Tanning After a Tummy Tuck

A lot of us tan, including me. I usually try to begin tanning a couple months into the new year partly to get ahead of those who tan in the spring preparing for prom dances, the summer, tropical vacations etcetera. 

Fortunately, I was blessed with a base tan at birth so it doesn't take long for a nice tan to appear.  Usually within 7-10 days I have a nice dark tan. I then tan here and there through the spring to maintain it through the summer months and then rarely tan into the winter.  

After having a tummy tuck however, my surgeon stresses no tanning for a minimum of six months.  He even suggests using a sunblock of 50 SPF if going to be out in the direct sunlight.  I'm sure you're thinking "Why? The scar can't be seen."  Yes, but still use it under your clothes, frequently too.  

Two obvious reasons unrelated to the tummy tuck are skin cancer and premature aging aka WRINKLES.

Two less obvious reasons related to the tummy tuck:

1) The scar area is fresh and inclined to be even more sensitive to the UV light thus causing a darker scar, something about it being hyper-pigmented.  Keep in mind, typically scars will lighten over a period of time and tanning can send this process in the wrong direction.  

2) Because of that same fresh scar it is possible to burn easier in your scar area. Furthermore, even in using sunscreen on the scar it still does not completely protect the area from the UV light, whether it be via sunlight or bulbs in a tanning bed.

If you're really feeling the desire to tan before the six month mark, a spray tan would be the best alternative all around.

NOTE: Always, always, always check with your PS on his or her suggestions if you've had a tummy tuck and are thinking about tanning.  Keep in mind, all plastic surgeons are different in their recovery process and what I post is based on my experience and what my PS suggests.

Almost 9 Weeks Post-Op

I'm two days shy of being 9 weeks post-op.  I finally worked out last night doing intense cardio which involved kicks, punches, jacks, standing ab crunches and lunges. Since this particular workout focused on several areas of the body, there was no major soreness this morning. Anywhere. So that's a definite plus. I'm not as out of shape as I thought I was.

I was a little concerned before I began and wondered if I’d make it through the workout and didn’t want to push things but I did it without problem.  Not only did I feel good after getting an intense sweaty workout but dang, I felt good because I CAN workout. Yes!  Sure, walking on the treadmill is good but I like to have options.  Besides, the pole fitness workshop will be here sooner than later and I really wanted to do something besides walking.  I didn’t want to go into the workshop and realize that I was limited and come away from the class feeling like I should have waited.   

Plus, boot camp begins next week too. Now I'm not so leary about participation.  I'll just be most particular when the concentration is on my abs. 

I had made a fitness goal several months ago.  I began boot camp three times a week and working with a personal trainer twice a week.  I can see and feel the effects of taking a break from that routine since having surgery.  The loss of several weeks doesn't bother me, the goal just won't be achieved when I had hoped.  It’s not discouraging me though.  I still have January One as the date to check progress and from there, I'll continue on. 

I was able to get into a size smaller skirt this morning.  Woot! Even though you can't tell, I can. 1) I’ve lost a few pounds since surgery and 2) I think my swelling is less than before, or for today anyway.  That’s good too.   We’ll see though.  I’ve heard that it can go away only to return a month later but I’ll appreciate its absence while I can. Snapshot from this morning below.

I am really excited for the pole fitness workshop and as I was reading some stuff on the website, I came across this.  There is a lot of truth in the words.

Have a good afternoon and Happy Halloween!

The Eyesore vs. Scarring: The Latter, Please

Abdominoplasty leaves a scar along the bikini line and usually around the navel.  I have both as previous photos have shown.  It will not disappear, but in time (12-24 months), it should begin to fade.  It will be far less obtrusive than the fatty bulge, skin fold or however you refer to your eyesore that is to be removed. 

Although most scars are acceptable, poor scarring is the biggest drawback to this surgery.  People have different skin types so the scarring will be different dependent on that.

In people with light colored skin, the scar is usually red for a few months then fades.  In darkly pigmented people like blacks, asians, or latins, the scar may become and remain darker than the surrounding skin.  This is the case for me.  I am dark complected and my scar is dark currently.  Furthermore, the scar can become raised and tender which is called "hypertrophic or keloid scarring".  Sometime these types of scarring can be treated with cortisone tape or injections.  

Other scars that are wide or hyperpigmented may be improved with scar revisions.  A scar revision is usually performed at least 6 months after and typically at an additional cost.

