Why Did I Wait This Long? Well Worth the Pain and Discomfort.

I had a full Tummy tuck with lipo on March 4, 2009. I am 16 days post op in the picture and there is tape over my incision line. I am absolutely thrilled with the results so far although I still have a bit of swelling mostly on my lower abdomen. My cost included the surgeon's fee, operating room fee and anesthesia doctor fee and included a full tummy tuck with lipo of the flanks and back. I am 37 and 5'3", weigh about 150 and I'm sure I'll be even more excited when I get to my ideal weight of about 130. I had two children and although not a lot of loose skin I wanted to get rid of stretch marks and not have that roll when you bend over.

The pain was very severe the first four days and it was difficult to sit up without having someone push or pull me up. The worst pain was from the lipo on my back and where the drains were inserted. I was able to shower on day three and walked as much as I could. On day five I felt completely different and didn't even have to take Tylenol. They also removed the first of three drains on day five. One week after surgery my last two drains were removed as well as the stitches around my belly button and the incision spots from the lipo on my back. I wore both a compression girdle and one for my abdomen for a few days after that and now just where the girdle except when showering. I will wear that until six weeks post op. I have an incision from hip bone to hip bone but asked that it be placed as low as possible and that I wanted as many stretch marks as possible hidden or gone. The scar is nothing compared to having a flat abdomen and the stretch marks gone. I can hide it completely under my bikini line. I can feel the swelling and it is very sore where my stitches are all the way to between my breasts but that goes down everyday.

Here are some of my recommendations for anyone considering a tummy tuck or about to have one:

Get a few consultations and check out each doctors history. I knew as soon as I met my doctorA I would go with based on my research and how comfortable I Once you decide on a doctor, ask your doctor a lot of questions even if the questions seem silly or trivial. I made a list and asked stuff about the procedure, his background, what his favorite surgeries were, how many he had done, how long he had worked with that particular facility, how much pain there would be, what pain medications he typically prescibed for the procedure, what kind of complications, where the surgery would be performed, and many, many more. I also made sure he was board certified and checked with the medical licensing board for his status and any complaints, etc.

I was very concerned about getting sick from the anesthesia from past experiences and there was no way I wanted to throw up after having a tummy tuck. Talk to your doctor about it and the anestheologist too. I took motion sickness pills and they also put a patch behind my ear prior to surgery that I wore for three days. Also, I got a prescription for nausea once I got home but never had to take it.

Get up and walk as much as possible as soon as you are given the okay afer surgery. I was amazed at how much better it made me feel and it eased my worries about blood clots or anything like that. Of course don't do any other excercises or straining. I feel better like I can do things but have to remember that I am still healing underneath.

Shower as soon as your doctor says it is okay. It was hard to stand up and to reach different parts but you will feel so much better after getting cleaned up. Your skin will thank you too.

If you don't have one already, save extra money and buy a recliner. I slept on the couch for a week so I could have my back elevated as well as something under my knees. I could lay a little flatter each day that passed but it would help so much to have had a recliner to help me get up. I also bought a long, body length, soft fuzzy pillow which is great because I can wrap it around my back and have arm rests or I can put it under my legs or fold it in half behind my back so I don't sink into the couch as much when I sit down. I will buy my girlfriend a recliner as a gift if she ever decides to have a tummy tuck.

Make sure you buy your compression garment before surgery if you need one and try it on. I am very short waisted and the band on one of mine came up above my breasts. Buy two if you can so one can wash why you are wearing the other.

So far I am so happy with the tummy tuck. I will post more pics after some more healing.