Tummy Tuck Recovery

Guest · Guest

Hi I just got a tummy tuck this is my 3rd week, I also had what you said fluid build up I looked pregnant, my doctor saw no sign of this but I was infected in my stomach. If your stomach gets real red,m and hot, puss coming from belly button see help. I was almost hospitalized but he put me on antibolotics and a damn drain back in I feel much better, and it looks better. I hope I helped some[/b]

$eth · Newbie Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1

I HAD A TUMMY TUCK OVER 1 MONTH AGO, I HAD MY DRAINS IN
BUT THEY LOST SUCTION. SO FOR FOUR VISITS WE DRAINED BY NEEDLE
HE FINALLY CUT A SMALL HOLE WHICH I HAVE FOR TWO WEEKS. MY SKIN IS HARD AS A ROCK FROM PUSHING AND TRYING TO FILL UP THE
DRAIN WITH THE NEEDLE. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN WHEN YOUR SKIN IS
HARD AS A ROCK. HE TOLD ME TO USE A ROLLING PIN WHICH I KEEP
MASSAGING WITH MY HAND. I CAN'T STAND TO FEEL ANYTHING AGAINST MY SKIN. HE SAID IT COULD TAKE UP TO 2 MONTHS WITH
THE HOLE I HAVE. CAN SOMEBODY TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE ROCK
HARD SKIN AND WILL IT GO AWAY?

asimonax · Newbie Joined: 03 May 2008 Posts: 1

HI I HAD A TUMMY TUCK 11 DAYS AGO AND WAS A GREAT COMFORT TO KNOW THAT THE BUILD UP OF FLUID IS NORMAL, PHEW THOUGHT I WAS GONNA DIE LOL, Embarassed

IVE LOST5 STONE AND NEEDED IT , BUT RECOVERY IS PRETTY GRIM!!! ANY IDEAS HOW LONG THE FLUILD STAYS??? ITS ON MY RIGINAGHT HAND SIDE AND ITS ANNOYIN WHEN IM WALKING ??

pjmclaug · Newbie Joined: 15 May 2008 Posts: 1

I had a tummy tuck with lipo almost 6 weeks ago. I went back to the doctor yesterday and he told me that I could start going without the binder, but I could still wear it when I felt the need as well. I was so excited to get rid of that dang then, but half-way through today I just felt like my belly was going to poke back out or something (impossible, I know, but it didn't feel right). For those who've had this done, how long did you wear the binder and did you totally quit wearing it all of the sudden or did you wean off? If you wore it part time, did you wear it during the day or at night?

Guest · Guest

I had a tummy tuck 2 1/2 weeks ago and my stomach feels so bloated. The lower pare is kind of hard and sticks out- I look fat. Any one have thoughts? Is this normal? How lond does it take for this darn swelling to go down- I am miserable.

celcat · Newbie Joined: 10 Jun 2008 Posts: 1

I'm only one week post TT and thought I was going mad feeling so low today but reading everyones comments and experiences on here has made me realise that everything I'm feeling and how I look is normal so a BIG thankyou xx

Guest · Guest

I am 4 weeks post tummy tuck, lipo, mastopexy & augmentation. Before I had the surgery, I went on a healty regiment of 5-6 small meals a day and I exercised for AT LEAST 20 min a day. I lost 20 lbs in 4 months and was very strong on the day of surgery. I highly recommend DIET & EXERCISE FIRST!! after reading some of these stories, I realized that my recovery has been an easy one compared to some of the stories. I weighed 144 the day I went into surgery and the VERY NEXT DAY after surgery I was 156! Talk about swollen! It took a little over a week for me to return to my pre surgery weight. My drain tube was taken out at day 12 because there was very little drainage. I started wearing the stage 2 compression garmet 2weeks ago and though it can be a little uncomfortable at times...IM WEARING IT! Apparantly it helps the recovery & shapeing greatly! I feel MUCH BETTER with it on anyway. I use my stage 1 garmet right after I shower while my stage 2 garmet is being washed & dried. This has kept my swelling down to a minimum.
No one noticed any difference at first, but wow are they starting to notice now! I HAVE A WAIST!! I've never had a waist...just straight from the shoulders to the hips. My plastic surgeon did an amazing job...and from what I can see so far, my scars are MINIMAL! YESSSSSSS!!!

I stayed in the hospital overnight & am sure glad I did. The nurses were there to help & get me walking every two hours (VERY IMPORTANT!!!) I don't know if I would have done it if I'd have gone straight home.
Since I had so much work done, I am being patient with the healing process. I wish my breasts were not so sore...but I chose the surgery and I know when the healing is done...I'm gonna be glad I went through it!
PEOPLE, if you have a fever & puss drainage....GET TO A DOCTOR!!! That is a sign of infection and could be VERY SERIOUS!!!

Guest · Guest

I'm 3 weeks po from full TT, lift, aug,and hernia repair.(AGE 47) My PS didn't use drains. I had no seroma and very little swelling. Compression binder they gave me I wore only 1 week then went to a girdle from walmart ($9.99). I went back to work 1 and a half weeks later. Still having some soreness, but stiches came out on 12th day and scars are great looking. Plan to keep compression garment (24/7) for many more weeks, especially at work, during the day. I think the compression garments are the key to keeping the swelling down and to also help keep muscles from overworking so they can heal properly. Good luck to all.
Remember, it's worth it in the end..

mommyx3 · Newbie Joined: 13 Jul 2008 Posts: 1

Had full TT July 3 and came out 5 pds heavier. Had post-op visit July 10 and doc said all was well but drains weren't ready to come out (probably in 3 more days). Don't rush the drain removal because you don't want to have a needle do the work later. He said it must be less than 20cc in consecutive 24hr periods. I had some friends whose doctors wanted less than that. Also, I started eating fresh pineapple several days prior to procedure and still eating now. Because it has the enzyme bromelain, I did not bruise at all and the swelling was mimimal, however, I still was wondering if there's anything to speed up the reduction of the post-op swelling. I have purchased two excellent compression garments that cover high waist to mid thigh (F5 certified fabric) and they definitely are top notch -comfy but VERY snug - weird, huh! Anyways, now its day ten and I am under my pre-op weight by 3 pds, but still am swollen slightly and can't buckle my pants. I'm drinking lots of water, watching sodium intake, and not eating as heavy since you can't excercise. I heard arnica montana herb is good. Besides patience, anything else??! Like someone else said on an earlier blog, I highly underestimated this TT and all this recuperating stuff. I have a huge event on the 21th and need to try all that I can to minimize the swelling.

Guest · Guest

I had a TT on the July 21. By and large, I am extremely happy. My drains are gradually draining less and less. It's July 27th and yesterday I had a total of probably 60cc of drainage. My doc saw me two days post op and was impressed with how well I was doing. He said he would take the drain out when I was less than 40cc. I might ask him to keep them in a bit longer if you ladies are having trouble. I have to go to Las Vegas for a bachelorette party Labor Day weekend and I want to be at my relative best.

I have some bruising and some tender areas, but my doc assures me this is okay and that the "scrunched" areas will flatten out, etc. What are the best time of compression garmets to wear, buy? Where would I get something like this?

Thanks

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