Steri-strips, or tape, are the single most important factor that reduces scarring.  The tape helps flatten the scar and keep it from spreading or widening as the internal sutures dissolve.  The steri-strips are placed on your abdominal incisions after the sutures are removed.  Although, my experience did not include steri-strips. 

Most often the results of a tummy tuck are so favorable that scarring becomes a minimal consideration.  Before my surgery, I hated to have my eyesore exposed. Do NOT look at it. I repeat, DO NOT. I'd cover it with clothes, towel, blanket or whatever did the trick so no one had to look at it, especially myself.  I wasn't fond of it being touched either. If in a relationship, arms around the waist would make me cringe. Why?  Because that meant someone was touching it.  Um, I don't think so, huge no-no. Most times I didn't like it even when it was covered. It bothered me that much.

In wearing a swim suit, I was always aware of the fact that if I got in a pool, I'd have to get out.  Upon getting out, a bathing suit top and bottom (if it's a skort type) will create a suction and stick to your body which meant sticking to my fat gut which meant I'd be pulling on my swimsuit to pull it away and hurry to get a towel and wrap it around me and hopefully no one was looking when I got out. And that's merely one example of everyday events that would remind me of my extreme dislike for my stomach area.  It was equivalent to a huge deformity on my face, blatantly obvious and grotesque.  Heaven forbid I walked by a mirror to see it reflected.  Ew, twice over. And if you think I'm exaggerating details, think again. Even being a teenager with flat toned tan abs void of stretch marks, still I was self-conscious about it being seen.

Not only that, if I couldn't stand looking at it, how could I expect someone else to?  In my mind, they would see what I saw.  How could they not?  Nothing about it was sexy. Heck, it was the furthest thing from sexy. It wasn't pretty. It was nothing I wanted anyone to look at.  To be honest, that's how it caused me to feel a lot of times.  And even though I had perfected the ability to hide it with clothes, I lacked the ability to hide how it made me feel.  

Now, let's fast forward to the present.

I don't feel the impulsive need to wrap up in something or cover my mid-section when I get out of the shower. Being nude doesn't bother me like it did.  I really am less self-conscious about it. I am pleased with the scarring, it's low and able to be hidden under panties.  Of course a g-string type thong won't hide the entire scar but most panties or thongs with about a 3/4 - 1/2 inch side band conceals it. Although it's only been family that has asked to see it, I don't pause and resist.  Pleased with the results, I pull my waist band down and show the scar and the difference due to surgery and hope my hoo-ha can't be seen so as not to offend them.  Actually, I don't even think it'd bother me if it did.  I'd probably laugh about it.

For once, in a very very very long time, stretch marks and all, I like what I see.

Numbness - Temporary or Permanent?

 

It can be both.  It's normal to have varying sensations in the abdominal area.  I've touched on this topic very briefly in a previous blog but decided to give the topic a little bit more discussion.

For me, now at 7 weeks post-op, I still have an area that has no feeling at all, none whatsoever.  It's the area between my scar to slightly above my navel. When I touch it with my hand or fingers, it's as if I'm touching someone else's skin. No feeling, nada.  If I apply pressure to the same area, I can feel it internally because it's being applied or pushed but not because I'm feeling any external sensations. It spans about a 6 inch area horizontally and probably about 3.5 - 4 inches vertically. I can hold my pointer and middle fingers together, drag them lightly from my navel out and there's no feeling initially but improves from slight feeling to complete feeling as my fingers continue probably about 5 inches out toward each side.  

Immediately following surgery my entire abdomen was numb but within the first 2-3 weeks, I noticed the feeling was coming back on the sides where it once was numb and was gaining more sensation towards the center as the days went by.  What's really odd, for example, is if I'm leaning against the kitchen counter at the sink and I can't feel the counter touching my abdomen, that sort of weirds me out a bit.  I can feel the pressure of the leaning but no immediate sensation on the outside.

As you regain feeling back in your abdominal area, you may have times where it feels like pin needles poking you, or a tingling sensation or it can feel as if someone were pinching you with several pairs of pointed tweezers at the same time in a certain area.  This is due to your nerves attempting to reconnect, or regenerating. 

Remember you just had a major surgery, the skin has been separated from the muscles and relocated further down so it's gone through a rather extensive change.

Numbness can be temporary but keep in mind it can also be permanent.  Prior to my tummy tuck, I had four C-sections and eventually a hysterectomy and had lost some feeling around my scar area as a result.  Even after many years the feeling never returned in some areas.  The same is true with a tummy tuck surgery.  It can take up to a year or more for the feeling to return or as I stated before, the numbness can be permanent.

Shopping - First Time Since Surgery

I decided to venture out yesterday to do a little bit of shopping. My daughter tagged along and I think I ended up spending more money on her than myself. But I did find a few things for me: a couple pairs of earrings, a t-shirt, some dress socks, a new blouse and .... a new pencil skirt!  

Although I've always liked how pencil skirts looked on other women, I only ever bought just one for myself even though I've tried on many.  I don't know why I continued to try them on, maybe I hoped they'd look different the next time or the next but they never did. I'd sit down in the dressing room (because it needs to look just as nice sitting as standing) and see that bulging abdomen in my lap and remember, "Ah yes, there's the reason I don't buy these. Blech." 

You know, when you have a big belly or extra skin and wear an article of clothing like a pencil skirt, the mid-section will stretch so halfway through the day when you get up to walk away from the desk there's this stretched area of the skirt and IF it looked slightly decent before, it doesn't any more.   

Even with the one I did buy some time ago, I only wore blouses that I didn't have to tuck in and/or hid my belly.  I refused to wear it any other way.
  

And with slacks, do you think my shirt or blouse was tucked?  

Nooooope, never.

Now (new one below), 1) I can wear it without being so self-conscious 2) I can actually tuck in my blouse and 3) it looks nice and flat even with the slight swelling with the blouse tucked in.

Side View - Flat Abs to the Right

Side View 2 - Flat Abs to the Left (swelling is a teeny bit more noticeable in this photo)

Tummy Tuck Blogging Diarrhea

I know.  By now you're thinking "My gosh, how much content can be posted about a tummy tuck?!"

Obviously, there's a bunch.  And I'm sure I won't even cover it all especially since most of this blog was taken from my experience. 

Even in posting these blogs, I'm amazed and thinking "Dang, that's a LOT of information to know."  And really, had I not blogged the bulk of it, I wouldn't have realized that I had learned so much through this whole process.

But listen here ladies (and gents, they have tummy tucks too), you're in luck!

The good news is there will be an end. Eventually I'll have covered most of the topics that were applicable to my surgery and the posts will wean down to random updates, maybe an occasional snapshot here and there and the blogging will *insert your happy dance here* finally be finito.

well ....

unless ...

I have another procedure.
  

Whaaat?  I'm just sayin'!

"Dog Ears" - A Common Result of a Tummy Tuck

"Dog Ears" are common after tummy tuck surgery.  They occur following the portion of skin being removed and due to that removal it can cause a point or bulging at one or both ends of the incision.  Most of the time, but not always, this is a result when the incision is too short.  Some patients want the incision as short as possible which causes the bulging at the sides.

This bulging referred to as "dog ears" can be corrected with an additional surgery called a 'revision' and depending on your surgeon can be corrected through local anesthesia in the office. Sometimes liposuction is an option to correct it too.  Keep in mind, there is a certain amount of time required to pass (dependent upon your surgeon) before the revision can occur.

Fortunately, I did not have this issue following my TT but I was given information regarding the possibility during my pre-operative visit with my surgeon.

Since this isn't something I experienced with my TT, I've borrowed a couple photos to illustrate what "dog ears" can look like.

Six Week Mark

Today marks 6 weeks since I had surgery. Hell to the Yeah! Things are pretty much where they were before the procedure. Well, with the exception of exercising which I'm slowly allowing myself to get back into that routine.  I'm sure there are several things to note being back to normal but the ones below are the first ones that come to mind.

I walk upright. NO. MORE. WALKING. HUNCHED. OVER. It only took about 5 weeks and several bouts with mild anxiety to get there but I did it, dang it.  

I'm binder free, approximately 24 days and counting.  Yes, I had some relapses along the way but I am no longer powerless to my addiction.

I am able to get out of bed without problem and sitting upright from a laying position isn't an issue either.  I do feel it in my abdomen but it doesn't make me uncomfortable, it doesn't hurt.  It just reminds me that my abdominal muscles are tight.  

I can reach for things that are in an upper cabinet easier.  Shortly after surgery it was near impossible.  Imagine, you're trying to reach for something while you're hunched over, buttocks semi-tucked, standing on your tip toes, extending your fingers as far as they will stretch and you're vertically challenged to begin with.  Es no bueno.

