What Happens after Tummy Tuck Surgery?
| THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A TUMMY TUCK |
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Tummy Tuck Recovery Following Surgery |
To See What Happened on the Day of My Tummy Tuck Surgery - click here
TUMMY TUCK RECOVERY
(12/5/07) The Day After my Tummy Tuck I awoke to find that I actually felt pretty good. I had no pain and I was clear headed, but I found that my blood pressure was low and my pulse was high. I had to move very slowly and take great care about getting into and out of bed. My home health care nurse (Donna) insisted on helping me walk from the bed to the living room chair (just to be on the safe side). She made some oatmeal for me to eat. It was tasteless and dry. I discovered later that my taste buds were effected by the anesthesia. Food did not taste good for about one week following the operation. Also, I did notice that I felt fuller faster. I attribute that to the tightened belly skin and the compression garment that I was wearing. Donna left at 11:30 am. I weighed myself on the scale to try to determine how much "skin weight" was removed. I was surprised. Instead of showing a weight loss, the scale indicated that I had gained 4 lbs. I assumed this increase of weight to be a retention of all of the fluids they pumped into me during the operation as well my morning breakfast. I was also wearing a large heavy elastic compression garment around my midsection. Skin weight loss could not be determined. The rest of the day was uneventful.
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(12/7/07) First follow-up visit to the plastic surgeons office to check up on me and my surgical drains. I had to take a taxi to and from the doctor's office because I was not allowed to drive for two weeks. The drains were functioning well according to the doctor. I informed him that I had no pain at all, just a numb or "tight feeling" like there was a band around my stomach and waist. He was surprised and pleased that I had no pain.
(12/10/07) Second follow-up visit to the doctor. Drains removed. Sutures looked good. I informed him again that I had no pain, just numbness around the waist. When the doctor pulled out the drains he simply held my skin at the point of connection then simply pulled out the plastic tubing. They both slipped out nicely with no pain or discomfort.
(12/11/07) I cheated and drove before I should have. I drove one week earlier than the 2 week restricted timeframe allowed. But I craved a treat and wanted to get out of the house. A treat for me was a mixture of Low Fat Borden Vanilla Yogurt (300 calories per large tub) and a can of Fat Free Whipped Cream (200 calories per can). I went to Publix and wore an ace bandage beneath my shirt and long pants. Driving to supermarket was uneventful but only took 5 minutes. I used extreme care getting into and out of the car. Walking up and down the aisles was no problem except that I was getting a little nervous and a little shaky. This was due in part to my having to hold up pants with my left hand to keep them from falling down. My pants were slightly too big and I could not tighten my belt because of my stitches at my waste. This was a big problem at this point in time. I was also starting to get tired. I seemed to tire easily since the surgery. Made it to the checkout counter with no major mishap. My hand was pretty shaky when I signed the Amex slip to pay. I felt relief when I got back into the privacy of my car. Noticed that my shirt tail was beginning to pull out of my back and my lowest front shirt button came undone. Hope that occurred as I entered the car. Drove home no problem.
I Pigged Out! As well as buying the yogurt and the whipped cream as treats I also bought two other "treat" items. Some no fat cottage cheese and rice cakes. After eating these my stomach hurt a little ( felt like bursting from the inside). I didn't really eat that much. Have to get used to the tightened skin (I still had the compression bandage on too).
The Compression Garment
The
compression garment that I used was provided for me
"free" by my plastic surgeon. I'm told they usually cost
about $50 and patients are usually informed to purchase two
of them, one for wearing while the other is in the wash.
Mine is 9" wide. I wore it continually at home for the first
few months. I felt that wearing it as long as possible would
be good for the healing process plus it gave me a sense of
security.
Following my surgery the garment became stained with blood
seepage from my wound areas. To clean it, simply soak the
stained areas with hydrogen peroxide for several minutes.
Blood will dissolve before your eyes. Heavy areas might need
additional soaking. Toss it in the washer and it comes out
nice and clean and free of stains.
I was told that it would only be good for a few weeks and
would wear out after a few washings. Turns out that it was good for at least one
year after and still going strong. I still wear it occasionally at night and in
the evening when I have had too much to eat. I feel that it might help to keep
my stomach from stretching out again.
(12/16/07) I exercised with light dumbbell weights (15 lbs weights) and various stretches for 1 hour. I think I was suppose to wait a few weeks after a Tummy Tuck before exercising but I was feeling very good. I took great care to avoid any pulling on the mid-section area and on my stitches.
