Tips On Getting A Tummy Tuck
10:00 PM Posted by The Blue Zoo
Getting a tummy tuck seems to be all I can talk about lately. If anyone asks how I am they get to hear all about my tummy tuck. Lucky for you if you don't want to read this you can just click over to something else. That's a little harder to do in person when I'm yammering on and on about drains, and swelling, and scars. Truthfully I just don't have anything else to talk about! This has consumed my whole summer!
Just a little note about the pictures - The first 2 were taken on July 23. The swelling wasn't too bad that day. You can also see the scar on my right is higher than on my left. It is really high and very annoying! The scar comes up right where my jeans sit, not only does it show it also itches!
The third picture is an hour after I worked out on the elliptical. (On July 29th.) Even though I kept my workout light, I got extremely puffy! But only right there by my scar. I don't know why it does that sometimes. It's very odd. And I haven't heard of anyone else getting so puffy. I have an appointment on August 19th for a scar revision. Hopefully my doctor can lower my scar on the right and tell me about this puffiness!
A lot of women have told me they are planning on getting a tummy tuck. They always want to know about the cost, the pain involved, and if it's worth it. Pretty much in that exact order too. The cost is pretty high, it hurts like hell, and it IS worth it!Here are some tips on recovering - (Things I wish someone had told me!)
1. Pillows! Pillows! Pillows! Get yourself some pillows. When I first got home the only comfy position to be in was a V. And the only way to keep yourself in a V shape is with pillows. I stole everybody's pillows in this house! I had at least 8 maybe even 9 or 10. Some supporting my back, under my legs, and one across my tummy for protection at all times. (I have 4 boys and 3 cats who all like to jump on me!) So, buy a few extra.
2. Get yourself a nurse/maid for about 2 weeks. I think the doctors and nurses like to give you the best case scenario. They say after a few days you'll feel better, you'll be up and moving in no time! ppppffffttt! Ha! Don't plan on it. Do yourself a favor and plan for the worst. That way you are prepared. The first week I slept. The Percocet knocked me out! And the second week, while I was awake, I was not in the mood to get up and clean. I just laid there and watched TV. If you have small kids you'll need someone to feed them, clean them, and keep them off of you while you rest. Even if you don't have kids at home you'll need someone to help you keep track of your drain fluids and all the pills you'll have to take. Doing dishes hurt, and vacuuming was out of the question, so make sure you have someone to help with cleaning. It wasn't until about 3 1/2 weeks that I felt like I could even drive! Keep that in mind if you have to work or take kids to school. (Even if you aren't a weenie like me having the extra help will be nice!)
3. Swell Hell is real, and it will happen to you. I knew that I could be swollen for up to 3 months. But I didn't really think it would apply to me. I was small. I was active. I didn't need a lot of lipo. Getting all swollen was for other people, or so I thought. Hhhmm, yea, not so much. It's been about 6 1/2 weeks and I still swell. Like today above my belly button is swollen. And I have no idea why!
4. It's OK to feel sad or depressed!! You think you're gonna feel great after having this life changing surgery. I never even considered that I would be emotional or fall into a funk. But I did. None of my clothes fit due to the Swell Hell. So I had to wear PJ's and stretchy workout clothes. I felt fat. I was in pain. I couldn't even shower for 2 weeks!! I had to have sponge baths with my husbands help. So there I lay, in pain, with dirty hair, in pajamas that may or may not have even been clean, tired, and feeling like a swollen fat sausage. Not pretty. Not pretty at all. And completely NOT what I was expecting. If you had asked me then if the surgery was worth it, I would have said hell no! But after you can shower, and the swelling goes down a little, and you can get up and do more, you'll feel much better.
5. Take laxatives, and eat yogurt. When your doctor suggests a stool softener, take her seriously. Trust me on this. Take your softeners, and your Miralax and eat lots of fruit. Drink tons of water too! And while I'm on the subject eat a lot of yogurt. Because those super duper strength antibiotics you'll have to take will either give you a yeast infection or thrush. I got thrush. Which, in case you don't know, is like a yeast infection in your mouth!! Yuck. Believe me when I say you will want to avoid this.
Hopefully some of this helps you prepare for your big surgery day! Good luck and if you have any questions please feel free to ask!!
August 2, 2010 7:05 AM
So glad you are happy you did it! Let me know how your scar revision goes. A friend of mine is considering getting a scar revision. She was allergic to the sutures and had a really bad reaction. Her scarring is bad, but she's not sure she wants to go through the recovery process again.
Can't wait to see your bikini pics when all the swelling goes down! :)
August 2, 2010 7:26 AM
Other than the cost stopping me, I don't have someone to help me during the recovery time. But, I still so want one.
August 2, 2010 7:46 AM
This procedure is on my list of things that I'm sure I'm going to want later in life after kids. Once you are all healed, you are going to look SO fabulous! Thanks for sharing all of this info with us too...VERY useful. :)
August 2, 2010 8:00 AM
Oh wow! I know all the crap you are going thru since we Bishes are all up in each others bidness but I didn't know exactly how ba it was. Wow. No more kids for me! I don't want to have a tuck no way. You are right though. You think after something like this all will be perfect and you don't think about the immediate aftermath.
I am so glad you are over the hump (literallly haha) and you can start enjoying the benefits of your sexay new tummy!!
August 2, 2010 8:48 AM
Thanks for the tips! It will be a long while before I get this done - but I do want to to do it one day (probably in about 10 years). Good to know that it's all worth it!
