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Progress??
I debated about posting pics because I feel like my progress is slower than many others out there. However, I decided to go ahead and include pictures in the hope that there are others that may feel the same way I do.
It's now 24 days after my surgery, and all things considered, I'm feeling pretty good.
I was extremely worried about the vertical line above my belly button. If I didn't know better, I'd swear it was an incision. Thank goodness, for Realself! After looking at others that had the same issue, I realized that the line isn't uncommon. I brought my concern up to my doctor and he confirmed that there were internal sutures which were made to help define my (hopefully to emerge soon) abs. As the swelling went down, it looked better and better and is no longer a concern.
I'm still only standing maybe 90% straight, but as every day gets a little better, I'm not too concerned about it. But, oh, it feels soooo amazing to lie back and relax after getting home from work. I don't realize how that slight slouch can mess up my back. It is simply heaven to relax and feel all those tight muscles melt into the pillows. Sublime.
I'm still wearing my binder 24/7, only taking it off for showers. Like everyone else, I continue to have a love/hate relationship with it. I've taken to always wearing a cotton tank top under the binder as that seems to help make it a bit more comfortable; less itchy. But such a pain to go to the bathroom. All the layers and readjusting the binder, etc. takes forever. I've also pulled out a couple pairs of maternity pants that I had packed away as none of my work pants fit with the binder.
I have a check up with Dr Park tomorrow and will let you know how it goes and how he thinks I'm doing!
It's now 24 days after my surgery, and all things considered, I'm feeling pretty good.
I was extremely worried about the vertical line above my belly button. If I didn't know better, I'd swear it was an incision. Thank goodness, for Realself! After looking at others that had the same issue, I realized that the line isn't uncommon. I brought my concern up to my doctor and he confirmed that there were internal sutures which were made to help define my (hopefully to emerge soon) abs. As the swelling went down, it looked better and better and is no longer a concern.
I'm still only standing maybe 90% straight, but as every day gets a little better, I'm not too concerned about it. But, oh, it feels soooo amazing to lie back and relax after getting home from work. I don't realize how that slight slouch can mess up my back. It is simply heaven to relax and feel all those tight muscles melt into the pillows. Sublime.
I'm still wearing my binder 24/7, only taking it off for showers. Like everyone else, I continue to have a love/hate relationship with it. I've taken to always wearing a cotton tank top under the binder as that seems to help make it a bit more comfortable; less itchy. But such a pain to go to the bathroom. All the layers and readjusting the binder, etc. takes forever. I've also pulled out a couple pairs of maternity pants that I had packed away as none of my work pants fit with the binder.
I have a check up with Dr Park tomorrow and will let you know how it goes and how he thinks I'm doing!
Summary of experience from surgery through day 8 of recovery
I'm a 40-year old mom of two and my stomach got quite large during both pregnancies. My mom was convinced that if I just waited long enough, all of the extra skin that I was left with would miraculously disappear with exercise and a good diet.
I'm 5'1", 123 pounds, and my kids keep me reasonably fit. But even my mom had to give in when, two years after my last pregnancy, she saw that the flabby, wrinkly skin was enjoying hanging out with me (pun intended) and was not going to budge.
I had a drainless tummy tuck on July, 23, 2018 with Dr. Park. I was beyond nervous the morning of surgery, and the staff were very calming and accommodating. Funny how much of a chicken I've become since having kids. Before them, I don't think this surgery would have scared me as much as it did.
After surgery and time in recovery, I went home that afternoon. I had a C-section with my second child and spent the first two weeks of that recovery in my big, squishy armchair. It would have been perfect for use after this surgery, but I didn't want to spend the next two weeks in the living room where the kids would be tempted to continue using me as a living trampoline. And I couldn't fit the chair into the bedroom.
I purchased an x-large reading pillow off of Amazon and it has been perfect (Linenspa Shredded Foam Reading Pillow). I use that in bed along with a Post-Surgery Elevating Leg Rest Pillow and have been pretty comfortable.
The first three days were the worst. I was nauseous day 2 and 3 with some vomiting and that was absolutely excruciating. I put myself on the BRAT diet and was feeling better by the end of the next day. I also came down with a UTI, so I was taking 2 different antibiotics, along with the pain meds. Day 2 and 3 were also made worse by incredibly bad muscle spasms in my stomach. It was like going through labor all over again. The Dr put me on muscle relaxers and that resolved the issue. I'm sure the wealth of meds I was on probably led to the nausea.
By days 4 and 5, I was definitely past the worst of it. I still needed help getting in and out of bed, and I had zero endurance, but I was feeling human again. For anyone planning on having this done and thinking they can do it without support, for the love of God, get someone to help you for the first week (or more if you have an incredible support system).