(12/17/07) Woke up feeling fairly normal. No noticeable bloated of numb feeling in tummy area while lying in bed. Slept with ace bandage as well as the compression garment.
(12/19/07) Weight: 156 lbs. Finally made it back to my weight the day of surgery. Maybe this means some of my swelling has gone down because I know I did not lose any weight by dieting since the surgery. I think I can see a difference in swelling since the surgery. I think I look a little slimmer.
Why Elevate my Legs when Sleeping after a Tummy Tuck?
Almost all patients can expect some swelling after surgery. Sleeping
on your back while keeping the legs elevated for the first few days
will help with proper blood circulation, minimize swelling and
prevent edema (excessive fluid accumulation). Two or three pillows
under the legs offers sufficient elevation after a tummy tuck
operation. (Some surgeons say that you should sleep in a sitting
position for the first week after tummy tuck surgery to prevent
stretching of the newly tightened abdomen).
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| One Day After Tummy Tuck Surgery |
To assist my pants in staying up and to better protect my stitches I wore the smaller ace bandage low on my hips up to and covering the stitches. In doing this my pants will fit tighter and I won't have to cinch my belt as much. It worked except that by the time I got home it felt a little too tight and was a relief when I got it off.
Had 10:00 am appointment with the plastic surgeon to have my stitches removed (to see my stitches you have to click on the link and zoom in for a close up view). The degradable stitches have been dissolving and falling off during the previous week and are mostly all gone now. Today the doctor will remove the belly button stitches and well as the few "permanent type" stitches from around the waist.
Stitches Removed. While I was standing the doctor removed stitched from my back and sides. I then laid on my back on the table and he continued to remove the stitches on my front and belly button area. Approximately 15 stitches were removed.
The doctor noticed that it looked like I had some fluid retention or drainage in my midsection (tummy tuck seroma) and decided to drain it. He inserted a "big needle" just below my belly button and drained (sucked out) about ½ cup of red drainage fluid from my belly area. He told me not to look, and I told him I did not want to but I wanted to see the needle and how much it contained after he was done. I was surprised to see so much drainage was still inside me. He said that it was not uncommon and that by draining it the way he did saves my body the trouble of absorbing it and aids in the healing process. Note: When he first brought out the big needle (syringe) needless to say I was a little apprehensive, but because my belly area was still numb I didn't feel a thing.
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| 2 months after Tummy Tuck Surgery doing pushups |
I had prepared some questions for the doctor that I wanted to ask him during this visit.
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When can I resume taking Ecotrin each day? I can start today.
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The fingers in my right hand have no strength. I can barely hold a pen. I don't think so, but is there any connection with having the operation? - Probably not. The body is in a weakened condition.
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Anything I should be doing to reduce scarring? - He will tell me at my next visit.
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Is the belly protrusion caused by swelling? - Some of it is. Can't tell how much.
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Will my belly button "open up"? Yes (That was his answer but it looks like he was wrong. After one year I am still waiting)
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Why the uneven surgical "cut line" in the back? - The body is uneven. Different amounts of skin are cut off on each side to look good.
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Diet now to lose a few more pounds or wait and let my body heal first before continuing diet? - Let body heal first is probably a good idea.
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How long should I continue to sleep with my head and legs elevated? - He asked me if I had any bloating in my legs. I said no. He said then I can stop elevating my legs now.
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I wear the big white support garment (compression garment) almost full time to inadvertently avoid pulling at the stitches. How much longer do you recommend wearing it? - He said that was very good that I was still wearing it and to continue for a while.
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When can I safely stretch the "stitches area"? - Not for a while.
Before he left the room I commented to him that to me it looked like he did an excellent job and to compliment his staff on their professionalism and that they were friendly and courteous throughout the entire process. He thanked me for the compliment.
I was scheduled to return in one week, December 27, I think to take post-operative pictures. I assume I will receive follow-up and post-operation instructions including scar reduction techniques at that time. Following the appointment I went grocery shopping at Publix. I walked slowly and did fine.
In the afternoon I took more photos to document the "day the stitches were removed".
