Category talk:Tummy Tuck
From Make Me Heal
On January 12th I will celebrate my 1 yr Post Op Anniversary!!
I'd like to address a few things for those thinking about a tt and for those newly post op. First let me say I am NO expert and have no medical degree. What I say here is from my own personal experience, trial and error! (And things I've learned from the other wonderful women and the dr's on this board!) This is my second surgery, I had a breast reduction approx 5 yrs ago. The TT is, by far, harder and a much longer recoup time.
Whatever you do ALWAYS follow your doctors advice and guidance. We have all learned here that the dr's all have their own way of doing things. Therefore, personally, I think it's important that we take others advice with "a grain of salt" so to speak but take our ps's advice as "the gospel"!
I had a few small setbacks so I have definitely learned a thing or two about patience!! I had an infection that showed up around 2 wks po.... I dealt with it until around 3 mths po.
What I've learned......(that I can think of right now)
1. Rest: your body has been through a lot and needs time to heal...although sitting for TOO long is not good. Makes you swell!!! BUT....my point....the laundry, the dirty floors that need a good vacuum and mopping, etc....they will all wait!!!!!
2. DO get up and walk though, helps reduce the swelling, reduces the chances of blood clots, etc.....just don't power walk or run etc
3. DO NOT carry anything over about 5 lbs. for the first 6-8 wks (whatever your dr says) You don't need to be superwoman..........get help or let it wait!!!
5. Accept all help that is offered to you. Lifting, bending, etc.....somebody wants to do it for you??? Let them!!!
6. Drink lots of water.....again....helps with the swelling as well as flushing any toxins from anesthesia, meds, etc. that are left in your body. Just a good idea all the way around.
7. WATCH YOUR SALT INTAKE.......salt makes the swelling Wayyyyyyyy worse!!!!!!! Processed meat, frozen dinners, canned soup, etc....all are FILLED with sodium!!! Same goes for fried foods. Try to eat healthy......grilled meat, broiled meat, fresh veggies and fruit etc. Fiber rich foods to keep you from getting constipated. With the drugs and lack of activity it's easy to get "clogged up"
8. Continue any vitamins prescribed before your surgery. I unconsciously stopped mine and my doc's nurses told me that one was a no-no. They help with the healing process.
9. Don't keep getting on the scales just to get discouraged!!! Newly post op........it's too soon and the swelling is up and down....therefore.....it's not really accurate at this point so why depress your self!!! And YES....swelling can add lbs daily...and take them away just as quickly. In my early po days I saw a 5 lb difference on a lot of days......literally!!! Don't worry about the scales just yet!!!!
10. The most important thing to remember as far as I'm concerned......this is not an overnight process!!! It takes months....months.....so BE PATIENT!! I am one yr po and I have 2 personal friends that have been through the same thing, along with those I have met here.....and I'm here to tell you.......this takes PATIENCE!!!!! I had lipo along with my tt so that adds even more time to the healing process.
11. It takes awhile to get your strength and stamina back.......keep that in mind and don't over schedule yourself!! I have a desk job, came back to work at 2 wks.....couldn't last full days had to go to half days. I would still be quite tired by the end of the day! Again....remember......take it easy.....it's going to take awhile!!
12. If you have questions......write them down, take them to your next appt....if you don't have a doctor's appt soon.....call them.....that's why you paid them A LOT of money!! It's what they are there for.
13. I have found, and others have too, that 4 or 5 smaller meals is easier on you than a couple of big ones. I don't know if you had muscle repair.....I did.....but with mr eating big meals is bbbbbaaadddd!!! You take the risk of stretching out what has been tightened up. Plus.....big meals make me feel like crappola to be honest. Things are just tighter now!
14. As for exercise.....they all do that one differently too so ask your doctor. For me, I was cleared for walking (not power walking just normal walking) at 6 wks......no weights, cardio, etc. for awhile he said. Others have told me they were in the gym at 4-5 wks.....so....like I said.....ask YOUR doctor about that one.
15. Don't compare yourself to others so much....we as women are so guilty of that. There are so many different factors!!! We all heal differently, have different procedures by different dr's who do the same procedures different ways, some have pre-existing medical issues, etc!!! We are here to learn from and support each other....but to get discouraged because someone is healing faster or better....well again....that's just hurting yourself!!!
16. Have realistic expectations!! Anything else will just be setting yourself up for a let down!! A TT won't put most of us on the runway modeling for Victoria's Secret....but I'll bet damn near 100% of us will look and feel better than we did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (ie...I've heard so many people get upset about 'the scar'........there is going to be one....some will fade more than others, some will look smoother, etc....but there is a high chance that there WILL be some scarring...it's just part of the process...you have to accept that)
I don't know if any of that helps......I'm sure I've left out a lot!!BUT.....from what I have experienced, what I have learned......the most important thing to do is LISTEN to your doctor and follow his instructions. AND.......LISTEN to your body.....it knows!!!
PS....as for time................it takes about one year for full recovery!! That's just a fact!!!! Take your patience pill!!!! Relax, focus on the outcome!!! The journey may be a little rough............but the destination is fantastic!!!!
