Re: My tummy tuck experience : Shelly

January 1, 2003

,

I hear ya girl. I am also recovering from PS as well. I had a tummy

tuck (abdominoplasty with placation) and upper thigh lift with major

liposuction of my legs on Dec 6th. It has been one of the most

challenging times of my life. I did not realize I would need as much

care and help as I did/do. Of course I was the wild child who

insisted on going to the Christmas Party in Durham eight days post-

op. All I can say is thinking back, I don't know how I did it to be

honest. Dr Don was there which was another reason I went so he could

remove some staples but truthfully, I WANTED to see all my friends. I

had to miss ALOT of the festivities this year and that has been sad.

I love cooking and visiting and shoppin and decorating etc and I just

had to let these things go and get over it. AS for regrets, there

were a few days I would have said Heck NO, I would not do this again

but I'm better now and it's okay. I will say I did not realize my

strength would be zapped for months which is what he told me this

week when we spoke. BUT, he did say as far as patients, I was his

largest surface area patient. I mean all the way from below the knees

to the abdomen in one surgery was big. 7 1/2 hours on the table.

Well, I have had a lot of swelling and my legs were black and blue

but that has cleared up. Now if I do too much and stay on my feet for

more than an hour, two is stretching it, I swell. I am told this is

common for patients with a lot of liposuction. The worse for me is

the compression garment. Dr Don wants you to wear it 3 mos and that

is a LONG time to wear something this tight, 24/7 except when you

shower. I've had a few moments of sheer rebellion where I was ranting

about the BONDAGE. I'm out a little more than three weeks and still

recovering. I'm sure it's been hard not picking up your child. I have

a 9 mos old nephew who is like mine (my sister shares him lovingly

with me) and I haven't picked him up, have held him a couple of times

and he's a handful. Feel free to email me privately if you want to

vent or ask any questions or just chat.

Cheryl Klein

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