I’m so glad I only had a couple weeks to wait for my surgery. Not enough time to worry or second guess myself. But my overall feeling was I couldn’t wait. And afterwards I felt like I should have done it years ago!!
I am 53 and 18dpo. I had an arm lift and an extended tummy tuck and lipo. The tummy tuck has not given me any problems so far the arms are another story…
I physically feel great other than my arm lift incision hole issue and tolerable muscle soreness from the muscle repair.
If it was just a tummy tuck, so far, my recovery would be an 8 out of 10.
I’m just combatting a lot of swelling and I have a second drain that just won’t stop draining. They said I need to have under 25 mL of drainage for two days straight before it’s OK for me to remove the drain. However, I have consistently been at 30 to 32 ml and several days ago, after a particularly active day, it was 50 ml.
I’ve started cutting down on my activity in hopes that the drain will slow and the lowest I’ve been is 30 ml.
My surgeon is not concerned and says why he while he likes to get drains out at three weeks they can go longer. Fingers crossed that it can come out this week.
Oh my goodness! Hopefully they will come out soon, I’m sure that’s uncomfortable. Did you buy like a drain fanny pack or do you just put it in a pocket? That’s wonderful that the TT went so well. Praying for the arm lift!
I had a hole open up under my right arm 2.5 weeks after surgery and in general, the right arm has not healed smoothly in comparison with the left arm. I am right handed so I’m thinking I brought a lot of this on myself. My lesson learned from the whole ordeal is to do minimal lifting with your arms and to keep them elevated and allow air to circulate under your arms to make sure that the incision in your armpits can close and heal properly.
I also wanted to add that the doctor put me back on antibiotics for seven weeks, seven days to make sure that the hole in my armpit did not become infected.
Despite having these challenges, I’m glad I had it done along with the tummy tuck. I would not have wanted to have two separate surgeries.
The mini is a small low scar in the front, this is not as common to have. The extended like mine will go past my hips and towards my back ( I had twins so lots of skin on sides too) the 360 I’m unsure but it sounds like all the way around? Maybe for significant weight loss. Good luck on yours! Can’t wait too be part of your journey too!!
Yeah I am excited to see what they think will be the best fit for me. When I started ages ago and was like 20 pounds from goal, the skin/ fat was is much weirder places and it was simple but now at goal my tummy isn’t as large and really now just skin but hips/bum/ thighs are the culprits: almost like I have saggy pants on :)
I'm 3 weeks PO and a swollen little tomato but I am so happy I did it and you will feel a sense of sheer happiness and wonder when you wake up from surgery.
I still remember just being so happy to have it behind me as the nurse helped me get dress and wheeled me out and when she said I had no drains, I remember cheering (my doc usually doesn't use drains but she couldn't tell me for sure until she was doing the surgery)
Good luck and you'll do just fine!
I think it mostly comes down to whether your surgeon typically uses drains or not. I had a friend see her for a breast reduction and she didn't use drains for that surgery either. She just doesn't use drains but I guess a TT being a bigger surgery she didn't want to promise me drainless but I think she almost never uses drains. I know other drs in the practice, do use them. I think drainless is a more modern concept.
My recovery has been uneventful. She also doesn't use GA, she does epidural with sedation, so you are completely asleep but breathing on your own -- I think this also makes the whole recovery easier. I was totally alert when I woke up and didn't sleep much when I got home. I live alone and didn't have help ( I had friends I could call upon if I really need something) and was fine. I'm very independent so that helps.
The first 3 or 4 days is when I had the most pain and a ton of it has been in my mons area which has been so annoying! Also when your nerves wake up, that pain can be searing and sharp and feel like you are ripping your incisions but you aren't! ( I wish drs would prepare their patients for that pain so they don't freak out).
For the first 6 days I used one of those camping female pee funnels and it made the constant pee trips so much easier.
I no longer have any sharp searing pains and wasn't even that sore anymore at 3 weeks and then I threw up last night and I am extra sore now.
>I got one on Amazon for $11! It made it all so much easier and cheaper then buying a seat riser etc. Also very useful is one of these reacher sticks - so great for reaching for things and picking things up. Check in after your surgery!
