POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck Reviews
42 And Something New! TT with MR & Lipo - Tampa, FL
UPDATED FROM ZzStretch
3 months post
Week 8
ZzStretchSeptember 4, 2014
WORTH IT$8,900
Nothing much to report, really. I'm in my 8th week, nothing much has changed. I'm still wearing my Spanx-style garment for the most part. I missed my 6 week appt, so I finally called today to talk to the nurse about wearing garment. She said I don't have to, but can if I want. She said it will help with the swelling. I guess it's a matter of swelling & what can live with. I think it's time to start weaning myself off the garment! Lol!
I awake with a flat tummy, give me hour & I swell up a pant size.
Mr. Ken Doll is still hanging out - taking up space in my pants. It's pretty swollen still. Sigh...
I made it down to one size up from my original pant size. Lol! And they are the larger pants from that size range. This makes me sad. Lol. I started at a 2/4, I'm now a 4/6, depends on the cut.
I finally made it into a size small Maidenform garment. Still 115lbs.
My latest discovery.... I carefully flopped myself onto a pool raft on my back, the first time in a body of water since surgery. Soon it was too hot so - as usual - I just rolled off the raft to take the plunge. I immediately discovered that I physically cannot swim. Ow! Maybe I'm just huge wuss, but it put such a strain on my abs I about drowned! Even just trying to use my arms only. Guess next time I need to arm floaties! Lol! I see ladies talking about running 3 miles...not me. I've made it back to the park for a full speed walk around the track, but have only been doing 1 mile a day. I did jog a little - very little...just don't feel ready. Or maybe I just don't know how to handle the extreme seizing up of my abs when I do it... Or perhaps I'm just a lazy ass.
Still using silicone strips for most of the day. I think the scar looks good, though I don't see it often as it's almost always under a silicone strip.
Hope everyone is healing well! I still think it's totally worth it!
I awake with a flat tummy, give me hour & I swell up a pant size.
Mr. Ken Doll is still hanging out - taking up space in my pants. It's pretty swollen still. Sigh...
I made it down to one size up from my original pant size. Lol! And they are the larger pants from that size range. This makes me sad. Lol. I started at a 2/4, I'm now a 4/6, depends on the cut.
I finally made it into a size small Maidenform garment. Still 115lbs.
My latest discovery.... I carefully flopped myself onto a pool raft on my back, the first time in a body of water since surgery. Soon it was too hot so - as usual - I just rolled off the raft to take the plunge. I immediately discovered that I physically cannot swim. Ow! Maybe I'm just huge wuss, but it put such a strain on my abs I about drowned! Even just trying to use my arms only. Guess next time I need to arm floaties! Lol! I see ladies talking about running 3 miles...not me. I've made it back to the park for a full speed walk around the track, but have only been doing 1 mile a day. I did jog a little - very little...just don't feel ready. Or maybe I just don't know how to handle the extreme seizing up of my abs when I do it... Or perhaps I'm just a lazy ass.
Still using silicone strips for most of the day. I think the scar looks good, though I don't see it often as it's almost always under a silicone strip.
Hope everyone is healing well! I still think it's totally worth it!
ZzStretch's provider
UPDATED FROM ZzStretch
2 months post
Week 6 pics
ZzStretchAugust 17, 2014
Here are some morning pics. This morning at the very end of my incision a little white pus came out when I squeezed it. That was where a stitch was sticking out after surgery until Dr. L snipped it at my 2 week visit.
Please excuse the hairs. Shaving & tight compression garment = rash. I'm too old to make myself even more uncomfortable...so I'll just have to remain as unsexy as humanly possible for awhile longer. Lol! I've decided that next summer I'm making up for all of this frump by running around in a bikini everywhere I go! Lol!
Don't know why the pics are uploading sideways....
Please excuse the hairs. Shaving & tight compression garment = rash. I'm too old to make myself even more uncomfortable...so I'll just have to remain as unsexy as humanly possible for awhile longer. Lol! I've decided that next summer I'm making up for all of this frump by running around in a bikini everywhere I go! Lol!
Don't know why the pics are uploading sideways....
