Harder than expected but doable

Hi!

I thought I’d give this a go because I used this website a lot leading up to my procedure. I had it performed today and am currently in recovery mode. At this very moment, my pain is managed well by the medication and the only thing annoying me is the compression garment on my abdomen. I didn’t have Lipo on my stomach but the design includes suspenders to keep it up on the legs. I can’t tell if it’s up as far as it should be but will assume it is.

I chose Dr. Sowder after seeing a few plastic surgeons in other states. I never felt at ease enough to go through with anything. I was looking for Abdominoplasty and possible breast help though my small chest has never been a bother to me. After children though, my small chest became less tight resulting in what I call “forearm skin.” It wasn’t terrible at all just some volume lost in the top of the breasts. A perky 32B was perfect before kids but it became more like a loose 34A.

I looked at Abdominoplasty for my Diastasis Recti. I am searching for back pain help and more strength in the core vs an aesthetic so it is making the decision hard. I’m a fitness instructor so I miss having a solid foundation. This is how I found fat transfer however, because quite frankly I’m too scared of jumping right into a tummy tuck and wanted to dip my toes in the water with my reactions, emotions, recover, and so forth. The chance at slimmer and possibly more toned looking legs is what I’m most excited about.

Since High School, my legs have been my one insecurity. They are just naturally thick for my body. They are strong and I’m grateful for what they allow me to do but I shy away from shorts or skirts because they’ve never reflected what I feel is the hard work I put into working and stretching them out. My goal for this procedure is to gain confidence and a renewed desire to workout because I can see and feel results more easily. Of course, I’d love to feel amazing in a bathing suit and skirt too! My worry is that cellulite may be more pronounced thus having a somewhat reverse affect of the aesthetic I want, howeve, I know that eating right and taking care of myself can aid in my final results. It’s basically required! For my chest, I’m not looking for large or visibly altered breasts. I hope to have a natural beautiful boost that just makes me happy looking in a mirror!

Surgery day (today) is probably a little more painful than expected but doable. My donor sites are the most sensitive and chest is slightly too. I almost fainted in Pre-Op because I was nervous and thirsty. Laugh out loud... the nurse was fantastic though.

I can’t speak to the results yet but I can speak to the incredible bedside manner and general demeanor of Dr. Sowder and her staff. They all made me very comfortable and I didn’t feel judged. I genuinely trust Dr. Sowder’s advice and opinion. She even chit chatted me while marking me up which really helped my nerves. The ability to focus on non-surgical talk helps me immensely! I can’t wait to see how everything turned out (and get out of this garment)! I will post photos as soon as I can take some.

Tips: have your meds to get and stay ahead of the pain. Plan for someone to help with little ones for a few days. I can walk around but I’m definitely not my normal at all. Prepare to not be allowed to shower until Post-Op which is a kicker for me. Mine is Monday. Between 5 days and this garment (with an opening for the bathroom), I feel I’m going to be a stinky mess of a patient by Monday and probably earlier. As a mom to young ones, I relish the shower daily asa relaxing time so this will be tough.

It’s Day 3 not including surgery day. I definitely underestimated the pain and am still on the meds but not the max dose!

I can walk but sitting on the toilet is painful. My bed is the only place I want to sit. I’m using ice packs on my thighs which helps with the feeling of being swollen and stiff.

My appetite is starting to come back but I haven’t had a bowel Movement yet. I’ve eaten mostly fruit and toast until today. Today I had an actual sandwich.

I’m wearing my garments pretty much non-stop. I’ve taken it off once today to clean up and put Arnica gel on. I put it right back on. I have not taken the compression bra off.

I have a lot of bruising which is expected as well as swelling. I’m tired and hope to feel better ASAP, but I’m hopeful and trying to be patient.

I have a lot of tingling, numbing sensations in the thighs. It’s an interesting feeling as it covers a decent amount of the thigh. My left IT band area is fairly numbish feeling as well as the inner thigh of the right leg. My right knee is a bit numb too. So if I touch it it’s a feeling of I know I’m touching it but the sensation is not normal feeling.

I’d compare the breast healing to the feeling I had when I was trying to dry my breast milk up. If you breastfed or have had milk come in or out, it feels very similar to the swelling and pain of the recovery of fat transfer. (For me atleast).

I stopped taking the Oxycodone today and went to the bathroom! It was also similar to post birth first poop but not quite as bad! I released my abdomen area from my garment in hopes it would help move my bowels. It seemed to help!

I have my first Post-Op tomorrow so looking forward to shower instructions.