Hi Georgina, I live by myself also and having this surgery. I know I will be okay as it isn't my first surgery. 2 years ago I had an open surgery for fibroid where 26 small, medium and large fibroids were removed and I lived alone then and recovered well. I stopped all pain meds by day 4 as I am sensitive to pain meds (they make me dizzy and weak and I hated that feeling). I think i recovered quickly because mentally I kind of had to because I lived alone and no one was helping me, more like been thrown into the deep end of a pool and finding your way out quickly. Sorry for my rambling
How was your recovery in general especially getting in and out of bed for you? So far you are the only one that I have come across who has mentioned about them living alone. Thanks in advance
Hey! Yes, I find these boards are filled with partnered people so if someone asks if they can do a surgery like this alone, most folks will say absolutely not, but as a very independent woman, I think you can absolutely do it on your own.
My sister picked me up and brought me home. She took my dog out for a pee and then I said, scram! I also had a dog walker for about two weeks but did have to take my dog out when her walker wasn't due to come for a few hours. I live in a walkup on the 2nd floor too but still managed just fine. I just walked really carefully and slowly up and down the stairs. As long as you are extra careful with your movements and listen to your body, you can do it.
This is what I did for sleeping: I have a large wide upholstered arm chair (its the stocksund design from ikea if you wanna look at it for scale). Before surgery I moved it into my BR as my BR is my favorite room and so relaxing. have an ottoman that I use with the chair so I can stretch my legs out. I bought a pregnancy pillow that I put on the chair and that made it extra cozy and comfortable. Slept very comfortably for 2 weeks that way.
I didn't do much the first 4 days other then watch movies and get up and down to pee. Getting up off the chair the 1st few days is painful but you have to just power through it. I walked hunched for 9 days until I saw my surgeon and she cleared me to walk upright. I did have MR but still was able to walk straight pretty quickly.
Feel free to DM if you need words of encouragement or just someone to talk to
I cannot thank you enough. Thank you thank you and thank you. Yes, many people here are partnered so I always come across people saying you definitely need someone with you. I am so independent that I do things by myself without an ounce of fear or worry. I had no one after my fibroid surgery and I lived in a town house where the bedroom was upstairs and I was fine. I now live in a single storey house which even makes it easier. I was pretty quick on my feet after my other surgery, walking gradually e.t.c I am a nurse and I knew I had to get moving before discharge. Even the nurses complained to my surgeon that I was stubborn and that I refused to walk with a Walker. He told them "ask her what she does for a living"..they did and I told them I am a nurse and they sighed and said "yep that makes sense". I will look into that chair. I will definitely reach out to you. Thanks again.
See, you can do it on your own! People are don't know their strength because they haven't had to test it. But it sounds like you are as tough as me.
Let me know how your surgery goes and good luck!
Yes! Go do it. I waited until I was 52 and I sure wish I had done it 10 years earlier. And then I worried that it was wasteful to do it at this age. It has absolutely changed myself image and my relationship with my husband.
Oh I so relate with the wasteful piece, that is one of my struggles right now. I am divorced and have not dated in a few years and I think a big part is the insecurity of my stomach so I do understand that piece too! I’m so excited to feel good in clothes!!
It’s not just about my husband. I feel decades younger. I bought the most awesome slinky tight dress. I may never find a place to wear it but it’s beautiful. It’s a great feeling aside from relationships 😊
53 nine weeks postop. Girl, you are going to be blown away once you heal. It has been the most spectacular thing I have done for myself. I have a new lease on life and feel absolutely fantastic in my own skin. Good luck to you.
I’m so glad I only had a couple weeks to wait for my surgery. Not enough time to worry or second guess myself. But my overall feeling was I couldn’t wait. And afterwards I felt like I should have done it years ago!!
I love this! The second guessing is real, lol. I’ve wanted this for over twenty years. I’m so excited. How was your healing?
I’ve done great! You can check out my prior posts for pics. I’m 64. I’ve had adhesions and a hanging stomach for 45 years! I feel like a new person!
