Nikki Riviotta

My Tummy Tuck took almost 1 year to get approved. I have Tricare though (military insurance) I had to have months worth of documentation from my Primary Physician before they would even consider it. Once approved they only paid for the panniculectomy. I had to pay for the muscle tightening and belly button out of pocket. My doctor said that I did not need Lipo. I kind of wish that I had known what lipo of the flanks was when we arranged all of this because I still feel like I have love handles and a flat stomach, kind of bugs me. But my doctor assured me that it wouldnt be long before I lost those love handles myself. I will get it accomplished. I am two months out. I am doing well.. The pain is pretty much all gone now, except when my allegies send me into a sneezing fit lol. Then my abs are sore for a couple of days. I also swell up if I am up moving around most of the day. Its weird I can feel it when I swell. Well anyway. Good luck to those of you that are in process of getting your TT approved. Hope to hear how your journeys go!

Size 8's with room to spare, that's awesome! Even with a little swelling you look fabulous!

Thank you! Happy doesn't even begin to describe how I feel. Its much more than that!

How are you doing now? I remember feeling so much better 3 weeks out

I am feeling much better 3 weeks out. I still need help with the kids and lifting stuff since my doctor hasnt changed my lifting restrictions yet. I am guessing I was doing really well pain management wise when I made that post because I dont even remember logging on to here to make it haha! I am down to only needing pain meds about twice a day. The swelling has gone down quite a bit i the last couple of days also but I have noticed that my belly button seems to be a little more swollen than it has been. A big accomplishment happened sunday. I was at the Base Exchanged looking through clearanced jeans and got a wild hair to try on a size 8 and IT FIT with room to spare!!! huge for me! I cant remember the last time I wore a size 8, if ever!....thank you for checking I am doing very well

This was taken exactly one week post op right before my follow up appointment.swelling is very prominent here but i was feeling pretty good that day

I am nervous, I am meeting with my plastic surgeon today to check on getting my stomach done and possibly a lift on my breast since I had a reduction 10 yrs ago. I would like to also get my inner thighs done, they look bad since I have lost weight, not sure if insurance will pay for everything.

Never hurts to ask. Most likely they wont pay for the breast lift. but if you have medical reasoning beind needing your thighs and stomach done they will sometimes pay for it. Things like chaffing, rashes back troubles due to extra weight, those are all reasons for them to pay for it. I had severe rashes under my stomach skin folds and bad back pain. it took a year but i finally got an approval. Good luck to you and keep us posted!

I just wanted to update everyone. I am 4 days post op and doing well. I have been taking pain meds every 4 hours because if I go even 30 minutes past the time for my next dose the pain becomes pretty bad. I have been fortunate to have my husband and mother in law both here helping. I was able to shower day after I got home from the hospital. I will post pics when I get a little more healed up. but thought I would let everyone know that I am done with surgery and doing very well

OK Nikki, let's see if I can contribute any new info for you. I had a full TT with MR and BR/BL on Dec 19; I am 31 days PO. I was really only completely DOWN for about 5 days. The only real PAIN I had was the first 2 days trying to get in and out of the hotel bed. I had to stay in a hotel for 2 days, because my surgeon is 2 hours away & he didn't want me to commute, be that far away after having both procedures & being under for almost 6 hours & he wanted to see me 48 hours after surgery. Anyways, when I got home things were much easier. I had rented a lift recliner (lifesaver for me) which made it VERY easy getting up & down & that is where I slept until I got both of my drains out.

DRAINS....I had 2. I was able to shower after he saw me at my 48-hour PO visit. The drains got more uncomfortable the longer I had them in; got my first one out 7 days postop, 2nd one out 12 days postop.

SHOWERING.....I attached my drains to a lanyard around my neck when I showered. I first showered on day 3 PO, wanted to wash my hair SO badly. Got in the shower, sat in a chair while my hubby washed me and by the time he washed me & rinsed me, I was DONE! I didn't even make it to washing my hair & BARELY made it back to my chair after getting dressed. Had to do that the next day (my hubby had to do it for me).

sleeping....as I mentioned, I slept in a recliner til I got my drains out. For one reason, I didn't want to leak in my bed if it were to happen. Also, my bed is really high & I couldn't imagine climbing in and out of my bed. I was just more comfortable sleeping in the recliner. When I did sleep in my bed I put pillows under my legs. By that time I was standing straight, I just didn't want to put extra tension on my scar by laying flat. I can lay flat now, but still sleep with a pillow between and/or under my legs. I've heard some horror stories about peoples scars opening up, even at 4-6 weeks, so I'm paranoid and don't want to stretch it at all!

binder (mesh thing).....I woke with a binder and have to wear it 24/7 at least until I see him for a postop on the 30th of this month, which will be almost 6 weeks PO. It doesn't bother me like it sees to bother other people. I wear a thin, long spagetti strap tank on top of my bra & panties, but under the binder so the binder doesn't rub on my skin. This makes it much more comfortable. In fact, I'm washing mine now & have had it off for almost 3 hours (I forgot to start the washer, DUH) & I can't wait to put it back on!!! It feels so much better, my tummy feels more secure & it helps with my swelling. I bought some Spanx.....a tall underwear type and an open-bust camisole type. The underwear type is super tight and you pretty much need to be a contortionist to get into it, but it is just as comfortable as the binder. I'm not cleared from my PS to wear it alone yet....hopefully on the 30th!!!

