body shaper if I feel any swelling coming along or if I've had a long day running around I will wear my CG at night so I won't feel sore in the morning. My PS was adamant that I wear my CG 24/7 for the first 8 weeks to keep me from swelling and to keep everything held in nice and tight! I hope this helps! Take care and keep me posted! I just LOVE your new flat look ;)
UPDATED FROM Tee in CA
Post Op Day 54 Minor freak-out (yesterday)! I'm...
Post Op Day 54 Minor freak-out (yesterday)!
I'm also posting a picture. I noticed that there was a very small spot of blood on my tank top and when I looked I saw that there is a tiny hole that opened up! For the past few days, while applying Mederma, I noticed feeling little sharp things on the very front center of the scar. I didn't think anything of it... thought maybe it was just stubble of hair etc. Well I called my PS since I freaked out after looking at the scar in the mirror and they said that the dissovable stitches sometimes start to surface & the wound on the inside may not have healed enough before the stitches dissolved. The stitches that are "poking out" are not long enough for me to trim with scissors. The "hole" is smaller than my drain sites and it isn't bleeding out or oozing anything foul smelling. The amount of blood that does come out I see on the gauze is the same size of the hole and is a very small amount maybe a drop size. They told me to clean the area 3 times a day with peroxide and put an anti-bacterial ointment like neosporin and place a gauze over it and also keep it dry (not sure how with neosporin on it LOL). It is not warm to the touch, fire red, or have a foul odor (a sign of infection they say). But OMG! has anyone experienced this? I've been reading up on this like crazy and have seen some posts and questions about this issue this far out post op... again, THANK GOD FOR THIS SITE! I mean, I completely trust my PS but just hearing others that have experienced this and reading some of the answers other PS gave regarding this, has put my mind at ease. PS told me if I wanted to, I could come in (yesterday) just to look at it but I after hearing what he had to say I didn't think I needed to drive all that way and for him to tell me the same thing. He have me all the warning signs to look for and to call again if it doesn't improve, gets worse, or I change my mind...
I have a regular post op appt next week so I'll wait till then to see him (unless things don't get better).
So just wanted to share... just in case anyone out there is going through this.
Other than this everything is going good, my swelling is improving but it's the weekend and I've been taking it easy!
Happy Healing Tummy Tuckers!!!
I'm also posting a picture. I noticed that there was a very small spot of blood on my tank top and when I looked I saw that there is a tiny hole that opened up! For the past few days, while applying Mederma, I noticed feeling little sharp things on the very front center of the scar. I didn't think anything of it... thought maybe it was just stubble of hair etc. Well I called my PS since I freaked out after looking at the scar in the mirror and they said that the dissovable stitches sometimes start to surface & the wound on the inside may not have healed enough before the stitches dissolved. The stitches that are "poking out" are not long enough for me to trim with scissors. The "hole" is smaller than my drain sites and it isn't bleeding out or oozing anything foul smelling. The amount of blood that does come out I see on the gauze is the same size of the hole and is a very small amount maybe a drop size. They told me to clean the area 3 times a day with peroxide and put an anti-bacterial ointment like neosporin and place a gauze over it and also keep it dry (not sure how with neosporin on it LOL). It is not warm to the touch, fire red, or have a foul odor (a sign of infection they say). But OMG! has anyone experienced this? I've been reading up on this like crazy and have seen some posts and questions about this issue this far out post op... again, THANK GOD FOR THIS SITE! I mean, I completely trust my PS but just hearing others that have experienced this and reading some of the answers other PS gave regarding this, has put my mind at ease. PS told me if I wanted to, I could come in (yesterday) just to look at it but I after hearing what he had to say I didn't think I needed to drive all that way and for him to tell me the same thing. He have me all the warning signs to look for and to call again if it doesn't improve, gets worse, or I change my mind...
I have a regular post op appt next week so I'll wait till then to see him (unless things don't get better).
So just wanted to share... just in case anyone out there is going through this.
Other than this everything is going good, my swelling is improving but it's the weekend and I've been taking it easy!
Happy Healing Tummy Tuckers!!!
Replies (1)
July 15, 2012
Hi Tee, it happened to me too but at the edge of my BB (inner side) the knot ( very small one) came out, it started just like yours as the days went by my body pushed the knot out, I started to bleed so I squeezed the blood out cleaned with peroxide and the but ob polysporin oinment about 3x day and it healed in about 3-4 days and now it looks like nothing happened in there, just be cautious of course with washing your hands before cleaning the area and like I tell everyone try not put anything tight around it because every wound needs a good blood flow to heal.....you look great on the jeans!!!
July 15, 2012
Thank you pocahontas12!!! Thanks for sharing your experience! As you read, I freaked out a bit when I saw it open! I thought it would close up by now but since yours took 3-4 days to heal, I feel less worried! And thanks for your tip about blood circulation!
Replies (5)
Happy Healing!