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Does Exercise Help Recovery After Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Exercise is plays a very important role in recovering from tummy tuck surgery. It reduces the amount of swelling you have, reduces the chance of a blood clot forming and provides muscle tone in your newly contoured tummy. Of course, as they say, you should exercise per your doctors instructions, starting slowly at first and gradually increasing the vigorousness of your exercise with regard to your condition. Exercise is plays a very important role in recovering from tummy tuck surgery. It reduces the amount of swelling you have, reduces the chance of a blood clot forming and provides muscle tone in your newly contoured tummy. Of course, as they say, you should exercise per your doctors instructions, starting slowly at first and gradually increasing the vigorousness of your exercise with regard to your condition. |
(12/20/07) 1 hour of exercise. Still using the lower 15 lb weights.
Went to family doctor to have him take blood pressure readings over time to show that I have white coat hypertension and that my real blood pressure is normal. It worked. After numerous readings and passage of time between each reading my BP made it down to 132/73 with pulse 69. Still higher that it is at home but good enough to fall into the normal category. I did this for health insurance purposes (I was applying for new and cheaper health insurance).
This time when I went out I wore shorts and a Polo shirt for comfort to better aid my lowering of blood pressure (feeling more comfortable). Shorts don't fall down as easily as long pants. Driving and travel is a lot more comfortable in shorts.
(12/21/07) Removed bandages and compression garment and noticed the swelling had gone down considerably. Hope it continues. Seems that my stomach area is becoming less numb and I think I have more feeling there and it seems to be more tender. Still healing quite well though. I am impressed with how fast the stitches have healed and how the skin is coming together nicely. Doesn't look too bad now. Stomach seems flatter today in the mirror.
(12/23/07) Went to Publix wearing long pants. This time I wore the ace bandage lower on my hips as an aid to keep my pants up. It worked. I wore the pants up higher and they stayed up the whole time.
Exercised 1 hour using the 25 lb weights for the second day. It was a little bit easier today than yesterday.
I tried doing pushups again today. I can do 15 with no problem. Before the operation I could do 30. These muscles must still be very weak.
When I was rubbing my stomach I observed that the numbness is starting to fade and is being replaced by tenderness and more feeling. I take this as a good sign of recovery.
The last 3 temporary stitches came out by themselves as I applied ointment to the area. Now I have no more stitches in me. I am "stitch less".
Looking back, I attribute my speedy recovery and "no pain" throughout the entire process to my being in good condition before the procedure as a result of the supplements that I took, the daily exercises (weights and swimming – over 2 hours worth per day) and eating only healthy foods.
(12/25/07) Each day I apply new antibiotic ointment, Neosporin, to my stitches. Since they are almost fully healed, I save money by covering them with loops of toilet paper before applying the ace bandage. Using store bandages got expensive and was providing no useful value as infection was not so much a concern anymore since there were no current wound openings. On top of the ace I still used the compression garment. I basically only use that to remind me to limit my movements and I read somewhere it aided in the reduction of swelling.
(12/27/07) 2:45 Appointment with plastic surgeon, presumably for "After" pictures. I was wrong. No after pictures taken. Just another post-operation checkup. Everything looked fine. Doctor examined me to see if there was anymore drain fluid buildup in my stomach area. He wasn't sure so he stuck another drain needle into my belly, fished around for a pocket of fluid, but came up "dry". I take that as good news in that I did not have anymore waste or drainage fluid in my belly. Needle did not hurt at all. Made another post-operation appointment in 6 weeks. Still wearing compression garment all the time. Adding new antibiotic ointment every day.
(01/02/08) Took off compression garment. Only wear it for exercising and sleeping at night.
(01/05/08) Noticed that my "lower parts" are returning to normal with regards to swelling. A few weeks after the operation my lower parts grew bigger and noticeably larger. Before the procedure the nurse told me that sometimes the scrotum area becomes enlarged due to draining fluids and gravity. It seems as though she was correct. Today it looks like they are back to normal. Some feeling is returning to my tummy area but it still feels like I am wearing a band around my waist all the time, especially when I have a full stomach. I think I have gained a few lbs over the holidays. A few lbs shows up more noticeably in my belly area now. Current weight is about 160 lbs. I have to start thinking about getting that down to about 147 lbs which I think is my ideal target weight.
(02/07/08) Took photos of myself in pushup position to compare to pre-operation pushup photos.
At consultation with the doctor I mentioned I had weakness in my right hand fingers and the inability to do fingertip pushups. He referred me to a neurologist. Note: I subsequently went to a neurologist, then after that a neurosurgeon regarding the weakness in my right hand and both of them indicated that this was not a result of my Tummy Tuck operation. However, I am not totally convinced that it is not related somehow. The timing is too coincidental.