EXERCISING/GYM....I am a gym addict!!! It has been so hard for me not to go to the gym or do ANY exercising. It's so strange how all the doctors are SO different with their rules, so ask yours about ALL of this!! Mine has cleared me (at 4 weeks) to do light cardio. NO lifting, NOTHING using my core. Basically, just light walking on the treadmill, elliptical (not using the arm part), and bicycling. (I had a BR/BL, so that's why no arm exercising). I think I remember him saying each week I can increase a little, 6 weeks I can start using my arms in exercising, but no ab workouts for 8 weeks. I can't wait to go back tomorrow!!!

LapBand.....I didn't have to get an unfill. In fact, I had my port changed to a low profile port at the same time of my TT. I haven't gained any weight....MIRACULOUSLY!! The first 2 weeks PO I was eating horribly, I had NO restriction and was eating everything that wasn't nailed down!! Some how, I am down 10 pounds since surgery.

ALSO, you will want to wear drawstring baggy PJ bottoms. Any elastic band will be uncomfortable pressure on your tummy. Mine were really baggy, so I didn't have a problem wearing them with the drains. I couldn't imagine having that extra pressure of an elastic band on the days I was in swell hell. I can't tell you how I would have been without meds the 10 days or so. I took my pain pills EVERY 4 HOURS on the dot (set the alarm on my phone) around the clock, bcuz I was so scared to feel the excruciating pain everyone had talked about. I was never in excruciating pain....not sure if that's bcuz I was continually meds or if bcuz it just isn't as painful as everyone says. I will never know, but I do know I wasn't ever in bad pain, more uncomfortable. You will need help at least for the first week, especially with your little one, cooking & cleaning. I went back to work on day 12, worked from home and struggled. Not bcuz of pain....I was just so incredibly tired. And even then, I had to rig a work station on my recliner couch. I still can't sit up straight in a chair for long periods or I hurt. (I'm still working from my couch) Go check out Realself.com it was & still is a HUGE help for me, as well as encouraging to see light at the end of the tunnel hearing from people who are a couple weeks ahead of me. I am healing well. My only complaint is being so tired all the time & I have to really watch to not overdo it STILL. It's getting old, but I wouldn't change anything!! I would do it again in a heartbeat!!! Second best thing I've ever done for myself!!!! Only second to my band!!!

I think, I hope, I covered everything you were asking about!!

Good luck and happy healing to ya!!!

Thank you! Yes that covered A LOT and I will definately check out that website. So glad everything went so well for you. Hope your fatigue lets up really soon so you can get out and about more often

I am doing the whole Tummy Tuck. Hubby said he wanted me to be completely happy with it so we paid the difference to get the whole procedure done

I had my tummy done at Nellis AFB in 2009...I was only really "down" for about 5 days. I had a pain pump attached and percocet also...still, laughing and sneezing was no fun! My youngest daughter was 3 1/2 at the time, so I hear you about your son, but she was awesome and we just played, watched movies and colored on my bed...The most difficult thing was the sleeping for me, my muscles were so tight I couldn't lay flat for a few weeks, I propped my lower legs on pillows and did just fine. Showering wasn't too bad, the first time my husband held my drains ( I had 2) while I showered, from then on he fashioned a hook out of a hanger and I hung them up when I showered! I loved my binder and I kept it on for about 2 1/2 weeks. My husband was awesome during the whole recovery process, he emptied and measured my drainage,yuck! and he held my hand when they pulled out my drains, ouch!...You'll do great!! Like Floridays said your doctor may do things different...I wish you well!!

Thank you. I wll have to give my husband the tip on the hangers for the drains. I already know that I will have those. She told me that I had a breast reduction in 2010 and he was wonderful through that. Same as your husband. Cleaned the drains out. Helped me with showering and bandages. His mom also was here for that and helped with drains and bandages when my husband was gone. We all used to be CNA's so luckily it doesnt bother them at all to do those things to help me. I have a pretty good team

Congrats! I'm glad all your hard work and perseverance paid off.

Thank you!

Thank you so much for your help! I think I will end up sleeping in the recliner just because I am a constant mover when I sleep LOL. My other question is about showering? Is that complicated? I really hope not because I love my showers! haha!

I'm almost 2 years banded. Getting close to goal and STILL have people try to tell me I made a bad decision. After that much weightloss and NO complications...people talk...people have their opinions. I say forget them. If they cant support me and my decision to become healthier than I dont need them in my life. I am happier than I have been in YEARS...so do what you need to do. Its your life not theirs! Good Luck! By the way you talk I know you will run far with it!