I can cough.  Shortly after surgery, well a little before too, I was suffering from some allergies and drainage which would cause me to cough.  After surgery I'd try coughing and it really sounded like a sissy cough (probably because it was) and I would have to grab a pillow, walk into my bathroom, lean my torso over the edge of the counter with the pillow between the counter and my abdomen, and attempt to cough.  There were times when as soon as I made it back to the couch, the urge to cough would return and back to the bathroom I'd go. It was definitely no picnic.

Coughing and sneezing are not your friends for several weeks after tummy tuck surgery.

I can sneeze.  I sneezed once early on in the recovery, I was probably about 2 weeks post-op, and oh my GOSH, did it hurt.  Lawzy lawzy, your whole abdominal wall contracts inward as it forcibly hurls air from your body.   I thought at first it was just a sneeze tease and it was going to go away so it caught me off guard and left me with no time to grab a pillow.  There were other times that I thought I was going to sneeze and I'd place a hand over my nose and mouth and hold my breath until the urge to sneeze went away which was usually within a couple seconds.  I figured if I stopped the air from going in then none would want to get out, lol.

I still have yet to take a bath to just sit and relax but there shouldn't be any issue with that.  Even though I was told at my second follow-up (approximately 2 1/2 weeks after surgery) that I could take a bath, I had a couple very small areas that were taking a bit longer to heal and I didn't really want to sit in tub water and risk getting an infection of any kind.  

Something that just dawned on me and that I haven't done since the surgery is lay on my stomach.  I either lay on my side or my back.

I'm posting a few pictures from this morning for the 6 week mark.  They don't really look any different than the others.  Because these were taken in the morning the swelling is slight but I still experience much more swelling by the day's end.  I'll try to remember to take AM and PM photos one day to show the difference.

Now .....

if I could lose about 10 more pounds, I'd be doing good.

Maybe.

Example of Poor Surgical Skills - Yikes!

Make sure that the PS you choose is certified through the American Board of Plastic Surgeons and holds membership in at least one of two key medical societies including American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) or American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Take the time to inquire how many times the surgeon has actually performed the procedure you'd like to have done. Always always look at the surgeon's before and after photos. 

The photos in this blog are not of me but are of a female that is one month post-op. I stumbled across these pictures during my quest for information regarding my tummy tuck. Her results are less than desirable to say the least.  I don't know if her PS was "board certified" or not but just seeing her results stress the importance of knowing your PS credentials and experience.

The pictures literally made my jaw drop.  As I stated before this was her one month after surgery.  Since my surgery, my results haven't changed dramatically.  What I see today at almost 6 weeks post-op is what I saw the day my bandages were removed for the first time.  Sure, where my incision and stitches were is now a scar and it's dark and of course the swelling comes and goes but it still looks like it did the first time I saw it but healed. 

I can't even imagine my reaction if I had the results the female in the photos has. I know how overwhelming seeing a incredibly good result can be for the first time but to see that, I probably would have cried.

Ahhh, Swell Hell

Infamous "swell hell" knows no discrimination. It doesn't care if you're fair skinned or dark skinned, short or tall, were physically fit or still needed to lose a few pounds prior to surgery. 

I familiarized myself with it prior to having my surgery by reading as much as I could and felt I had mentally prepared myself for it.  But reading about it versus experiencing it, you don't really understand until the latter.  My swell hell probably began between 2-3 weeks post-op.  I still experience it daily and it typically worsens by the day's end. Since I'm not even 6 weeks out from surgery, I presume I have another month and a half minimum before I start seeing some sort of improvement in regards to the swelling.  

Swell hell can last 2-3 months for some, 6 months or even up to a year for others.  It can be a very obvious swelling to a mild swelling. There is no crystal ball that will show you "Ick, it will start on this day" and "Woohoo, it will end on this day". There's no way to tell because our physical make up is different. Not only that, the amount of swelling varies dependent on the surgery or surgeries, if there was liposuction involved, prolonged sitting and how active you are (which is a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation) and how much salt is in your diet.

I currently have quite a bit of swelling right in the abdominal area located above my scar line to below my navel and it seems to have more swelling on the left side than the right.  I have mornings I wake up and my abs are nice and flat.  I have other mornings I wake up and I look like I'm in the first trimester of pregnancy. 

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT, go into the TT process thinking once the surgery is over you're immediately going to be in a size or two smaller because the excess skin has been removed.  

Uh uh. No siree. Don't do it or you'll set yourself up for disappointment.

Do you read the words typing out my fingers?

This line of thinking is furthest from the truth.  I tried on some slacks that were actually too big on me before but after surgery there was still some space but not as much.  I can thank the swelling for that.  

