POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck Reviews REVIEWS
34, 4 Kids, TUMMY TUCK READYYY!!! - West Palm Beach, FL
ORIGINAL POST
Hello everyone. I'm just super excited about...
WORTH IT$8,000
Hello everyone. I'm just super excited about starting my journey back to my old body before children. I have 4 and boy did they do a number on me. I went to 3 different consultations before I picked the surgeon I am going to trust with my life. My 1st consult was with Dr. John Pinnella at the South Florida Center for Cosmetic Surgery . The receptionist took me to this ROOM (not an exam room) but just a little office. Dr. Pinnella was sitting at a table and THE RECEPTIONIST came in behind me and closed the door. He asked me what work I wanted done. I told him Tummy and breast lift. He said "Pull up your shirt and let me see". I'm looking confused because the window blinds were open and you could see out to the parking lot. I said to him "You just want me to expose myself to everyone outside". He said " Oh nobody can see in here". Meanwhile I'm still trying to figure out why the receptionists who checked me in was still standing there watching. Anyway I showed him my stomach and breast. He looked and touched them and then said OK you're a good candidate. The receptionist then walked me back to the waiting room and called the next person back. Then I met with the Director of Sales. She asked if the Dr. answered all my questions. I said he didn't even ask if I had any. She said Oh ok then proceeded to showed me pics, gave me the price and asked if I wanted to schedule. I said "I'll call you if I decide to go with this office". NOT!!! I had another consult with Dr. David Rankin at Aqua Plastic Surgery Center. Dr. Rankin very nice. He took his time, showed me pics of his work and explained what his recommendation would be. He asked about my health and my goals. This doctor was just great. I met with his office coordinator and she offered to help me with applying for financing but I told her I was still consulting and I would let her know. My other consult was with Dr. Gregory Delange at the Estetica Institute of the Palm Beaches. This is the surgeon who won me over. His team really cares about you. He was very informative about the procedure and made sure I understood everything. I didn't feel rushed and after meeting with him I met with Devon, his office coordinator. SHE IS AMAZING!!!! We talked in her office for about 45 minutes. She told me about the procedure, the before care, what to expect after, things I would need for my house... I felt like I was already scheduled and we were getting ready. The amount of time and compassion they showed me at this office was the reason why I chose them. Even when I told her I was still interview other doctors, she gave me questions to ask the other doctors to make sure I picked someone with the right credentials and experience. At this point I couldn't be more happy with my decision to go with Dr. Delange. I will update this and let you know my progress.
SheBeHer's provider
Replies (13)
November 1, 2016
Hi Shebeher, I wish you the best of luck tomorrow honey. We, the ones who elect to put ourselves first and get a TT, are very very brave and we should pat ourselved on the back for being courageous. I was in shock when I came out of surgery. I definitely was in a lot of pain and disoriented until the pain meds kicked in. From experience I can tell you that you should get a walker. I found mine on Craigslist for $10 actually in West Palm Beach and my husband drove up to get it. Also you should look into the donut pillows or the V pillows because your bum gets numb and it becomes so uncomfortable and makes the back pain worse. I ate a lot of Jell-O and low-sodium Soup for the first two days. Pretty much didn't have an appetite and got nauseous on the first day. Try to drink a lot of water to stay hydrated and also to go to the bathroom. Oh and you should use dresses, like summer dresses. Best ever. Today's date 12 and I'm feeling pretty decent. I definitely don't think I would have been able to only Take 5 days off of work like you did. If you have any questions let me know I'll be more than happy to answer them .hugs!!
November 1, 2016
Thank you so much. My husband went out yesterday and got me a lot of jello and pudding. I didn't even think about soup because I was worried about the salt intake. I just feel like I'm not going to be prepared until I get it done and see how I feel. Hopefully I sleep through the first 2 days. I haven't really slept the past 2 nights and I know I'm going to be up all night tonite lol. Oh well. Thanks for giving me some advice. I'll let you know how it went.
November 4, 2016
Hello there. Well I made it through the procedure. I was feeling pretty beat up the 1st two days so I pretty much kept talking the pain meds so I could just sleep it off. Today I will actually see my results for the 1st time. I'm anxious to see what I look like under these garments. I'm going to take pics and update after I leave the doctor's office.
November 4, 2016
Yeeeyyyy!!! Congrats. The worst is already behind you. And from now on it will be a lot easier. I can't wait to see your pics. It's the most exciting part, to see the new you :)
November 2, 2016
Good luck, Shebeher!!! You will do great and you are in good hands. First 2 days will be the hardest and you will not be thinking about food at all. Not even about your favorite shows on TV. Just sleeping. And take your time to catch some ZZZZzzzzzz. While you sleep, time goes faster, hence the recovery. I did not have a walker like Gleon3553 mentioned. Not a bad idea, but I didn't even think about it. It might be helpful if you don't have anyone to help you up and to the bathroom. But I had my husband on hand helping me, so I didn't feel the need. I could actually walk myself, just holding a wall a bit for balance. Oh, forgot to mention, and this is important. Make sure you don't catch cold. COUGHING AND SNEEZING IS THE WORST PART OF ALL!!!!! Even after you are healed and back to regular activities. Every time you cough or sneeze, it will feel like all the stitches are coming apart. So try to avoid that if you can. Anyway, don't stress out, it will be a breeze. And the 'after' is so rewarding for all the discomforts. Please keep us posted :) xoxo
UPDATED FROM SheBeHer
2 days post
2 days post op TT
I MADE IT TO THE FLAT SIDE!!!!! I had my procedure Wednesday and today I'm 2 days post op. I really don't remember much about the day of the procedure. I took my pain meds and stayed sleep the whole day. Yesterday I experienced the pain and discomfort. Sleeping in this recliner is no fun at all. I just can't get comfortable. I was able to get in and out of it by myself but again, if wasn't fun. Today I went to see the doctor for my BIG REVEAL. I hadn't see myself since before the procedure. He said I'm doing good with the swelling and the drain (I only have 1 drain). He also made me stand up straight.... OUCHHHHHHH!!!!!!! My belly is so tight, I thought I would rip in half if I stood up straight but it honestly wasn't that bad... Well here are my pics of the day. I'll continue posting throughout my journey.
