nurse niki

Ok, I have waited and waited to post this...mostly because it all seems surreal...but tomorrow is the big day! I'll arrive at the surgeon's office at 7:30am, to have my out-patient plastic surgery! As you can see from the title of my post, I am having a hip to hip tummy tuck, the girls lifted with implants and a small thigh lift. The grand total should be 6 hours under epidural anesthesia, for roughly 14k. I am really excited, a little nervous, but mostly ready to get the show on the road. My lap band sx was 2 years ago, and I was successful in losing 125lbs. I have always been apple-shaped, and the weight loss has left me with a less-than-thrilling apron. Following my consultation with my PS, I decided to go for the gusto and get the works! I plan on taking before pics tonight, and will post them when I get home from sx. Well, I guess starting this post makes it all real...I better get moving on the to-do list! Talk to you all soon! Niki

Kathy, Your pics look Fabulous!!! I can't believe how great you look in you cute little c cup bra! Who would have thought we could buy cute little bras!!!

no Sue, I just had an incision in the line where my legs meet my abdomen. You should be able to see pics now that we are friends on here.

Kathy-I am still wearing a simple fitting sports bra. I go back to the doctor the first week in May, and I am going to ask him when I will be safe to wear a reg bra. Did you get cut around the areola, down to your chest wall, the in a smile at the base of your breast? Sue-Who would have thought we would be flashing people??? LOL

Sue, I was wondering if these procedures are better covered in the UK??? I was told by my PS that unless my skin hung lower than my labia, they would not cover the skin removal. And even if they did cover it, there would be no skin removal above my incision.,,so all of the extra skin above my hip-line would still be there!:scared2:

Kathy, First, let me say how happy I am for you! To be recovering from surgery and still checking in on me, I thank you! Now let me say that one thing I have learned from being a RN, is that everyone's pain is different and real. I was lucky and did not need any lipo, and from what I have heard, that is where most of the pain comes from. What are you taking for the pain? I hope it is keeping you comfortable! And I would love to see some pics!

AvonAndrea, Congrats on you TT TODAY!!! I am sorry that I did not get back to you before now, but I worked all weekend! I hope that you are feeling well, resting and enjoying the new view! I used the percocet for pain for about 4 days. That was the time where I had the most pain. After that, I did not need anything. My legs were tender, but tolerable. I have over half of the RX still in my bathroom. Congrats again! And Happy Healing!

Sue-I think you are going to feel and look fabulous with either a c or a d cup! whobuddy-I took a month off of work, and that was perfect for me. I was ready to go back, and working 12 hour shifts are fine. I only work part time, though...not sure if that made a difference.

Sue-what size are you know, and what size were you before you lost the weight. I was a very full D before, and I am very happy with the size I am. I would say a full b or small c is perfect for my frame. Kathy-I am so excited for you! You are going to be surprised how little pain you will have! Can't wait to hear how things go..I will say a prayer for you!

Wow, I didn't realize it had been so long...but I am updating now! I am 5 weeks post-op as of today, and life is great! I have NO pain at all, and I can't remember the last time I actually did. My incisions are doing well, not perfect, but not worth complaining about. My swelling is starting to settle down, too. My PS said the the belly takes 6 months to completely heal, but in the mean time, I am very happy. "The girls" are wonderful, too! I still feel a little larger than I had told him pre-op ( I said full-B or small C) but I won't know until I am able to wear a real bra. I think he said no underwire for three months, but I will ask him when I see him next month. Honestly, I think I am probably a full-c, and I would be happy with these results. I went back to work on Tuesday. Being a nurse, I was a little worried about how 12 hours on my feet would affect my scars. I really did not have any probs at all. I noticed increased swelling, but nothing that cause much discomfort! All in all, I am so glad that I had this surgery, and would do it again tomorrow if I needed to!

I am really excited for you! I am glad things are going well, and I am sure you are going to look fantastic! How are you children doing?Are they still at your Mom's?

Kathy, the breasts were the easiest part of my surgery! The discomfort I had felt only like I had done too much weight on the bench press the day before! The side that I had reduced was a little more sore than the side I just had lifted, but neither was much pain at all. The only reason I had an implant put in was because my surgeon said the B cup I would be after surgery would not look like the B cup I wanted. He said the tissue I had would fall, and my ribs would still be able to be seen on the upper breast. Good Luck!

Glad to hear you are on the other side of this journey. Congrats! Relax and let the healing begin!!!

No, Mimi, he just keeps saying "keep it dry." I think because of my reaction I had, I am going to be a little leery of putting much on it at all!

