POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS
Finally Had the Courage
ORIGINAL POST
Finally Had the Courage
WORTH IT$8,250
I wanted to document my story because this site helped me SO much in finally making my decision to have a tummy tuck. I am so grateful for all of the reviews from everyone here that I thought if I could help one woman feel better about her body through reading my review, I have to tell my story too.
For starters, I am 45 years old and have a daughter who is turning 25 this month. I gained 60lbs with her pregnancy and my stomach was just a mess afterwards - stretch marks and sagging. I was a young mother and never married, but once I met my husband 12 years ago, we tried to have children. I ended up having 3 miscarriages and gained a lot of weight with depression afterwards. After coming to grips with not being able to have more children, I began working on myself. I eat well and exercise and am at a healthy weight, but no matter what I do, my stomach is still a mess. I was tired of hiding it, I was tired of being ashamed of it, I was tired of always wondering whether my stomach looked big in outfits, I was tired of not feeling beautiful for my husband. So that brings me to now.
Day 1
I had the procedure performed yesterday morning. The staff and Dr. R. at NuBody Concepts were wonderful. They were very patient with me and answered all of my questions. The day of the surgery, I was completely ready for it - I was nervous and excited at the same time.
I don't remember falling asleep to the anesthesia but I remember waking up cold, shaking and crying. I was crying because I was grateful, and I was glad the surgery was over. They didn't need to put in drains (thank goodness) as I didn't bleed much and I am at a normal weight. So they sent me home in a compression garment and with medications.
At first I felt ok. The doctor put pain medication inside my abdomen during the procedure. But once that wore off, I was in a bit of pain. I took my percocet as prescribed and tried to stay hydrated, but that just meant more trips to the bathroom. I am staying on our recliner sofa in the "man cave" which is across the house from the bathroom. I know it is good to get up and walk around, but I am finding it difficult as my abdomen feels like a car ran over it and my breasts are quite large so it is difficult to hold myself in the "little old lady" position.
At one point yesterday I felt faint walking back from the bathroom and my husband had to hold me until I got back to the recliner where I actually did faint. He called my nurse (who is absolutely wonderful) and she said it is normal because my heart rate is down as a result of the anesthesia. It was scary nonetheless. I freaked my husband out too! Poor guy. But, all is ok. I can still hobble back and forth to the bathroom, I just take it a bit slower.
So today is Day 2. I will document my day tomorrow, but I am feeling a bit better. The pain is the same, I am just getting a little more used to it. I keep telling myself that it will eventually get better and to keep the eventual outcome in mind. This pain won't last forever.
For starters, I am 45 years old and have a daughter who is turning 25 this month. I gained 60lbs with her pregnancy and my stomach was just a mess afterwards - stretch marks and sagging. I was a young mother and never married, but once I met my husband 12 years ago, we tried to have children. I ended up having 3 miscarriages and gained a lot of weight with depression afterwards. After coming to grips with not being able to have more children, I began working on myself. I eat well and exercise and am at a healthy weight, but no matter what I do, my stomach is still a mess. I was tired of hiding it, I was tired of being ashamed of it, I was tired of always wondering whether my stomach looked big in outfits, I was tired of not feeling beautiful for my husband. So that brings me to now.
Day 1
I had the procedure performed yesterday morning. The staff and Dr. R. at NuBody Concepts were wonderful. They were very patient with me and answered all of my questions. The day of the surgery, I was completely ready for it - I was nervous and excited at the same time.
I don't remember falling asleep to the anesthesia but I remember waking up cold, shaking and crying. I was crying because I was grateful, and I was glad the surgery was over. They didn't need to put in drains (thank goodness) as I didn't bleed much and I am at a normal weight. So they sent me home in a compression garment and with medications.
At first I felt ok. The doctor put pain medication inside my abdomen during the procedure. But once that wore off, I was in a bit of pain. I took my percocet as prescribed and tried to stay hydrated, but that just meant more trips to the bathroom. I am staying on our recliner sofa in the "man cave" which is across the house from the bathroom. I know it is good to get up and walk around, but I am finding it difficult as my abdomen feels like a car ran over it and my breasts are quite large so it is difficult to hold myself in the "little old lady" position.
At one point yesterday I felt faint walking back from the bathroom and my husband had to hold me until I got back to the recliner where I actually did faint. He called my nurse (who is absolutely wonderful) and she said it is normal because my heart rate is down as a result of the anesthesia. It was scary nonetheless. I freaked my husband out too! Poor guy. But, all is ok. I can still hobble back and forth to the bathroom, I just take it a bit slower.
