I had my tummy tuck a week ago today

It went great! I went in Tuesday morning, was laying on the operating table by 7:45am, the next thing I know they are waking me up in recovery and it is noon. They tell me everything is fine. By 1pm I am in my private room and Damion is there with me. I do not remember much at this point, bits and pieces really. At 3:30pm I wake up, look around and realize I feel FINE. I got out of bed within an hour to go potty and have minimal pain. I didn't use my demerol pain button from 4:30pm til 4am the next morning because I really didn't need it. I was starving when I finally woke up. I came home about noon on Wednesday with 2 drains and a marcane pain system. The pain thingy was pretty nice until it ran out Friday morning. Damion just pulled it out (2 little catheters into my upper abdomen) and threw it away, kinda nice. I get the drains removed tomorrow and I am SO GLAD, they are uncomfortable and I know they are going to hurt when they come out. Dr. Eckhardt removed 4 1/4 pounds of skin, he said there was no fat there. I have before pictures and after I heal I will take after pictures, scan them and let people see. It is absolutely amazing what he did for me. Even though I am still in a ton of pain and very uncomfortable, it is SO worth it. I wore size 7 Levi's the weekend before my surgery that barely fit, they will either fit nicely or be baggy on me. I am anticipating weighing in at 140 and wearing a size 5 when all the swelling and bruising is over with. I started at 323 and wearing 28's. The bypass and tummy tuck were 2 of the best decisions I could have made for myself. Thank you for all the support that I have gotten over the past few months. Email me if you want any other details about either surgery. Julie

Julie.... how great for you! I am so happy for you. I had wondered where you had been! let us know how it worked out, and how the swelling goes. PS, how big of a cut was it? and where did you have it done. Judi

He went around each hip so I got a modified thigh lift also. There is maybe 12-15 inches around my back that is NOT cut, other than that it goes all the way around. It is on my bikini line so it will not be noticable if I ever wear a 2 piece swimsuit (which I won't). He sewed me from the inside out and used the skin glue over the whole thing so there are no stitches or drainage, other than into the tubes. He also moved my belly button, and sewed that on the inside so you won't see the scar. He sutured the muscle covering back together onto my stomach muscles so I have a hard, flat tummy. My abs ache like I have done 5000 situps with a bowling ball on my tummy. Thanks for the well-wishes!! ~Julie

Me Me Me I want to see pics of your new cute belly. I am so glad things went well! Hope everything stay well. Deb Paul

I was wondering how that went! I'm so happy for you and will take you up on your offer for details, you see we were very close in initial starting size. I am amazed that getting down to size 5 is feasible! The most I ever expected is size 10 or 12! Size 5? I don't think I EVER wore that!! Well.... maybe when I was 5 yrs old~!!!! LOL!!!! Can't wait to see the difference on you! I was also afraid that a tummy tuck would be excrutiatingly painful even in comparison to WLS. I have seen the procedure on TV and it looks like they slice you horizontally almost all the way around! OWEEEEEE! But I am doomed to have it done also. Multiple surgeries and 3 pregnancies have left me with a big floppy apron and an asymmetrical belly so I shouldn't have any problem convincing anyone it's needed. Keep in touch and fill us in! Hope you get feeling better soon!

I never thought I would be under a size 14. My goal was to weigh under 200 pounds and be in a size 14. I never ever thought in a million years that I could get this thin. I look like I am 120-125 pounds. I really need to get new pictures scanned!! Thanks for the support!

Julie: so glad to hear the tummy tuck went so well!! You hear all those horror stories of how bad the pain is, it can really scare a person off. I'm glad to hear from you that it is so managable. There is hope for the rest of us. I am anxious to hear your update as you progress with your recovery. You take care of yourself and keep us posted!! Gail

Oh my goodness, Julie! I am the same starting size as you were. Surgery is scheduled for December 8th. My goal is to be under 200 lbs., never in my dreams could I imagine myself as a size 5. Like Michelle, I haven't seen that size since probably toddler-hood. :!!!!!!! Wow!!! All I can say is Wow!!! I would also like to see pictures. Thanks for the inspiration, Andrea