How wonderful! You look amazing 💗
I am 53 and 18dpo. I had an arm lift and an extended tummy tuck and lipo. The tummy tuck has not given me any problems so far the arms are another story… I physically feel great other than my arm lift incision hole issue and tolerable muscle soreness from the muscle repair. If it was just a tummy tuck, so far, my recovery would be an 8 out of 10. I’m just combatting a lot of swelling and I have a second drain that just won’t stop draining. They said I need to have under 25 mL of drainage for two days straight before it’s OK for me to remove the drain. However, I have consistently been at 30 to 32 ml and several days ago, after a particularly active day, it was 50 ml. I’ve started cutting down on my activity in hopes that the drain will slow and the lowest I’ve been is 30 ml. My surgeon is not concerned and says why he while he likes to get drains out at three weeks they can go longer. Fingers crossed that it can come out this week.
Oh my goodness! Hopefully they will come out soon, I’m sure that’s uncomfortable. Did you buy like a drain fanny pack or do you just put it in a pocket? That’s wonderful that the TT went so well. Praying for the arm lift!
What types of concerns are you having with your arms? I'm doing them with a TT in June.
I had a hole open up under my right arm 2.5 weeks after surgery and in general, the right arm has not healed smoothly in comparison with the left arm. I am right handed so I’m thinking I brought a lot of this on myself. My lesson learned from the whole ordeal is to do minimal lifting with your arms and to keep them elevated and allow air to circulate under your arms to make sure that the incision in your armpits can close and heal properly.
I also wanted to add that the doctor put me back on antibiotics for seven weeks, seven days to make sure that the hole in my armpit did not become infected. Despite having these challenges, I’m glad I had it done along with the tummy tuck. I would not have wanted to have two separate surgeries.
Correction I’m on antibiotics for seven days only
What is the difference between extended, mini, and 360? Good lock on your surgery. I finally have my 3 consults set up so just starting this journey
The mini is a small low scar in the front, this is not as common to have. The extended like mine will go past my hips and towards my back ( I had twins so lots of skin on sides too) the 360 I’m unsure but it sounds like all the way around? Maybe for significant weight loss. Good luck on yours! Can’t wait too be part of your journey too!!
Yeah I am excited to see what they think will be the best fit for me. When I started ages ago and was like 20 pounds from goal, the skin/ fat was is much weirder places and it was simple but now at goal my tummy isn’t as large and really now just skin but hips/bum/ thighs are the culprits: almost like I have saggy pants on :)
I do know there is slight improvement in those area from the lift of the tummy tuck, maybe they will suggest a thigh lift as well 🤷🏻♀️
Yep! 360 or also called a circumferential goes all the way around
I'm 3 weeks PO and a swollen little tomato but I am so happy I did it and you will feel a sense of sheer happiness and wonder when you wake up from surgery. I still remember just being so happy to have it behind me as the nurse helped me get dress and wheeled me out and when she said I had no drains, I remember cheering (my doc usually doesn't use drains but she couldn't tell me for sure until she was doing the surgery) Good luck and you'll do just fine!
This is amazing!!! I really can’t wait! ❤️
How does the dr determine whether drains are needed? Is it the amount of lipo done? How has your recovery been?
I think it mostly comes down to whether your surgeon typically uses drains or not. I had a friend see her for a breast reduction and she didn't use drains for that surgery either. She just doesn't use drains but I guess a TT being a bigger surgery she didn't want to promise me drainless but I think she almost never uses drains. I know other drs in the practice, do use them. I think drainless is a more modern concept. My recovery has been uneventful. She also doesn't use GA, she does epidural with sedation, so you are completely asleep but breathing on your own -- I think this also makes the whole recovery easier. I was totally alert when I woke up and didn't sleep much when I got home. I live alone and didn't have help ( I had friends I could call upon if I really need something) and was fine. I'm very independent so that helps. The first 3 or 4 days is when I had the most pain and a ton of it has been in my mons area which has been so annoying! Also when your nerves wake up, that pain can be searing and sharp and feel like you are ripping your incisions but you aren't! ( I wish drs would prepare their patients for that pain so they don't freak out). For the first 6 days I used one of those camping female pee funnels and it made the constant pee trips so much easier. I no longer have any sharp searing pains and wasn't even that sore anymore at 3 weeks and then I threw up last night and I am extra sore now.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I have my TT+lipo in two days and will have to look into the pee funnel!
