So happy I chose Dr. Dry - this has been the easiest experience I've had with a surgery

First off, I have wanted this procedure for over 30 years. Even when I was smaller I had a fairly large pooch I had inherited from my equally small mother. I know the upper part of my abdomen probably had some deep, visceral fat but I was so tired of people asking if I was pregnant. I wouldn't ask someone that at any time? I mean really! Anyway, after waiting an additional 2 years because of COVID and Dr. Dry wanting me to try and lose additional weight plus other unforeseen things, I finally got my body semi-back. I could not be happier.He warned me that it wouldn't be the perfect (think model) type of TT because there would likely still be a roundness to the upper abdomen because of the visceral fat. ((BTW, I haven't seen much roundness at all) I told him I had NO expectations except to look better than I did and to finally feel better in my clothes. He was so sweet and kind and went over every single thing, answered all my questions.
This whole mess er...surgery, started back in February 2021. First there was a postponement due to COVID...which delayed it all until May but then my brother passed away, so we postponed it until June when Dr. Dry recommended I lose another 20 lbs (I lost 4 ... sigh)We rescheduled for July...sigh. And here's where things kind of went sideways. I had my operation scheduled for July and was beyond excited. I was all ready. Had my sister fly in to act as my little helper, rented an AirBnB because I live 3 hrs away and didn't want to drive back in 2 days for my post op appointment, and I am sitting and waiting to be taken back into the OR. Dr. Dry opened the curtain and smiled at me and said, "Now, about Nicotine". My heart sank. I do not smoke, haven't for over a year. But I do have friends who smoke. I am a former medical professional so I know the risks of healing if you have Nicotine on board.But, stupidly, I had poo-pooed second hand smoke thinking it was yet another overblown statement that goes around. Well, it's not. Your body doesn't know the difference between you smoking and a friend smoking while you inhale. He told me they wanted only what was best for me and that he couldn't take a chance on me not healing properly, so they canceled my surgery right then. I was beyond shattered. I cried, got dressed slowly, and walked defeated out to an area where I met my sister. He walked up to me and said," we'll work it out. We will! And I'll see you soon."
I was blubbering as my sis drove me back to the BnB.We told the owner my surgery (no details of course, to him) had been canceled, and he was kind enough to refund the balance of my money. My sis and I had a very nice holiday together and she was pleased the surgery had been canceled. See, she was terrified something would go wrong in surgery and we are VERY close. She had just lost her husband and we had lost my brother and she did not want to lose me. Even tho' I reassured her, it was futile.
I called after I got home and asked when Dr. Dry was next available only to be told it would be over a year. I was extremely upset.But they had another Dr. they had just got in.. a Dr. Day, would I like to schedule a pre-op with him? I asked if they had some info and photos of past work sent to me and they did. I was satisfied and arranged to meet with him. He was also very personable and we rescheduled my surgery for Sept. I had to keep getting nicotine tests until it was all out of my system (Nicotine will stay in your system up to 4 days, but a blood test can detect it up to 4 wks). Finally, after 3 wks I tested negative.Then I got another phone call...Dr Day's request for privilege's at the local hospital was still pending because there was a huge backlog of applications. I swear I am a Murphy that is how many times I had problems scheduling etc. She said, "Dr. Day is still waiting for his privilege's, but Dr. Dry had has a cancelation would I like to move into that slot? I said YES!. Not only was he my first choice, but it would be scheduled in less than a month!
So....extremely long story short, I got my surgery! 4 total cancellations or re-scheduling's and I was finally going to get the long awaited surgery.I hired a lovely nurse to stay the first night with me. I got a room at an Extended Stay for the time from the surgery to the first post-op appointment.
Ok, background info pretty much told here is my info
I am 65 5'3" and was 160 the day of surgery (this was after a 20 lb weigh loss over 3, yes 3, years...that's how long it takes for me to lose weight. I had zero issues with the surgery.
First recommendation:
After my recovery, my adorable nurse drove me back to the hotel where I had made a bed out of a wedge pillow, knee pillow and 2"foam. This was literally the most comfortable bed I had EVER slept on.I swear to God if it didn't look like hell I'd leave it up in my house forever. This bed kept me on my back and at a bent angle.
I already have back issues, so I was concerned about the walking around bent, but I really didn't have issues with it because I used a walker and cane for most of the walking I had to do.
Second recommendation:
I lived mostly on Fairlife CorePower Protein Shakes (absolutely the yummiest I had ever tasted, and I've tasted tons of protein shakes, trust me). Only 170 calories ;there is also one that is 240 calories, but I don't know why it's more caloric as it has the same 26 gms of protein), for the first couple of days and it made it IMMENSELY easier to have a bm.I never had abdominal cramping or severe constipation like most people do with being on pain pills because I was on a liquid diet, basically. I wasn't hungry so this worked out well. Plus I would drink as many as I wanted if I was hungry.
I was numb on my lower abdomen but I was like that before this surgery. I had had a hysterectomy years ago and had never regained feeling. Frankly, I didn't care. You will not regain the feeling 100% so don't expect to. It really is a minor trade off to having the surgery, plus if you did regain the feeling it could always be painful or itchy, so don't sweat it.My belly button was perfect, VERY red so I have been putting alcohol on it every am and pm.
I have had a breeze recovery. I drove the 3 hour trip home after my post-op appointment. Putting the huge amount of stuff away that I had brought with me, was the hardest, but I only carried small amounts until I was done. The hardest part of recovery for me was not doing too much and forcing myself to rest, but after I did, it was a peach. I have had virtually NO pain, except for the liposuctioned areas which scream every time I get in and out of bed.After 4 days I stopped taking the pain pills and switched to Tylenol at night, or whenever. I walk mostly upright and only used the walker for 2 days, so I don't recommend getting one. The lounger I purchased for watching TV has never even been used, but I can use it come summer outside. I would say, don't spend a huge amount of money buying all the stuff and trust your body to be able to tell you what to do. The cane has probably been the best for getting around that I would recommend.
All in all, this has been the easiest experience I've had with a surgery.So far. Knock on wood. I am only out a week, afterall. I will continue to update, hopefully I won't be so long winded next time, as I recover.
Sorry this has been SO long!

It was 2 weeks yesterday that I had my surgery. I am chomping at the bit to exercise and get back to my routine. Other than a few twinges from the liposuction I have zero pain and am walking upright now. I can't believe how easy my recovery has been. At my latest appointment he said he had taken 7 lbs of fat and skin and was surprised I had lost weight as most patients gain weight after surgery because of swelling. I stuck to a strictly liquid protein diet for the first few days and I wonder if that's why I lost some weight. Anyway, since then I'm eating regularly although perhaps not as much because I'm not as hungry or active, and lost an additional 2 lbs. I hope it stays off! I'll update again in a week or so.

I continue to love my new body. I'm still a little swollen. I see Dr. Dry on Thursday and hope he will give me the go ahead to get my lymphatic massage. I've lost 3" off my waist so far. I love being able to look down and see my toes. Also I can now fit into some of the dresses I haven't been able to fit for years (yes, I should have donated them years ago but they are in my 'I have a dream" wardrobe). I tried on a pair of size 8 jeans the other day and they actually fit. Not all brands fit but I was delighted that I could pull them up and not have them stop at the abdomen, nonetheless.