My Long Awaited Tummy Tuck - 33yrs old. 2 kids. Spokane, WA

I had RIDICULOUSLY extreme damage from my 1st baby (9yrs ago). My stretch marks were deep, wide and everywhere! The skin on my tummy was uneven, mis-shapen, and sagged "apron-style". I was 23 when this happened and am now 33. I waited 10 long years, to ensure I was ready and I saved every dime i made for the past 4 years. I went to 5 consultations and finally chose Dr. Lynn Derby of Spokane, Wa. And though I am only - week post-op, I could NOT be happier with the results!!!!!! My Dr. Is clearly an artist!!!!!

So. I am exactly 2 weeks post-op today! And I cannot tell you what a ride it has been--thus far. Let me begin, by telling you NOTHING could have prepared me for the amount of pain and rest, this surgery requires. I am an always on-the-go kind of gal! I run a small business and I am always doing something. But today...was a reminder of why they say rest, rest, rest. So first, lets start with week 1. I couldn't cough. I couldn't sneeze (kill me now, if I did), I walk "banana-shaped", I feel weird bubbles in my tummy (probably just gas n stuff, but you can REALLY feel it, when healing). I had such a tough time laying flat and though painful....staying down in general and I keep getting a nervous feeling in my tummy (kind of like shocks, or tickly vibes...like going down a roller coaster). I read on this website, and confirmed with Dr. Derby, that it is in-fact, the nerves trying to find their place..and that is a pretty normal thing... but BY FAR the most annoying thing these past few days, has been the sub-burn like pain around my entire tummy. I thought is was from the binder being on 24hrs. a day... but doc told me, that it is also do to hyper sensitivity from the procedure; and it will reside with time.
Ok- so 1st post op appt. today. Did NOT get my drains out :.( Still filling to 50, and she wants it under 30, so hopefully early next week bc it is pretty sensitive in this area and I am ready for it to be g-o-n-e! Also, it turns out, if you are up and going to much, it extends the drain time, so LISTEN TO THE DOC, when they say to take it really easy... besides that, she said I am healing well and that she did not see any concerning developments. OH! And make sure if you are puffy down below, that you are wearing your binder low, to help that swelling. I was wearing mine to high, and it actually made me swell more, below the incision line.
And on a fun note.. I got really down one day, and was in pain. frustrated and sick of sitting, so I tried on a bikini ( I highly recommend this, when you are feeling bummed)..though still pretty swollen, it made me so happy that I could ATLEAST put it on ;)

Alright. I am SUPER over the drain. I am 20 days post-op and cannot WAIT to get this sucker out of me!!! I went in for my 2 week check-up and (just as I suspected) my drainage was too high and I had to wait another week (Ps. My Dr. did PRE-warn me that this may happen). The good news is my next apt. is in 2 days and I am FINALLY under 30cc's! So fingers-crossed...I will be drain-free by the weekend! I did have a little hiccup a couple of days ago. My incision line was swollen and super tender on the pubic line and though I could not tell that there were a few stitches trying to surface, Dr. Derby saw it immediately, and removed 3 of them! Which gave me instant relief (though I am a little sore today, probably bc she had to dig them out).. Besides that I have some red fluid in the drain, but from what I am reading on here, it is most likely old blood. I feel good, I am healing well, and continue to be happy with my results!