Thank you for the feed back! My biggest worry is my youngest son. He will turn 3 the day before I have surgery and he is 100% a mamas boy. I worry that he may have some major issues if Mommy cant get up and play like normal. So maybe recovery wont be as intense as I imagine. I have a few other questions if you dont mind me asking. My surgery got approved out of the blue this week after 4 denials so the only person that I have spoken to about anything is the girl that schedules stuff and handles insurance. I didnt schedule and appointment to see my surgeon pre op as she has a very long waiting list to get in. But all I really have questions about are litttle things. I have heard that I will not be able to lay down flat and will have to sleep in a recliner for the first week or so. Is this true. Also I know I will have to wear a mesh thing on my abdomen, but is there a certain type of underwear I should get to wear too? Are you able to work out yet? I love to exercise so I think not being able to will be hard for me. I'm already trying to plan short walks I can do after surgery so I feel like I am doing something. Did you gain any weight, I told my lb surgeon when I saw him this week that I was having this done. He didnt tell me to come for an unfill before or anything. Which I dont have much in my band to begin with because I cant tolerate a lot in there. So maybe that alone didnt give him reason for concern. How did your surgeon deal with your port while doing the surgery? I think that concerns me since Im sure it will have to be moved when she goes in to work on my abs. Sorry I know its a lot of questions. I just want to have all my ducks in a row because this is coming up quick

I go in on the 5th for mine. Seeing this makes me even more excited for it. Congrats to you! You look AMAZING!

UPDATE: My first appeal was denied. The letter said I didnt have enough documentation . I also called and spoke with a woman at my insurance company that said they want wls patients to be at least 18 months post surgery. So That put me out until September. From April to September I went to the doctor for every rash. In August I began to develope severe back pain much like what I had before i had a breast reduction. So the doctor put me in physical therapy. Even my physical therapist agreed I would greatly benefit from having the surgery done. In October I obtained all of my medical records and by end of november it was submitted. They denied it in less than 24 hours. My surgeons office looked into it and said that for some reason only 15 out of 50+ pages that were subitted were received. I appealed stating this in my letter. It took them less than one week to deny that appeal too stating that they reviewed EVERYTHING and that is just wasnt enough to make them cover it. I at that point decided to pay out of pocket. My husband and I were gearing up do what was necessary. Then this past tuesday the surgeons offfice called and said she got and approval over the phone. I received the new approval letter yesterday and it stated that the remaining 33 pages they didnt get were due too FED EX never delivering them. The new notes were then faxed and an approval was given stating I met all criteria. So I am scheduled for Feb 5. I am beyond excited. But nervous too, as I always am when I am going to have a big surgery. SO Thank you for all the support and prayers. God has taken care of me. Please pray that I have a successful surgery with no complications and an easy relatively quick recovery because I have a 3 year old that is not going be happy if Mommy cant play for very long LOL

I am having abdominoplasty surgery on 2-5. Any insite or tips would be greatly appreciated. My Mom in law is here to help with my 3 kids while i recover. So my biggest question is how long will I be down?

ok. Thank you.

Cant figure out how to delete this post

I have it too. They have to keep redoing my dosage as I lose weight because I keep going hyperthyroid....My endocrinologist says that the dosage is weight dependant, As I lose the dose goes down...I started at .200 and am now at .137...So far I have lost 75...I have hit a couple of plateaus but I eventually start to lose again, so yes it can be done

Wow. Thanks for the post. I last had a fill in April and since went on a cruise. I noticed on the cruise I got stuck ALOT, I didnt feel like it was motion sickness but stuck...As soon as we were on land I was fine, didnt get stuck at all. When I told my surgeon about it he really just thought that it was sea sickness since it stopped once I was off the boat. Here in the last week I have gotten stuck ALOT again...and since end of May I have only lost 3 pounds...now that I have read this I am thinking that maybe I am too tight as well.

LOL okay. I am actually going in to see my plastic surgeon again about my Tummy Tuck, she says I have at least 10 pounds of skin she needs to remove from my abdomen....I did the breast reduction before I had my band placed. I may have to up the Protein. My calories are right at 1200 a day and my dietician doesnt want me to go below that...man this can be so stressful at times

btw I was also at around the 75lb mark when my weight loss came to a screeching halt!!!

What did you do to end the Plateau? I have about 25lbs to my target and I am getting so frustrated lol

I am starting week 3 of Insanity tomorrow. I have weighed a couple of times in the last couple of weeks and have lost nothing despite staying in my calorie range and working my butt off during the exercises. Has anyone else experienced this?

I am doing great. I have really started using My Fitness Pal to log all calories and exercise. I have it on my phone and my laptop so I can log where ever I am. I am down 6 pounds since I joined this challenge. Not gonna hit my 20 lb goal by June 7th but I am losing again and that is what is most important to me! Hope everyone else is doing well!

Sounds to me like you are approved. Congrats!