POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS
30 Yrs Old, 4 Kids, Hernia Repair + Abdominoplasty. Charlottesville, VA
ORIGINAL POST
I had my pre-op appointment today. All my...
WORTH IT$4,300
I had my pre-op appointment today. All my questions were answered and I left feeling more confident, though slightly overwhelmed. Surgery is less than a month away, I'll have an umbilical hernia repaired, diastasis repair, and abdominoplasty. I'm feeling really nervous about the recovery and what my results will be. I'd love any tips or encouragement!
TTmomof4girls's provider
Replies (10)
February 3, 2016
I'm so happy for you!! I'm glad you can get this for yourself! You have lots of years ahead of you to enjoy the fruit of your labors, literally!! Biggest tip, remember is worth it. Recovery is slow!! You will swell! And listen to your body to take it easy! I see you are mommy of 4, take the break to recover. It's brett in the long run. Also get everything ready ahead of time. Look for tt checklist! Very useful! Good luck!!!
February 4, 2016
Thank you! Had my surgery yesterday (2/3). In pain but so glad to have it done with!
February 4, 2016
It's started!! Remember its only swelling! So never feel bad. People feel big as a house or fat. But it's fluid. So hang in there!!!
I say that cause swelling and lack of energy or staying power, got me down the first couple weeks. Going into week 4 things are looking up.
I say that cause swelling and lack of energy or staying power, got me down the first couple weeks. Going into week 4 things are looking up.
February 8, 2016
You got this girl! I'm so excited for you! I had an amazing recovery. Just take it slow and keep a positive attitude. That helps! Time will fly by and you be good to go in no time! Xoxo
UPDATED FROM TTmomof4girls
8 days post
Had my surgery on 2/3!
This is pre-op and POD #4. I'm off the percocet, taking only tylenol a couple times a day as needed. I'm concerned about my belly button. I knew it was a risk because I had an incarcerated hernia that was repaired at the same time as the tummy tuck with muscle repair. The day after surgery my surgeon said it looked angry with us and we'd just have to watch it. I haven't seen anyone else out there with a similar appearing belly button :(
Replies (0)
UPDATED FROM TTmomof4girls
8 days post
Drains are out! POD 8
Drains were removed yesterday (POD 7). They left some pretty big holes, I imagine it'll take a while before they heal. I saw the PA for the 1 week follow up and she instructed to continue the current care of my belly button - saline rinse and bacitracin ointment. My belly button still looks really concerning to me, I hope I'm being instructed correctly.
Replies (10)
February 11, 2016
My bb looked exactly the same, my doctor told me that it was 'fine' and that it was just dried up blood. Needless to say, my doctor then went on vacation for two weeks and my only instructions was to wash it with a wet gauze (couldn't shower yet) and apply polysporin on it. Well, it turned out I was allergic to the polysporin and I had an allergic reaction which compromised the healing process and my bb had a 50-50 chance of 'living' I went to the on-call doctor who told me that it wasn't getting much blood flow. He cleaned it out and prescribed me an antibiotic ointment, told me to shower, wash it 2x a day w/antibacterial soap and follow up with him in a few days. It improved, I am no 4 weeks PO and while my bb is still nasty looking, it's going to 'live'. I've been told that because of the MR/Hernia repair, that it's not uncommon for this to occur because the umbilical stem itself is a 'scar' and blood flow tends to be a challenge in that area. I'm not sure if this helped, but keep asking questions if you are uncomfortable. I'm sure you'll be fine, it's just unsettling to look at, especially when you see other pictures of everyone else's bb's healing nicely. But so far, I think you look great, hang in there!
February 11, 2016
Thank you for your response. I've been wondering about showering - I got the okay 24 hrs after the drains were removed, but with the appearance of my bb I'm nervous. I don't think an allergy is an issue for me as I've been putting the bacitracin on all wounds with no problems, but wonder if a clean-out would help. I hope that I have a good outcome like you, thanks again.
February 12, 2016
That does look concerning. I hope it gets better!!
February 12, 2016
I say have it checked out just to be sure. Better to be safe than sorry honey! Xoxo
February 12, 2016
I ended up going in today to see my actual surgeon instead of the PA. Turned out the inside of my bb is blistering a bit, which is why it's been looking worse in the last couple of days. She said there is only one area that may not live, but if it doesn't she'll be able to make my belly button look great once it heals. I knew losing my bb was a risk since I had a hernia repair and muscle repair, but had hoped it wouldn't happen. I'm feeling better after the appt today for sure.
February 12, 2016
Wow that's one huge op you have had! I have hernias and seperated muscles and one horrible crinkly tummy after 4 gorgeous babies but I'm really concerned with the size of the scar, my c section scars were never so big and dark. Were you prepared for such a big operation with scars? You are very brave and I hope all works out with your belly button. I will follow your progress over the coming weeks X
February 12, 2016
Looking at your review, I think you look amazing!!
I also have 4 kids - all of them were vaginal births so I didn't have a single significant scar on my body until now! I definitely was not excited about the scars that came along with these procedures, but I needed to get the umbilical hernia fixed as it was incarcerated and painful, and I wanted to do it the right way (by fixing the problem - the separated abd muscles), vs having it repaired by a general surgeon with mesh. So the removal of extra skin was an added bonus. I think the scar will always be a bit of a bummer, but look forward to no more hernia pain, not having to wear spanx to hide my ugly tummy shape, and hopefully less back pain too!
I also have 4 kids - all of them were vaginal births so I didn't have a single significant scar on my body until now! I definitely was not excited about the scars that came along with these procedures, but I needed to get the umbilical hernia fixed as it was incarcerated and painful, and I wanted to do it the right way (by fixing the problem - the separated abd muscles), vs having it repaired by a general surgeon with mesh. So the removal of extra skin was an added bonus. I think the scar will always be a bit of a bummer, but look forward to no more hernia pain, not having to wear spanx to hide my ugly tummy shape, and hopefully less back pain too!
February 12, 2016
Good for you! I have no pain at the moment but obviously once you get pain then you don't have much choice. I'm sure you will be so happy once things start to heal, I really hope your recovery is quick and not too painful, hope you are getting lots of help. My tummy isn't on my photos, it's really gross, think I need to do some Spanx shopping! Lol!
February 14, 2016
Oh I'm sorry, I must've clicked on the wrong profile! It's a big surgery and honestly am not sure I would've done it if I didn't already have to have the hernias repaired. Though for me that's because I have young children, arranging help has been a huge pain, and I hate not being able to do my normal things around the house - so it's more the emotional piece for me!
Hey girl welcome to the community. We all get nervous before this surgery so please know that you are now alone. You have a great support community around you that will help you through the entire process. Make sure to get active in the Forums and you will meet some great people there.
You are not invisible here. I know it's hard not to focus on the bad, but keep it positive and just breath. Any surgery can cause nervous thoughts. Focus on the end results and all will be well. Your date is creeping up quickly.
It's always best to be safe and follow your gut reaction. I would have done the same thing with the check up.