I also tried on some other slacks that I could wear prior to surgery.  Do you think I buttoned them at the waist?  If you're thinking yes, think again.  I couldn't even zip them to the top to button them at the waist.  I even measured my waist and compared it with my measurement the morning prior to surgery and it was actually bigger.  Again, I can thank the swelling for that.

The only exception that I would say where someone having a TT came out of surgery and was able to get into a smaller pant size would be an individual that was morbidly obese at one point in time and had lost many, many, many pounds which would mean a great deal of skin excised which could result in being able to get into a smaller size.

Realistically, think about it.  You've just had this large area on your abdomen where your skin has been lifted, separated from the muscles, those muscles (or the fascia rather) have been surgically sutured into their original spot, and that same lifted skin pulled down and placed in a different area than where it originally was. During this process the lymphatic drain channels are disrupted and the only way for the fluid to drain from the tissues is laterally versus typically being pulled toward the point of gravity.  That's a major alteration to one's body.  Your body now has to accommodate for that major change as it heals.  So until it heals your result is the lovely swell hell.

TIP: When or if you feel discouraged and frustrated, just chant in your mind or heck, out loud if you need to "Tem-po-rar-y. Tem-po-rar-y. Tem-po-rar-y."

I'm not complaining or dissatisfied with the results of my TT because it's far from that.  I'm merely sharing my experience and the fact that it can be a frustrating factor.  Believe me, swell hell is not one of the more enjoyable outcomes from the TT surgery.  There's nothing enjoyable about it.  But even in the frustration and moments of discouragement it provides, I know it's only TEMPORARY.  It's not enough to make me think, "I shouldn't have done it" or "It wasn't worth it".  I'm glad I had the procedure despite the swell hell and for me, there's no question about it that it was definitely worth it.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: Some swelling can be caused by what is called a seroma.  A seroma is fluid or "serum" that has pooled between the abdominal skin and the muscle.  This can typically be removed by your PS through needle aspiration (use of a syringe) in the office.  I believe local anesthesia is used to aid in this process.  When this occurs it is typically after the drainage tube is removed.  If you tap the abdominal area and you see a "fluid like wave" it's possible you have a seroma.  If you feel this is the case, you should contact your PS.

Patients can also have what are referred to "ruptured suture plications" which also create a bulging midline.  These will not have the "fluid like wave" noted above with a seroma.  Once again, check with your PS if you feel this might be the case.

Slowly Exercising Again

A little more than 5 weeks post-op, I've finally begun exercising again.  I was told no strenuous exercise until after 4 weeks.  On the final day of week 5, I walked on the treadmill for not even a mile.  I was feeling some tightness in my lower pelvic area and presumed that was my body telling me to take baby steps. So I didn't push it.

Also, I finally was able to physically participate in a bowling league I've joined.  I was concerned about playing the full three games but was told to do what I could and I could stop if I felt it was too much.  I managed to play all three games.  I played poorly but still finished all three games.

Yesterday I got back on the treadmill and walked two miles at a moderate pace without an issue.  It's amazing the difference that just a few days can make in how one feels. I thought about jogging for a bit but reminded myself to take things slow.  

I've actually missed walking on my treadmill, with the music blaring and using the time to release stress as I step. I am also missing participation with my boot camp group.  I probably will not start back with the boot camp group for another month or so.  Although I miss it, it's way more intense than just walking on a treadmill.

Wondering About the Cost?

Isn't this one of the top things we all want to know when looking into the world of cosmetic surgery? 

Let's face it, it's expensive!

A few of the many questions I had were -

• How much is the consultation fee?
• How much is the surgery?
• Will insurance cover the cost of surgery?  The cost of prescriptions?
• Any additional hidden costs?
• Where do I buy the abdominal binder?
• How much are the post-operative office visits?
• What about costs of potential additional TT surgeries?
• Do I pay in one lump sum or can I pay it out?  If paid out, can this be done through your office or is it handled by a finance company? 

A Helpful Tip: In having so many questions and fearful I'd forget to ask something, I typed and printed a list to use during any consults I may have.  This would mean less chance that I'd forget to ask something I was wanting to know.  I found it to be a good tool and I'd suggest you type or even jot down a list of questions at be used at your consult(s) too.  In having surgical consults with more than one PS they can also be used to compare one to the other.  Not only that, when you walk away from the consult with a plethora of information whirling around in your head, you're likely to forget something.  But if you've written it down, the list will jog your memory. 

