Tips for Abdominoplasty /Tummy Tuck Prep?

[livvsmum 2,368]

So I was lucky enough to have my insurance approve my panniculectmy & abdominoplasty and it is scheduled for this week.

I'm thinking I'll need some nightgowns since I probably won't want to be wearing even yoga pants at first.

For those who have had this surgery, or have planned for it, do you have any tips? Anything else I should get, what to expect, etc. Any feedback is appreciated !!

[loseitsoon 157]

A light robe that snaps in front, goes easily over your compression garment.

[Julie norton 2,850]

Best of luck! I am 7 weeks out and so pleased.

I would recommend getting your meds In order- stocking the house with easy meals that work- Protein drinks- and some pedialyte -just in case you get a bit dehydrated( I cut mine by 1/2 with water)

I was blessed to have some great galfriends come by each day for 3 days post.

Be careful trying to sit or lie down at first... Listen to the doc. I had to only walk for 6 weeks. No workouts... No micro tears.

I hope you are as happy as most of us are... Haven't seen this flat of a stomach since my 20's, pre kids!

Others have hints too... Cowgirl jane and jamielogical have wonderful advice.

Ps. Yes it hurts for a bit!

[seelessofme 63]

I'm waiting for my date and excited and scared at the same time. Any tips on recivery would definitely be welcomed.

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

I think a key element is to get your health in good order. Don't smoke, start loading up on Protein... eat extra healthy. Healing from plastics is really alot. Take your surgeon's recommendations seriously - wear the compression garments, keep activity limited to what is recommended etc.

I too thought I would need special clothing but truth is the compression garments ruled and protected them and i just wore robes, yoga pants and shirts etc over them. My incisions were not "sore" like I expected. I didn't have Lipo - so maybe that is different.

[thinnatater 36]

I'm envious and happy for you! How did you get your insurance to cover it?

[livvsmum 2,368]

Hi all - thought I would check back in now that I'm on the other side. :-) It's definitely been a more painful recovery than I thought. The drainage tubes were really painful when they were in and umm.......yeah......not fun coming out. I developed an infection in my incision and am on bed rest for a while, but otherwise, my energy level is picking up and the TT and panni themselves look great. I'm excited to finish healing and get back to real life. :-)

[livvsmum 2,368]

I'm envious and happy for you! How did you get your insurance to cover it?

It was much more simple than I thought it would be. I called my insurance company with the codes for the abdominoplasty and panniculectomy and asked if my policy had a rider that covered them. They gave me a copy of it, I read the requirements, and once I met them all, I submitted it for approval. I got my approval back within days and my surgery was scheduled the next week. There were only 3 requirements 1. you had to be 18 months post op, 2. you have to have documented 3 months of trying other treatments with your PCP, 3. submit photographs. I also submitted a request for a brachioplasty (arm lift) and it was denied, so I'm in the process of appealing that.

[jess9395 5,448]

Hi all - thought I would check back in now that I'm on the other side. :-) It's definitely been a more painful recovery than I thought. The drainage tubes were really painful when they were in and umm.......yeah......not fun coming out. I developed an infection in my incision and am on bed rest for a while, but otherwise, my energy level is picking up and the TT and panni themselves look great. I'm excited to finish healing and get back to real life. :-)

Congratulations!!!! Hope your infection clears up soon! I've followed your story for so long I feel like I know you... Our stories are quite similar and I feel like you're always one step ahead of me so I can look to you for what's to come, LOL!

Doing my marathon in 9 days (so sorry yours got temporarily derailed) and then my plastics are scheduled for June 11th!

[livvsmum 2,368]

Hi all - thought I would check back in now that I'm on the other side. :-) It's definitely been a more painful recovery than I thought. The drainage tubes were really painful when they were in and umm.......yeah......not fun coming out. I developed an infection in my incision and am on bed rest for a while, but otherwise, my energy level is picking up and the TT and panni themselves look great. I'm excited to finish healing and get back to real life. :-)

Congratulations!!!! Hope your infection clears up soon! I've followed your story for so long I feel like I know you... Our stories are quite similar and I feel like you're always one step ahead of me so I can look to you for what's to come, LOL!

Doing my marathon in 9 days (so sorry yours got temporarily derailed) and then my plastics are scheduled for June 11th!

Awww! Thank you! I'm SO jealous of your marathon. It was either do this surgery now or wait until July which would interfere with our vacation and that was not happening. We're doing the same just in reverse order. :-) GOOD LUCK at your marathon!!!! That is awesome!

[deedadumble 1,033]

Hi all - thought I would check back in now that I'm on the other side. :-) It's definitely been a more painful recovery than I thought. The drainage tubes were really painful when they were in and umm.......yeah......not fun coming out. I developed an infection in my incision and am on bed rest for a while, but otherwise, my energy level is picking up and the TT and panni themselves look great. I'm excited to finish healing and get back to real life. :-)

Congratulations!!!! Hope your infection clears up soon! I've followed your story for so long I feel like I know you... Our stories are quite similar and I feel like you're always one step ahead of me so I can look to you for what's to come, LOL!

Doing my marathon in 9 days (so sorry yours got temporarily derailed) and then my plastics are scheduled for June 11th!

I'm jealous too! My marathon was supposed to be in two weeks, but I made it to 16 miles and my hip started having issues. Rehabbing it this summer and working on my core. Sorry to hijack!

I absolutely love my TT! Best thing I ever did. I'm 10 months out and no issues except an abdominal seroma right at the beginning that went away in two weeks with added compression. I had everything done at once... lower body lift, butt flap implant, arm lift, breast lift/small implants, and did a neck lift 3 days after the body surgery. It was uncomfortable, but I'm so glad it's done and I only had to recover once.

My energy level was low for about 3 months, but started running after 12 weeks (my butt implant was a literal pain in the ass). I ramped back up pretty quickly and was running 1/2 marathon distance in about 2.5 months. Just take it slow and eat extra Protein before surgery and after while you're healing.

About 5 months after: