tummy tuck in TWO days - question for the veterans out there - Page 10 - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

staraex · 03-07-2009, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rainrain

I have before and after pics of the tummy if you want I can post them on this thread...but you all may have seen them, cause I post them a lot...

as far as numbness I have very little remaining, I had plastic surgery march 13, 2006...3 years ago this week....wow!!! time flies when you have a flat tummy....lol!!!

thanks for the info, rain! id love for you to post the pics!! do you hvae very visual scars left?? and how long did you take off work?

veroniquetalk · 03-07-2009, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimM

Did your compression garment use Velcro? That’s what I have and it’s not too difficult to put on. It’s kind of thick and rigid so that makes it uncomfortable to wear after a period of time, though.

I own quite a few pairs of UnderArmour compression shirts (I'm a walking advert for UnderArmour

) and I was told by the surgeon's nurse that I could use them instead of the binder if I preferred. I may try that today...

Mine didn't use velcrow. It was a full girdle like thing, that I had to step into and pull up. It went from my upper stomach all the way down to almost my ankles. I had also had liposuction so that is probably why mine was like that.

JimM · 03-07-2009, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiladyB

The plus for me was that when my PS had to drain the seroma (pocket of fluid) that I developed I couldn't feel it at all even though it was this great big needle. Saw it but didn't feel it. *L*

OMG!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiladyB

awwww and thanks Jim. Figured it was time that I brave the camera. I posted a couple pictures under the picture section. Its weird. I still hate the camera but whenever I do brave it I'm almost shocked that I actually look relatively good.

I have a similar aversion to the camera. But in my case it seems like I need 100 pictures taken of me for 1 of them to look half-way good! The camera just loves some people (every photo looks great) but I'm not one of them!

JimM · 03-07-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rainrain

glad to see your progress JIm...doing great!!!

so here is the deal on the drains according to the doctors I asked Bariatric and plastic surg.

the drains are used anytime they feel the build of liquids will impede in the healing. during GBS, if the inside of the patient is "juicy" they use drains. I did not have them, however, i have seen many people who have.

the extent of corrective surgery in a tummy tuck for post GBS patients, they usually use drains, because the body produces healing liquids where the skin has been pulled away from the tissue, similar to a blister and the fluid that develops form that to promote healing. the problem is that after surgery, you are sealed up and the fluid needs a place to go. If one has minor surgery it may not develop as much fluid, and all people are different in how much they have.

I had 2 drains that I emptied every couple hours for weeks, eventually they fell out and I still had to go in for syringe draining, which does not hurt, but my belly was like a water bed, sloshing about.....seromas are quite common.

so thats all i know, hope it helps......

Wow, the surgeon didn't explain any of that to me. It's one hell of a blister, isn't it?

I finally broke down and took the binder off and replaced it with one of my UnderArmour compression shirts. The binder was just too tight and was really making the drains hurt (especially along my lower back - where I can feel the drainage tubing snaking around under my skin... Urk!). I'm feeling better after switching over to the compression shirt, thankfully...

Quote:

Originally Posted by rainrain

I have before and after pics of the tummy if you want I can post them on this thread...but you all may have seen them, cause I post them a lot...

as far as numbness I have very little remaining, I had plastic surgery march 13, 2006...3 years ago this week....wow!!! time flies when you have a flat tummy....lol!!!

Yep, feel free to post them here.

And congratulations on your anniversary. I hope *I* look halfway as good as you when I'm 3 years post op.

JimM · 03-07-2009, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by veroniquetalk

Mine didn't use velcrow. It was a full girdle like thing, that I had to step into and pull up. It went from my upper stomach all the way down to almost my ankles. I had also had liposuction so that is probably why mine was like that.

I can't imagine putting something like that on... I have enough of a challenge with the binder or compression shirt.

mistymee · 03-07-2009, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiladyB

awwww and thanks Jim. Figured it was time that I brave the camera. I posted a couple pictures under the picture section. Its weird. I still hate the camera but whenever I do brave it I'm almost shocked that I actually look relatively good.

Not to hijack here on you, Jim.. (and I'm glad you're feeling relatively good today!) But Beth.. you look *fantastic* in your new avatar... wow!

LisaBoston · 03-07-2009, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimM

Pictures probably won't be forthcoming soon. I've had the binder off and seen what it looks like underneath... With all the swelling, the drains, and everything else, it's not all that pretty of a sight right now. Maybe in six months.

Jim, even if you don't want to share pics, take them for yourself. I did and I look back, almost 2 years and its amazing how crappy I looked after my tuck and now, so different. Good for you to remember.

rainrain · 03-07-2009, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by staraex

thanks for the info, rain! id love for you to post the pics!! do you hvae very visual scars left?? and how long did you take off work?

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimM

Wow, the surgeon didn't explain any of that to me. It's one hell of a blister, isn't it?

I finally broke down and took the binder off and replaced it with one of my UnderArmour compression shirts. The binder was just too tight and was really making the drains hurt (especially along my lower back - where I can feel the drainage tubing snaking around under my skin... Urk!). I'm feeling better after switching over to the compression shirt, thankfully...

Yep, feel free to post them here.

And congratulations on your anniversary. I hope *I* look halfway as good as you when I'm 3 years post op.

only because you asked...

the first one is self explanatory....about 3 years post op, the scars are pretty much faded, most feeling is back.....and then last may had a bit of lipo for some lumpy back touch up from the previous surgery.....

if you have myspace you can also see my pictures...just ask to be my friend the link is below.....

Rain

staraex · 03-07-2009, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rainrain

only because you asked...

omg rain! you biznatch!! you look friggin amazzing!! how the heck do you have such a perfect stomach!! I a jealousss of you! your tummy is hott hott hott! It reminds me of Britney Spears from like her Slave video, lol!

I hope I can look like that one day!!!

sassy37 · 03-08-2009, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimM

Hi Sassy!

I’m doing pretty darn good this morning. After having a bit of trouble finding a comfortable place to sleep last night, I did finally end up in the recliner and was able to get quite comfortable (virtually no pain all night) - I got eight hours of GREAT sleep!

It’s amazing what a good night’s sleep can do to your state of mind... I’m feeling much more like things are going to be okay now. Big relief!

Hey Good News Jim !!!! 8 hours sleep good on ya fella yes sleep sure is the best way to recover and heal ...
Im glad things are going well and long may they continue ...
Hugs x