firefly2000
11 months post op
Mar 02, 2013
Hello everyone! I just wanted to let you all know that I had my tummy tuck on Thursday Feb 28th. All I can say is "holy hell, am I in pain!" This surgery is no joke! I had a complete tummy tuck which included removal of panni, muscle wall tightening, and lipo. The surgery took 31/2 hours. Before they closed me up they injected my abdomen and incision from hip to hip with a 72 hour lasting anesthetic. I can't remember the name, it was something like epiquil? They had given it to me since I get really nauseous from heavy narcotics. When I woke up my stomach was tightly wrapped in a layer of gauze, a very thick layer of foam, and an abdominal binder. I also have 2 JP drains, and for the first day a catheter. They did not want me getting out of bed the first day so I just laid in bed. As long as I didn't move, I was ok. The second day they removed my catheter and helped me out of bed to go to the bathroom, and to sit in a chair. It was painful, but manageable. Leaving the hospital was really hard!. I was wheeled to the car, but trying to get into an SUV is hard work! My husband basically had to lift me into the car, and even though he supported my weight, it still hurt like a mother!!
I have done a lot of research on what to do to prepare for post recovery. I rented an electric recliner, a raised toilet seat, I bought men's pajamas since they have the open fly in the front so that I could pull drains through. I am taking Bromelain which is a pineapple extract which aides in tissue repair, and flushes out fluids. I have also watched countless hours of video blogs, but just like having a baby, you can't fully understand the amount of pain that is involved until you experience it yourself! I am in the very early stages of healing, and I know that it will be quit some time before I start to feel better....but it is so worth doing if you have a large amount of excess skin, and fat left over!
My surgeon's name is Dr Boss, he is located in Paramus NJ He was wonderful! He even took a picture (per my request) of my panni that he removed! I can't wait to see it when I go for my follow up this Tuesday. I am excited for this appointment since it will be the first time that they will remove my abdominal binder, and I can see my new tummy!! They will check my incision, and look over the measurements of fluid that my drains have collected. The drains will be removed between 7 - 14 days. It will take up to a full year before I can see the final results. I am committed to continuing my healthy eating, and healing. Next month will be my one year anniversary from VSG. I am so grateful for my weight loss journey...it has been quite a ride!
Lesley
