POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck REVIEWS
Mom of 2 Via C-section - Winnipeg, MB
ORIGINAL POST
I had enough! I have always been fit, active and...
WORTH IT$7,500
I had enough! I have always been fit, active and petite. After having my almost 9lb babies and gaining 50lbs each due to medical conditions, my stomach was a deflated balloon. 10 years ago, I hired a fitness trainer and pushed my body to its max. My goal was to see if I could somehow get my skin back in shape. Nope. So, it was then that I pursued my first tt consult. It wasn't financially feasible at that time so I have been waiting and wishing and praying. And then it happened. My husband sat me down and told me that he wanted to do this for me. That he sees how I struggle every day to feel comfortable in my clothes. That he sees my self confidence struggle when I'm out in public or when I have to go to any event. That I spend so much time worrying about keeping my tummy covered because "no one needs to see that if I can't even handle seeing it". I was in shock and I stayed in shock until I woke from surgery and was in the flat side! I never, ever want to go back and my only regret is that I couldn't have done it sooner!
Now, I have had many, many surgeries. Most recently being a disc replacement at my L5. So I am no stranger to having my abdomen cut open. Having said that, I have never had liposuction and so that's what I am blaming my pain on, lol!
I had a drainless tt with muscle repair and flank lipo on July 20. Dr. Lockwood at First Glance in Winnipeg, Canada performed the surgery. He and his staff are incredible and I feel like he did an incredible job.
Day 1 po: I had a 2 1/2 hour drive home (give or take) and I slept the entire way. (I NEVER sleep in a vehicle!). The nurse had given me 2 Percocet prior to my trip home. I got home and went to bed, waking an hour later feeling like I was going to DIE. I was having the strangest pains that were similar to Charlie horses in my upper abdomen. They were so bad that I couldn't breathe through them. I had do take in little wisps of air. They passed within a couple of minutes but this happened if I didn't take my pain pills every 4 hours. So I set my alarm for the next 24 hours.
Day 2 po: decided to try and get out of bed on my own. I knew from my po physio from back surgery, some tricks, so I implemented them and voilà! Every time I got up, I multi-tasked. I would pee, then get water and do a lap around the house. This was exhausting since I was so hunched over, but I am happy I did it.
Now, I have had many, many surgeries. Most recently being a disc replacement at my L5. So I am no stranger to having my abdomen cut open. Having said that, I have never had liposuction and so that's what I am blaming my pain on, lol!
I had a drainless tt with muscle repair and flank lipo on July 20. Dr. Lockwood at First Glance in Winnipeg, Canada performed the surgery. He and his staff are incredible and I feel like he did an incredible job.
Day 1 po: I had a 2 1/2 hour drive home (give or take) and I slept the entire way. (I NEVER sleep in a vehicle!). The nurse had given me 2 Percocet prior to my trip home. I got home and went to bed, waking an hour later feeling like I was going to DIE. I was having the strangest pains that were similar to Charlie horses in my upper abdomen. They were so bad that I couldn't breathe through them. I had do take in little wisps of air. They passed within a couple of minutes but this happened if I didn't take my pain pills every 4 hours. So I set my alarm for the next 24 hours.
Day 2 po: decided to try and get out of bed on my own. I knew from my po physio from back surgery, some tricks, so I implemented them and voilà! Every time I got up, I multi-tasked. I would pee, then get water and do a lap around the house. This was exhausting since I was so hunched over, but I am happy I did it.
Mbsandybee's provider
Replies (6)
May 6, 2017
I seen your question about sensitive stomach skin I'm having the same problem 2.5 weeks post op how long did it take for yours to stop being so sensitive?
May 6, 2017
Oh boy. It took until I was about 4mths post op. I used a warm heating pad, not directly on the skin p, sometimes alternating heat/ice. It helped a LOT. I know there is a med that the dr can prescribe but I really wanted to avoid that if I could. I didn't find any of the topical creams worked, so I wouldn't waste your money. I just wore leggings and loose tops at work. Then when I got home I avoided anything rubbing on the area. I also massaged it with coconut oil to desensitize it. Hang in there, it WILL get better, but it's rotten all the same.
May 8, 2017
I think the med is gabapentin it's a nerve med. I'm with you I'm gonna avoid the meds and wait it out. I started massaging my stomach last night lightly and today it's not as bad. But dang it's a horrible sensation. Can't wait for it to pass. Thank you for getting back to me. I appreciate that so much :)
UPDATED FROM Mbsandybee
6 days post
Days 4, 5 & 6
So not much has changed in these 3 days. Sadly. I am still unable to stand up straight and because of that, I can really feel the tension in my back muscles. I probably pushed myself too hard today bc I noticed a small amount of blood coming from the centre of my insicion. No biggie, just a wake up call lol!
Although I haven't asked my ps, but will at my po appt, my abdominal muscles must have been quite spread bc I am having a really tough time eating portions of food even 1/2 the size of what I used to. This makes me think that having my muscles repaired has pushed my stomach back where it should be, preventing me from over eating. This is a good thing, but something that I think is going to take some time to get used to. Evenings are pretty rough for me. As soon as I eat supper, I'm basically finished for the night and have to lay down. I feel so incredibly distended that I can't even stand up.