So today is Day 2. I will document my day tomorrow, but I am feeling a bit better. The pain is the same, I am just getting a little more used to it. I keep telling myself that it will eventually get better and to keep the eventual outcome in mind. This pain won't last forever.
DJ_13's provider
UPDATED FROM DJ_13
3 days post
Days 2 & 3
I got through Day 1! It was a doozy. A lot of adjustments which is stressful. We had to move all of my necessary items (laptop, cell, medications, books, etc.) to our man cave where the recliner is located. It is a manual recliner so my husband has to come and lower the recliner each time I have to go to the bathroom. He also has to bring me all of my beverages and food (bless him!). I am very lucky that my friend brought a few pre-made meals to us prior to my surgery. I am usually the one who plans the meals and does all of the housework. So it is difficult for me to take a submissive position and ask for help. My husband is being amazing, though. I definitely could not have had this surgery without his help.
Day 2 I had a follow-up meeting at my doctor's office. Having only traveled back and forth to the bathroom for a day, it was a lot of work walking out to the car and trying to hoist myself inside, which was painful. At the doctors, my nurse took off my compression garment to check that everything was ok. I was able to see the result in a mirror. I was very worried about my belly button as I have read stories of problems with some closing. But, all looked good, thank goodness! However, I became faint at the loss of compression and my nurse had to sit me down, wave alcohol swabs in front of my nose and got me a cold compress. It was quite difficult.
I regained myself and made my way back out to the car. I was instructed on how to shower, but I don't think I am going to until after my next check-up appointment in a week. We have baby wipes which I have been cleaning myself with. I do not want to faint in our small, stand up shower. My husband is just going to have to put up with a smelly wife :)
The rest of Day 2 went ok. It still feels like a car ran over my abdomen but that is to be expected. I also ate too many salty snacks which resulted in bloating. DO NOT EAT SALTY SNACKS! Big mistake. I was in pain by the end of the evening. My swelling is situating in my upper thighs and vaginal area. #SwellHell
Day 3. Things are progressing along. I am getting used to the interior pain (where my muscles that have been sewn together) and have been starting to feel my incision spots. The exterior pain of the incision is much better to tolerate than the interior pain. A bit of itching is also happening under the progression garment as well. I am hoping I am starting to heal.
I am able to get in and out of the recliner by myself now! SO HAPPY about that! So I don't have to bug my husband every time I have to pee. I haven't yet pooped, which is normal however a worry, so I started taking a stool softener after clearing it with my nurse. I don't want to be backed up and it lead to more discomfort in my compression garment. Hopefully I am able to go soon.
So, lessons I have learned by Day 3: Try not to eat large portions or salty foods; ice down any inflammation that is not on my stomach; go slow; ask for help; take a probiotic to counteract the antibiotic so that I still have good bacteria in my gut; collagen, ALL the collagen for my skin (I put mine in a protein smoothie); let my pup sleep with me; sleep as much as possible; relax and let my body heal.
Onto Day 4...(I hope I poop today!)
Day 2 I had a follow-up meeting at my doctor's office. Having only traveled back and forth to the bathroom for a day, it was a lot of work walking out to the car and trying to hoist myself inside, which was painful. At the doctors, my nurse took off my compression garment to check that everything was ok. I was able to see the result in a mirror. I was very worried about my belly button as I have read stories of problems with some closing. But, all looked good, thank goodness! However, I became faint at the loss of compression and my nurse had to sit me down, wave alcohol swabs in front of my nose and got me a cold compress. It was quite difficult.
I regained myself and made my way back out to the car. I was instructed on how to shower, but I don't think I am going to until after my next check-up appointment in a week. We have baby wipes which I have been cleaning myself with. I do not want to faint in our small, stand up shower. My husband is just going to have to put up with a smelly wife :)
The rest of Day 2 went ok. It still feels like a car ran over my abdomen but that is to be expected. I also ate too many salty snacks which resulted in bloating. DO NOT EAT SALTY SNACKS! Big mistake. I was in pain by the end of the evening. My swelling is situating in my upper thighs and vaginal area. #SwellHell
Day 3. Things are progressing along. I am getting used to the interior pain (where my muscles that have been sewn together) and have been starting to feel my incision spots. The exterior pain of the incision is much better to tolerate than the interior pain. A bit of itching is also happening under the progression garment as well. I am hoping I am starting to heal.
