Hello all,

I have learned a ton from everyone's reviews on this site, so am hoping I can do the same for something else. I had a T tummy tuck and full upper inner thigh lift along with a hernia repair on December 29th. The surgery was six hours and the doctor removed five pounds of skin. The surgery went great. The day after surgery my hemoglobin became low, which required a blood transfusion. For that reason, I stayed two nights in the hospital. I live nearly two hours from the hospital, but took medication just before leaving and do not remember much of the ride home.

A couple things that have been life savers for me are; I rented a reclining lift chair and purchased a toilet seat riser. The incisions from my thigh lift go around the back of my leg, under by butt cheek, which makes it very difficult to sit on ANYTHING, therefore I use the bathroom holding myself up on the handles on the seat riser. I purchased a shower chair but becuase I cannot sit have not used it and also purchase a walker, but have not needed that. I feel fortunate from what I have seen on other posts because I can walk standing perfectly straight. Don't get me wrong, it takes me a minute to get stretched out when I stand up, but not bad at all. I have stayed on top of medication, taking pain medication every fours hours, along with Vitamins, Iron, laxitive, etc. I had my first bowl movement today, not as bad as I expected, but I sure am glad it's over with.

I have five drains and was able to take my first shower yesterday, which was amazing! I have been recording the drain output three times a day and they are doing great. I have to call tomorrow to schedule my post-op appointment. They all take place on Saturdays, so I am planning to go down December 7th to have some of the drains removed. I am prepared to keep a couple, but based on the minimal drainage, it would be amazing if he removed them all.

My insurance paid for the hernia repair and most of the tummy tuck. My out of pocket expense was $11,300.

I am attaching a couple pictures for reference and would be happy to answer any questions I can.

I had a tummy tuck 12 years ago, and it is low at my bikini line. It went all the way around my body but it's virtually unseen now. I've NEVER seen a tummy tuck where they split you from top to bottom!!!!

Fleur-de-lis tummy tucks are pretty common in patients who have lost a LOT of weight.

I had a tummy tuck 12 years ago, and it is low at my bikini line. It went all the way around my body but it's virtually unseen now. I've NEVER seen a tummy tuck where they split you from top to bottom!!!!

Fleur-de-lis tummy tucks are pretty common in patients who have lost a LOT of weight.

I'm strongly considering one. At almost 60 years old, I'm never going to wear a bikini again, so I'm not sure I care about the vertical scar. They can get your waist much smaller with the fleur-de-lis cut.

@JamieLogical I had lost 116 lbs when I had mine.

A lot of people have that vehicle scar fade very well.

You look so hourglass now! Looking good OP and your thighs look great. I am on the fence regarding thighs having read posts on here for and against. Thank you for sharing.

@@Spiceyfrog you are my hero. thank you for having the generosity of spirit to share your story and your pictures to help and educate this community.

Looking good! And the great news is, after you're all healed up--drains, out; incisions healhed/normal color--all of what looks to be "a lot," etc., won't be very noticeable at all. Nice job. Congratulations to you and your surgeon.

I want a thigh lift and a panniculectomy; but at 61, I don't think I'll bother. If I did (and especially since I don't look my age; people think I'm 42-45), my, my, my. :-) I think God would rather I not do it. I might turn into something I've never been [smile!!] .

Thank you for sharing! Very informative. The drains look the most uncomfortable to me, as a bystander. I didn't know the difference of the flour-de-lis versus regular TT, so good information to have. You already look great, so I bet you'll be tickled pink in about 3-6 months when everything settles down.

I wanna to tummy tuck to remover all my wrinkly and hanging skin. I pretty much bounced back. I'm lucky tho. I had a breast lift the surgeon called it a reduction so insurance would pay.

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I wanna to tummy tuck to remover all my wrinkly and hanging skin. I pretty much bounced back. I'm lucky tho. I had a breast lift the surgeon called it a reduction so insurance would pay.

Sent from my SM-G930T using the BariatricPal App

I've got my nails done so I'm hitting all the wrong letter sorry

Sent from my SM-G930T using the BariatricPal App

Just wanted to check on how your doc apt went. I how you're recovery has continued to be smooth!

Cover your scars with awesome tattoos, I can see a pretty floral design masking those.

Wow! That is some brave stuff. I'm serious those drains scared the living hell out of me. Congrats on the new you. It took a lot to go through that and share with all of us. Thank you

@melunruh@melunruh

My last appointment went well. He said everything looked good and took three drains out. I go back this Saturday to get the other out - cannot wait!

I am exactly two weeks today and feeling better each day!

@@PrettyThick1

I was thinking exactly that. I never in my life would have thought of a tattoo on my stomach because I hated looking at it, but it's going o be so different.

@spiceyfrog how did you get insurance to pay for most of the tummy tuck? I have blue cross and blue shield but I just made a few appointments with plastic surgeons this month and they all said it's almost impossible to get insurance to pay. One flat out refuses to even contact my insurance because he says they say they will pay but they don't.