TT done yesterday!

Thanks for the tip about Dr. Sauceda. I've seen his name (probably on realself) so was wondering about him as well.

Yes, if I decide on going abroad, I'm definitely going to speak with my doctor to ensure I'd be able to come to her with any potential issues.

Lots to think about... Exciting but also overwhelming. It's nice to talk to folks who have already screened some of these doctors.

I had a lower body lift and breast lift with fat transfer with Dr. Michaels about 18 months ago. My results continue to be really awesome. I paid about $25k for all of it.

Thank you very much for the reply Erin! I'm glad you're happy with his work. He keeps getting bumped up on my list. :)

Just checking on you and seeing how your recovery is going.

Thank you!

I'd say I am "uncomfortable" but not in pain. The swelling is a really weird feeling of intense pressure. I have basically no pain or issue with the breast lift, the discomfort is all from the tummy tuck and lipo areas. Where they injected fat into my buttocks is very sore as well.

I will be getting one of the two drains out tomorrow, so that'll be nice (although honestly they don't bother me much).

On Friday, I was feeling good, standing up straight, no pain. So I vacuumed, and went to Target, and went out to dinner, and it was a big huge giant mistake. That evening I was in total agony, ab muscles burning like they were on fire and spasms in my back. Almost took myself to the hospital until I took a Valium and it calmed down a bit. So I'm learning from that and doing next to nothing now and for the foreseeable future.

Dr. Michaels's office staff gave me a big packet of info before surgery, and one of the pages talks about the emotional rollercoaster... and I am RIGHT on track, lol. Lots of random crying moments. I have a hard time relying on other people so that's most of it. It's weird to have to ask for help, I think especially because this was a cosmetic surgery and not a really necessary procedure, so I'm working through guilt on that too.

Hope that info helps!

Thought I'd update again: I had one of two drains removed today. Was TERRIFIED of the pain, but I literally didn't even feel it. Figured I could share that in case anyone else has the same worries about drain removal pain that I did! :)

Updating again just in case anyone is curious about recovery!

A little over 3 weeks post-op. I can stand up almost straight (looks like I'm totally upright to the naked eye, but I'm not quite there). Lots of swelling, which is creating a lot of intense pulling in the mid section... I'm told this is normal. Just taking Tylenol twice a day. Sometimes I get weird nerve "zaps" which is a part of the healing process, but they can stop me dead in my tracks for a second because they are intense.

Incisions are basically healed and now I'll start working on scar treatment. The scars are thin and tiny... yay once more for Dr. Michaels.

That's great you're recovering well. The nerve "zaps" sound really strange, I'm glad they don't last long! :)

6 weeks post op update:

Just went for my first run! Felt good, just did 1.5 miles, slow speed.

Early this week, basically overnight, I felt normal again. WOO. I do have swelling at the end of the day but it's not really visible to anyone but me. No more pressure/pulling sensations. Wound looks great, tiny... red/pink for now but will get better. Standing up straight and sucking in abs all day, every day, which feels GREAT.

The compliments are rolling in constantly, which is not something I expected for some reason. It's weird but nice. Not loving the cat calls, but we all have to deal with that no matter who we are or what we look like! I think the fuller butt is creating more interest? It's so out of my norm, I don't even believe they're talking to me most of the time.

I also started Morpheus8 treatments for the neck and chin and will have my second of three in a couple weeks... OUCHIE. No results visible yet... we shall see.

You had Dr Michaels!! He's the best :) personal favorite of course.

Stay low, and get your protein in!