Dissapointed with surgery

Surgery was 6/24, had fluerdelis cut abdominoplasty and a vaginal hysterectomy. Was supposed to have muscle tightening but it did not happen, the reasoning I was given is due to a previous hernia surgery with a large piece of mesh. I am satisfied with the panniculetomy and mons lift but the upper abdomen is still large and very lumpy...she did not smooth it out like we had discussed. I understand there is swelling, but this is more than that....I look very distended....What do I do?

At a week out, it's hard to tell what's what as far as final results go. And no one's going to attempt a revision this early either. I'd say give it a few months, then look at your results and have a frank conversation with your surgeon.  Find out what CAN be done to get better results. With most docs, revisions are on them - at least for their fee. But you still have to pay the additional surgical costs - OR and anesthesia. 

Curious - did the doc know about the mesh going in?  Or was it a bigger repair than expected?

Yes, doctors knew about the mesh going in. We were all hopeful they could downsize the mesh but that did not happen, in the operative reports it says the mesh was too rigid. I go in for my post-op appointment on 7/3, I will discuss this with her in more detail then. 

Sorry you are dissapointed. Unfortunately, it is common, that is why so many people have revisions. Although, usually a minimum of 6 months required before that.

I also am disappointed in my very uneven breast size, but all I can do for now is focus on the healing part, and then see how I feel about it down the road a bit. Try to not focus on it because you are so early out and there is nothing that can be done for now. It is tough when we put our bodies through major surgery and recovery and did not get the outcome we expected for it. I know it is not easy. 

I am sorry that your breasts are uneven in size. Did your surgeon say why this happened? Are you thinking of maybe getting implants down the road to even them out? Good wishes to you for a speedy recovery!

Sorry that you are unhappy with your results. Just a thought... If you were to have a breast lift there is a way that the surgeon can use the same incision to do some contour work on the upper abdo. I don't know if this is an option for you but just thought I would mention it. I think it is called a reverse tummy tuck. Good luck!

Start wearing a tight thick belt or a corset if you can.  Train your waist.  Lookup corset training, it can be done.  I wore a tight thick belt and swear that is how I got my waist back.

I agree. I did this with my binder and have lost 7" off my waist in 12 weeks.

Heidi, do you have to keep wearing the belt/corset/binder? I am afraid my waist and tummy will get big again.

You are so right about the corset reccomendation...my drains came out last week, since then I have been wearing my tight body cincher and have already noticed a difference. The swelling has gone down a bit, I am starting to feel better about the procedure done. I wasn't expecting perfection but I did want what I paid for....hopefully things will continue to improve. I will say this, I would do it again in a heartbeat. I am thrilled that the pannus is gone and I now have a normal mons area.