When you're just beginning the research process you're obviously going to wonder what the cost of the surgery will be. C'mon, anything that requires a cost whether it be a movie, an item of clothing, a vacation, or say a car ... You want to know how much you're going to be out beforehand by checking out prices. This is no different with a cosmetic procedure.  You want to know, "How much doc?"

My guess is, if you're just now beginning to explore the idea of a TT, you're probably spending more time searching to absorb information about what the surgery entails.  That, and you're also looking at before and after photos.  Lots of them.  

If you're getting closer to scheduling a consult, your attention has shifted to looking up costs combined with reading up on surgeons in your area, seeing what their credentials are, how long they've specialized in CS, looking specifically at their before and after pictures, reading any testimonials, researching the good/bad, and possibly talking with friends and/or acquaintances that have used the surgeon that can give you an opinion of the procedure and recovery based on their own experience.  

Now to the part this blog is all about, the costs.

I'm going to break down the total cost of my surgery from beginning to the now.  Remember, I did say my surgery so this will not be the same as any other people you may read about. Some pieces may be similar but by no means the same.

Consultation - $150
     This was a fee charged during the office visit in which I learned about the surgery, what the process included, surgery time, how long I'd be off work, how long until I could exercise again, and how long the actual recovery process lasted.  My abdominal area was measured and my surgeon pinched and pulled at the extra skin, told me it would be gone and how pleased I'd be even with a hip to hip scar replacing it.  Additionally, this consult fee would be put toward the total surgery cost and was good for up to six months following the consultation. Well, as long as there were no major changes (i.e. excessive weight gain).

Surgeon - $6350
     Most insurance companies don't cover cosmetic procedures (mine included) so this was a cash cost.  From what I've read, if you have a tummy tuck and need hernia repair, it can be billed under a specific category which means some level of coverage.  This is nothing I've taken the time to confirm so I leave it in your hands to explore it's validity or not.

Anesthesiologist - $550
     This was a separate cash cost that went directly to the anesthesiologist that worked with the surgeon. 

Check-up with my Family Physician - $15 Co-Pay
     I had to schedule a check-up with my family doctor to ensure I was okay to undergo surgery since I'm over 40.  This visit included an EKG, lab work and a Tetanus shot.

CLn BodyWash - $40
     This was a body wash to be used a couple days prior to help eliminate bacteria on the skin.   

Prescriptions - $25.25
     I had insurance so this cost may vary due to types of medicines prescribed along with different types of insurance coverage to no insurance coverage at all.

T.E.D. Hose (Compression Stockings) - $25.62

Post-Operative Items (Polysporin, Band-Aids, Peroxide, & Non-Stick Gauze) - $28.56

Men's Tanks (Package of 3) & Men's V-Neck T-shirts -  $15ish
     I purchased two styles because I wasn't sure which ones I was going to prefer.  Since I would be wearing them under my clothes I wasn't sure if the t-shirts would bunch up too much.  I never opened the t-shirts and only wore the tanks.  The material was thinner, there were no sleeves to deal with and they worked well for me. I even wear a tank here and there as a sleep shirt at night.

Binder - Included with the surgeon's cost
    If an additional binder was needed, one could be purchased from the surgeon for $65. However, one was sufficient for the length of time I had to wear it.

Additional Non-Stick Gauze - $20

White Gel-Foam Slippers - $16 
     This was a personal purchase because I knew I'd have the T.E.D. hose on for 2 weeks and wanted a comfortable slipper to wear around the house and when I had to get out.

1st Follow-Up Visit - Included with the surgeon's cost

2nd Follow-Up Visit - Included with the surgeon's cost

Subsequent Follow-Up Visits - Included as well

Tummy Tuck TOTAL = $7085 and some change

Note: In factoring the cost of the TT surgery, be sure to take into consideration if you have a job, you'll be off of work too.  That can come at a cost if you don't meet the requirements of FMLA, don't have any sick leave accumulated or vacation time.  

For me, it worked out nicely because I did qualify for FMLA through the company I work for and I was able to use sick leave for the two weeks I was off before returning back to work.  But in the event Plan A (FMLA/Sick Leave) didn't work out, I was prepared with a Plan B to use the vacation time that I had accrued as well Plan C to take time off without pay if necessary. 

Either way, surgery was gonna happen.  And it did.

Commonly Used Tummy Tuck Acronyms

This might prove helpful during your online search for information.  As you read you'll most likely come across acronyms in regards to the tummy tuck procedure.  I even use them occasionally in my blogs.

