TT - 6 days PO crease in belly

I posted this on makemeheal, but since we all have more similar skin issues I am hoping someone can chime in with some experience:

Ok so I know it is too early to worry but I cannot help it!! I will be a week out tomorrow. I have a crease in my stomach below my bb and slighlty above it. The skin below my BB, in the crease, is a dark line (similar to what happens to some pregnant women). It has been like this since I first snuck a peek in the hospital. He removed a lot of skin - 4" above my BB. Every pic I have seen on here with people out of surgery, their tummies are swollen, but smooth. I am still draining, 50 cc on one side and 60 cc on the other. They called this morning and said they will call again tomorrow for totals because the PS wants the number lower.

My bb is healing beautifully - no redness and one bruise the size of a dime. But I am so worried that I will not end up with a pretty smooth tummy like I have been seeing on here. When I saw my PS before I was discharged he told me that he was extremely pleased with the results and that I will be as well. I have not been to see him because I am still waiting for drainage to slow down. My husband keeps reassuring me that I am swollen and time will make it smooth out, but I am panicking because I have not seen any photos that look like my stomach.

Deep breaths girl!  I haven't had my TT yet (Feb. 7th) but I have learned from all my research and seeing many photos that everyone looks and heals differently.

I agree with your husband that it is very early days yet and you need to focus on recovery for now.  Things will look so much different in a week, then two weeks later even better still and so on.

There is nothing that can be done at the moment anyway so you really should try to stop thinking about it as the stress is not doing you any good.

I may be on here in a month needing reassurance as well so please don't think I'm judging you!

Hugs,
Mickie

Thank you - and I do not feel like I am being judged (of course if someone were to tell me I was a neurotic mess I would have to agree anyway LOL!)

I need to be told those things! I am just so anxious!  I guess in the end no matter what it looks like it will still be 100 times nicer than what I had. Thanks for the reality check - I needed it!!  (But the crazy neurotic me would LOVED to see someone else with the same issue that has since been resolved LOL!!)

Oh No!  I feel for you.  Hang in there.  Your husband is right, it's way too early and you have too much swelling going on still to tell.  Like the other poster said, nothing can be done right now anyway.  I would be really stressed and worried too.  Hopefully someone comes along with a similar experience.  Week 2 I had crazy swelling, way more than week 1.  Already as I start into week 3 I am starting to notice some improvement.  Take care and try not to stress.

Laura

Thanks Laura... - your photo - which is SO FREAKING SMOOTH !! Started my doubts!! LOL I am so jealous!! Oh well at least yours looks great!!!!

You look great too!  I know for me this swelling is something that I read about and expected but actually dealing with it has been harder than I thought.  I still weigh more than I did pre-op and I can't fit into pre-op pants yet either.  I also feel out of control now that I am unable to exercise, so that's been hard to get used to.  Can't wait to get back in the gym! 

Laura

I just had a hernia repair and tummy tuck just 5 days ago. I feel the same way you do. Right now I am disappointed at what I see. My tummy still looks flabby, not tight. The draining is about the same so I guess it's within normal range. I was scheduled for fleur de lea cut, but just descovered that I have only the bikini line cut. My surgeon didn't tell me why he changed his mind. I just hope it looks good when it heals. He did give me a bb. God's blessings for a speedy recovery!

The top of my stomach (under the breasts) goes from soft to hard and flabby to tight.  I tried on a pair of jeans that were big pre op and I could not even close the button past my hips!!  I think I am more swollen than I realize!!!!
 

Maybe the PS was able to do it with just the horizontal incision and felt it was better for you.  The vertical cut is more healing and painful (i have heard anyway) so maybe he was trying to avoid that.  I really did not want a vertical cut but my PS never even suggested one. 

I wanted him to cut all the way to the table (on my hips) and he wanted to stop at my hip bone (keep the line off my hips completely) when I woke up he told me he found that he had to cut into my hip a little to remove the hanging skin and he was upset about it!!!  I was glad - it did not go all the way to the sides but a bit and I wanted that to be sure I did not have handles.. So I was like oh good  -and he was all dissapointed and told me how he was hoping to not have to do that  - I asked why and he said "I hate scars!'  I laughed and said I hd so much extra hang I will take a scar over that any day!!

That situation should ease my mind too - at least I know he really does take pride in his work and was dissapointed that he had to extend my scar by 2 inches on each side - and that he even expressed his dissapointment to me!!!

measure you belly every day or so to keep a check on the swelling u may not get inot pre TT pants for several weeks, I just ahad a scar revised on my face and I could see the difference in the swelling from when he finished the procedure until i got home and this am it is worse PS is swell hell'good luck to you
Susan

Yeah I tried on a pair of jeans that were loose pre op and I could not get them past my hips!!  I did not realize I was so swollen because all I have been wearing are elastic waist pants!!