Replies (31)
November 5, 2016
You look so beautiful & flat!!! Omg!! So happy for you!!!!! I'm almost 5 weeks post op. It's a rough journey for beauty!!!
November 6, 2016
Omg!!! 5 weeks post op..... I ENVY YOU lol. I can't wait to get there and you look amazing yourself!!
November 6, 2016
Thank you!! It's been rough, but so worth it!! The lipo is the worst. I can only imagine the jabbing done while I was under anesthesia!! I'm still so sore. I have my follow up with my PS on Thursday, with the endermologie to follow. It's a horrible & I will be in tears the whole time. It's thd procedure to break up any scar tissue from the lipo & I had it done everywhere except along my bra line, which really needs it, now that I'm looking at it! Lol!! My measurements this morning are getting better. Upper waist-31, lower waist-32, hips-42, thighs-23, & 23 1/2.
November 6, 2016
Omg the things us women go through but the rewards when we get through are so worth it!!!! I will be praying for you on Thursday. Hopefully it's over fast. I haven't even begin to measure myself yet. I wanted to try on some of my clothes but I'm gonna wait a little while longer. I've only looked at myself twice since the procedure and I'm still in shock that it's really me. I think when I finally put on a pair of jeans and a crop top, that's when I'm going to be all tears!!
November 7, 2016
I know its so wonderful!! I have to dress up for work & wear stockings:( Now I'm wearing thigh highs & don't feel like a segmented worm in control top panty hose!!!
UPDATED FROM SheBeHer
5 days post
5 days post op
So today I decided to go back to work. You all probably think I'm crazy lol. Don't worry cause so did the rest of my coworkers. I took it easy and the type of work I do is sedentary so it didn't require a lot of movement. However, I couldn't walk long distances without becoming short of breath. MY BACK WAS KILLING ME THOUGH!!!!! I still walk a little hunched over so I was putting a lot of strain on my back. Outside of that, I had no real issues. I came home and put my feet up for a few hours to see if I really over did things today. I just got up and took a shower. These pics were taken after I got out and honestly, I don't see any major swelling. Oh, and please excuse the bulge in some of the pics. Just my luck, my cycle came on today. UGHHH!!!! Now I'm not going to know if I'm swelling or bloated Lol. Anyway, I go see the doctor on Wednesday so I'll update you ladies then.
Replies (6)
November 9, 2016
Did your Doctor have you wear a compression garment?
November 9, 2016
Yes he did. I had to wear it for the first week. Today is day 7 post op for me and he just change my garment to a smaller size. I'm take pics this evening when I get off work this evening.
November 11, 2016
Honestly, I feel almost back to normal. I'm walking completely upright and bending. The only thing that's still a little weird is the way I feel when I take the compression garment off. Other than that, I feel ok. I'm anxious to show it off but I have 3 more weeks of wearing the garment 24/7.
November 14, 2016
You are a trooper :) I know what you mean by taking the garment off. Feels a bit odd, like the insides are coming loose.... But I preferred to wear the 1st garment more than the 2nd. The 2nd was digging so uncomfortable everywhere. Either one is fine.
Yes, the first 2 days are the worst. But not unmanageable. Right after the surgery I marched to the bathroom by myself. Always trying to be a hero. LOL Lacey, who is Dr. DeLange's nurse is a sweetheart and helped me with it. God bless her heart. Really the sweetest person.
Once at home, I've spent 2 days on my couch mostly asleep, because of painkillers. Meanwhile, Dr. DeLange personally called me twice, I think, to check how I was doing, but my phone went to voicemail. I thought it was very nice of him to do so. Showed that he cares about his patients.
As for the recliner…. I think it helps only to some degree. After a little while in it, my back was killing me just as much as the belly area. Perhaps it's just me because I had upper back issues in the past. But by the end of the 2nd day, I decided to experiment to try to get more comfortable. (And did I mention that at first, your belly area will be so tight that you will not be able to walk straight, hence adding to back issues) I was told that I would not be able to go up the stairs. But I decided to try. And amazingly to myself, I had no issues at all to walk up the stairs. None. So I managed to lie down on my regular bed to straighten my back and relieve the pain, and then I got my husband to stuff a lot of pillows under my knees, imitating sitting position. That felt a lot better. I was able to sleep quite comfortably. And it was getting better after that. So I would say, 2 days are the worst. 3rd day is better. 4th day I was able to walk around somewhat straight. Day 5 I was back to my regular function but with caution. And after that, life pretty much returned back to its normal course. You can see my picture posing at Estetica’s office on my 1-week post-op checkup :)
It’s been 5 months since my op and I am so happy I did it. One regret. I wish I did it sooner.
And all that new clothes....... Don't get me started..... :)
I don't recall eating much the first 2 days. I was sleeping most of it, but if I did, it was something little, perhaps mostly drinks. Plus my Orbera balloon was taken out during the procedure, so my habits of eating very little were still there (and still are, actually)
Yes, I think you should be fine after 5 days. Everyone recovers differently, of course, but the worst would be behind you. Plus, if it's 5 business days, you should have 2 weekend days added to it. You will be fine :)