POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck Reviews
Tummy Tuck with Umbilical Hernia - Wisconsin
UPDATED FROM flower18
6 months post
It has been a loooong time since I posted an...
WORTH IT$8,100
It has been a loooong time since I posted an update. Mainly because life resumes as usual and the TT recovery just becomes a part of your everyday life and you don't obsess about it (as much). LOL
I posted a pic...six months PO. My scar hasn't changed in the last few months and I'm frustrated by that. It hasn't begun the transformation of turning white. Will it ever NOT be purple?! The swelling comes and goes and if I don't wear my spandex-thingy I can definitely tell there is some swelling. Before I had the surgery I would read about how other women couldn't not wear theirs and I swore that wouldn't happen to me. Boy was I wrong...my spandex tank is like my kid's binky. Geesh...
I have been working out pretty consistently and doing the Ab Workout from P90X at least three times per week. I go in for my six month PO appt. the first week in August and will discuss the scar healing. Overall I think it's okay but I'm concerned this is as good as it's going to get.
Overall I'm happy with my results but it has taken a lot of work on my part. I hope my fellow TT'ers that had surgery around the same time I did are doing well. Drop me a message and let me know how things are...would love to hear how your recovery is at six months.
I posted a pic...six months PO. My scar hasn't changed in the last few months and I'm frustrated by that. It hasn't begun the transformation of turning white. Will it ever NOT be purple?! The swelling comes and goes and if I don't wear my spandex-thingy I can definitely tell there is some swelling. Before I had the surgery I would read about how other women couldn't not wear theirs and I swore that wouldn't happen to me. Boy was I wrong...my spandex tank is like my kid's binky. Geesh...
I have been working out pretty consistently and doing the Ab Workout from P90X at least three times per week. I go in for my six month PO appt. the first week in August and will discuss the scar healing. Overall I think it's okay but I'm concerned this is as good as it's going to get.
Overall I'm happy with my results but it has taken a lot of work on my part. I hope my fellow TT'ers that had surgery around the same time I did are doing well. Drop me a message and let me know how things are...would love to hear how your recovery is at six months.
Replies (5)
March 11, 2011
Kristi1966 and 46ky,
You both inquired about my scar so I thought I would reply with one response.
I wish I had a magical scar recipe to share but unfortunately I don't. After spending hours upon hours of reading other people's TT experience and studying their pictures, I have concluded that the way in which you scar looks has so much more to do with how your surgeon sewed/stitched you and your body's ability to heal.
I really haven't done all that much to my scar. I left the hospital with nothing on my scar - no tape, no bandages - nothing. Two weeks ago my PS gave me silicone sheets that I cut into strips to place on my scar. The silicone helps transform the scar, or so they say. I was told to wear them all day and take them off at night, as some women will get acne/pimples around their scar from the strips being on them 'round the clock. I started massaging Palmer's Vitamin E Oil but then read online somewhere that that can actually make it take longer to heal. Not sure what to believe! It seems every PS does things a little different, as well.
If I push hard I can feel scar tissue under the skin but doesn't appear bumpy when looking at my scar. I did have some mild bumpiness and unevenness but by 4-5 weeks that just disappeared on it's own. My PS said I could buy Mederma but that he hasn't ever seen any real proof that it works so he would leave it up to me whether I wanted to or not. I do massage my entire belly when I go to bed. I lay in bed and rub in a downward motion with Palmer's Oil. I find it relaxing and I'm hoping it is helping with pushing out the remaining, stubborn fluid. SWELL HELL STINKS!!!
I honestly don't think anyone (including myself) is or isn't doing enough to help the healing of their scar. Your body is in control. 46ky, that's great that you posted pics. Both of your pictures are AMAZING! You look GREAT and I wouldn't stress too much about the scar. It's hidden anyways! Are either of you wearing silicone strips? These have made the biggest noticeable difference to date. I think that's why I stopped with the Palmer's Oil because the results I've seen in just two weeks have been outstanding. I hardly noticed much change from the oil.
I hoped that answered your question. I'll take another pic soon to show any changes. :)
You both inquired about my scar so I thought I would reply with one response.
I wish I had a magical scar recipe to share but unfortunately I don't. After spending hours upon hours of reading other people's TT experience and studying their pictures, I have concluded that the way in which you scar looks has so much more to do with how your surgeon sewed/stitched you and your body's ability to heal.
I really haven't done all that much to my scar. I left the hospital with nothing on my scar - no tape, no bandages - nothing. Two weeks ago my PS gave me silicone sheets that I cut into strips to place on my scar. The silicone helps transform the scar, or so they say. I was told to wear them all day and take them off at night, as some women will get acne/pimples around their scar from the strips being on them 'round the clock. I started massaging Palmer's Vitamin E Oil but then read online somewhere that that can actually make it take longer to heal. Not sure what to believe! It seems every PS does things a little different, as well.