There are more in regards to other cosmetic surgeries but since I'm blogging about my TT experience I'll stick to the ones relevant to that procedure.

Most commonly used include:

• PS - Plastic Surgeon/Surgery
• CS - Cosmetic Surgery
• TT - Tummy Tuck
• FTT - Full Tummy Tuck
• MTT - Mini Tummy Tuck
• SX - Surgery
• PO - Post-Op
• MR - Muscle Repair
• HR - Hernia Repair
• BB - Belly Button

I hope this helps!

Items Needed for Post Operative Care

Those items included the binder which is shown below.  But actually mine was not as wide and had only three sections.  The binder had Velcro on the one end and at my initial and subsequent follow-up it was tightened each time. After two weeks I was given the approval to no longer wear the binder but I continued to wear it probably up until almost 4 weeks.  I still wear it sometimes at night.

The tanks were to wear under the binder to help prevent irritation to the incision area that could be caused by the binder.

Plus, I had to wear the T.E.D hose (thigh length) for two weeks following surgery.  These are worn to help maintain blood circulation and prevent potential blood clots. Wearing these meant when I got out, I had on slippers because thong type shoes don't look so great.  All this under your clothing plus walking hunched over.  Boy, was I a sight.

I also had several prescriptions which were filled prior to surgery.  As I've touched on in a previous blog, they included a 30 pill script for Hydrocodon with Acetaminophen for pain (a total of 3 pills are gone), 10 pill script for Valium to help with anxiety and severe muscle spasms (which I never used), and a 5 day antibiotic taken once a day.

I also had to have the items below.  The Polysporin was to put on the band-aids on the areas that were taking a little bit longer to heal.  The ointment was used on the opening from the drainage tube for the next 48 hours until the opening closed and proceeded to heal as well as used on any areas that were taking a bit longer to heal.  

The Hydrogen Peroxide was to cleanse any areas prior to using the ointment and band-aids.  

The non-stick dressings were used to cover the length of my incision for two weeks following surgery.  I used about 6 or 7 each time to completely cover the incised area as it healed and changed them daily.  

Oh, and I also needed Q-Tips (not pictured below).

Items Needed Pre-Op & Tasks Per My Surgeon

The only pre-operative item that I needed was the CLn BodyWash. This used to come as a prescription but I was told that it was cheaper to buy it from my surgeon but I did find the same product on the internet a little cheaper.  I was instructed to shower the two nights preceding surgery and the morning of surgery using the foam cleanser.  Its purpose is to help thoroughly clean the skin to help eliminate bacteria which will minimize the chance of getting an infection following surgery.  Obviously, it's a preventative measure.

 

Other pre-operative tasks included:

• Purchase all post-operative items before surgery including all prescriptions
• Put clean sheets on the bed the night before
• Nothing to eat/drink after 9 PM the night prior
• Wear clean clothes to surgery - I don't  know why someone would shower with a body cleanser for three days only to put on dirty clothes the final day but I guess there are those exceptions.
• Take the prescribed anti-nausea pill an hour prior to surgery with a minimal amount of water
• Robe - to put on following surgery along with the T.E.D hose (compression stockings) I brought a button up shirt, robe and slippers even though I wore a T-shirt, shorts and flip flops to the surgeon's clinic.
• Men's t-shirts - to wear under the binder following surgery
• Bring the other prescriptions along with the person who will be driving you home and caring for you the first 2 days following surgery so directions of those meds can be discussed as well as the care regarding the bulb and drainage tube along with discussion of the removal of the Foley catheter that will be worn home and need to be removed the morning following surgery.
• No tea for 2 weeks prior - Since I'm posting the blog after the fact, I literally drank nothing but water for a month.
• No hormone pills for 2 weeks prior along with a list of medicine OTC or RX to avoid for two weeks because they could cause clotting although I was told I could still take my BP RX

Of course each patient's tasks will heavily depend on your surgeon and his or her quirks.  The above were my to-dos.  Some TT patients will have their surgery performed on an out-patient basis, others will have an overnight stay in the hospital following.  I had my surgery performed at my surgeon's clinic which had a surgical wing to include a surgical room as well as a recovery room for an overnight stay if needed. Typically the recovery room is utilized when there are several procedures being performed.

Other things I did to prepare for recovery included cleaning house like a mad woman. I made sure to have plenty of groceries to last for some time. I put a chair in my bathroom to sit on when needed. A TV tray was purchased to place by the couch to put the remotes, my Kindle, my cell phone, my prescriptions and bottled water to take said meds along with any other items I might need within arm's reach. I also plugged my computer in near the couch I would be making my nest in the upcoming weeks.  

