Is it worth it???
Scheduled 2/17 for TT/lipo, BL/BA (big ones!). I am going through with it!
Questions again for y'all:
1) is it worth the horrible recovery? I am so scared, and I have 3 very young children at home. I am scared of the postop complications and the fact that I will be down so long.
2)What is Arnica Montana?
3)How do you know if you need the anchor cut? After WLS, I did not need plastics. Two c-sections later, my lower abdomen has a horrible crease and I definitely need improvement. My problems are completely below my belly button.
4) will I still have a defined waistline or will I have a more "boyish" look?
5)has anyone had these surgeries with an uncomplicated (other than pain) recovery? I see so many seromas, infections, issues on here that I am petrified. Again, I am scared...is it worth it in the end both financially and esthetically?
Thanks so much, I know it was long winded!
G
Questions again for y'all:
1) is it worth the horrible recovery? I am so scared, and I have 3 very young children at home. I am scared of the postop complications and the fact that I will be down so long.
2)What is Arnica Montana?
3)How do you know if you need the anchor cut? After WLS, I did not need plastics. Two c-sections later, my lower abdomen has a horrible crease and I definitely need improvement. My problems are completely below my belly button.
4) will I still have a defined waistline or will I have a more "boyish" look?
5)has anyone had these surgeries with an uncomplicated (other than pain) recovery? I see so many seromas, infections, issues on here that I am petrified. Again, I am scared...is it worth it in the end both financially and esthetically?
Thanks so much, I know it was long winded!
G
G...
congrats on the upcoming surgery! it's just right around the corner!
i am 15 days post-op anchor cut TT/BL/BA (500cc silicone unders). i too was concerned about the same things that you are voicing here. everyone reacts a little differently to pain, so that is hard to measure. i had two c/s and to compare to those, this was more painful due to the achor cut.
the easiest part of the surg was the BL/BA because ive been concentrating on my abd. i did so much preparing before hand that it made it so much easier post-op. i literally read everything i could find on helpful hints to help me to have a smooth recovery. we have a two story home so i made sure everything that i would need for 1 week was upstairs with me. i had a small fridge with drinks and jello/puddings, a basket with snacks so that i could take something with my pain meds or just snack in case i became hungry. i placed all of my vitamins/meds on a shelf close to where i would be sitting so that i didnt have to get up out of the chair unnecessarily ( i have a recliner). i placed a massage/heating pad in the recliner for comfort. i stocked dressings/gauze supplies in the bathroom so that i wouldnt have to go downstairs. i even moved my coffee pot into my bedroom. you get the picture. do everything that you can before the surgery to make it easier for you.
my boyfriend that i live with took off a few days after i came home from the hospital and he did everything for me, as far as cooking and household needs. this helped tremendously. i took my pain pills every 4 hours round the clock. i made a form on the computer so that i could write down the time i took my pain pills, vitamins etc, as well as the amount of drainage that i would empty out of the drains twice a day. it all helped me to be organized. i got a couple of laniards to put around my neck during showering to hang the drains on. i stocked books, magazines, remote controls etc on a small table by my chair. anything and everything to make it easier and im soooooooo glad that i did.
the first few days are the toughest, at least they were for me. everyday is better and better. i started driving a week after i came home as long as i spaced the pain med out and didnt take anything 6 hours before driving. boy i was ready to hit the pills as soon as i got home tho.
ive been very lucky..so far no complications. i wear my binders as instructed and have switched over to sports bras this week.
as for my figure...i am LOVING the girls!! they are still swollen, a little high up on the chest but everyday they look better and better. I know i am going to love the end result. my tummy is swollen still of course, but soooooooo much flatter. my surgeon opted for the anchor cut b/c i had quite a bit of excess skin above the belly button and it looks great. cant really tell how the curves are going to look. if i remain a boyish look that is ok too. anything will be an improvement from the excess skin.
as for the Arnica Montana, havent used it and at this time dont have any plans to. do your research and get the advice from your doc..
good luck G...just follow drs orders and pamper yourself afterwards...follow the rules very closely. that wont guarantee that you wont have complications post-operatively, but it will likely cut down on some of them.
i know that by the summer after all the healing is completed, the swelling has gone down and the girls have dropped and fluffed into their new home that i will totally be loving my body and not having regrets... keep us posted!