Was there any other expenses out of pocket?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Mary~
To answer your questions... I didn't need to get an EKG done just blood work and I went to the one that the office recommended Lab Corp. I paid $29.00 for the blood work. I spent $62 for the compression garment that they require to wear after all the drains have been removed plus $12.50 for shipping. I ordered that from Contemporary Design Inc. they have a website but I called them because I wasn't sure what size I needed since I was between a large and a medium so I got one of each. I used the large during the 1st few weeks since I was swollen then started to use the medium and now (3 months post op) the medium is loose. They don't charge for the wrap around velcro compression garment that they put on you right after surgery. I think what you are seeing on the estimate sheet is for the CG that you need to buy after the drains have been removed. They will even lend you this contraption for a week that will go around your legs and it will automatically compress/decompress your calves to prevent blood clots while you are lying down. It's a thousand dollar machine that they will lend you for FREE for the whole week. The only thing (besides the meds) that I spent on out of pocket was the hospital bed rental from Apria Health on Expo Parkway here in Sac for $135.00 for one month. It was worth every penny! Since I couldn't use my stomach muscles to get in and out of bed having the bed "push" me upright helped sooo much especially for those late night bathroom trips - while the hubby was asleep.
I have no idea exactly what factors affect the price of surgery. I had a full TT with lipo on my flanks and my surgery was about 3 hours. I'm thinking yours cost more maybe because Dr. Yamahata thinks your surgery might be longer which means more Anesthesia will be used and also the nurses hours which will drive up the cost. Some TT can take up to 5 hours so that is almost double the time it took for mine. I remember them saying that my husband had to pick me up from recovery with the time that they give other wise I would need to pay an additional fee for the RN bec they need to be there with me. Of course they don't call until you are actually okay and ready to leave. It's more for your ride not picking you up after an hour after they call and say you are okay to be discharged home.
I am very happy with this doctor! Everything you said about him is true. I chose him not only because of his credentials and that he is an assistant clinical professor of plastic surgery at U.C. Davis Med. center but also, after meeting him, I found that he truly cares about me as a patient. I was considering getting lipo on my back and thighs but he advised me not to. He said that the surgery would take too long and that the risks become greater being under that long. This showed me that he is not about just the money and how much he can squeeze out of patients by cramming in as many procedures at one time as they can (like some other doctors do). I have no regrets and I am very very happy with his work, his technique, his treatment towards me, and my overall results. I highly recommend him and I believe you are making a good choice by choosing him as your surgeon. Good luck and feel free to contact me about any other questions you may have. I hope this helps somewhat. Take care!
I must confess that your testimony was what triggered my new nutrient regimen. First, it was the cost of your surgery. I had my $8K when I first went to Dr. Yamahata's office and when it turned it I had to pay more than that, i was crushed! I figured it was because I was about 30 lbs heavier than you. That hit me really hard! The thought that 30 lbs cost about $4K more was enough to change my life! The way i saw it was that its $1K for 7.5 lbs... at least that is the way I added it up. ;(
I also read your diet plan, well, not a plan but what you ended up doing... and that also encouraged me. I have lost 6 lbs in a week and a half. My goal was at least 2 lbs a week but I have added exercise so we will see.
I made my deposit so my concern now is if I do lose the 30 lbs will he adjust the price. I doubt it but at least I know I will decrease my health risks and should have an even better result.
I think, where I was, I probably was his largest patient. I am going to make sure that I am not by time December gets here.
I have read other posts that talks about the Chalean Extreme for exercise. I think I may try that. I am an out door girl and I love walking and hiking so it may not work for me. I rather go climb a hill. lol.
Your response was comforting and confirmed I have made the right chose, even if $4K more. I am sure it will be worth it.
Thanks for offering your assistance. I will keep you in my file for encouraging on my four months journey.
Again, you look great and congrats on your success!
Mary~
I am sure by December I would have lost 20-30 lbs with the changes I made. Then hopefully with the surgery I will lose more. We will see.
Thanks for the information, though.
I am not saying it wouldn't work for me now but I think between the diet pills, juicing and other fads, my metabolism is shot! Since my weight loss surgery I had made changes to my eating habits; good ones too, and after a year or two, not loose any more weight. Of course, I was't exercising either. Now, the last things to do was to let good of a few things I know was sabotaging me. That's why I said I am going to go natural. I had one or two things that I didn't know how to balance in my life so I had to totally let them go.
I watch my husband eat cookies and chocolates and other stuff and he will lose then pounds. I gain ten just from watching him eat it! Sooo unfair. I chuck it up to being over 50.
I am pretty much already doing what the HCG diet entails. I have cut my portions way down and added exercise and temporarily even cut it the things that I can half but I know slows down the process like cheese and wine... my favorites.
I have committed to this. I will make my goal before December. Next year is the year of a New Beginning; the real me. I am going to run, I am going to jump, I am going to leap in to my dreams.... I am going to wear those cute spring and summer dresses with no sweaters! I am going to look and feel on the outside the way I feel on the inside... beautiful!
I really am glad I found this site. You guys have so much information on here and it has touched my life. Thank you!