If I push hard I can feel scar tissue under the skin but doesn't appear bumpy when looking at my scar. I did have some mild bumpiness and unevenness but by 4-5 weeks that just disappeared on it's own. My PS said I could buy Mederma but that he hasn't ever seen any real proof that it works so he would leave it up to me whether I wanted to or not. I do massage my entire belly when I go to bed. I lay in bed and rub in a downward motion with Palmer's Oil. I find it relaxing and I'm hoping it is helping with pushing out the remaining, stubborn fluid. SWELL HELL STINKS!!!
I honestly don't think anyone (including myself) is or isn't doing enough to help the healing of their scar. Your body is in control. 46ky, that's great that you posted pics. Both of your pictures are AMAZING! You look GREAT and I wouldn't stress too much about the scar. It's hidden anyways! Are either of you wearing silicone strips? These have made the biggest noticeable difference to date. I think that's why I stopped with the Palmer's Oil because the results I've seen in just two weeks have been outstanding. I hardly noticed much change from the oil.
I hoped that answered your question. I'll take another pic soon to show any changes. :)
March 11, 2011
Do you know if the silicone sheets are the same as the ones you can buy online? Brand name?
March 11, 2011
The sheets are 4x7 inches and called Mepiform. They are made by Molnlycke Health Care (in Sweden). I will post a pic of them. They are available online. I think I saw them on Amazon???
March 11, 2011
I was hoping for magic, but thank you for your post, it is so helpful. I have heard of the silicone sheets, but my PS never mentioned them. Did you get them from PS or drugstore? My PS believes it is the actual massaging that does the trick and not what you put on it. Maybe I will try the downward massage and go over the whole belly. It makes sense to push the fluid down. I do feel like my swelling is getting worse, but I know that was part of the deal. I was just hoping I would be one of the exceptions to the swell rule.
March 11, 2011
Isn't it interesting how much one PS differs from the next??? Compression garments or no compression garments...1,2 or 3 drains...scar care! It's so confusing!!
My PS gave me the sheets of silicone (4 inches by 8 inches, and I cut thin strips to cover my scar). You can order them online, but they are expensive. He said each sheet was about $50. I figure a sheet will last me approximately 4-5 weeks. He said I can re-use each strip until it doesn't stick anymore (about 4 days until they stop sticking). Based on what I've read online, I can take a pic of the silicone sheets and strips if your interested.
My swelling has subsided slightly, but it's still definitely there...ugh. But like you said, we knew it going into this.
If you feel like the massaging is doing the trick then go with it and keep it up. If your curious about the silicone, then I would pay the $50 and order some. It is a small price to pay compared to the thousands we just spent on the surgery. Ask your PS his thoughts on it. Maybe he has a "free" sample in his office ;)
My PS gave me the sheets of silicone (4 inches by 8 inches, and I cut thin strips to cover my scar). You can order them online, but they are expensive. He said each sheet was about $50. I figure a sheet will last me approximately 4-5 weeks. He said I can re-use each strip until it doesn't stick anymore (about 4 days until they stop sticking). Based on what I've read online, I can take a pic of the silicone sheets and strips if your interested.
My swelling has subsided slightly, but it's still definitely there...ugh. But like you said, we knew it going into this.
If you feel like the massaging is doing the trick then go with it and keep it up. If your curious about the silicone, then I would pay the $50 and order some. It is a small price to pay compared to the thousands we just spent on the surgery. Ask your PS his thoughts on it. Maybe he has a "free" sample in his office ;)
March 12, 2011
yes, please post a pic. I am interested. How long will you be using them? weeks, months?
March 12, 2011
I just ordered mine off of Amazon. I'm willing to do anything to help the process... considering the expense of the initial surgery.. what's $50 more bucks! I like that you can re-use them. I think that's great. At what week did you start using them and what week did you notice the bumpyness smoothing out?
March 12, 2011
Kristi, I started using the strips between 4 and 5 weeks and shortly thereafter it seemed like things settled down around my scar. I am 7 weeks now and continue to see changes. My PS said to weat them for several months. I agree, what's $50 more bucks!!! Give the strips a few weeks to work and let me know what you think.
March 12, 2011
My belly button stayed intact - no reconstructing occured. I also cut little squares to put on my three drain site scars. I'm curious if it will help at all.
March 13, 2011
Oh yeah... I remember you weren't sure at first if you got a new one :) Your's looks wonderful, I guess that's why your PS left it alone. I will let you know if helps mine.
March 17, 2011
Got my silicone sheets today. It's funny. I had started using Mederma and massaging like crazy, but of course the scar got redder! I could tell that the bumpiness may have gotten a little better, but then I decided to put the paper tape on top of the Mederma. In two days, the scar lightened! So I'm really hopeful the silicone tape will do even better.
March 18, 2011
Kristi, I hope you see improvement over the course of the next coming weeks from the strips. Sometimes when I pull of the strips my scar looks redder for a bit but then it goes away...strange! Good luck and I'm glad your beginning to see some improvement!
March 22, 2011
Flower, I got my silicone a few days ago. I've been using it just on my belly button for now just to see what the difference is. Thanks for letting me know about this. By the way, your tiny self looks good in those blue jeans!
Replies (2)