Tummy Tuck pain - ThinnerTimes

Brooke220 · 04-25-2008, 01:19 PM

Greetings, everyone!

I haven't posted in a while because, I guess, I've been too busy enjoying life since my GB. But I need you guys for a bit of advice since I had a TT about 4 1/2 weeks ago. You guys have always been so supportive and helpful.

I had gotten to the point where I could sit or stand without any pain; just the normal soreness. Well, starting about 4 days ago (Monday) the pain of standing, sitting, and sometimes walking is as painful as it was just a few days after my surgery; doing any of these movements is very painful and lingering. I went back to the doctor this morning and he checked for fluid pockets with an aspiration needle but found none. The incision line is perfect and the place where he removed one of my drains on Monday looks okay too. I've still got one drain and I'm not losing that much fluid.

My doctor, who is has a reputation as an excellent plastic surgeon (and has done many TT's on GB patients) and has always seemed like a perfectionist to me, said my pain can get worse as I begin to heal and the numbness goes out of my belly.

I guess I was wondering if anyone else here had so much pain and stinging after your tummy tuck. Did it get better and then get worse? If so, is there any way to alleviate it? I've heard and read that exercise may help. But there's no way I can return to walking 2 miles a day yet although I could I guess manage what I can.

How long will this last? Even though I have a sedentary job it is painful to get up, sit down or walk (at first, anyway). I have intermittent FMLA at work now but I really can't afford to miss work.

Any suggestions or experiences would be helpful.

MiladyB · 04-25-2008, 06:47 PM

Hi Brooke. I had my TT 6 months ago. I don't really remember the pain getting worse but what I did have a lot of was muscle spasms which went on for a good 2 months. Could it be that kind of pain that you are experiencing? I was pretty uncomfortable with it. My plastic surgeon had me on a little Valium which really helped a lot.

Hang in there...your TT surgery is a pretty big surgery and sometimes it just takes time.

Brooke220 · 04-25-2008, 08:11 PM

Beth, thanks so much for your response. I think that sounds possible but wouldn't muscle spasms occur at any time -- not just when you stand up or sit down or begin walking? Is that when yours occured?

VanessaSFL · 04-25-2008, 08:22 PM

Brooke, Nice to see you.

Woohoo on getting PS done.I have not one bit of advice ..I can't afford any PS but wanted to say hello.

Hope ya feel better soon

MiladyB · 04-25-2008, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brooke220

Beth, thanks so much for your response. I think that sounds possible but wouldn't muscle spasms occur at any time -- not just when you stand up or sit down or begin walking? Is that when yours occured?

Mine happened mostly when I was doing things...when I used my muscles. It would kind of set it off. My plastic surgeon said it is pretty common and would last awhile since he tightened up all of the muscles. He put me on 2.5-5 mg of oral Valium and it worked wonders though it really knocked me out! I made sure I didn't go too far when I took them. I probably had them for a good 6-8 weeks after the surgery.

Brooke220 · 04-26-2008, 04:46 AM

Hi Vanessa and Beth !

Yes, Beth, maybe that is it. When I get myself out of bed in the morning it starts a painful, throbbing sensation in my stomach that lasts for a while. The entire front of my stomach (from navel down) hurts. Is that where it hurt you?

So, mine just started 5 days ago. I wonder how long I will feel this pain. I began taking a pain killer last night that helped only slightly but I want to be able to go to work so I won't be able to take Valium.

The good news is this pain takes my appetite away. I also have an inordinate amount of gas.

coptergirl · 04-26-2008, 06:12 AM

Hi Brooke - good to see you back

Is it a spasm? Muscle soreness? Shooting pain? Incisional pain?

MiladyB · 04-26-2008, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brooke220

Hi Vanessa and Beth !

Yes, Beth, maybe that is it. When I get myself out of bed in the morning it starts a painful, throbbing sensation in my stomach that lasts for a while. The entire front of my stomach (from navel down) hurts. Is that where it hurt you?

So, mine just started 5 days ago. I wonder how long I will feel this pain. I began taking a pain killer last night that helped only slightly but I want to be able to go to work so I won't be able to take Valium.

The good news is this pain takes my appetite away. I also have an inordinate amount of gas.

Yep, the pain was from my navel on down. It would feel like it was tightening up too. It reminded me of Braxton Hicks contractions but more uncomfortable than those. Also the tightness of my pants around my navel area would sometimes set it off. I still get some pain around my navel at times. I suspect it is because he did a lot of manipulation in that area since he moved my navel. The pain I have now I figured was just due to scar tissue in that area that is probably kind of tight.

Maybe you would do ok with the Valium. It just really knocks me for a loop but so does 1 Vicodan. I did take a half of Valium for awhile there when I was working and did ok. I'm a nurse who does a lot of lifting and lifting patients would really get it going.

Hang in there....it gets better but takes some time.

Brooke220 · 04-26-2008, 05:45 PM

Hi, Whitney. It's like a stabbing, throbbing, burning sensation. How did your TT post-op recovery go?

Beth, my surgeon gave me a brand new navel too since my G.B. surgeon had to disconnect its root in order to remove a hernia when he did my WLS. I'm feeling better about it now that I know it's typical. Again my only fear or confusion was because my pain is worse now than it was on say week 2.

Thanks so much, ladies. You lift my spirits.

Blessings!

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