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POSTED UNDER Mommy Makeover REVIEWS

Here We Go!! Mommy Makeover in the Morning! - Tulsa, OK

ORIGINAL POST

I'm excited and scared! I am going in the morning...

tulsatee
WORTH IT$9,650

I'm excited and scared! I am going in the morning to get my long awaited tummy tuck and breast lift. After two babies this body is just not the same! I know I should be sleeping, but I can't stop reading this website!

After reading everyone's reviews, we decided to pick up a recliner at a consignment shop to get thru my recovery period. I also ordered some silicon strips to help with scar healing. I wonder if I should plan to end up in the bed the first day after the surgery or the recliner?

I did take some before pics, so I will post those up with my after pics later. Wish me luck tomorrow. And wish my husband luck as he takes care of both me and the kiddos during the next few weeks!

tulsatee's provider

Greg Ratliff, MD

Greg Ratliff, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

tulsatee rating for Dr. Ratliff:

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Replies (7)

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March 7, 2013
Good luck with everything. I hope all goes well. Would love to see your pics. I'm scheduled in 5 weeks, so ill be following your progress closely. Keep us updated. Rest,rest,rest is what I hear works best.
March 7, 2013
Good luck! Hope you have a smooth recovery :)
March 7, 2013
I am six days in to my recovery and feeling a million times better than 4 days ago. hang in there...can't wait to hear how you're doing!
March 7, 2013
It is one day after surgery. I am mostly still dozing in and Out. My doctor did some new technique, so I don't have any drains. I have read mixed reviews on that topic so hopefully it all works out for the best. The majority of my pain is trying to get out of the chair or bed to go to the bathroom. That is sooooo hard, the getting up! But From what I can see the tummy looks nice and flat! Haven't looked at my breast yet as they are still bound up.
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March 7, 2013

Yay, you're on the other side! This would be a good time to have one of those recliners that lifts you up. :)

I hope you continue to heal well. Looking forward to following along on your recovery journey.

UPDATED FROM tulsatee
6 days post

I am one week post op, and I so very pleased with...

tulsatee
I am one week post op, and I so very pleased with my results and how I feel now. The first few days were grueling to say the least. But, I am really mobile now. I can get up and around fairly easily. And my doctor says I am cleared to walk upright as much as I can now, so that is a big relief!! My doctor did the Tummy Tuck procedure without drains, something about how things are sewn on the inside so that fluid is not expected to fill up. So far, so good.... no complications or fluid build up and from reading everyone else's stories... life without drains was considerably easy!!

I am still somewhat swollen. More so on one side than the other. If I exert myself too much, like I did yesterday!!, I notice that I do swell up more. I had some worry about 4 days post op when I felt a pop, and then the next day had a bit of a coughing fit which was SOOOOOO painful. Holy cow!!! One or two coughs I can endure through, but I got a little tickle in my throat and it was terrible to say the least. But at my post op, nothing was wrong with any of my stitches so that was a relief.

I had almost stopped the pain pills day on day 5, but day 6 I after I was overly ambitious, I did take one in the evening as I settled down into my recliner.

In all of this I sometimes forget that I got a breast lift too. My breasts aren't bothering me at all. I switched to a sports bra yesterday. They are healing well, still a bit of bruising. They look awesome... high and perky! ha ha. I am curious to see what cup size I end up after the swelling goes down. I originally wanted an implant too, but Dr Ratliff said my breast lift was too much lift that I had to do this lift alone and leave it at least 3 months before considering implants too. I know my boobs will eventually fall with gravity, but right now it almost looks like I did get impants so maybe it will be okay like this for awhile.

A few things to note:
1. Love, love my recliner. I still sleep in the bed at night, but then during the day I migrate to the recliner so I can be a part of the family. I mentioned before that we picked this up on the cheap at a consignment store and then had it steam cleaned. Then when I get done with it, I can donate it or sell it!
2. If you have kidlits, make sure you have someone to take care of them because you cannot do anything at all for the first several days. My husband has been amazing!! I think it also helped that I scheduled the surgery in the middle of the week, so the first couple of days the kiddos were at daycare for a good part of the day and I could just sleep and keep my feet up.
3. My doctor had me drink 32 oz of Gatoraide each day for the first 3 days after surgery. This actually turned out to be a good thing because it was tastier than water and easier to drink. It also then forced you to get up and go to the bathroom quite a bit.
4. The first probably two days were THE worst. You literally can't do anything for yourself. But the more and more you force yourself to get up and shuffle to the bathroom, it gets easier. I eventually started also doing a little shuffle around the house a couple of times before settling back down.
5. Heating pad for your back is essential. My back muscles were screaming at me from being bent over all the time. I have one of those bags with the corn or something in it, throw in the microwave for a few minutes and then it retains its heat for quite awhile.

Replies (12)

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March 13, 2013
So glad to hear that things are going so well. Can't wait to see your pics!
March 13, 2013
Pics finally posted!
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March 13, 2013
Oh you look do good!!!
March 14, 2013
Thanks !
March 15, 2013
You look great already! Thanks for the helpful tips!
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March 16, 2013
Amazing results! I wondering what breast size were you before?
March 20, 2013
Thank you! I was a 36 D, pretty full. Not sure what I am now since I am still doing sports bras, plus they are still swollen. But I think they seem like they will be a little smaller.
March 16, 2013
You look great!! I had my tt the next day after you at the same dr. I love his work don't you!! It was rough the first few days but I am slowly rebounding. I can't get up and do much without tiring out within 15 minutes. I am really happy I did it though as Im sure you are. I wish I had done my boobs too but.... husband didn't really want me to. Have a great night
March 20, 2013
Hey that is cool!! Yes, I love his work too!! I am so pleased. My husband was worried about the boobs too. Before the surgery he kept looking at them and muttering something about them getting all sliced up. Ha ha!!! But he is relieved now because they look FAB!! Maybe you can talk your hubs into it for another time. :)