kim
congrats on the upcoming surgery! it's just right around the corner!
i am 15 days post-op anchor cut TT/BL/BA (500cc silicone unders). i too was concerned about the same things that you are voicing here. everyone reacts a little differently to pain, so that is hard to measure. i had two c/s and to compare to those, this was more painful due to the achor cut.
the easiest part of the surg was the BL/BA because ive been concentrating on my abd. i did so much preparing before hand that it made it so much easier post-op. i literally read everything i could find on helpful hints to help me to have a smooth recovery. we have a two story home so i made sure everything that i would need for 1 week was upstairs with me. i had a small fridge with drinks and jello/puddings, a basket with snacks so that i could take something with my pain meds or just snack in case i became hungry. i placed all of my vitamins/meds on a shelf close to where i would be sitting so that i didnt have to get up out of the chair unnecessarily ( i have a recliner). i placed a massage/heating pad in the recliner for comfort. i stocked dressings/gauze supplies in the bathroom so that i wouldnt have to go downstairs. i even moved my coffee pot into my bedroom. you get the picture. do everything that you can before the surgery to make it easier for you.
my boyfriend that i live with took off a few days after i came home from the hospital and he did everything for me, as far as cooking and household needs. this helped tremendously. i took my pain pills every 4 hours round the clock. i made a form on the computer so that i could write down the time i took my pain pills, vitamins etc, as well as the amount of drainage that i would empty out of the drains twice a day. it all helped me to be organized. i got a couple of laniards to put around my neck during showering to hang the drains on. i stocked books, magazines, remote controls etc on a small table by my chair. anything and everything to make it easier and im soooooooo glad that i did.
the first few days are the toughest, at least they were for me. everyday is better and better. i started driving a week after i came home as long as i spaced the pain med out and didnt take anything 6 hours before driving. boy i was ready to hit the pills as soon as i got home tho.
ive been very lucky..so far no complications. i wear my binders as instructed and have switched over to sports bras this week.
as for my figure...i am LOVING the girls!! they are still swollen, a little high up on the chest but everyday they look better and better. I know i am going to love the end result. my tummy is swollen still of course, but soooooooo much flatter. my surgeon opted for the anchor cut b/c i had quite a bit of excess skin above the belly button and it looks great. cant really tell how the curves are going to look. if i remain a boyish look that is ok too. anything will be an improvement from the excess skin.
as for the Arnica Montana, havent used it and at this time dont have any plans to. do your research and get the advice from your doc..
good luck G...just follow drs orders and pamper yourself afterwards...follow the rules very closely. that wont guarantee that you wont have complications post-operatively, but it will likely cut down on some of them.
i know that by the summer after all the healing is completed, the swelling has gone down and the girls have dropped and fluffed into their new home that i will totally be loving my body and not having regrets... keep us posted!
kim
G.
I could'nt agree with Kim more...In addition I also prepared my body...Extra Gym time , Strength and Cardio, and Extremely healthy eating...I had My Full Tummy Tuck on Jan 11 ...I walked into the Surgery Suite at 3 pm and walked out at 7 pm...I wont lie...The first 24 hours was hard...BUT I was prepared with all my supplies. And I had my MoM... I ended up staying with her for a few days but was self sufficient. Everything gets better every day...I only had my drains in for 5 days and NO PROBLEMS...I agree with what someone else said about problems...They look to help here for advice so we hear about them alot...From the first time I saw my new Tummy, the day after surgery, I knew it was worth it... Its so worth it...
Take care, and know that you can come here to the boards, that also has been very helpful just knowing I'm not alone... You are not alone.
<3 Pamela
I could'nt agree with Kim more...In addition I also prepared my body...Extra Gym time , Strength and Cardio, and Extremely healthy eating...I had My Full Tummy Tuck on Jan 11 ...I walked into the Surgery Suite at 3 pm and walked out at 7 pm...I wont lie...The first 24 hours was hard...BUT I was prepared with all my supplies. And I had my MoM... I ended up staying with her for a few days but was self sufficient. Everything gets better every day...I only had my drains in for 5 days and NO PROBLEMS...I agree with what someone else said about problems...They look to help here for advice so we hear about them alot...From the first time I saw my new Tummy, the day after surgery, I knew it was worth it... Its so worth it...
Take care, and know that you can come here to the boards, that also has been very helpful just knowing I'm not alone... You are not alone.
