tummy tuck update

Hi Maysters, I've been offline most of the last couple of weeks, mainly because I didn't feel like sitting up for very long periods of time. It has been a long, long 20 days since surgery. First off, I am healing very well. The 39 inches of incision, yep, 39 inches, are looking good. 15 inches vertical incision looks wonderful. It replaced my open RNY and vertical hysterectomy scars, and it is very small and smooth. There is about 2-3 inches of incision in my mons area, and boy oh boy, am I ever swollen there. It is painful to sit because of the mons swelling. I am going to look pretty strange if that swelling doesn't subside some. I had terrible mons drooping after the weight loss, and I was extremely self-concious about it. The surgeon did his best with what was there. The 24 inch hip to hip incision is a little rougher looking, but that doesn't bother me. I can't tell how flat I will end up being, but I'm sure it will be a huge improvement over the huge panni I had. I had one drain taken out last week, and have one left. I go back to the surgeon tomorrow, and hope the second one comes out. I feel like I won't really start to recover until the second drain is gone. I am still needing vicodin for pain. My doctor's office had halved my prescription the second week post-op, and I was having terrible issues with pain. I just couldn't make it until the next time for a pain pill. I think there was some serious communication problem between me and the staff. When I saw him last week, he gave me a *big* bottle of pain pills, and that helped immediately psychologically, knowing the meds would be there if I needed them. I have been able to cut down this week on how many and how often I take them. Saying all of that, it has been depressing on how much pain I've felt, and how slowly I am recovering. I was intellectually prepared that this might happen, but I had hoped I would be one of the lucky ones who breeze through the tummy tuck. At this point I am still asking myself if this was a good idea or not. I am glad he repaired the three hernias that I didn't know I had, I am glad he removed 8 pounds of skin that made my back hurt and made exercise difficult. But I will have to think long and hard about any future plastics, arms and breasts, which I will have to pay for. I am glad there aren't any complications, and I have to just give myself more time to heal. Debra M. 351/159/150 Yes, I am in the 150's now, never, ever, thought I would get this close to my goal.

Debra, I think the folks that bounce back from that invasive a surgery only do so because they don't have muscles adjusted or hernias repaired and they have very, very high pain thresholds. Just the inches of what you had cut hurts me to read. Owie! LOL! Plastics are invasive. Pure and simple. WLS, for most is a much, much easier recovery. More of the work is done inside where there aren't nerve endings. I'm glad to hear that you are doing so well and have no complications. Hope the rest of the recovery goes great and that flat tummy amongst other things... ahem...is on its way once the swelling goes down. Congrats on the 150s! Wow! Kathy

Thanks, Kathy, I am really looking forward to seeing the surgeon tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed this other drain comes out. I am wanting to return to my life again. I guess I got used to feeling strong and full of energy! Debra M.

Debra Thanks for sharing your story with us. I keep hearing how painful plastics are! You need to posts some pics for us! Jen

I'm glad you're recovering nicely, Deb. Just rest-up and give yourself time to heal, as you said. Also, congrats on 159! I was there for about 5 minutes last Friday, but then auntie flo came to visit and I've been back in the 160's since. Maybe I'll get bakc there one day. Who knows? Anyway, I know you will look even more fabulous soon! Post pics when you can. Hugs, Tracy