POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck Reviews REVIEWS
32 Mom of 2 Getting Me Back! - Virginia Beach, VA
ORIGINAL POST
Hello everyone! So I had my TT and smart lipo of...
WORTH IT$9,500
Hello everyone! So I had my TT and smart lipo of my upper and lower back. I am currently 2 weeks post op. I loved this site. It really helped me make my decision and gave me a lot of good advice. So the surgery part itself wasn't bad. Dr. Mancall and his girls are amazing. They answered every fear and question I had. After the surgery I slept for the first couple days but key is moving! Get up and walk every 2 hours and keep moving. I was terrified to move but it really did help. Stay on top of the pain meds for the first few days. Yes it hurts. And as a nurse myself take something for constipation and start two days prior to surgery! You will be thankful! The drains are horrid but hey your gonna probably have them. I had 3! 3! Two in the front and one in the back. Well two days later my back one fell out. Good thing I am a nurse and didn't freak. Kept the hole open and manually drained myself as much as I could. Kind of like milking a cow it felt like lol. My incision is very low so I am so happy about it. It is healing well. Make sure you have help. Your going to need it. One thing is the swelling is crazy! My hips down is ridiculously swollen. I have cankles again and my thighs and legs are about twice the size than normal . It's got me a little down and I'm about 18 pounds up since my surgery which is disheartening after losing 75 pounds through hard work and on my own . I know it's fluid and it will come just need to have patience but it's hard. Hmmmmm what else?????? I will keep posting as I go. Hopefully I can help others like this helped me!
Nursemom232's provider
Replies (7)
January 10, 2016
Good for you! I had a TT too and I'm so excited! My stomach feels so weird to the touch though...how about yours?
January 10, 2016
Thanks and good for you too! I'm excited too but I'm in this stage where I'm over feeling like I've been beaten and I just want to be me again. I don't even want to go anywhere. My tummy is doing great I just hope this little pooch and butt looking top part goes away when swelling subsides more. How was your swelling post? How long ago was your TT?
January 10, 2016
I didn't have that but I heard sometime they come out on their own. I'm not sure it should be leaking from the one that in still in.
UPDATED FROM Nursemom232
16 days post
2nd post op appointment
So went today for my second post op appointment. Prayers were really high that these drains would come out. Well one did. The other should come out next week so positive. All my stitches came out today as well. Dr says I'm looking good. Still very swollen well anyone can see that I mean hello to my professor klump legs and feet. Sorry I try to find humor in every thing . So sleeping lately has been a challenge . My back has been killing me. The smart lipo he did on my lower back apparently was extensive. From the pics he could've done some on my thighs lol . I've been wearing fitted compression things they recommended. They sent me to a specific lady to have them fitted. They were not cheap but they work. But holy can't breath but it holds everything for sure . I went back to work this week. Slow slow slow has been the motto. I'm thankful I have a job as a nurse where I can take it easy and be flexible. So I was so worried about him pulling my drain. Like terrified but it really was not that bad . He got an A plus for pulling that sucker out . Well I posted some updated pics . I guess it's hard for me to see any progress from initial cause I see myself everyday. I'm in the impatient stage I just want to feel better. Still feel like I got beat by a bat over and over. I want to be like myself again. In due time in due time......
Replies (6)
January 9, 2016
Looks like your swelling has gone down dramatically. I still have some but mainly a pouch around my belly button like I'm 3 months pregnant. Did they saw how long you would have swelling? I need to calm my doc and ask. Also are you itching? I itch so bad in the areas of the lipo.
January 10, 2016
Hello! I am 4 weeks post op and I just went for another follow-up yesterday and my stomach is still pretty swollen. And itching… Yes! But that's a good sign he said. That means everything is healing like it should. I take Benadryl if the itching gets too bad.
January 10, 2016
I lost 10 pounds this week which I'm sure is all water since I haven't been allowed to workout , not that I could even at this point . But today actually I could see my ankles again finally! But I still have lots of swelling still in my back where he did a lot of smart lipo . I don't have any itching but the pressure from the swelling makes it painful and been hard to sleep lately. My dr stated that it would be around 5-7 weeks before all the swelling to go and around 3-6 months till I would see my final results from everything. Did y'all lose any weight ? I mean I gained 20 pounds after surgery which I know is all fluid but I know taking off that extra skin and fat from my hangover (what I called my flappy gut) and the 4 liters of fat he pulled from my back I would've thought I would lose. I dunno this week made me feel good losing 10 pounds. I also have a pouch around my belly button as well. He assures me it will go down so we shall see!