(04/21/08) Final visit with the plastic surgeon. He said everything looked good and there was no more reason for further visits.
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| From This | To This | To This |
MY TUMMY TUCK EXPERIENCE
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My Tummy Tuck surgical experience and recovery was PAIN FREE.
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Too bad it cost so much and was NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE.
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I am satisfied with my results (my belly overhang is gone).
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It was an interesting experience to live through.
NOW THE HARD PART BEGINS..
NOT TO GAIN ANY WEIGHT BACK!
Tummy Tuck Feedback Messages
The following Reader Comments are relevant to the subject of this
page.
To read all Tummy Tuck Feedback
click here.
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Sent: Sunday, April 18, 2010
9:48 AM
Subject: Surgical Stitches
(Part 2)
I had surgery on March 25 and the brittle ones are tender to touch sometimes and
when they rub against something I am wearing it pulls a little bit. I think I
will call my regular doctor about having them looked at to make sure they are
okay or need to come out. My incision is healing pretty good...except one or
two areas that just look irritated, but I have been putting some 1st aid cream
on them and it seems to help. I just wish the swelling would go away...it is
starting to annoy me...! LOL Not sure if it needs to be drained a bit, but the
thing I am worried about is my insurance would not cover any after care. I know
the doctor in INDIA said there would be aftercare, but it has been 6 days since
I sent a email and he has not responded. I appreciate all your help.
Response - 3 weeks after surgery (and much longer), every day I
would shower, dry, apply petroleum jelly to the stitch area, cover with a
bandage or paper towel, then wear the compression garment on top of it.
Sounds like you are not wearing a bandage or compression garment if you are
experiencing pinching with clothing. Sounds a little early for that.
I do remember some stitches being "tender to the touch" before putting on the
bandage and the compression garment. I never experienced the pinching. I also
remember a couple of areas that stayed "red" longer than other areas.
Be patient with the swelling. For me it took a long time to go away.
I think even if you did not have your concerns with the stitches it's a good
idea to have a follow-up with your local doctor. I think I had four or five
follow-up visits with mine. I know it's hard to spend the money but it may be
worth it just for the piece of mind (and may prevent further complications from
arising).
For me, not knowing and worrying about something is worse than physical pain or
discomfort.
Again, good luck.
Tanner
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Sent: Saturday, April 17,
2010 9:59 PM
Subject: Surgical Stitches (Part 1)
I found it very helpful to read on your recovery. I have a question about the
stitches because I had my surgery in INDIA at Wockhardt Hospital which came out
very well. I had a great doctor plus it saved me a lot of money. My stitches
at the hips are hard n brittle just wondering if they need to be removed by my
primary doctor in the USA? I know you are not a doctor, but wanted to ask. He
said the ones in the middle of my tummy would just fall off. I am just worried
about the ones on my hips. Thanks in advance.
From what I remember, the "brittle" stitches that I had
turned out to be the non-permanent dissolvable stitches.
It took about 2-1/2 weeks after surgery for them to all fall out.
When I showered and gently rubbed the stitched area with a bar of soap, little
pieces of stitches (about 1/4" long) or so would sometimes break off and cling
to the bar of soap. Over time, they eventually all came out. I carefully removed
a few of the stubborn fragments with my fingernail or a tweezers after observing
that the skin was healed and they were no longer serving their function (they
were just sticking out).
In your case I would consider;
- how long has it been since you had your surgery?
- have your permanent stitches already been removed?
- has your skin healed together so that the remaining stitches are not
performing any function?
- are the 'brittle" stitches that you refer to complete stitches or fragments of
stitches?
- did you have all of the permanent stitches removed when you were still in
India?
You said "He said the ones in the middle of my tummy would just fall off."
What did he say about the hip stitches? Do they look the same as the tummy
stitches?
Have you noticed any other dissolvable stitches coming out by themselves? If
not, then maybe enough time has not passed for them to dissolve and break down.
If other stitches have "dissolved" but the ones on your hips remain one or two
weeks after the others have gone, maybe they will have to be removed. But, if
they told you that the hip stitches were dissolvable and if they are not causing
you any pain or discomfort, you may want to just give it some more time. Your
local doctor can always remove them later.
Good luck.
Tanner
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