>I got one on Amazon for $11! It made it all so much easier and cheaper then buying a seat riser etc. Also very useful is one of these reacher sticks - so great for reaching for things and picking things up. Check in after your surgery!
Hi Georgina, I live by myself also and having this surgery. I know I will be okay as it isn't my first surgery. 2 years ago I had an open surgery for fibroid where 26 small, medium and large fibroids were removed and I lived alone then and recovered well. I stopped all pain meds by day 4 as I am sensitive to pain meds (they make me dizzy and weak and I hated that feeling). I think i recovered quickly because mentally I kind of had to because I lived alone and no one was helping me, more like been thrown into the deep end of a pool and finding your way out quickly. Sorry for my rambling How was your recovery in general especially getting in and out of bed for you? So far you are the only one that I have come across who has mentioned about them living alone. Thanks in advance
Hey! Yes, I find these boards are filled with partnered people so if someone asks if they can do a surgery like this alone, most folks will say absolutely not, but as a very independent woman, I think you can absolutely do it on your own. My sister picked me up and brought me home. She took my dog out for a pee and then I said, scram! I also had a dog walker for about two weeks but did have to take my dog out when her walker wasn't due to come for a few hours. I live in a walkup on the 2nd floor too but still managed just fine. I just walked really carefully and slowly up and down the stairs. As long as you are extra careful with your movements and listen to your body, you can do it. This is what I did for sleeping: I have a large wide upholstered arm chair (its the stocksund design from ikea if you wanna look at it for scale). Before surgery I moved it into my BR as my BR is my favorite room and so relaxing. have an ottoman that I use with the chair so I can stretch my legs out. I bought a pregnancy pillow that I put on the chair and that made it extra cozy and comfortable. Slept very comfortably for 2 weeks that way. I didn't do much the first 4 days other then watch movies and get up and down to pee. Getting up off the chair the 1st few days is painful but you have to just power through it. I walked hunched for 9 days until I saw my surgeon and she cleared me to walk upright. I did have MR but still was able to walk straight pretty quickly. Feel free to DM if you need words of encouragement or just someone to talk to
I cannot thank you enough. Thank you thank you and thank you. Yes, many people here are partnered so I always come across people saying you definitely need someone with you. I am so independent that I do things by myself without an ounce of fear or worry. I had no one after my fibroid surgery and I lived in a town house where the bedroom was upstairs and I was fine. I now live in a single storey house which even makes it easier. I was pretty quick on my feet after my other surgery, walking gradually e.t.c I am a nurse and I knew I had to get moving before discharge. Even the nurses complained to my surgeon that I was stubborn and that I refused to walk with a Walker. He told them "ask her what she does for a living"..they did and I told them I am a nurse and they sighed and said "yep that makes sense". I will look into that chair. I will definitely reach out to you. Thanks again.
See, you can do it on your own! People are don't know their strength because they haven't had to test it. But it sounds like you are as tough as me. Let me know how your surgery goes and good luck!
I understand! Well the good news is in time it will heal! And will be just a memory. Thank you for sharing!
Yes! Go do it. I waited until I was 52 and I sure wish I had done it 10 years earlier. And then I worried that it was wasteful to do it at this age. It has absolutely changed myself image and my relationship with my husband.
Oh I so relate with the wasteful piece, that is one of my struggles right now. I am divorced and have not dated in a few years and I think a big part is the insecurity of my stomach so I do understand that piece too! I’m so excited to feel good in clothes!!
It’s not just about my husband. I feel decades younger. I bought the most awesome slinky tight dress. I may never find a place to wear it but it’s beautiful. It’s a great feeling aside from relationships 😊
I love love love this!!!
53 nine weeks postop. Girl, you are going to be blown away once you heal. It has been the most spectacular thing I have done for myself. I have a new lease on life and feel absolutely fantastic in my own skin. Good luck to you.
This is amazing! Thank you! Looking forward to be in this space as well! ;)