My upper abdominal muscles are what's giving me the most trouble as they are so tight. I have one small spot along my insicion on my left side that burns really bad in the evening. I have been keeping a close eye on it and it looks like it's healing fine. I'm thinking maybe it's a stitch getting irritated. I have been putting a gel-ice bag on it every evening and tiniest I laid the bag over my entire abdominal muscles to try and get some relief. I finally gave in and took my pain pills which make things so much more tolerable. I am down to only taking them in the evening so I think that's not bad.
I'm going to try to upload my before pics to give a better understanding of what I had before my tt.
If anyone has any questions, feel free to message me. Now that this has been approved, I'm hoping to come on here daily, for the first bit, and record my journey.
Although I haven't asked my ps, but will at my po appt, my abdominal muscles must have been quite spread bc I am having a really tough time eating portions of food even 1/2 the size of what I used to. This makes me think that having my muscles repaired has pushed my stomach back where it should be, preventing me from over eating. This is a good thing, but something that I think is going to take some time to get used to. Evenings are pretty rough for me. As soon as I eat supper, I'm basically finished for the night and have to lay down. I feel so incredibly distended that I can't even stand up.
My upper abdominal muscles are what's giving me the most trouble as they are so tight. I have one small spot along my insicion on my left side that burns really bad in the evening. I have been keeping a close eye on it and it looks like it's healing fine. I'm thinking maybe it's a stitch getting irritated. I have been putting a gel-ice bag on it every evening and tiniest I laid the bag over my entire abdominal muscles to try and get some relief. I finally gave in and took my pain pills which make things so much more tolerable. I am down to only taking them in the evening so I think that's not bad.
I'm going to try to upload my before pics to give a better understanding of what I had before my tt.
If anyone has any questions, feel free to message me. Now that this has been approved, I'm hoping to come on here daily, for the first bit, and record my journey.
Replies (4)
July 31, 2016
Thanks for taking the time to write to write about your experience. I'm 3 days PO and had to return to have my dressing changed as there was still a bit of fluid coming from one of the drain wounds. I'm guessing that this might have been due time moving so much last night as I just could not get comfortable enough to sleep.
You seem to have your band off quite a bit. My surgeon has said I need to keep mine on 24/7 until i see him 12days PO.
You seem to have your band off quite a bit. My surgeon has said I need to keep mine on 24/7 until i see him 12days PO.
July 31, 2016
I take my garment off once a day for a shower. I sneak in a few pics and try on a few things in that time. I'm in it for 23 3/4 hrs a day for the first 2 weeks. I see my ps on Tuesday and I think I go down to wearing it for 12 hrs/day.
August 6, 2016
Everything you are feeling is normal. I had the same issues. Im now 3 months out and sometimes still get the full stomach feeling. The pains will diminish, its the nerve endings healing. Its different for everyone but you sound like me and i still get the occasional burning feelings. You will be fine !!
August 7, 2016
Thank you for the reassurance! The burning has def gotten better but still happens when I put my garment on.
UPDATED FROM Mbsandybee
6 days post
Before my tt
Ok so these are the before pics taken the day before and the day of surgery.
Replies (8)
August 1, 2016
What's with those hands in the picture hahaha! He can't keep em off you before surgery... Just imagine those hands after surgery lol! Jk I love it!
August 2, 2016
Haha I know right??!! So happy I did this.. Can't imagine how good it will feel a year from now. The confidence of having your body back ( as close as possible) before you had kids is priceless! Still have a lot to work on but I don't feel like my body will be working against me anymore. BTW you look great!
August 2, 2016
Aw thanks! I stand and stare at my body and am in utter disbelief! I lived with my deflated stomach for so long, this seriously feels like a dream! I have already gone out and bought 4 new bikini's and absolutely love how they look! I don't remember ever feeling this good about my body and it's only going to get better so I'm told! I always told my husband that I just can't justify spending that much money on myself, but honestly, it is so more than justified now that I have done it!!!!
How are you doing?
August 2, 2016
Doing great! I developed seroma so that was no fun :/ but it's clearing up! I think I did too much too soon and my left drain gave me trouble. But I'm feeling/looking a 100 times better!! 6 weeks of recovery is almost torturous! But we have to be patient :). I will post some more pics and updates soon. I feel like I need to get out and be active again. Oh and my PS showed me my before's today... Almost choked! I was like NOOOOOOOO! That was me??? I knew it was bad but come on! So yeah that was crazy and I was like I would almost pay any amount to get back to normal body. I didn't realize how momified my body was.. Even working out as much as I was! Sooooo thankful!
August 2, 2016
I'm glad you're recovering well, seroma aside. Those seem to be fairly common, and luckily nothing terribly serious to set back your progress. I hear you about feeling the need to be active. It feels so wrong to be idle so much. So I get these brilliant ideas to go for a "little longer" walk but my tummy/back say oh hell no! I walked through a mall today and only stopped in one store. Then I was done. So yeah, patience needs to become my friend. I'm always on go, so this is especially tough lol
I haven't yet seen their before pics. The one that I took are bad enough :/. It will gross ,e out to see theirs, I'm sure! But hey! That's all in the past now! Onward we go!!!!
Thank you for joining us and sharing with your experience. You are looking wonderful, hang on and you will soon be back to normal and feeling great.