Missqueenv on Realself 3 years ago
08/02/2020, 08:37 AM
Surgery completed
I'm 33 years old and mom of 5. I began working out in 2013 (I only had 3 kids) and was able to get my belly as flat as I could with a 6 pack but still had the extra skin, so I always knew I would need a tummy tuck to fix that problem. I noticed the muscle separation but didn't think much of it. In 2015 I had my 4th child. In 2017, I gain some weight and looked into Lipo because I thought I could deal with having the extra skin. With 2 consultations they explained not only the extra skin but the muscle separation. I looked into it briefly but knew I couldn't really afford it then after seeing the quotes. Found out I was pregnant with baby #5 two months later. Earlier this year in February, I decided that I'd have the procedure done next year for my 35th birthday, gift to myself. During quarantining, I decided to do alllllllll of the research I possibly could and took advantage of the virtual consultations. I had money saved and thought maybe I should just do it this year since we're stuck in the house. For me, this is the perfect timing to do it. Kids at home, I'm at home, so I can recover and don't have to worry about moving around, taking kids back & forth to school and activities and going back to work after 2/3 weeks, etc. My surgery is scheduled for August 10th and I've decided to start my journey because I want to help others with their decision as others have helped me by sharing their journey! After having quite a few consultations, I decided to go with Dr. Jejurikar.
I'm in route and beginning to feel nervous. I'm praying over the hands of my surgeon and anesthesiologist!
I've made it out safe! Thank God! I've been home for a few hours. Been having muscle spasms and those don't feel good at allllll! The left side of where my incision is has been the most painful since I left the hospital. I'm looking forward to feeling better as far as pain goes.
This is the 3rd day and when I say I have had little pain. Extremely tolerable. I was preparing for the worst pain ever. The only ting that hurt pretty bad is my left side, a burning sensation with a sting type of pain. I'm just assuming that's from the Lipo that I had done to my flanks. Originally I didn't want Lipo because I heard of how bad it feel but I figured why not get the best possible results. So far I have no regrets. I'm just excited for Friday so that I can finally see my stomach.
Everything is looking great. This was the first time I saw my belly and I'm sooooo happy thus far. The burning and stinging feeling has kind of disappeared after he opened my garment and took off the dressing. My drains come out next Wednesday and the stitches around my navel as well. I have no regrets at this point.
Yesterday made 1 week. I was supposed to posted this yesterday but got too tired. I've had no pain, but that's mainly because I've been taking Tylenol extra strength and nerve pain meds around the clock pretty much since I've gotten the surgery. I take muscle spasm meds at bedtime and I've been off of oxy since around day 3. Of course I took antibiotics til they were gone. This has all truly helped with pain management. It was also doctors orders. Yesterday I drove to the store to grab a few items. Later, I walked around my block (slowly tho). I'm standing pretty much straight up now, unless I sit for too long, but I straighten pretty quickly. My help left on Thursday so I've been trying to be more independent since. It's been me and my 5 kids, including a 2 year old, she has no chill, lol. The two oldest have been major helps. I cooked dinner the last 2 nights. Since surgery I've had to take a nap everyday. Yesterday was the first day I didn't need a nap. I can laugh without pain. I'm not sure about coughing yet, because I try my hardest not to. If I feel like coughing I hurry and drink water. I coughed right after surgery and that almost made me cry. (SO PAINFUL). I'm still sleeping in the recliner and that's what sucks the most (tough on my back). The drains are not bothering me neither, just a little irritating when I shower. I do get extremely swollen by evening, especially if my meals are heavy. The garment become extremely tight at that point. Honestly, I'm so shocked at how my recovery has been going thus far because every journey I read or saw on YouTube, they all seemed to have regretted the surgery at one point due to the pain. And because of that I was so scared and I prepared myself for the worst. The worst day for me was day of surgery. And the days up to my first post op appointment, my left side was only pain which there was immediate relief when they opened my garment and removed the dressing (still weird to me, lol). I have another appointment tomorrow and my drains are suppose to come out along with the stitches around my belly button.
Yesterday I had my drains removed, the stitches were removed from my bb, and they removed the surgical tape, which I wasn't expecting. The drains being removed did hurt in my opinion, at least one did. Here's some updated pics I took today. Some obvious swelling, especially near my ribs. Can't wait to see my final look to my bb. I did have a small hernia that was repaired as well. I was told to start putting vitamin e oil or mederma on my scar twice daily starting tomorrow.
