can you share your tummy tuck stories with me

Hi Teresa,

I am almost 3 months out from an extended TT and full back lipo.  I am thrilled with the results but I have to warn you...it wasn't an easy journey for me.  I had major buyers remorse the first week..thought what the heck did I do?  and I paid for this?  But I don't feel that way anymore.  I had alot of pain from the lipo especially.  I stayed in the hospital one night...couldn't pee post surgery so I came home with a urinary cathetar for 5 days.  I am a RN so it was no big deal.  One of my nurse friends took it out for me at home.  I did not have any drains.  My doc does an extra step so you don't need a drain..I loved that!
My stomach was very tight at first..couldn't even stand up straight.  but this is normal.
My husband was home with me for the first 5 days. ....and I really needed someone to help me.  So make sure you have someone at home with you. I did not use a special chair like alot of people do..I just was in my bed with extra pillow.
My doc made it mandatory that we get a special Plastic surgery insurance. It was about 250.00 but it covered any complications that we have.  It was a real peace of mind.  Luckily I did not have any...but it was nice to know that it was there if I needed it.
Please feel free to ask any questions...I asked alot preop of others and it was a hugh help.
good luck to you!

Patty

thank you for all of the great info. What comany did you use for plastic surgery insurance. I want that for sure. I need to get that to have peace of mind. thank you so much!!

teresa

I had a tummy tuck in 2005.  My tummy tuck was extremely painful.  I could not walk upright for 6 weeks.  He pulled me very very tight.  Even after a baby and 60 pounds weight gain, my tummy is still flat! Just the rest of me needs to shrink!
The pain was very very hard for me.  I did do alot of walking and moving so that I didn't get that stiff feeling which made the pain worse.  I was off work for 3 weeks.  I would have preferred 4.  My job is in a hospital and I would sit most the day and only get up to walk around our department.  I was able to do that at 3 weeks, but felt really tired and sore at the end of the day.  The swelling is something that also makes you uncomfortable for awhile.  Binders and girdles help with that.  I would say I was feeling 100% normal at 6 months.  The numbness never went away though- I'm 6 years out and like I said, had a baby, and I still feel numb in my tummy.  I had no complications from the surgery.  I always recommend a website called www.makemeheal.com which is a forum for plastic surgery.  Tons of pics and posters telling their experiences.

many many people had tt from a certain doc that I will not mention and they all told me that they were pulled too too tight and that some of them were still sleeping upright in a recliner a year later. That is insane. I would rather have a little tummy after than not be able to stand up straight for that long.

Thank you
teresa

 I am almost a year out from a tummy tuck (as part of a Lower Body LIft), along with breast lift / implants, and arm lift all in the same surgery.  The first few days were rough, but manageable.  The pain pils will get you through it.  It's not the type of pain that will cause you to lay there in pain, it's more sore and painful when you get up and move.  But I bounced back very quickly.  Within 3-5 days you should be up on your own and moving around with few problems.  Sore - yes, Slowly - yes, Hunched over - yes...but it's all manageable.  I work from home and was working within a week, and traveling in about 2-3 weeks.

There are pictures on my profile if you want to see them

Thank you so much for replying. How on earth did you have all of that done at once. YOu are brave. Also, how long did the surgery take. My doc will but does not even recommend me getting my breast and tt at the same time.

teresa