Tummy tuck and pain question.

Hi everyone.  I'm new to this board.  I  was banded in January of 2009 and have lost 92 pounds.  I am planning a tummy tuck in the summer and just made an appointment for my consult with the Surgeon in March.

I have a question about post-op pain.  I've heard some people say that the pain post-op tummy tuck is less than after a C-section.  I did great after my 2 C-sections.  Up and running within a couple of days.  Just a little sore and stooped over for a week and tired for a few weeks.

My best friend had a tummy tuck last year and she was practically an invalid for 4 weeks.  That's got me scared.  Is the pain really that bad or is she just a wimp?

Thank you for any feedback!!!

Other than coughing, sneezing or throwing up I had very little pain w/ my LBL. Was walking thru the neighborhood within a week and pretty much upright. I think I had worse pain when I had my gallbladder out.

Best wishes to you w/ you surgery, the time will fly and it will be here before you know it.

Sonya

It really depends on the amount of work you have done. I had a lot of muscle repair and my PS surgeon said it was a big surgery. The pain was manageable, but it took about 4 weeks to feel better. It was SO worth it tho!!!

Kathi:

Ive had two C/S's and recently had an anchor TT.  It does depend on the type of cut you have and how much muscle involvement that you have.  I can tell you however that the lower horizontal incision wasnt bad at all.  The incision is quite a bit larger than the c/s incision but as far as pain goes, it was about the same, maybe a little less than the C/S pain.  You will do fine.  Its the vertical incision that was a ***** for me and it doesnt sound like you will be having one.  The drains were more uncomfortable than the incision!  Just take your pain meds and you should do fine.

Good luck and let us know if you have any more questions!

kim

I've had 3 C-sections and my anchor cut tummy tuck was not as painful.  I had alot of soreness where my surgeon tightened the muscles and that was it.

Not bad at all!


Best of luck!


DW

Pain is... UNPREDICTABLE

Everyone has a totally different pain tolerance. I have some patients who after a TT with muscle repair have so little pain and take just a few pain pills and others who feel like a truck ran over them.

On average, the pain from a TT is less than a c-section. However, I wound not recommend to be "up and running" within a couple of days. Take it easy for a couple of weeks.

Sincerely,

Joshua Kreithen, M.D.