Replies (1)
UPDATED FROM ZzStretch
2 months post
Week 6 - miss you wardrobe!
ZzStretchAugust 17, 2014
Good evening! I just finished week 6 & though I don't have much to report, thought I'd update a few things.
Sleeping in the bed is much better, I'm not waking up every time I move any more. I also realized the other day that I plopped down in a chair & didn't notice. Now that's progress!
I haven't been exercising, but feel it's time to get back to the park. If I walk too fast I get the seized muscle feeling in my abs... I'm supposed to have my follow up next week but will be out of town, so maybe the following week. I'll see what Dr. L authorizes me to do in the exercise department. I'm sure a brisk walk won't hurt anything!
Carrying anything weighty still bothers me. It doesn't hurt, it just makes my abs "seize up" from top to bottom. When I say "weighty" I mean even a 10lb bag. I feel like a huge wuss. Lol!
My scar looks great, still a little rope-like in the center as Dr. L said it should be for now.
Mr. Unwanted Ken Doll is still in full effect. I really want him to move out....
I try not to compare my recovery to others, but am feeling pretty depressed at my inability to wear ANY of my pre-surgery pants. I can get some of the looser jeans on & buttoned but the pressure of a tight waistband is...unpleasant feeling. I can't even get the majority of them buttoned. As far as dress pants, 2 sizes up don't squeeze me, but are a saggy mess everywhere else. I'm going to attempt one size up next week & see how it goes. It's still a depressing thought.
All in all I think everything is going great. I desperately miss my wardrobe, but I have been extremely lucky with a very smooth procedure & recovery.
I'll try to take some pics in the morning.
Happy healing to all! :)
Sleeping in the bed is much better, I'm not waking up every time I move any more. I also realized the other day that I plopped down in a chair & didn't notice. Now that's progress!
I haven't been exercising, but feel it's time to get back to the park. If I walk too fast I get the seized muscle feeling in my abs... I'm supposed to have my follow up next week but will be out of town, so maybe the following week. I'll see what Dr. L authorizes me to do in the exercise department. I'm sure a brisk walk won't hurt anything!
Carrying anything weighty still bothers me. It doesn't hurt, it just makes my abs "seize up" from top to bottom. When I say "weighty" I mean even a 10lb bag. I feel like a huge wuss. Lol!
My scar looks great, still a little rope-like in the center as Dr. L said it should be for now.
Mr. Unwanted Ken Doll is still in full effect. I really want him to move out....
I try not to compare my recovery to others, but am feeling pretty depressed at my inability to wear ANY of my pre-surgery pants. I can get some of the looser jeans on & buttoned but the pressure of a tight waistband is...unpleasant feeling. I can't even get the majority of them buttoned. As far as dress pants, 2 sizes up don't squeeze me, but are a saggy mess everywhere else. I'm going to attempt one size up next week & see how it goes. It's still a depressing thought.
All in all I think everything is going great. I desperately miss my wardrobe, but I have been extremely lucky with a very smooth procedure & recovery.
I'll try to take some pics in the morning.
Happy healing to all! :)
Replies (1)
August 17, 2014
Dr Landon performed my tummy tuck ten years ago. We had similar body frame, extra skin hanging over size 2 pants. I had the same issue with the Ken doll problem. When all the other swelling went down, I think about the three or four month phase (ten years ago makes exact timing hard to remember), I looked like I had male anatomy when wearing my jeans. Must come from having petite body frames. Don't worry, make sure Dr knows your embarrassment of that result and he will address it. Once all other swelling was gone he was able to see the remaining "pouch" and removed it with some quick lipo. Ken Doll went bye bye! Good luck with your continued healing.
August 17, 2014
Oh thank you so much! I know I need to be patient & what I signed up for, but it's so helpful to hear someone else's experience! I don't want this huge Ken forever, I'll be sure to address it with him. I knew I'd have swelling issues up to at least 6 months & off & on for longer. I noticed 3lbs can be the difference of an entire pants size in the smaller ranges so any amount of swelling makes it impossible to get them buttoned. Lol! Your words will help me to reset the "patience" button & just give it time. Thank you so much!! :)
Replies (4)