Today makes 4 weeks since my surgery. I've been dealing with swelling of course but I'm hoping I'm not dealing with seroma. I know a lot of my muscle repair was above my belly button, so I have questioned it due to the looks of my belly. I had an appointment 3 days ago and did mention it to him. He asked me if there's pain in that area, no pain. Overall, I am still happy with my progress. Looks way better than before. Also, it's looking like I have boobs since my belly is flatter! Lol... I know this isn't the final look of my belly button, so I can't wait to see how that's gonna end up looking, because right now it's not so cute. I have loss a little weight. My butt has gotten a lil smaller but I am eating less than normal still because I've had a few times that I ate a regular meal and dealt with the most uncomfortable swelling afterwards (horrible). I have been sleeping in my bed since 2 weeks post op because the recliner was causing so much pain in my back. I'm still sleeping on my back, slightly reclined, but it's way more comfortable than the recliner. I can't wait to sleep in different positions though. I've tried my side but I was right back on my back. My scar had been itching here and there. I noticed it more when I used the mederma (cream). The gel not so much. I stopped using mederma and now I'm using vitamin e oil, in hopes of less itching. Oh, and I haven't read/viewed any journeys where there was a mention of sex. I was cleared and tried it the other day. Kinda challenging but I guess it got the job done. Lol. I did keep my garment on too, which was interesting. I'm truly just looking forward to the end of this recovery road, especially looking forward to my gym days. The hardest part about this whole recovery process has been me having to depend on people. I hate depending on people, so that's been tough.
I haven't posted in a while. Wanted to post an update because it's definitely been a minute. Today, I am 10 weeks post op and I feel kinda meh. Unfortunately, I'm in a position where I'll need some added lipo above my belly button. Initially, after doing some research, I was scared that maybe my sutures from my muscle repair had opened or something. But I can feel that my muscles don't have that gap there anymore. After bringing this up to my surgeon and he examined me, he said I needed a little lipo in that area. My pubic area is kind of out some to me too, I'm starting to wonder if that would need something else done as well. So I'm gonna ask about that at my next appointment. Also early in my recovery I felt a small hard bump under my skin, on my belly near my belly button. I ask my ps about it and he said it's the end the knot of a suture that will dissolve over time (at the time in 5 about months). He said I can feel it because I'm so thin in that area. At the time I wasn't so irritated about it. I am now because I'm scared that it's gonna come through my skin as it's caused some scarring that I'm not too happy about already. At 8 weeks he had me to discontinue the use of my garment. I don't wear it at all, even though I really want to. I'm too scared that the knotted suture will break its way through my skin. Also, I don't know about this belly button. I think this is it because it definitely doesn't look like it can get any better than this. So far, I'm probably like 80% happy with my results. I know once I get back in the gym there's some things I can work on that will maximize my results. I am attaching some pictures from some other weeks for catch up plus pics from tonight.
This past Monday made 12 weeks since my tummy tuck. I had an appointment Tuesday and I've just gotten scheduled for December 11th for lipo to my upper abdomen and he's going to rid the end of the stitch that's bulging out near my belly button. I'm praying that the liposuction resolves the bulge issue, because it's really irritating looking at it and not knowing exactly why I have it. I'm currently trying to prepare for the lipo and see exactly what I can expect once I'm home during recovery. I know it won't be as intense as my tt. If anyone have any suggestions that would be helpful, please let me know. Anything I need to get? I have my meds and I have to get an abdominal board.
Yesterday I had lipo done on my upper abdomen. It was done under local anesthesia with sedation. I explained my concerns about the pubis mons area as well and he said I'd have to get it done in a different session because he can only do so much under local vs general. I'm still shocked that I was woke during it all. Lol. And have to mention, I feel great. No pain or anything, even today. But anyway, it's definitely a difference. The picture I'm attaching is right before and then some hours later. I'm also bloated due to menstrual.
I'm 20 weeks post op from tt and in 2 days I'll be 3 weeks post op from liposuction of upper abdomen. Maybe my belly is still kind of swollen, I'm not sure. But my belly is looking better than before the lipo. I wear my faja and ab board as instructed. I am 100% hating my belly button at this point. And think I'll need that to be revised. Idk if a piercing would help but I did not want to get my belly button pierced again! Ugh!!! My next follow-up appointment is on January 8th. I'm so over surgery at this point. I don't want to have anymore lipo or anything done that will force me back into a faja. It's absolutely the worst. I just got some gym equipment for my basement, and I'll be at it soon. I definitely can't wait! I included some pictures, side and front view. One of the front view pictures, I'm sucking my stomach in.
Just wanted to post an update and some updated pictures of what I'm looking like now. Overall my belly is looking good. The lipo really made a difference. My incision is looking nice. I still experience swelling tho. I'm still wearing the garment like 23/7 from the lipo, which is annoying! I missed my follow up last week so I'll be seeing him this week. I'm remaining patient with this as I've had impatient moments. For some reason my stomach skin become so dry that it's peeling, mainly near my incisions. I use vitamin e oil regularly and massage it in. I use lotion for dry skin as well. I'm praying that gets better soon.