Tummy tuck 9/9/09!

[deepinfl 0]

Your pictures look AWESOME! My understanding is that you will still have swelling till 5 months so imagine then because you are WOW! now!!! Are they not making you wear compression garments? Are you getting lympathic massages? Just wondered. Thanks for letting us in on this, that is such an awesome result!!

Hey folks. I have posted some new pics, including side views that show the swelling. Oh my. I still don't think it looks too bad considering I just had surgery 4 days ago though.

Here is the link:

Plastic Surgery Pictures, Videos, Photos, Pics, Before, After, Cosmetic Surgery

password: goobgone

[minidriver 0]

Your pictures look AWESOME! My understanding is that you will still have swelling till 5 months so imagine then because you are WOW! now!!! Are they not making you wear compression garments? Are you getting lympathic massages? Just wondered. Thanks for letting us in on this, that is such an awesome result!!

I am wearing a compression garment. I just took it off to take pics. I'll start lymphatic massages next week. My PS swears by them. Yes, I think he did a really good job. I'm amazed at how many "folds" he was able to get rid of. I think it will look really good in a few more months. We're going on a 12 night Southern Carribean cruise on Nov. 30th, and I'm hoping the majority of swelling will be gone by then.

[Mimilou2004 13]

Mini, tell me about lymphatic massage? New to me.

Mimi

[minidriver 0]

Mini, tell me about lymphatic massage? New to me.

Mimi

Supposedly it's a type of massage that helps drain excess fluids via the lymph system. My PS is sending me to a woman who specializes in post-surgical massage to help with lymphatic draining as well as scar tissue formation, etc. He claims that his patients who go to her heal much faster than those who don't, with fewer complications, etc. I figure it's definitely worth a try.

[Mimilou2004 13]

Very interesting, thanks.

Mimi

[minidriver 0]

Well the good news is, I got my drains out today! YAY!! And it didn't hurt at all. Just felt kinda' weird.:biggrin:

The bad news . . . .all that old blood from the hematoma is no longer draining into a nice little plastic bulb. Instead, it's draining down my leg. :wink2: The doc put a piece of surgical gauze on it before we left his office. By the time I got home, it had soaked through that, my pants, etc. :frown: I, of course, thought it was new blood and went back in, thinking I needed stitches. He assured me its old blood and that it's best to get it out of there. Uhhhhh, it really grosses me out. I have blood phobia. I don't like actively bleeding wounds. He told me to come home and get in the shower and try to "milk" as much out of it as I could. I almost fainted in the shower. I'm such a boob!!!

So no new pics today. I'll post some tomorrow for sure. Oh, here's a funny thing . . . I thought my incision was still really scabby but it's just the surgical glue he used! He said to scrape it off with my fingernail. Who knew? So hopefully my incision looks way better than I thought it did.

Other than the amazing draining groin wound, I have felt really good today. Pretty much zero pain, very close to standing up straight, etc. I am at day 12 and I can see how people can go back to work at 2 weeks, although it would be tough. I think 3 weeks would be much better.

Anyhoo, I promise I'll post drain free pics tomorrow. TTFN.

[Mimilou2004 13]

Mini, what a wonderful post...you are so upbeat and optimistic, YIPPEE!!!!! Sorry about the blood down your leg, though, that sounds a bit ick!!!! Will eagerly await tomorrow's pictures.

Mimi

[minidriver 0]

Mini, what a wonderful post...you are so upbeat and optimistic, YIPPEE!!!!! Sorry about the blood down your leg, though, that sounds a bit ick!!!! Will eagerly await tomorrow's pictures.

Mimi

Thanks, Mimi. Yeah, kinda' ick. I was gonna' come home and try on some sexy new underwear! Oh well. I guess I'll wait till tomorrow.

[JosieK 120]

hi mini,

i'm glad you are feeling better. i know what you mean...when they took my drains out....what a WEIRD feeling. to this day i get queezy (spelling?) thinking about it.

i'm so glad the scabs are actually glue.....also thank God you are draining. it may be gross but it's better to go outside your body then stay inside.

seems like you are right on track....now you are definitely on your way uphill...i'm glad!

keep on keepin' on!

josie

Edited September 22, 2009 by josiebies

[BarbBee 1]

Mini it sounds like you are doing awesome! Can hardly wait to see your new pics.

You must feel like a new woman with out the drains!

Did your doctor let you shower when you had drains? My paperwork that the nurse gave me said absolutely no showers till all the drains are out. I think I will go bonkers as I don't function till I have had a shower each day. Sponge baths just aren't the same. Are you napping each day? How is your energy?

You have such a great attitiude about it all... I am sure that makes a tremendous difference in recovery!

Barb

[JosieK 120]

hi barbee,

i was allowed to shower with my drains. in fact i didnt have any restriction with regards to showering. thank god. it definitely made me feel better as i suffered from a depression after the surgery (just a few days). i showered and washed my hair the day after my surgery

i'm so glad my PS didnt overdo the "rules". my lapband surgeon was the same way.....

but if my doctor didnt allow showers right away...i would have followed his instructions...

thanks and good luck

josie

[minidriver 0]

Hello ladies! As promised, I have posted some "no drain" pics. I am still draining from the one side so I have a sanitary pad taped over it. And the scabbiness makes the incision look worse than it is . . .the surgical glue just doesn't want to come off! While I had my binder off, I decided to try on some jeans and a tank top. I was so excited that I posted that pic too!

Anyhoo, to answer the shower question, my PS also let me shower starting at PO day 1. In fact, he really encouraged it. It's so funny how things differ from one doc to another. It made me kind of nervous, but I guess it was okay. Sure made me feel better.

Here is the link to the pics:

Plastic Surgery Pictures, Videos, Photos, Pics, Before, After, Cosmetic Surgery

password: goobgone

Thanks for all your support. It really helps.

[Shalee04 7]

Mini, its amazing how much better we feel with the drains out. Your pix look wonderful. Your going to love shopping for cute sexy undies now!! wohooooo

[minidriver 0]

Mini, its amazing how much better we feel with the drains out. Your pix look wonderful. Your going to love shopping for cute sexy undies now!! wohooooo

Thanks! Yeah, those drains get really annoying after awhile. Sooo happy they are gone.

[skinnyjeans 2]

Mini,

You look great. I know what you mean about tucking in the shirt. Glad the drains are gone. I can't wait to hear about how the massages work out.