Tummy Tuck with Lipo and Muscle Plication

After I had my third child, I got in the best shape of my life. My core was my main focus and I wanted to be really strong there. After several years of training, I tried one round of Coolsculpting with great results. However, I ultimately wanted a different shape altogether. I carried this cuff of skin with a small amount of fat below it and I found myself always tucking it into clothes. Finally, 7 years after having my third child, I took the plunge and booked a consult at Advanced Cosmetic Surgery with Dr. Felice coming highly recommended due to his "perfectionist" style in the OR (which is what we all want and need!). He was down to earth while being clinically strong in his presentation. He asked what my expectations were. He gave gave me a realistic idea of the harder journey of recovery a tummy tuck involves. By the end of the consult, my little list of questions was answered. I was given a price quote immediately and schedule surgery at the end of the consult. My surgery was 4 weeks later and took around 4 hours. Week One was ROUGH, but not due to pain. Psychologically, I wasn't used to being chair-bound. I produced very little fluid and had my drains out after week one. Week Two was better, as was each successive week that followed. Week Three, the small amount of normal fluid that was around the Surgical site really began to dissipate, and I can really start to see the actual results of my tummy tuck. Simply put, they were amazing. By week Four, I could not believe my new body. That week, I also noticed how good my belly button was looking. I also remember having the thought that I actually felt like my old self again. I am now seven weeks postop, and apart from just a little bit of numbness, I feel back to my old self 100%. My incision is smooth and looks phenomenal. My drain sites are slowly filling in and look less dimpled. At my four week postop, I was cleared to exercise and submerged in water normally. There are a few things that I feel like being consistent with made a dramatic difference. I wear my garment around the clock. The only time it is off is in the shower. While it sometimes gets very annoying, it also provides a lot of comfort, and I like to get back into it as quickly as possible once it's off. I also stayed on my meds like clockwork. I weaned off of all pain meds by the end of the first week. I made sure to use stool softeners and MiraLAX. I'm very rarely regular, but I did not have a bowel movement until day five after my surgery. Because of the MiraLAX and stool softeners, it was very manageable. I made sure to have a powerlifting recliner to sit and sleep in initially, and that was a game changer. They are very affordable on Amazon. I also had a walker that I kept nearby and used a toilet seat lift. I made sure to shower every single day and do the exact protocol the doctor had suggested. Besides the supplements at the doctors office had given me to heal properly and it reduce bruising, I also purchased a lymphatic drainage supplement that I believe worked wonders for my body. I actually still take it now. I'm so thankful that I chose Dr. Felice for this surgery. He crossed every T and dotted every I. His care and clinical expertise was impressive and Impactful!

7 weeks today!

Most days, I can honestly say that I feel 100% back to normal. I have no lingering fatigue, can work out and move totally normal, can roll in and out of bed like nothing happened. My tissues are all truly reattaching and my numbness/stiffness is less than ever. So thankful I took the plunge and did this. Thanks, Dr Felice and Advanced Cosmetic Surgery!