Glad you are feeling well! And YOU GO GIRL for getting started with the trainer! I am actually going to ask my PS next week when I go if I can start doing a little cardio and upper body stuff! I think the last time I hit the gym, was November, so we both should be pretty soar again by next week! :-)

I paid 13,700 for a tt, thigh lift and breast lift/reduction with implants. Mine was also done out patient, and was a 6 hour surgery, so I would think that is a little high. What are the other quotes?

I am turning into a shopper...but I usually don't buy anything. I just like to go and try things on to see what size I would wear, how they would look, ect. Yesterday was the first day I actually bought anything. I found a pair of jeans and a pair of cute khakis on sale for 40% off and I had another coupon for 20%, so I got them. They were size 11, in the juniors department. I also got a really cute tshirt for a total of 60$! Can't beat that! I went to see my PS yesterday. The trouble I was having with my incisions were a reaction to the steri stripes and the swelling was more of an internal reaction to the sutures. The other day when I removed the steri stripes was the best thing I could have done. Things are drying nicely and looking so much better. I told the doctor I was draining about 35cc so he pulled my drain. I was a little nervous because of what I have read before of the pain this can be, but it was nothing! There was a small pinch when he cut the stitch, but then it was just a tugging feeling on the inside. Before I knew it, it was out! I need to go back next week to make sure that the swelling is not being pooled under the skin. I pray this does not happen because the only way to get it out then would be to drain it with a needle. I think things will continue to heal, and keep getting better! I have noticed that the end of the incision on the back side of my thighs is giving me a little pain. It is a pulling-pain that can make it hard to get comfortable at night. I think if I was able to take Motrin it would be fine, but with the band that is not an option. I really don't think it is enough to take the percocet RX I have, so I guess it is just more annoying. I do have pics from last Thursday that I need to post...and today I am two weeks out! Whooo Hoo! I will have my hubby take some tonight and see what I can get posted! Thanks for all the encouragement!

My PS moved my port during my TT and I am very happy with the results. Good luck on which ever decision you make!

Wow, 15cc's a day! That is what I was draining over night, a week and a half after surgery! Yes, I know I had an extensive surgery, and you are probably right...that accounts for the swelling. How are you doing today? What is the new swelling from? Is it in one location or just all over in general? Have you weighed yourself? I would want to see the difference in weight on a good day vs. a day of swelling...just to get an idea of how much you are holding! Hope you are feeling better. I will keep you in my prayers!

Sue and Sue-You ladies are right...I need to remember that a few weeks of low activity is worth the better results. Kathy-It is really hard for me to call the doctor after hours...I think it is a nurse thing...I have been yelled at one too many times at work for bugging a doctor after hours! I really was nervous last night, and because of the pain I was having, I new it was time to make the call. I am really glad I did! So this morning I am feel soooo much better. the incisions are looking much better, too. They are still red, but according to what the doctor said last night, that is normal. They are no longer seeping, and I think maybe I was just being a little bit of a Drama Queen because I was having pain. I lost another half pound yesterday. I guess that is from the Fluid I am draining. I plan on taking today much easier. Laundry and T.V. are my two jobs for the day. LOL. Sounds like a fun time!

Looking good Mimi! So, how much were you draining a day before you had the line pulled. I am still around 50cc's, and my PS says 35 is the magic number. I am really ready to stop wearing this thing, and get into some real clothes, but I don't want to rush things either.

Well ladies, I had two small setbacks today. First, when I milked my drain this morning before my shower, I immediately drained 25cc...putting my total way above the level to have it pulled. So, I called the office and pushed back my appt. until Wednesday. My second setback happened tonight. After 8 hours of shopping, I got home and realized that my left hip had a steri strip that was causing me a lot of pain. I decided to pull it off and the area of incision underneath was swollen, red and draining yellow discharge...All signs of infection! I called my PS and he said that sometimes the steri stripes can cause a reaction and develop a superficial infection. He suggested to take off all of the steri stripes and wash with soap and Water...he also said NO hydrogen peroxide or neosporin. There are a few area that are not looking as great as I have hoped...mostly on my inner thigh. The skin is not flat, but almost raised or bumpy. I asked my PS and he said it is normal to pucker because one side of the incision is longer than the other. I need to just trust him...he is the same amazing surgeon tonight, as he was this morning! So I am sitting her on the couch, no undies on, letting my scars air dry. I am going to try to scale down my activity, too. Maybe if I slow down, the draining will slow down, and I can get this drain pulled out!

wannaB...I will send you a private message and try to answer more of your questions...it would be too hard to read on here! Well, today I am 11 days post op, and I feel wonderful! I am back walking almost completely upright, and at a normal pace again, too. I only drained about 35 cc yesterday, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that the drain will come out today at my appointment. I will update on how that experience goes...not looking forward to it being pulled out at all!