Extended TT/Thigh lift 6-week update

ToBeAble
on 8/27/12 9:08 am
 Hi all,

I haven't posted much since the drugs wore off (!) so I figured I'd post an update. [please forgive the rambling]

I had anchor TT and medial thigh lift on July 16th, so today is six weeks. Overall, I'm very happy with how things are going and looking, although a few places are taking longer to heal than I'd like.

The areas where the vertical and horizonal incisions from my thighs come together in my groin opened up around 2-3 weeks into the healing process, so my surgeon put a few sutures in to help keep things together as they heal. I was on antibiotics for a while and there's no infection or anything; it's just going slowly. He said that is pretty common, since that's where the most pulling happens -- and I can attest to that as that skin gets pulled on every time you take a step, sit or stand, etc. Because of that, I have had to minimize my walking, and haven't been able to start walking for exercise yet. That has been frustrating, but I can see why it's important to give it time to heal, so I'm TRYING to be patient!

The other area that hasn't healed well yet is on my belly where the vertical and horizontal incisions meet. Around 3 weeks, about an inch at the bottom of the vertical opened up and has continued to drain, albeit less so these days. Again, antibiotics and dressing, no infection, just taking time to heal.

I'm trying to remember that I've got about 6 feet of incisions, so a total of ~6 inches that are taking longer to heal is really not unreasonable. I should be enjoying the "license" to sit around and not do much (!), but I'm really jonesing to start walking at least. Also, I'm signed up for a 5K mud run/obstacle course with a friend in Colorado in three weeks, and I'd been hoping to be able to start getting back into "game shape" starting this week. Oh well. Again, TRYING to be patient!

Doc has cleared me to not wear my chest-to-knee compression garments anymore, but they're like a security blanket to me so I've been wearing them at night. During the day I'm mostly wearing just an abdominal binder to keep the pressure on that open ab incision, or spanx. Thigh swelling comes and goes but not too bad, and I'm trying to put my feet up throughout the day.

One other thing that has turned out differently than I'd hoped/expected is my belly button. He moved my own (inny) belly button as I'd wanted, but it seems to be healing quite flat, and after the scars fully heal I'm not sure if you'll be able to see it. I'm not sure how I feel about it...but he said we could add a stitch to pull it in...so if it still bothers me when I do my arms sometime in the next year or so I may have him do that if it's still bothering me visually.

Meanwhile, I went clothes shopping this weekend, and damn, did I look good ! I love not having extra skin hanging over the tops of my pants! I'll post some pix after the ab incision heals a bit more.

Thanks for letting me ramble!

Laura



 
RNY 7/30/10  SW 302/CW ~150/First Goal 155 (reached 9/2011)
Extended TT & Medial Thigh Lift 7/16/12.  Arms, Butt Lift 2/6/13. 

Pura Vida
on 8/27/12 4:00 pm - Costa Rica
THanks for the update Laura! I am 10 days out from TT and a little worried about my belly button too, but then I went over to realself and saw alot of pics that were way worse off than me, so I am going to sit here and be PATIENT...sucks!
ToBeAble
on 8/28/12 6:52 am
 Yes, being patient is not a quality that comes naturally to me :-) !
I hope your healing continues to go well. I'm scared to go to realself!

L
godzilla
on 8/27/12 8:35 pm - Israel
Vertical incisions and connections get pulled on more-as I can attest to in
My TT and its complications. Similar thing happening to me now in my vertical incision on my Breast Lift.
Walk your marathon but do not run.
Plastics is a long processs to complete recovery.
Happy Healthy Healing.
Mikimi in Israel
ToBeAble
on 8/28/12 6:55 am
 Thanks, Mikimi! Great words of advice from one who has been there.

I hope your current recovery is going smoothly!

Best,
Laura
godzilla
on 8/28/12 7:08 am - Israel
I actually posted my update a few hours ago.
My Plastics have clinic hours on S and Th . But in text messages to my PS yesterday, he told me to come in today to the Ward.
He examined me and saw not pus,not fibrin,but Dehiscence which I went thru last year during my TT . So back to Silvercel and Tielle bandages for me.I just hope I don't go thru all the different wound care products and treatments he talks about on his website (in Hebrew only). And I am to return to the clinic on S next week. He already warned me not to write him on S as he will be in Japan! Hmmm Israel to Japan-I wonder what he will be lecturing on there...
Mikimi
FatLeave
on 8/28/12 3:11 am
  


Dr. Nando did a fantastic job on my FTT with extended incision (fleur-de-Lis). The panni portion was covered by Ohip, I opted to get the extended incision for better body contouring. No question was too stupid, He made me feel at ease, his bed side manor was fantastic, as was his follow-up. Please follow me on twitter fhrough my recovery @Fatleave (has photos) 
ToBeAble
on 8/28/12 6:53 am
 Glad things are going well for you!
Best,
laura
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