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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck Reviews

Finally Getting My Body Back! TT with MR and Flank Lipo - Southlake, TX

UPDATED FROM GeorgeTT2014
3 months post

Learning to EMBRACE the swelling!

WORTH IT$12,000
The first pictures were taken at 9 weeks post op. The last two were taken at 9 weeks, 3 days after a long day of walking around Six Flags having fun with my kids. Talk about uncomfortable! So, when people on this board ask, "when will the swelling go away," I feel like saying, "never!" But, in reality I'll say... Eventually. Every person is different and thankfully this kind of swelling is only transient. So, EMBRACE the swelling and stop wondering when it goes away. Maybe at a year post-op I won't have anymore swelling. But for now, I'll put my binder on and get some much needed rest!

GeorgeTT2014's provider

Michael A. Bogdan, MD, MBA, FACS

Michael A. Bogdan, MD, MBA, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

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Dr. Bogdan is a top-notch PS. His credentials alone speak for themselves and the man is brilliant! He is conservative in his approach, and achieves very realistic, natural looking results. I mean not everyone needs a J-Lo booty, I mean, seriously?!? He will be honest with you what will look good on your frame and what is healthiest for you. Having said that, he is also a magician! I am amazed at my results and had no idea this body was just waiting to have a skilled PS put it back together! He isn't the cheapest doc in town, but you definitely get what you pay for! On post-op day 3, my doorbell rang and he had sent me flowers wishing me happy, quick healing and a speedy recovery. I cried. I needed a pick me up that day and in all of my narcotic fog and drain pain, the flowers made my week! I'm so glad I had this done and so glad I chose the doctor I did!

Replies (16)

Wow, you're not kidding about the swelling. Thanks for the picture comparison.
I wanted to show some true swell hell!
Holy moly, I don't think I ever experienced swelling quite like that! It WILL eventually subside. You do have awesome results!
Thankfully it's gone each morning and only gets that way after a lot of walking or cardio work out. I'm being patient though since nothing I do can really make the swelling go away permanently any faster that my body allows. Healing and recovery have been such an interesting roller coaster!
It will all be worth it eventually! Some just swell for longer than others. I'm pretty lucky and don't seem to be swelling much at all.
I love that you posted the comparison pics of a non swell and swell hell during the same week!! I think it's important to see that and it made me feel better knowing that when I have the same stuff happening, that it's NORMAL!! I think I will post a few of my own pics like this!! Thanks for posting!!
I think we are always going to be bigger by the end of the day...even now preop my tummy is much flatter in the morning post bathroom visit and more swollen at the end of the day after eating and drinking....i think part of it is just living....but im sure it will at least get somewhat better...maybe its just more noticeable now because the post day bloating isnt hiding behind loose skin...just a thought...
Bloating at the end if the day is totally different than end if day swelling after surgery. One is centered around your GI system, the other is tissue edema due to lymphatic drainage issues. The swelling I posted a picture of is not due to anything I ate. Big difference!
If it is truly only lymphatic channel restablisment issues then dry brushing or massaging towards the armpits will help since the channels in the groin are disrupted....
How are you now? Would you do it over again knowing what you know now?
Absolutely I would do it again. You just have to be prepared for a long recovery and swelling for months. I'm almost 5 months PO and still swell in the afternoon/evenings. But, that will eventually go away too. I still have some tenderness from the lipo and areas on my back and hips that are numb and still reawakening from the lipo. I had no idea it took so long for lipo areas to heal!
This sounds like an odd question, but has anything else been impacted that you're aware of? I see many drainage tubes appearing to be coming out of the groin area - I don't want any loss of feeling ANYWHERE near there! lol Also, from an emotional standpoint, did you ever wish you hadn't done it because of the pain and recovery time?
Emotionally there was about a week that I questioned my sanity, but that was the first week of recovery. Yes, it is hard, but so worth it! No pubic sensation or groin area issue post-op! So don't worry!
Thank you! I know I'll question my sanity too - I already am. But..if I can get results like yours, I know it will be worth it and the pain will be temporary!
UPDATED FROM GeorgeTT2014
2 months post

9 Weeks Post-op!

Tomorrow I will be 9 weeks post. Life is back in full swing and we are in the middle of selling our house which means lots of cleaning every day. I notice swelling each night which starts about dinner time, but resolves by the next morning. It is still painful sometimes, and gets worse if I eat lots of bread or refunded sugar/processed foods. I have not returned to exercise and have only run once during my recovery. My plantar fasciitis has been excruciating since my first run at 6 weeks PO, so I'm taking it easy for now.

I have a follow-up with my PS this week for follow up pictures! Happy healing everyone!

Replies (6)

Happy to see the updates! You are healing so nicely. I love how your belly button turned out. It doesn't look like a "tummy tuck" belly button at all. I have my pre op today. I'm so excited/nervous.
I do love my belly button! I think it looks very natural and glad my PS did such a good job on it!
Hope that plantar fasciitis resolves soon, I feel for you as mine is playing up too! Love your updates.
I finally have an appointment for airrosti rehab which is a new treatment performed by a chiropractor that is supposed to relieve the pain and heal my feet. We shall see! I go in for my first treatment on 6/10!
You look awesome! Love your BB and hope mine looks like that soon!
Thank you, I do love my belly button!
UPDATED FROM GeorgeTT2014
2 months post

Love my flat tummy!

Pics at 6 weeks PO.

Replies (13)

Hi Where did you get the Gelzone? You look amazing! So jealous of you tall gals :).
http://www.thesportwrap.com/store/gelzone-wrap-6x48-in/ This is the website I used to purchase my Gelzone wrap.
Thanks
You look fantastic! Your belly is so flat!
Thank you! I'm very pleased with my results!
You look great Thanks for your post. I'm going to try running next week at 6 weeks also
So amazing result. Do u have swelling around belly button after u r active?
My swelling is lower down usually around my incision and pubic area.
U look so skinny now and want to loose more? How much skin... did the dr remove fr u? Thanks
I had about 3 pounds of skin/fat removed. I have more weight to lose. I weigh 170-175, and would like to be in the 154-160 range. I have 38DD chest that I would love to lose a cup size from and fat from my arms, and then firm and tone everything up. I'm not unrealistic about it, I just know what I've weighed at various stages in life and 155 was my favorite size. Slender, but healthy and less aches and pains!
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