Question:
Recovery time for tummy tuck vs. open wls?
— georgiacarol (posted on April 28, 2002)
April 28, 2002
I had open RNY 11-1-00
I had TT 4-9-02
The TT is by far worse
with the RYN everyday got better
with the TT
everyday gets worse
now I have a infection
and my drains fell out
the fluid under my skin and seeps out of holes it has caused on the
surgery line
I had planned on 2 weeks
now who knows now long
and keep your fingers crossed I don't need more surgery
they are talking about going back in...
the pain level is high
I have heard TT's are very difficult surgeries
I know, I know
6 months from now I will be happy
but today
huge mistake
HUGE
kathy
— Kathleen M.
April 28, 2002
Not everyone has problems after their tummy tucks. I admit the pain was
pretty bad for about 2 weeks. I did develop an infection with my new belly
button but my incision healed up just great. I was out 6 weeks but in
reality I could have gone back after 4 weeks. Good luck to you.
— susan V.
April 28, 2002
I had my Abdomninoplasty (Tummy Tuck) done on Febuary 1, 2002. It took a
full 6 weeks for me to really feel better. I did not expect this to be as
long a recovery time. It took alot out of me. Altho it is now worth doing,
I did wonder why I did it at the time. I love the results now. I would do
it again, but be prepared, as it is a longer recovery than the open RNY I
had. I had no complications either. I healed very good. I went into the
clinic at 8:00 am and left to go home at 2:00 pm. With the RNY I was in
the hospital for a week, so someone was there to take care of me. I was
just not as prepared for the recovery of the tummy tuck. If you know going
into it the healing time, and, the pain is not so bad as just being
uncomfortable. Good luck on your choice. Just know to take it easy and be
ready. It sent me into a slight depression, but now I am feeling great and
am happy with the job.
Good Luck to you
Bonnie
— Bonnie B.
April 28, 2002
I had my open rny April 2000 & my tummy tuck April 4, 2002. In my case,
the rny was more difficult. I never had the level of pain with the TT that
I had with the rny. I had planned for the TT to be very hard & then was
pleasantly surprised when it wasn't as bad as I had expected. The first few
days to a week were fairly rough at times, but I took my pain meds
regularly & they really did handle the majority of the pain. I have had
no complications with my incision or with the drains, no infections. I
began working again at my desk job a few hours at a time at about 2 weeks
post TT. I was back to pretty much full time by the third week. Now,
sometimes I would take an hour off & go rest, then come back later. I
am still restricted in lifting, but that's about all. I am still being
careful, but I have been able in the last week to vacuum, run a little
& play with my dog & generally live life as usual. I have had a
rough last 2 or 3 days as I caught the cold that's been all over our area.
Boy, oh, boy, what serious coughing can do to these new, tight tummy
muscles. ouch! Thank goodness I had saved some of my left over pain meds. I
took a few of those when things hurt a lot. I'm over the worst now & I
have weathered it quite well, I think. I still have swelling & excess
fluid, but it is decreasing. I am hoping to be able to see the final
results before too long. Everyone tells me my tummy looks flat already, but
I can feel the liquid swish around when I walk halfway fast. weird! I
haven't had any regrets at all; it's gone pretty easily for me.
— Kathy W.
April 28, 2002
Georgia,
I had my TT on April 3 2002 along with a hysterectomy. I returned to work
on April 25 2002. The level of pain and discomfort depends on your
tolerance level. I was up walking around the day after the surgery. I am
still sore and I still tire easily but I am able to work. Listen to your
body and take off the time that you need. Everyone is different and heal
differently. Good luck. Teresa
— Teresa G.
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