Plastic Surgery Last Monday

Hi Everyone, I haven't posted in a while but wanted to provide an update. I had my tummy tuck done this past Monday. I am feeling suprisingly well. It was far more extensive then I had anticipated due to the fact that I had an old gall bladder scar to deal with but the surgeon was able to accomplish what he had planned and he is pleased with the results. I finally got the nerve up to actually look in the mirror at myself yesterday and I have to say..."not bad". It is so strange because when I look at myself I feel like I'm sucking my belly in but I'm not. I haven't seen such a flat belly in, well, I can't ever remember seeing a flat belly. I still have drains in, their a pain and hopefully he'll take them out this week at my post op visit. I decided to go ahead with the tummy tuck even though I wasn't at my goal because, the insurance was paying for it and I didn't want them to change their minds, and I can't ever remember being much below 150lbs and at surgery I was 165. So I figured that the actual surgery will take off about 7-10 lbs and then I could work on the rest myself. I have to wear binders due to the surgery and my food intake is limited because of the pressure of the binders. I think I have been much better with my eating habits this week, so hopefully I'll see a nice drop when I finally get back on the scale. I haven't weighed myself since surgery because of all the drains, binders and extra fluid I received during and after surgery. Plus swelling. I figure when the drains come out, I'll weigh myself. Anyway, enough of my rambling. I do follow this board and everyone's progress even though I don't post that often. I hope everyone keeps up the great work and continues to be an inspiraton to all of us here. Amy

Hi Babe! I wanted to wish you well on your recovery. Protein first is going to help you heal better! Be well and take pictures so we can see. I'm still in the documenting for surgery phase but i hope to be thinking surgery in the beginning of the new year or the beginning of the summer. ANDI

Thank you for your well wishes. Keep that documentation up, I was lucky, I had a nice rash under my breasts and abdomen that they took pics of and I was approved pretty quickly. The only thing with the breat lift (still to come) is that if I want implants I have to pay for them myself. I was quoted 1,800, a small price to pay in the whole scheme of things. Amy

Hi Amy, Congrats on your surgery!! Just a question,what insurance do you have and what and hard is it to get approved?? I would love to get a tuck here and there,but don't know how much acess skin you have to have or any problems?? Thanks!

Hi Karen, Thanks for your well wishes. I have St. Barnabas System Health Plan and had skin rashes that were documented and sent to the insurance by the doctor. I think there may be requirements for how much skin hangs down but I am not sure about that. All I know is that if you have any problems at all, document them with pictures or have a doctor confirm them so that you have someone to fall back on to vouch for you. You never know what the insurance companies are going to consider as a problem that is covered. Amy

you ought to go on line and find out what your insurance requires you to have so that they'll cover it. ANDI

Hi Amy glad the surgery went well, and that you are healing ok. Don't be too stressed if when you do get on the scales they don't show the drop you are expecting as I've read lots of posts where people gained due to the extra fluid, etc, but that it went down eventually Congrats on the flat tum for the first time (can we say you are a virgin flat tummer?? hee hee). I am longing to join you on having ps, but have a way to go yet before I'm at a weight that would be suitable. I think it may be next summer if all goes to plan & I don't have to self pay for it

wow! glad you are doing well, my LBL is Oct 24th, I am scared to death! How is the pain? How soon did you get around (after surgery)? mine is going to be about 5 hrs away from my home so I will be in a hotel for a week, then driving home and back a week after that to have the drains removed. Do the drains hurt? Is your incision at the bikini line (only)? Jean

Hi Jean, I have to say I am feeling well. The drains are annoying but not painful. Hopefully he will take them out Thursday. I was uncomfortable the first night or two but now I don't need anything for pain. I am one week post op today. I have to wear binders that are making me a lot warmer than I need to be right now. My incision is definately down in the bikini area. He almost was going to do a LBL but then realized that insurance only approved a TT. I was actually relieved because the LBL scared me as well. I would have needed blood during surgery and have four drains in, instead of the two I have. But...if you can go for the whole thing do it, you won't regret it. If my digital camera was working I would send pictures but I have to look at it, I think someone screwed up the programing on it. By the way...I am getting around so well that I went to Atlantic City for the day today, I'm a little tired but did well...no pain. Amy

I am so glad you are doing well,its very cool..... I really makes me feel better about my surgery. My surgeon does not take insurance so its setting us back $20,000... and he wants that for the upper... (arms and Brest augmentation)... ( I may see if someone local can do a good job) so why would you have needed blood? I was hoping to be up and getting around a bit for Halloween...