August 2, 2010 9:41 AM
And after all of that I still want one bad! Maybe one day it will happen. I am so glad you are doing these posts...can't wait to hear about your next appt. ;-)
August 2, 2010 11:48 AM
Well, I already know who MY nurse is going to be when I get mine done! She's the bestest friend EVER and has experienced it all and she'll be nice to me cause she knows how it sucks to have mean nurses! /wink
I'll take some photos of my bulging belly and then you'll feel better about your puffiness! :)
August 2, 2010 11:52 AM
I love your updates! Hopefully I won't need a tummy tuck, but if I can't get rid of this bulge, it may happen in a few years. Although, I really need to get a boob lift first!
August 2, 2010 12:02 PM
Oddly enough, I don't mind that you're talking about it at all. I think it's awesome to hear about the experience first hand from someone who has actually been there! It's not all freakin' rainbows and speedy recoveries like they make it seem on the tv.
August 2, 2010 1:25 PM
Stephanie,
I think it's so great you're putting it all out there and being so honest about the experiences you've had. I hope the scar revision goes well. WIll you have to stay in the hospital for that?
August 2, 2010 2:32 PM
It looks great!
August 2, 2010 2:54 PM
Love your honest posts!!
August 2, 2010 3:16 PM
What exactly does the scar revision entail?
August 2, 2010 6:03 PM
Thanks for sharing these tips with us!!!
I'm too afraid to have anything like that done, but I probably would if I wasn't such a chicken shit!!1
August 2, 2010 6:46 PM
I think it's so great to get an inside peek at it from someone who is trustworthy and honest. It has really healed a ton since the beginning!
August 2, 2010 7:14 PM
Wow! Sounds a lot like my hysterectomy! I read and read about what to expect after my surgery and glad I did!
My doc did a scar revision when I had my hysterectomy, (previous female surgery scar), and now it looks great. The only problem is now I have a kangaroo pouch from having the hysterectomy. I would LOVE to have a tummy tuck!
August 2, 2010 7:31 PM
It's still so fresh... but you look better already..and you will look so awesome in one year. I know you'll be so happy....
how do you feel physically?
August 2, 2010 10:30 PM
You're looking great so far! It really sounds like an ordeal. I hope the doctor can lower your scar for you.
August 3, 2010 12:39 AM
OMGOSH! You are so brave! I'm such a scary cat and I can use 2 tummy tucks.
August 3, 2010 3:56 AM
I wish I had had lippo with my tummy tuck, as I still have a few lumps and bumps I'd hoped to lose! I agree with everything you put up here, it's impossible to run around looking after a young family as you recover. Fortunately, my kids were older and more able to help out, but even so, it was a struggle! It is still early days with your scars, they will go down and fade much more hon - but it is still sensible to have the swelling checked out - good luck, I'll be thinking of you!
August 3, 2010 10:11 AM
I'd always thought that after I was done having kids I'd have a tummy tuck and put everything back in its place. Then my daughter had to be born by c-section. The recovery is pretty similar, and therefore I will not be volunteering for a tummy tuck any more.
I appreciate the honest and informative posts about your tummy tuck. We all need to be as informed as possible about any medical procedure we're considering!
August 3, 2010 1:05 PM
That scar doesn't look like it will be too bad after some time passes. I often thought about a tummy tuck because that is the one part of my body that I hate. I don't think mine is bad enough to go through this, though. I'll see how I look after triathlon training is over.
I'm glad everything was worth it for you. The results look great, even with some swelling.
August 3, 2010 6:56 PM
It's starting to look better already! Can't wait to see the end result:)
August 3, 2010 9:22 PM
Hi
thanks for visiting my blog.
congrats on the surgery. it looks like you already have good results. i would totally do that if I needed it. glad you were able to do that for yourself
now following you
August 3, 2010 9:55 PM
See I know I'd swell. I can almost literally tell the exact temperature by the size of my feet.
You know I think the cutesy procedure name "tummy tuck" does mislead. Tummy is a little word for stomach - the one we use to refer to the stomachs of kittens and babies - and the word tuck typically applies to bed sheets and little things going into little places. Kind of makes the reality of what a tummy tuck does to a body come as a bit of a shock!
August 4, 2010 9:25 PM
I think I have changed my mind!!
Glad you are feeling better!
August 5, 2010 12:32 AM
Lookin SEXAY!
Hang in there Steph. Won't be long and you'll be rockin the 2-piece.
August 5, 2010 11:02 AM
For lack of a better word, I am really enjoying your updates. It's nice to have such a realistic example of plastic surgery, with real pictures and real details. Everyone tries to make it sound so glamorous and easy, but I don't think that's the case. Thanks!
August 7, 2010 9:39 AM
I have been interested in this because I eventually plan to have a tummy tuck myself, not soon but when I feel like it's time. However, I made the mistake recently of starting to watch that show Nip/Tuck, and I have to admit, it's kind of put me off having it done. Like I was scared in the first place, but seeing you do it kind of helped me with that. Now, I'm back to being scared. Sigh.
November 5, 2010 10:36 AM
Wow! You are amazingly brave to have this surgery AND post all these pics. Real moms have messed up bellies, huh?! (Is it wrong I basically just implied your belly is messed up?) Gosh, I hope not. Seeing how you are posting about tucks. I felt ok with it. My girlfriend had this done years ago, and she loves hers!! Good for you! Brave girl!
November 5, 2010 10:37 AM
Sometimes I should just be quiet...this comment just sounds all wrong. It's with warm intentions, really!