Today is day 7 after surgery, and I am about 85% of the way towards standing straight, I'm off pain meds (except for Advil), can walk around the house at a slow gait, and getting some endurance back. The two concerns I still have are: 1) I haven't pooped since the day before surgery, and I've thrown every type of fibrous edible material at my colon that I can think of (I.e. Fiber supplements, raisins, leafy greens, peaches, high fiber cereal, etc.). And 2) I have a line that goes up the middle of my stomach, which according to other users on this site, will go away. But it seems really dark, and I'm worried about an infection?? But I wasn't cut there, so??? I just had a thought. Dr Park used a black marker to draw the "cut here, not here" lines on my stomach before surgery, which included one that went up the middle of my torso. I'm betting that the swelling is hiding a bit of that line and making it look like a dark line of infection. Funny how you always start to assume the worst when going through this process. I know that's normal, but it's still no fun to panic over every little oddity.
I'm 5'1", 123 pounds, and my kids keep me reasonably fit. But even my mom had to give in when, two years after my last pregnancy, she saw that the flabby, wrinkly skin was enjoying hanging out with me (pun intended) and was not going to budge.
I had a drainless tummy tuck on July, 23, 2018 with Dr. Park. I was beyond nervous the morning of surgery, and the staff were very calming and accommodating. Funny how much of a chicken I've become since having kids. Before them, I don't think this surgery would have scared me as much as it did.
After surgery and time in recovery, I went home that afternoon. I had a C-section with my second child and spent the first two weeks of that recovery in my big, squishy armchair. It would have been perfect for use after this surgery, but I didn't want to spend the next two weeks in the living room where the kids would be tempted to continue using me as a living trampoline. And I couldn't fit the chair into the bedroom.
I purchased an x-large reading pillow off of Amazon and it has been perfect (Linenspa Shredded Foam Reading Pillow). I use that in bed along with a Post-Surgery Elevating Leg Rest Pillow and have been pretty comfortable.
The first three days were the worst. I was nauseous day 2 and 3 with some vomiting and that was absolutely excruciating. I put myself on the BRAT diet and was feeling better by the end of the next day. I also came down with a UTI, so I was taking 2 different antibiotics, along with the pain meds. Day 2 and 3 were also made worse by incredibly bad muscle spasms in my stomach. It was like going through labor all over again. The Dr put me on muscle relaxers and that resolved the issue. I'm sure the wealth of meds I was on probably led to the nausea.
By days 4 and 5, I was definitely past the worst of it. I still needed help getting in and out of bed, and I had zero endurance, but I was feeling human again. For anyone planning on having this done and thinking they can do it without support, for the love of God, get someone to help you for the first week (or more if you have an incredible support system).
Today is day 7 after surgery, and I am about 85% of the way towards standing straight, I'm off pain meds (except for Advil), can walk around the house at a slow gait, and getting some endurance back. The two concerns I still have are: 1) I haven't pooped since the day before surgery, and I've thrown every type of fibrous edible material at my colon that I can think of (I.e. Fiber supplements, raisins, leafy greens, peaches, high fiber cereal, etc.). And 2) I have a line that goes up the middle of my stomach, which according to other users on this site, will go away. But it seems really dark, and I'm worried about an infection?? But I wasn't cut there, so??? I just had a thought. Dr Park used a black marker to draw the "cut here, not here" lines on my stomach before surgery, which included one that went up the middle of my torso. I'm betting that the swelling is hiding a bit of that line and making it look like a dark line of infection. Funny how you always start to assume the worst when going through this process. I know that's normal, but it's still no fun to panic over every little oddity.
Overhaul 2018 (AKA My Drainless Tummy Tuck)
This has been my first experience with Dr Park, and I have enjoyed working with him and his office staff. They have all been extremely friendly, accomodating (fit me in after I was late to an appt after being stuck in traffic) and professional.
I have never felt rushed or that there was a question that I couldn’t ask.
It is also very obvious that Dr Park takes great pride in his work. So I believe that I am more than just another paycheck coming through his office. He wants to make sure his patients are beyond thrilled with the results. I feel completely confident placing myself in his hands. If there was any doubt, I would have kept looking for another doctor.
I have never felt rushed or that there was a question that I couldn’t ask.
It is also very obvious that Dr Park takes great pride in his work. So I believe that I am more than just another paycheck coming through his office. He wants to make sure his patients are beyond thrilled with the results. I feel completely confident placing myself in his hands. If there was any doubt, I would have kept looking for another doctor.
Provider Review