<3 Pamela
For ME, yes it was very worth it! I did have my BA and mini TT done separately. I think as far as complications go.... it is like the RNY (or any other board) that when you do have a problem, you come here for comfort and advice. Not everyone has problems like with WLS.
You can look on my profile at my belly pics. I didn't have the anchor cut and I think that I have a very defined waistline. Everyone is different though. I didn't have any lipo either.
Good luck!!
Martha
You can look on my profile at my belly pics. I didn't have the anchor cut and I think that I have a very defined waistline. Everyone is different though. I didn't have any lipo either.
Good luck!!
Martha
High 250/Consult Weight 245/Surgery 205/Now 109
Height 5'4.5" BMI 18.4
In maintenance since June 2009 
I would not have the cut going up my stomach. If you are just having a mini tt you will not need that. I have extra skin above my belly button and I am not having the up cut. Anyway, I have been trying to prepare my body for over a month, my surgery is scheduled for the end of January. (extra protein and vitamin C) I have a 3 year old and have the same fear of not coming out of surgery, or not being able to take care of him when I get home...we are women, strong and we can do it! I just figure, I will be on slow mode for a while...Congrats on your decision! Jenny
Totally worth it! It has improved my self image dramatically! I am so happy that I had my procedures!
Please feel free to look at my PS photos on my profile.
You will need to be a friend to see them!
DW
Please feel free to look at my PS photos on my profile.
You will need to be a friend to see them!
DW
10 lb lost pre-op 5'10
Plastic Surgery completed 12/17/09 with Dr. Sauceda (Anchor Cut Tummy Tuck, Medial Thigh Lift & Eyelid Surgery)
Yes, yes, YES!! It was worth every second of pain and annoyance...even the ones I'm still going through! lol! That said, I have not had a single complication or issue with healing. It has turned out perfectly thus far at 4 weeks out.
The anchor cut wouldn't likely be needed if all of your issues are underneath the belly button. I did have the fleur de lis and I ended up with a nicely defined waistline. I am soooo beyond thrilled and am going to end up loving that scar for what it has given me.
If you'd like to see my plastics before/after photos, I will friend you and give you the password to the album.
The anchor cut wouldn't likely be needed if all of your issues are underneath the belly button. I did have the fleur de lis and I ended up with a nicely defined waistline. I am soooo beyond thrilled and am going to end up loving that scar for what it has given me.
If you'd like to see my plastics before/after photos, I will friend you and give you the password to the album.
High Wt. 251.5/Goal 150/Current 145 39 yrs. old, 5' 6" tall, Size 1
December 22, 2009~~ BA, Fleur de Lis Tummy Tuck, Sm. Thigh lift
Dr. Francisco Sauceda, Monterrey, Mexico
First of all, I would not characterize the recover as horrible! The first day was hard (in the hospital). Each day after that was better. You will be bent over for a few days, but the hardest part for you will probably be the young kids. Do you have help? Make meals in advance and make sure you have all of the essentials for home : snacks, toilet paper, anything you need on a regular basis.
#3 - I needed an anchor cut due to my large amount of skin above my belly button. The Dr wouldn't do it and the results are ok. If that is not a problem for you, I would think that the results will be good.
#4) Yes!
#5) Completely complication free!!! one drain for 1 week, other for 2. Off pain meds by day 3. Absolutely worth it!
Take care of yourself first, so that you will be able to take care of the little ones. Rest whever you can. If you are not a back sleeper (I definitely was not) get ready for a change. Buy a few extra pillows for helping get into a comfortable position. Set things that you will need up on a night table so that getting up is reduced to a minimum.
Good Luck and Speedy recovery!!
#3 - I needed an anchor cut due to my large amount of skin above my belly button. The Dr wouldn't do it and the results are ok. If that is not a problem for you, I would think that the results will be good.
#4) Yes!
#5) Completely complication free!!! one drain for 1 week, other for 2. Off pain meds by day 3. Absolutely worth it!
Take care of yourself first, so that you will be able to take care of the little ones. Rest whever you can. If you are not a back sleeper (I definitely was not) get ready for a change. Buy a few extra pillows for helping get into a comfortable position. Set things that you will need up on a night table so that getting up is reduced to a minimum.
Good Luck and Speedy recovery!!
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