40 Years Old, 2 Children...TT, MR, Umbilical Hernia Repair Along with Lipo of Flank and Back of Thighs - Sturbridge, MA

I had my son at 27 years old, I am 5'5" and have always weighed around 125lbs except when pregnant. I gained 65lbs with him, and lost all the weigh without an issue but had extra lose skin on my abdomen along with weak muscles. My second baby came when I was 35 years old and weighed in at 9lbs via c-section. Lets just say my extra skin went from bad to worse....I do exercise 5-6 times per week. I run, participate in boot camp, and spin and would consider myself in good shape for 40 years old but as any one knows that has the extra skin it does not matter what you do, it stays. I went for three PS consultations and decided on my PS because of online reviews, along with feeling comfortable with him (and the competitive pricing helped). I did the typical preop testing, along with preparing my household. I went for surgery on 5/20/14, arrived at hospital at 8:45am, was in surgery around 10:30am, woke up around 4:00pm in recovery. Ended up leaving the hospital around 6pm with a lidocaine pump and two drains coming out of my stomach. I took Motrin 800mg every 8 hours and Percocet 5/325mg 1 tablet every 4 hours the first 4 days post op and never had any "pain". I set my alarm so I did not miss a dose. Was I sore and stiff, yes, but not in pain. I also took Senna 2 tablets every night post op to help promote a bowel movement. I had a C-section with my daughter and the pain was much worse than this. My children were taken care of by there father for 5 days after surgery so I could just relax. I did get up every two hours during the day and took a small walk inside my house, this helped with the stiffness and the swelling of my legs. I am at week one postop today, Lidoderm pump was taken out on Saturday, but two drains still remain. PS wants less than 25cc/day in drains before he removes them. I have been wearing my compression garment all the time except to wash. Swelling is still present in the lower abdomen along incision line and trunk of my body along with some slight bruising due to lipo. My incision is scabbing and looks great, the incision is soooo low, it is amazing. I am currently only taking Tylenol as needed (yesterday only took it at bedtime). My lower abdomen is still numb which is a strange thing but completely normal for this procedure. I can not wait to have these drains removed and transition to a lighter compression garment, the current medical grade one extends from under my breasts to my calves. It is difficult to find clothing that conceals the drains along with the compression garment, I have been wearing flowing sundresses. I would make sure you had a few of these to utilize. I followed up with my PS on post op day 3 and have another appointment this Friday. I absolutely love the results so far and can't wait to see what I look like on postop week 8 :)

Still some swelling which is expected but love how low my incision is...

Went to see my PS yesterday, as usual no waiting (love my PS), I was brought right into the massage room were my PS and his assistant removed both drains at once. It was definitely a strange feeling, but it did not hurt or burn as I had read in some other reviews. I then had my lymphatic massage done on my abdomen and lipo areas on flank and thighs. It felt so good. I was told by my PS and the massage therapist that I have minimal swelling at this point and to keep doing what I am doing. I do have some minor bruising on both hips from the lipo. The only soreness that is still present is from the lipo, no pain or soreness from TT. I continue to drink at least 64 ounces of water every day and walk (slowly of course) frequently. My doctor said my only restrictions at this point is I can't lift more that 20 pounds and no abdominal exercises. Can not wait to go buy a new bathing suit....