I'm still here

Hi Julie - just checking in to check on you . . . I hope you are doing well. I wanted to thank you again for all of your encouragement. I am 4 weeks post-op from my TT and am feeling better everyday!

Angyl - I am checking back here for an update from you . . . Please let us know that you are doing okay.

I agree with Karey - the area of my thighs were the lipo was done is by far the most sore. It hurts even for my legs to rub together. I wonder if I'll be sleeping with a pillow between my legs from now on - ???

That is awesome Julie! I had my TT at about 10 pounds from my goal and my PS said that is fine. I think it is actually better to have a little for them to 'work with' . . . Best of luck to you!

Karey - Have you started using the silicone sheets yet? I also ordered some off of Make Me Heal and am planning to start using them on Monday. I hope it helps - My friend who is the nurse said it is important to wait until all of the scabs and sutures are gone, as the silicone agent will soften them and make them nasty and 'goo-ey' if I don't. She brought me some home from the hospital where she works to get me started until my order from MMH gets here. Oh and - you look AWESOME Karey !!!

My thoughts exactly!!! I am actually glad to see I'm not the only one who has thought that . . . Today has been awful - if it wasn't nailed down or moving, I have eaten it! :embaressed_smile:

I have been banded for 14 months and have occasional nausea. I take over the counter DRAMAMINE and it always works.

Hi Audrey - Did you use the silicone sheets after your TT to help with your incision? Thanks, Lynn

Yes, mine is an extended tuck and I spent about $10K on it. That included the surgeon's and anestheologist's fees, pain pump and one night in the hospital. I might still have some little bills come in for wierd stuff, but hopefully, nothing major. I think it was probably the best $10K I ever spent, next to the $13K I spent on the band . . . Do this for YOU - you deserve it!

Julie ~ I totally agree with what everyone else has said. My husband was as opposed as a person can be to me having my TT and I did it anyway . . . It is not that I don't value his opinion, but like others have said - I did this for me and no one else. Now that I am 3 weeks out - it is no biggee. Now the one thing was - he was absolutely NO help to me while I was down, and he would say that himself. His attitude I think was, 'this was your decision - not mine / you got yourself into this mess, etc. ' and so as a result, I made a very conscience effort not to complain in front of him or appear in too much pain . . . I realize it sounds like we have a bad marriage, but actually we don't - we have been married 18 years and get along just fine. We just don't always agree and have agreeded over the years to agree to disagree . . . A dear friend of mine stayed with me at the hospital and then came home with me for 3 days and we did fine. My best guess is that if someone hasn't been where we are or were, they cannot possibly understand why we would be willing to do this to ourselves, but now that I am 3 weeks out - it was soooo worth it! Best of luck to you ~

I am curious if any of your doctors recommended using the silicone sheets and or gel to help with your scar. Mine mentioned it, but didn't seem to have a strong opinion about it, but then I was talking to a friend last night who is a Nurse and she said that they absolutely help . . . She said the gel helps to soften the scar and the sheets apply pressure that helps the incision to heal flat. So, I guess I will be ordering some. I am just curious if any of you are planning to use it . . .

I laughed out loud - thanks, I needed that !!!

Excellent advice given by BigBaby - just be prepared for her not to respond like you want her to, in case she doesn't . . .

Geez - well, given her parting comment, I don't think I'd worry too much about her, it doesn't sound like she is the kind of friend I'd want in my life. That was just plain mean. You know, what you said about some people being givers and some takers is exactly what my friend who stayed and took care of my after my surgery said! I kept apologizing for her having to help me and she said, "Let me help you for a change! You are always helping other people, but then you won't let anyone help you!" That is just my nature - I took care of my sister through her 4 1/2 year battle with breast cancer and that is all I know to do . . . But - on the other hand, my husband's family is not like that at all. I guess we have to just accept that everyone is different, but we still have the power to choose who we want in our lives . . .

Karey - after reading some of the other responses, it occured to me that maybe I should not comment on this because like I said earlier, I am in the same situation and my feelings are HURT . . . With my friend - there is NO way she is jealous. She is like a size 000 and doesn't weigh 90 pounds soaking wet! So, what the heck??? She appeared to be supportive before the surgery, heck - my 9 year-old even spent the night before my TT at her house b/c we had to be at the hospital so early. Then - she never called to check on me . . . (My son and her son are best friends.) So - fast forward almost 3 weeks - I took my son to the movie on Sunday afternoon and he wanted to invite her son. At first I said, 'no' b/c I was being ugly and then I realized that was uncalled for. So, my son called and her son wanted to go. I pull up to their house to pick him up and she walks outside (almost 3 weeks after my surgery! - Oops, I already said that) and she said "So, did you think I forgot about you? I've been really busy . . . " WHAT THE HECK !!! I sucked it up and said, "Oh no, I know you are busy (she teaches 2nd grade) , don't worry about it." So, apparently - she didn't . . . She proceeded to fill me in on the last 3 weeks without realizing we were going to be late for the movie! The only thing I can think of is maybe she is jealous that other friends were so willing to help me out (others drove me to the doctor.) Maybe she thinks I should have done something else with the money - ??? Who knows? What I do know is when she has needed me - I've been there, everytime. That is the kind of friend I am and I don't understand any other way. But - the flip side is she is one friend. I am blessed that I have so many other wonderful friends and I don't need to keep thinking about this. Honestly, it is not the first time she has hurt my feelings without explanation. Karey - maybe just give your friend some 'time' and see what happens. I don't know - I just know that I understand how you feel and it does hurt.

