34 Year Old, 2 Kids, Very Active Woman - South Florida

I have been wanting to do a Tummy Tuck for years now. I run 4 miles/5 days a week, and lift weights 4 days a week. After having my two amazing children I have been unable to get back to my pre-pregnancy body. I am hoping this surgery will reduce the appearance of the scarring that occurred, remove excess skin and Repair my abdominal wall as t stretched out dramatically after my first pregnancy .

Surgery was on 9/4. I was unbelievably calm going into the surgery. The nursing staff, anesthesiologist and my surgeon worked together to tightly to the schedule, assured me all will be fine and seemed to all know exactly each step of getting me ready for the operating room. It was masterfully orchestrated. I was comforted knowing they had obviously done this so many times, that this was like clockwork to them. The only concern I had on this day was the "marking up" of my body prior to surgery. The surgeon drew lines of where he would be working and I didn't have any input in where the actual tummy tuck scar would be. It was weird because in my first appointment with him.. he said he recommended I bring the "skimmiest, smallest bikini or underwear I would ever phatom to wear.. so I did bring them. I told the nurse before he came in to mark me up that I had them.. she seemed confused at the thought of putting it on but told me to hold onto it and ask the surgeon. So the surgeon came in and was ready to mark me up.. he went right to work, he was in the ZONE. So, after he was done marking me up, my husband spoke up on my behalf and said.. she did bring a bathing suit bottom like you suggested to make sure the scar is below that line.. and the surgeon almost seemed confused. I think he was still in his zone. So, I restated what my husband said, and told him I brought a really small bottom.. does he want me to but it on to be sure the scar will be below that line.. he said it's not necessary, he can see my tan line and that the scar would be below that. (I do have a tan line.. FL summers on the water!) So, I felt that was adequate. (I am still crossing my fingers that was the right thing to do in not demanding I put on the bikini bottom). Time will tell!!

I was wheeled into the operating room and there were 4 nurses, well organized each doing their part to get me hooked up, put in place, and sedated.. I was totally, totally at ease. I was ready to get it done. They put a mask on me with some concoction of oxygen/sedation and I was out within a very few short minutes. I don't recall a thing. I woke up at 11ish (surgery was at 7:30) in the recovery area with a nurse welcoming me back. She was great. I did end up getting sick to my stomach..but it wasn't too bad.. and once that was over.. I started to mentally get myself ready to go home. I left at 1:00pm and off to recover at home.

I took the maximum prescribed pain meds to ensure I didn't feel any pain during the night. I set my alarm to wake up a take antibiotics and pain meds on schedule. I highly recommend this! You and your caregiver (for me this was my husband) are going through so much you might forget what time you took what pill last). I can say this first day, I could barely move. It took huge effort to protect my stomach/hips and low back. I didn't want to use any of those muscles to help me move. I had to really take it slow when I had to get up to go to the bathroom, etc. if I moved to fast, I was ready to get sick to my stomach. I don't take pain meds so this was a new experience for me and man is my stomach sensitive. I wore a one piece nightgown and long socks that went up to my knees. As for food, I stuck to rice pudding, it gave me some substance but wasn't too heavy on my stomach while taking those pain meds. The first day was awkward, surreal, and I couldn't wait to get past that day. The drains were hard to navigate. Wearing underwear was uncomfortable because the top kept wanting to push the drains up - OUCH!!! Also, the drain incision seemed to leak on the edges (GROSS, GROSS, GROSS). I kept putting gauge around it but it was a never ending, never winning battle. I don't like the drains. I can't wait for them to be gone.