I literally only slept in my bed less than a handful of times within the first 4 weeks. You don't realize how much you use your abdominal muscles until you're unable to use them.  I probably could have returned back to the bedroom after a couple weeks but it was more comfortable getting up from the couch than trying to rotate, shift and lift my body from the bed.  Now, 5 weeks (today) into the healing process I prefer the bed because it elongates my body and I feel it encourages the whole walking upright position.  

This morning walking to the office from the car was the first day that I actually felt like I was at 100% walking with my shoulders back and with good posture. Yes, finally! 

Even with the tightness, I'm able to do it without effort.  I really thought this day was never going to get here. So much so, I'd have some minimal anxiety when I couldn't straighten my torso or struggled to take a good deep breath.

Just to give you an idea of the feeling, take a 6 inch piece of material and pull each end, one away from the other, until the material is taut.  Good.  Now, pull it even tighter.  If you could actually imagine the material as your belly at it's tightest, that's how it feels following surgery and remains as you try to walk erect. I found it very frustrating to say the least.

TT - Day 34 - Post Op - A Few Photos

Tomorrow will be 5 weeks since surgery.  This morning I took a few post-op pics that I've posted below.  Please keep in mind these were taken with my cellphone so the quality isn't the best. 

Some Before & After Pics

I find the last two pictures hideous and embarrassing and that's me talking good about them but hey, they are what they are.

TT - Day 25 - Post Op

I notice that by the end of the day “swell hell” is in full force.  In the AM it’s slightly swollen in the abdominal area but not too bad yet but by the PM, it’s much worse. 

I've been trying to avoid sodium to help minimize that of the swelling that I can control. Sitting flexed (not that there’s any other way to sit) each day for about 10 hours a day (the 8 hours at work plus the hour drive home each way) I don’t think helps much.  Not only that, after sitting for such an extended amount of time, I notice the mid-section is tighter and it takes me a bit longer to extend my body to walk more upright.   

I’m taking mid-morning and mid-afternoon breaks to escape to the car, recline the seat and extend my torso for 15 minutes or so.  I find it helps.
 

I’m still amazed at the flatness where once an excess of skin hung.   I’ll walk by the mirror and reverse my steps to walk by again, still in awe of the new tummy.

TT - Day 21 - Post Op

Three weeks since surgery. Yay!

On the way into work this morning I had the pleasure of being bumped by another car while waiting for a red light to turn green.  Yikes!

I don’t know if the guy was on his phone, just not paying attention or what.  It wasn’t enough impact to do any damage to either cars but when his car made contact with my car my initial reaction was to tighten my entire body which I felt most of all in my abdominal area.  It being most sensitive due to the recent surgery.  I slowly got out of my car, walked like the Hunchback of Notre Dame to the rear of the vehicle.  He gets out repeatedly apologizing as he goes on to say “It was a love tap, no damage done”.  At this point, because of how I’m feeling physically I couldn’t give two shits about either car.  I’m more worried about the pain I’m in and immediately concerned that no damage has occurred to the internal repair.

TT - Day 18 - Post Op - Second Follow-Up Appointment

Second follow-up visit was today.  Surgeon is pleased with the healing and says it looks good.  I have to agree, the result is turning out nicely.  There’s no more fluid and I can stop wearing the binder now.  Although I say okay to that, it’s become my security even though it could be described as a torture garment of sorts.  Mainly because it causes itching, can pinch at times, continually rides up and the constant readjusting plus at times it prevents me from successfully taking a deep breath  BUT I am soothed by the “compressed” feeling when I have it on.  It’s protecting and holding the abdominal wall.  When the nurse and surgeon leave so I can put my clothes back on, I make sure the binder is back on too.   

I go back again in two months.  I’m thinking post operative pictures may be taken at this time.  We’ll see.

I went home and told myself I’ll take the binder off for a bit.  I told myself, "I got this. I’ll be home resting on the couch so it won’t be so bad."  

That didn’t happen.   

Mentally I couldn’t do it.  Although I took it off, headed from my bedroom to the living room I soon turned right back around to put it back on.  

There was a solution though.  During the appointment my surgeon said that I could get a girdle type garment if I wanted so that’s what I did.  Later in the evening, I went and purchased a few tummy tight fitting camisoles which will hopefully help wean me off my binding garment I currently feel I need.