I am able to get in and out of the recliner by myself now! SO HAPPY about that! So I don't have to bug my husband every time I have to pee. I haven't yet pooped, which is normal however a worry, so I started taking a stool softener after clearing it with my nurse. I don't want to be backed up and it lead to more discomfort in my compression garment. Hopefully I am able to go soon.
So, lessons I have learned by Day 3: Try not to eat large portions or salty foods; ice down any inflammation that is not on my stomach; go slow; ask for help; take a probiotic to counteract the antibiotic so that I still have good bacteria in my gut; collagen, ALL the collagen for my skin (I put mine in a protein smoothie); let my pup sleep with me; sleep as much as possible; relax and let my body heal.
Onto Day 4...(I hope I poop today!)
Replies (4)
August 23, 2020
Thanks for the review!!! Would you say it's painful or discomfort? Can't wait to see pics?
August 23, 2020
It is a bit of both, honestly. It is not a cakewalk. Pain meds help but it is an uncomfortable and painful recovery. But, it will be worth it!
August 30, 2020
Thanks for sharing your journey. I am day 4 PO and it really has been challenging. I have also experienced near fainting. It's just awful. I also am skipping a shower today. I just feel too weak.
August 31, 2020
Don't push it, girl. Take it as slow as your body recovers. I am 2 weeks out as of tomorrow and have only showered 3 times so far. Good thing I have baby wipes!
UPDATED FROM DJ_13
5 days post
Days 4, 5 & 6
Day 4
I am still in a lot of discomfort but able to get around on my own a bit better. The most difficult pain to deal with is interior just below my sternum. It feels like I have been stabbed. I have to loosen the compression garment sometimes to relieve the pressure. A lot of itches below the compression garment, but my skin is still numb. We were able to take off the garment today and take another look. I like what I see already! I cannot wait to be up and running like normal again.
Day 5
Another day of hobbling around. I am bent over like a little old lady but slowly starting to stand up taller. I have a lot of back pain - probably from the way I walk and sleeping on a recliner. My back is quite bruised (along with the rest of my abdomen). I had a bit of interior belly button pain, but all other pain is bearable compared to the interior pain underneath my sternum. I am icing my outer thighs and vagina area as they are where the swelling is situating. #StillInSwellHell
Day 6
Today is a bit better. We took a drive to Starbucks and all went well. I am also starting to space out my pain meds - I am still at 3/day but spacing them out 8 hours (instead of 6). Nighttime is the worst with pain. I am not sure if it is bloating from the food from the day or from hobbling around. I get really tired after hobbling around and spend a lot of time on the recliner. I am going to keep the results in my mind instead of getting depressed about not being able to be out of this recliner longer. I just cannot wait to be able to stand up straight and not have pain anymore.
Oh and I showered today! I couldn't stand myself any longer. I became faint in the shower, though and had to drop to my knees. My husband helped me out and waved alcohol wipes under my nose until my color came back. But, hey, I have clean hair and a soaped up body. I feel like a new woman!!
I am still in a lot of discomfort but able to get around on my own a bit better. The most difficult pain to deal with is interior just below my sternum. It feels like I have been stabbed. I have to loosen the compression garment sometimes to relieve the pressure. A lot of itches below the compression garment, but my skin is still numb. We were able to take off the garment today and take another look. I like what I see already! I cannot wait to be up and running like normal again.
Day 5
Another day of hobbling around. I am bent over like a little old lady but slowly starting to stand up taller. I have a lot of back pain - probably from the way I walk and sleeping on a recliner. My back is quite bruised (along with the rest of my abdomen). I had a bit of interior belly button pain, but all other pain is bearable compared to the interior pain underneath my sternum. I am icing my outer thighs and vagina area as they are where the swelling is situating. #StillInSwellHell
Day 6
Today is a bit better. We took a drive to Starbucks and all went well. I am also starting to space out my pain meds - I am still at 3/day but spacing them out 8 hours (instead of 6). Nighttime is the worst with pain. I am not sure if it is bloating from the food from the day or from hobbling around. I get really tired after hobbling around and spend a lot of time on the recliner. I am going to keep the results in my mind instead of getting depressed about not being able to be out of this recliner longer. I just cannot wait to be able to stand up straight and not have pain anymore.
Oh and I showered today! I couldn't stand myself any longer. I became faint in the shower, though and had to drop to my knees. My husband helped me out and waved alcohol wipes under my nose until my color came back. But, hey, I have clean hair and a soaped up body. I feel like a new woman!!
Replies (0)