Question:
How soon after a TT should it be before I get back to my pre surgery size?

I had a TT w hernia repair on Oct 25, I just now have my drains out as I had a lot of fluid on my right side. I want to know how long it takes till I can fit back into my pre surgery jeans? I still have quite a bit of numbness in my hips and upper thighs. My incision looks great and I have been watching my food intake but can't seem to loose the weight that was removed from the TT.    — beachdog (posted on January 6, 2005)

January 6, 2005
I was in my pre-surgery jeans at approximately 6 weeks and in jeans 2 sizes smaller at 10 weeks and 3 sizes smaller at 12-14 weeks. I went from a 14 to an 8. Good luck to you. BTW... I still have numbness in my back after 6 months but everything else has regained sensation.
   — SMG I.

January 6, 2005
everybody is different. You will likely be in smaller than presurgery jeans in a short time. I got my drains out 2 weeks post op. I did not have significant swelling. I was a size 12 pre op and a size 8 only 2 weeks post op.
   — **willow**

January 6, 2005
I had my drains for only a week, but had fluid and swelling. Keep wearing the binder since that will help. I think I got back in to my jeans about 3 weeks post, but it was more of a comfort issue on my incision rather than "fitting." I was a size 6 prior to and a size 4 after. I had my full abdominoplasty on June 15, 2004 and I still have numbness around my belly button and upper thighs.
   — emilyfink

January 6, 2005
I had my TT in August and was back in my jeans in less than a month. I was wearing a smaller size around then too. I was a 6 pre-surgery and am now a 4. I wore girdle things during the day, and the binder at night, so I could fit back into pants easier. The girdle was less bulky than the binder, but the binder was more comfortable at night. I am still numb from below my navel to my incision. I have no numbness by my thighs.
   — Fixnmyself

January 11, 2005
If you've had drains in for over 2 months, you obviously had some major swelling. It will probably take you longer to get back down into your "normal" clothes. The panty girdle is a very good thing to wear 24/7 as it helps the swelling subside and since you had problems with fluid this would be a good idea for you.
   — Patty H.