Karey - I am going to reply to you longer later, as I have to leave my house right now, but I just wanted to tell you that I have a very similar thing happening in my world right now and it really hurts my feelings, so NO! I totally do not think you are over-reacting.

Angyl - I had a tummy tuck 3 weeks ago and it was not that bad. Now, I might not have said that right after; the first few days and the drains were awful, but the result is so worth it! Now, if I can get my eating under control again and get on the treadmill!!! I have been snacking like a maniac (I am soooo bored at home) and haven't been able to exercise - I weighed this morning and was up 3 pounds, not happy . . .

Angyl - you look amazing and have got the most adorable smile!

Marillon - Welcome to our little group. I am so sorry you had to go through all of that. Good grief! Hopefully you will feel much better soon! My mother has factor-8-blood-deficiency and has to have all sort of special precautions and treatment pre- and post-op. Is that what they told you? Karey - glad you are on the mend. It really does get better, I promise. But honey - I can't imagine 5 drains . . . 2 almost drove me crazy. LJM, Nina & OJS - how are you guys today? I guess we won't hear from NurseAmy until she gets back from vacation . . . Hope you have a great time!

I am curious if after having this experience (tummy tuck), anyone else (besides ME!) has been eating too much??? I am so disguested with myself I can't see straight! I can't eat down too much 'real food' - just the crap that got me in this mess in the first place . . . chocolate, chips, candy, Cookies, etc. What the heck is that about? I must just be an idiot! I canNOT believe I have put myself through this and now can't control what I put in my mouth. I think it started when I had a 3 pound gain on the scales (which may have been Fluid - ?) - but I have been eating everything that wasn't nailed down or moving ever since! Anyone else?

Amy - I just looked at your pics on MMH and our 'ridge' is very similar . . . And, my legs are really sore where the lipo was done too. And, I was 'up' 3 pounds today when I weighed - I am hoping it is from having been 'up' for several days in a row. There is no way I've eaten enough to gain 3 pounds in the last few days . . . :smile2:

No - sorry Amy, I haven't taken any . . . My PS took some pics yesterday and I was shocked by the comparison to my 'befores' . . . Sadly, I didn't realize how big I was . . . He gave me a printed version of the befores and of the ones he took yesterday; I should have asked for a CD. I am going to have to break down and ask a friend to take some for me. Amy - I wanted to tell you . . . I saw a friend this morning at baseball who confided in me that a friend of hers (who is really just an accquaintance of mine) had a TT and lipo with Dr. Adam and she looks amazing! She said she did it about 8 years ago (before I knew her) and her results are beautiful. Her body is so perfect, everyone I am sure suspects she has had some 'work' done, but no one knows for sure. Anyway - I thought of you when she told me and wanted to tell you the good report about your doctor.

Gosh Neal - I am so sorry . . . I canNOT imagine trying to wrap my mind around a revision so soon; bless your heart. At least you have all of your cheerleaders here to go thru it with you. Karey - 5 drains? :tea: I thought 2 were a pain . . . You are a trooper honey! I know exactly what y'all are talking about with the shower. I dreaded that more than anything, especially when I had the drains. I love my bubble baths and that was what I missed the most during that process. Someone asked how long the drains stay in - My first one came out on the 7th day and my second one on the 10th day. My doctor does not remove them at the same time and said that the 'output' had to be less than 30ccs total in a 24 hour period before they could be removed. Nina - you are such a doll; I always enjoy reading your posts. I know what you mean about a good day and then a bad - that is exactly how mine are right now . . . I am stressing a little because I have been 'up' the last couple of days and tomorrow is "Opening Day' for Little League . . . It is going to be a long day here - I hope I can stay upright all day. LJM - I hope you are doing well. I would have loved to have done this without the drains! It is probably a good thing I didn't know about your doctor or we'd have been making some trips from Houston to Dallas . . . Or maybe FRANCE Nina !!! ha . . . I got a good report from my PS today - he said my incision looks great and is healing just as he wants it to; that was what I needed to hear. He said the 'ridge' will flatten out and that he actually did that on purpose so that it doesn't 'pull' and widen the scar as it heals. He said that I don't have a 'dog ear' and I was glad to hear that. Good night from here ~

Hi Everybody ~ I have an appt tomorrow afternoon to see my PS about my incision concerns, but have almost convinced myself that I am worried pre-maturely. I have been searching all evening and found a website of a Dr. Robert Lowen in California that has the BEST info on it . . . Unfortunately, I have no idea how to attach a link here, sorry. Anyway - it talks about the scar and about a 'ridge' that forms during healing that will eventually even out. Yay!!! That is exactly what it is - a RIDGE, I just didn't think of that word. I am still going to see Dr. Heller tomorrow, but think I will sleep better tonight after having stumbled upon that site. I will also ask for a copy of my 'before' pics since I was such a 'doofus' and didn't take any. I hope everyone is doing well!