43 Year Old TT, repair, lipo, and tissue excision - Great Exprience!

Dr. Swail and his staff are fantastic and have the perfect blend of medical science and human empathy to help patients make the right decisions and understand everything from the proceedure through the healing process.

I originally had consult appointments with four surgeons, but cancelled the other three after meeting with Dr. Swail. I was able to meet with him months before anyone else had availability, which was a big plus (when the receptionist told me I could get a date the same month I called I even asked "of this year?"). I asked why and was told that because they do all of their procedures in-house and don't share a surgery center they don't have to deal with triage which is a great benefit during a pandemic!

Dr. Swail answered all of my questions at the consult, and helped me decide what all I wanted done without any pressure. I wanted to get rid of some extra breast tissue in my arm pits and initially thought that would be resolved with a breast lift, but after talking about what I was looking for he told me that I didn't need a breast lift to get that done and he could just excise it, which was less money and had the result I was really looking for. I also appreciated how clear he was about scars - where they would be and what they would look like - to help me decide which procedures were right for me. I never felt rushed or pressured to make any decisions. In the end we landed on a full tummy tuck with diastasis recti repair, flank lipo, and the breast tissue excision. I'm about a week and a half post surgery and can't recommend Dr. Swail and his staff highly enough!

I feel like there is a review about the experience with the doctor and then the personal experience with healing. I'm going to separate those a bit, but will say here that through this whole process Dr. Swail, his surgical nurse Dianne, the anesthesiologist, and all of the office and attending staff have been fantastic, attentive, and focused on my comfort and healing. It's been a great experience!

As I mentioned in my first review, I want to separate the doctor review with my personal healing experience. Of course they are related, but there are things I planned for that might help others, and things I wish I knew going into this.

My BFF teased me that I prepared for this surgery like it was a baby, and she wasn't wrong! Except this time the onesies were mine. There are some things I bought that really helped with recovery, which are listed below. Just know that the first week is rough, even with the best care. It's weird to see your body changed so much, the adhesive (at least for me) is itchy and irritating, and you're just exhausted and can't stand straight. My back hurt from carrying me around more than it's used to, and the whole bowel situation is no fun even with laxatives and eating soft foods. It does get a LOT better after the first week, and hopefully it's all upside from here.

Here are the things I purchased that have helped me in recovery so far. Most people talk about the recliner chair, but a lot of little details have been really helpful for me.

Essential (to me) Purchases:

Comfy pullover nightgowns with buttons and pockets for drains. The ones I got are Ekouaer Short Sleeve Button Down Nightshirt with Pockets. They are super soft! They might not last forever, but they don’t really have to.
(https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087D1TGNZ?ref_cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_B4T92Y81K5YNWQ0DS0P )

Wedge Pillows (even if you get a recliner these are a good backup and extra support). I got this set: Luxone 5pcs Adjustable System with Leg Elevation Pillow
(https://www.amazon.com/dp/B093BQJWL7?ref_cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_QM4W95W1PHYN0EQKSXSZ)

Compression Socks - I was sent home with a pair, but nice to have a variety

Leg Compression Massager. Like this one: Foot and Leg Massager With Heat, Air Compression for Circulation - turns out I was actually provided a cordless/chargeable set which has been great!
(https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CXN8QF2?ref_cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_K4CD3Y60E7CKGEV1M94N)

No Water Shampoo Caps - didn’t end up using these, but they aren’t a bad idea and will keep them around for the future.
(https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KYD2VQH?ref_cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_EFBHZBMTS12TYE89T2D) -

Meal Prep/Freeze containers so I could cook and freeze food for my family before I’m no longer cooking for anyone

Soft front-closure bras - though I didn’t really bother with bras while home

Timer caps - these caps tell you when the last time you opened the bottle was. These have been super helpful keeping track of pain meds.
(https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EZ6TL2S?ref_cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_GS1GW318HG18F76224VH)

Shower seat (already had this)

Walker borrowed from a family member. This was SO helpful the first week when I couldn't stand up. Really helped keep the strain off my back.

Extras/Luxuries

A recliner (you can rent or borrow these if you don’t already have one), and a waterproof cover. I’m sure I’ll be clumsy. I did get a lift recliner, which was nice the first week but I don't need it much any more.

Eye and face masks to help me relax

Long Handled back scrubber

A nugget ice maker. I know, but it is helping me drink plenty of water. Some are not Opal expensive and have great reviews like this Aremor
(https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NQMTGPZ?ref_cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_Y490NN6Q1YE0SD64XQ03)

Other things I made sure of:
I had a 90 day supply of all medications
We had a 90 day supply of pet food
Kids have passes to water parks and museums so they have something normal to do besides bringing me water (they are teenagers, so this might not help everyone, but if you can get other people to help take your kids places that seems like the best way to rest!)

So far those are the things that have made the first almost two weeks. I'm up a lot more now but it was great that first week not worrying about anything. Hope this is helpful to others!

Just a little over 2 weeks now. Had my check up and transitioned from the steri strips to the blue silicon, small milestones. Everything is healing well and the swelling I'm experiencing is totally normal. My arm pits have been raw from the adhesive, which is annoying, and I feel like the nerves on my abdomen are firing back up or something because I have more pain and irritation than before, but more on the surface of my skin than muscular. While I was advised by the nurse to just have a soft tank top between me and the compression garment, I did try some lipo foam to see if that was somehow better. I definitely had less lines (you can see the outline of the foam on my belly vs the garment lines on my sides in the pictures) but I also wonder if it was too much. I used it one day and didn't use it another and the surface irritation seems to be the same.

For the arm pits I have tried petroleum jelly, aloe, a moisturizing deodorant, gold bond chafe guard, and some "butt'r" that my cycling friends use and none of it seems to be working. I may try baby oil next. I had laser hair removal so it could also just be there is no hair to provide a barrier... I don't know but I hope it gets better soon!

Also as you can tell I definitely have the dog ears, and will get those revised in 2-3 months.

I finally remembered to weigh myself just to see what changed and my scale app gave me a huge side eye. I lost 12 lbs with the surgery (and maybe not eating a ton the last two weeks) and am really only 5lbs away from my goal weight. I look forward to working out, but my hips are still not loving how much of my weight they carry being so hunched over still so I haven't tried walking much farther than to get the mail.

I took a nap in my bed propped up with pillows, but I'm still too tight to really sleep on it, and definitely not on my side. I'm thinking another week or so in the recliner. I miss my bed!

I took four weeks off work and I'm so glad I was able to! Hopefully by then I will be mostly upright, sleeping in my bed, and able to do a little more walking. I'm also very fortunate that I will be able to work from home most of the time when I do return.