Question:
I am scheduled for a tummy tuck on tues june 7,and i am nervous.
I am worrying about the pain, i know everyone is different. The doc is doing a low bikini cut and creating a new belly button.I am staying one night in the hospital,and taking five weeks off of work.Please gimme some input,it may calm my nerves!!!THANKS — natalie J. (posted on June 3, 2005)
June 3, 2005
You'll be fine. I will admit its a painful surgery but its well well worth
it. I had my TT 2 weeks ago and im getting better every day. Just make sure
you follow docs orders...so rest when u can and walk when u can. Take your
meds like they are prescribed. I didnt think i needed as much pain meds as
they gave me but found out quickly that i did...so just follow those rules
and you'll do great...we'll see ya soon on the flat tummy side!! :-)
Amy 9-16-03
260/112/105 -7 pds skin at TT
— cinamoni
June 3, 2005
I had my tummy tuck in Sept, 04. Went home same day. The Dr used a pain
pump on me. What this is, is 2 tiny plastic tubes that the Dr placed in me
during surgery. 2 small (I mean really small) openings were made between my
breast (at the bottom)and these 2 tubes were threaded down over my new flat
tummy (under the skin of course) and it slowly released numbing medicine. I
still hurt some, but nothing like I thought it would. After 48 hours you
pull the tubes out (doesnt hurt) and throw it away. The tubes are connected
to a box you wear around your waist, seems like it was in a fanny type bag.
I have had 2 C-sections and this was less painful and I think it was
because of the pain pump. Good luck.
— Carrie W.
June 3, 2005
I had a belt lipectomy two weeks ago and was scared it'd be painful but it
wasn't at all. I am so thrilled with the results even though I am still
swollen. You will love the "new" you!! Good luck
— [Deactivated Member]
June 3, 2005
Wow you get to stay one night in the hospital very impressive. I dont know
of a single Dr. that doesn't do a TT as an outpatient good for you. I had
a LBL on 9/04 and I only had a 23 hour stay and I was literaly sawed in
half. This is what I can tell you. My girlfreind had a TT two weeks
before my LBL. She had a pain pump which worked wonders. I could not
becasue i was cut all the way around. Anyway she was feeling pretty crummy
for about 2 weeks but after that each day was better except for the
swelling and fatigue that lasts for several weeks. On the other hand I was
pretty messed up for about 6 weeks. I would have traded with her any
day!!!!! You should have plenty of time to recover with 5 weeks off. At 6
weeks my girlfriend was even able to go back to the gym everything was
healed by then. Don't worry even if it hurts it will be worth it and you
will recover and forget about the pain. Good Luck. Wendi
— lovemonterey
June 4, 2005
Natslie - I am 11 days post op from a TT and a medial thigh lift and I went
home that afternoon. I can honestly tell you it has been more discomfort
for me than pain. I did take my pain meds every 5 hours as prescribed by my
doc (you don't want to wait until you start to feel the pain to take it -
prevent the pain instead, it's a whole lot easier!!). I still have all 4
drains in and cannot wait to get them out on Tuesday. You are gonna be
great, just remind yourself that the end justifies the means - use your
pain meds!!! Be well...
— baloudoggy
June 5, 2005
Natalie,
I had the same incision as you and also the new belly button. It looks
FABULOUS!!! I'm now almost 3 years post-op from that surgery and it still
looks remarkable. I did an overnight stay in the hospital as well. They
considered it outpatient since I was released early the next day. I felt
that the pain wasn't bad. On a scale of 1 to 10, about a 4. I was only
off work for 3 weeks but could have easily went back after 2. You may find
yourself going stir crazy after 5 weeks!! Remember to wear your
compression garment for 24/7 for at least 6 weeks post-op and don't lift,
pull or push anything over 10 pounds for the same amount of time. Good
luck - You'll do great!!
— Patty H.
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