Question:
I See A Few People Just Got A TT & Wanted To Ask Questions.

Hi and congradulations on getting through your tt! I was just wondering how you are feeling now, your procedure and do you know how much skin was taken off, pound wise. For the ones who got it done a while ago, how was recovery time and any comfort tips? I got mine done Monday the 26th and got cut hip to hip and breast bone to the end of pubic and I've been doing good until today, feeling really sore and sick. Morphine pump I took out today and have 3 annoying drain tubes that hurt. I took a shower and it felt so good :o) Other than that, I short walk, take a few min. on the computer, sleep and watch t.v., im camping on my couch. When can I sleep in my bed? I hope this will be worth it, looks good so far and very flat, but starting to swell now. Thanks for the info!    — Sandy M. (posted on January 29, 2004)

January 29, 2004
Had complete abdominoplasty/belt lipectomy, (complete circle) on Dec 22nd. Now 5 and a half weeks out and the pain will go away. It takes time. I still feel a bit of discomfort now and then but the recovery is slow and totally worth it. Good luck to you.
   — Steve B.

January 29, 2004
I had a hip to hip incision when I had my abdominoplasty. The pain was minimal. The worst pain is when they yank the drains out!! OUCH!!! I lost a total of 5 pounds of skin. Just ask your PS, he will be able to tell you.
   — Patty H.

January 29, 2004
Congrats, Sandy! I hope to join you some day. In the meantime, go over to yahoo groups-OSSG plastics and ask the same question for more responses...
   — Cindy R.

January 30, 2004
Sandy, So glad your TT is over and you're on the recovery side! I'm one month post-op lower body lift with a 360 scar and actually feel like doing much more than my surgeon will allow. His advice was 'always do less than you feel like doing and for the first couple weeks do nothing if possible'. So many layers of stitches and lots of pulling/tugging so it's best to take it easy. I slept in a rented recliner for 8 days then gradually moved to my bed. Today I feel like I could definitely hit the gym but I can't for a couple more weeks. Those surgeons know whats best so just follow his orders and before you know it, you'll be back in the saddle but this time wearing a bikini! Vicki 260/149
   — Vicki S.

January 30, 2004
I had the same incisions you did and I'll assume you had muscle tightening as well? TAKE PAIN medication when you feel bad -- don't be a hero. I slept in my bed from the beginning, but I did that with WLS too. I felt that if I didn't, I'd be forever getting back to it. My recovery was long and not as fast as I wanted it to be, so take your time. I'm almost three months from it now and the results are wonderful. Good luck! I still have some swelling now and then.. you can have it for a long time, so be prepared...
   — Lisa C.

January 30, 2004
Hi, I had mine Monday too. 8 hr surgery. huge hernia which was done with mesh laproscopily. Then the plastics doc came in and removed 8 - 9 lbs of fat and flesh. He did a bikini cut from hip to hip too. I am very very sore and my two drains fell out! I couldn't believe it. They were just not in very far and fell out without any pain or effort on my part. They did drain while they were in for 3 days. Doc I will experience more swellling and bruising because of this happening. He moved my belly button up 6 inches and it is not looking so good. He thinks it may not make it. I am putting neosporin on it and praying and hoping it will make it. The surgery itself was ok but I am more sore than with gastric bypass. I find it hard to sleep on my back and sometimes I try to lay on my side for relief. The incision burns hot and then I must go back on my back. I am trying not to lift, bend, or pickup anything from the floor. Difficult for me. A friend described the pain the best way I know....."it is like a giant burning paper cut". The port holes from the mesh reapir are very very sore and doc says they are like deep stab wounds. This is not a fun but my tummy is flat. It looks very swollen and odd to me and reminds me of the Ken doll look. You know baby doll like with poofy vulva. Oh well, I hope it gets better as time goes on. Also I have dog ears on the side which the doc says he can "touch up" later. Oh my, i hope I don't have to have any more cutting EVER. I used the morphine pump while in the hospital and itched a lot. Now I am taking percocet which dulls the pain for a couple of hours then it starts again. Have experience some stomach apasm. Appetite? None and everything tastes funny. I gained 14 lbs of fluid and have lost all of that already. Let's keep in touch Sandy so we can compare, ok?
   — Mylou52