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.

@@Kaylamh

I had brachioplasty and a breast lift/augmentation and this recovery has been by far much worse. I took two weeks off for that procedure and the thing I could not do was lift my hands over my head for three weeks. I am four weeks postop and was supposed to go back to work tomorrow, but am taking another week. I know that I have expressed a lot of concern about my groin incisions, but they are not getting any worse so I truly believe they just take a LONG time to heal. I see the doc again next saturday, so I am very anxious for that appointment.

Sorry the healing is taking so long, but at least things are moving in the right direction, even if slowly.

Just wanted to check and see how you're doing.

Hi there - just checking in with a quick update. It's been a hectic month. My husband left January 28th to work in Saudi Arabia for a bit, so I have been on the go!

I ended up taking a total of six weeks off work and it was the best decision ever. I am 12 weeks post-op now and about 95% back to normal. At my last appointment, which was at nine weeks I was released to resume light exercise, 15 minutes on the treadmill and 15 minutes on the elliptical.

As you know, I had some really SLOW healing groin incisions. As you will see from todays pictures, I am down to about a one inch spot that I think will be fully healed in the next week or so.

At this point, my tummy tuck was 100% work it, I would have paid a million bucks for it. I have mixed emotions about my thigh lift. I am glad my inner thighs no longer sag, but I chose the full incision (almost down to my knees), in hopes that my entire upper leg would have been tighter. I am going to talk to the doctor about a revision at my next appointment in April. Based on how long my groin incisions took to heal, I would never have those redone. The scars are going to be thick, but the placement could not have been much better.

wow - you look fantastic!! He did a great job!!

Amazing results! I think your thighs look great, too, but I hear ya on the scar and healing.

Why six weeks for the full recuperation? Was your incision infected after all? I know that was a concern since it took so long to close up. Is your stomach sore the whole six weeks?

4 hours ago, Heather I said:

Amazing results! I think your thighs look great, too, but I hear ya on the scar and healing.

Why six weeks for the full recuperation? Was your incision infected after all? I know that was a concern since it took so long to close up. Is your stomach sore the whole six weeks?

My incision was never infected. That was just a good decision for me personally. I "could" have gone back to work after four, but I was more comfortable with six. I am still wearing yoga pants for the flexibility because of the groin incisions not being 100% healed. Typical "work pants/polyester" don't have much give when sitting, etc., so I have played it safe. I am going to try on my work pants this weekend around the house and hopefully resume normal attire on Monday. Yoga pants are comfortable and all, but you start to feel frumpy after a while. My stomach incisions were never really sore. There was a pulling sensation, but never hurt. Now, don't get me wrong, they were and still are a little bit tender.

Any updates? How is it going@spiceyfrog?

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Wow thank you for sharing your experience....your post op and healing pictures are amazing.

You're looking great. IF your wounds are still open and dry, ask your doctor if he'd prescribe 'DuoDerm' or 'IntraSite hydrocolloid.' Those usually help heal/close those dry wounds post-surgery. Just a thought. Ask him.

Seeing the absence of that abdominal flap makes me want to do it, but I won't at my age. Oh well. Congratulations, again!

I used medical grade manuka honey on my wounds after skin surgery. Best thing i ever did.

You look fabulous!

Wow! You look great. Thanks for sharing.

Looks like it would be very painful.
Thank you for sharing.
Hopefully you feel much better now.

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Thank you so much for sharing. You look fabulous. How are you doing?