January 23, 2016
When do you think you are able to go back to work? I am a bedside nurse and would love a TT but don't think I can be out of work as long as it seems they require.
January 28, 2016
Oh I went back to work 2 weeks after but your on restrictions! No lifting patients or heavy stuff no pushing or pulling heavy stuff so . And first week I went back I eased back into it . I was exhausted after few hours and I mean exhausted !
UPDATED FROM Nursemom232
1 month post
5 weeks post op!
Ok been a while since I updated! Got those dreaded drains out . Both right before 3 weeks post op. Best thing ever. Freedom! When I went back to work and the drains came out the swelling and extra weight that came on just started melting off and fast. 2 weeks I dropped 25 pounds! Talk about one happy woman . Today I met my goal weight of 150. But I feel I need to lose a little more . I still haven't been released to workout again and I cannot wait till I can! All I've been doing is walking . Sleeping has gotten better and sleeping on my sides has even gotten better. This week I laid on my tummy for the first time for like a hour and omg best hour of slee ever! So I go back to my surgeon next week. So far this is still the best thing I have ever done for myself ! Worth everything ! Finally something for me! Bought me a size 8 jeans this week too say what? !!!!!!!!
Replies (13)
January 28, 2016
Hi nursemom232...you look great!!
I have to ask, did you change your diet during this time? Losing 25 pounds in 2 weeks, even if you had swelling and water retention is a significant amount of weight. How did you do it?
I have to ask, did you change your diet during this time? Losing 25 pounds in 2 weeks, even if you had swelling and water retention is a significant amount of weight. How did you do it?
January 29, 2016
Thanks! I had tremendous amount of swelling . And I just continued my diet I was on before but I think getting back up and getting active again , going back to work really helped.
January 29, 2016
Glad your happy!! I consulted with him but he didn't have enough before and after's for me.
January 28, 2016
Hi, you look great! Keep up the great attitude and congratulations on your continued success ! My question: 1) what is that tape along your incisions? 2) I notice on my incision line that its a little raised and wondered if others expierence this at a month?! I hope it goes down bc I want to be totally flat - w/o a ridge! Thanks!
January 30, 2016
I didn't ! Thank goodness! Although it didn't look it I was. Pretty fit person . I did a 250 mile bike ride in September . And I had good core muscles he said so. I worked out just could not lose stubborn belly .
January 30, 2016
The tape was across my belly button . It was draining some then but it stopped. It wasn't along my incisions . My incision isn't raised so I'm not sure about that one. I would definitely ask your surgeon . Mine is flat . But thanks again!
January 29, 2016
You look great!! I'm wondering, Did he have you do any labs prior to sugary?
January 30, 2016
I didn't have to do any labs before surgery. I don't have any health problems and vitals were stable. My health screens were up to date and annual physicals so not sure if that had a role .
July 23, 2016
Hi I'm scheduled to have my surgery on August 11, pre-op is next week with Dr. Mancoll. Did you have to give him physicals from your PCP doctor? How long did you take off from work? My mind is racing. Just can't wait, I guess. Any information you can give me will be soon helpful. What happened at the pre-op appointment?
February 6, 2016
First full day home for me and feeling pretty good!
I was wondering, when did you first hear from dr Mancoll? He said he'd Call though, and I havnt heard from him.
A few questions for him but in all I feel good :)
February 9, 2016
Yeah congrats! The girls called me the next day. I ended up calling him personally on his cell Saturday and he answered and even went to pharmacy to drop off prescription for me so he is good. Glad everything went well! I'm now almost 7 weeks post op. Restriction free and back in gym! So out of shape . Let me know if you need anything or have any questions ! Again congrats!!!!
February 18, 2016
How are you feeling?! Back to normal would you say?
I saw dr Mancoll today for my 2 week PO. Kept the train in :(
Feeling good though!!
I feel connected to you instantly. I am almost 3 weeks post op. Just had my drains removed today. I had the same procedure but also a BBL. my stomache looked exactly like yours did before. How are you feeling? In good other than I'm not standing all the way straight and people at work ask what's wrong. Lol