Mommy Makeover Update - 12 PostOp with photos

[Terps]

Hey everyone, sorry for the delay in this update. And thank you for the well wishes that several of you sent. I know plastic surgeries are something many are interested in, so I'm going to try to give updates of my journey that are honest and focus on the good, bad, and ugly.

Bottom line up front: Recovery is rough...first week was downright brutal. Serious pain, not discomfort, friggin' pain like I have never experienced. Thank God for narcotics, serious meds kept relatively comfortable so long as we kept up on taking them on schedule. My husband was AMAZING. I couldn't even lower my legs from the recliner without his help. He helped me walk...a stroll to the bathroom could take up to 15 minutes...round trip. Walking is important to prevent blood clots so hubby made me do it every few hours.

Today is 12 days post op and things are better, but far from normal. I drove my car this weekend (narcotic free). I till can't stand upright...that's from the ab muscles being stitched back together. So I have a grandma walk going on, slow and hunched over and having to stop ever so often to rest. My back still really, really hurts. Nerves are "waking up" so I'm getting new pain I haven't had before...so much fun. I take Ibuprofen during the day and half a Percoet in the evening.

So how do I look?? Like Frankenstein the first week. Now more like I was in a car wreck. Bruising is getting better, still there on my hips, back, breasts, and under arms. Stitches go from hip to hip and are still healing. Breast stitching is still there and under strips. I have to wear compression garments (aka tight girdles) for about 3 months. I experience swell hell daily...my torso area just swells throughout the day. I have to be very careful with what I eat, very low sodium.

I broke a cardinal Mommy Makeover rule...I've weighed and measured myself after surgery. Morning of surgery I was 140lbs wth my waist at 29.5". Day after surgery was 151lbs. Measured my waist a few days ago...34", hips were 4" bigger as well. This is swell hell. Totally normal and part of the process. I feel thick...and I am. Looking forward to feeling truly flat and with some curves.

Physically it is rough and it is also an emotional roller coaster. Woke up yesterday after a rough night, in mild pain and spent the morning crying. It's hard to be so dependent on others, not get to do stuff around the house, let alone go to work, workout, garden, cook a meal, walk the dogs, etc. I know it is temporary, but it is hard. I am active on another site, RealSelf, and we get and give ally of support there. (But honestly, I like all of you here on GS better.)

I think I'll start feeling more like myself in another week or two. Everyday does seem to get a bit better. I travel to India at the end of April, for work, so I better be better by then! I think I'll start looking better one month post op. Typically 80% of swelling is gone in 3 months. It can take up to a year for it to all go away.

I had a lot done. Tummy tuck with muscle repair, breast lift, small implants to give fullness (didn't want to be bigger, just perky and full), lipo to flanks and a bit to inner/outer thighs (that wasn't really needed, but since the sucker was already out I figured why not.) My surgeon is outstanding!!! Young guy, double board certified and trained at Mayo Clinic. As I laid on the operating table ready to go to sleep, he asked what music request I had so I went under to Justin Timberlake Sexy Back.

Not sure how much surgeon removed, at least 3.5lbs of skin and not sure on lipo. He said my ab muscles were very strong but extremely separated. So I guess all that working out made some difference.

Here are some photos...not flattering YET but I want people to understand the realities of this kind of surgery. Before pic was a couple of weeks after sleeve surgery, about 10lbs from my heighest weight. Then I have before pics from PS and some after pics I took last week. Caution...they are a bit graphic but tried to clean them up a bit (especially for any of our handsome gentlemen who might take a peek.)

Happy to answer questions. And I'll address a big one...surgery cost $16k all inclusive. No insurance help, as my case didn't warrant it. I took on some freelance work that I really didn't want to do, but covered most of the cost.

[Jmichelle]

Thanks so much for sharing your journey! That's something that I may consider later after goal, so I appreciate your honesty. Congrats on the weight loss and the mommy makeover as I'm sure you will look and feel amazing when all is said and done!

[suzn358]

Terps - You look amazing - those pics are fantastic!!! Can't wait till I get to goal and can do the same. I don't think $16K was too bad. I've heard much higher. Congratulations to you - you'll be running around in no time.

[MBL]

Thank you for sharing the pictures! I am a realself follower as well and am planning long term

[Mich-D]

Hi Kristen,

Thanks for the update, glad you are on the mend. I had my PS on 3/26. Did you have any drains? I have six and hope to have most of them removed on my next follow-up visit. I had 31 lbs 11 ounces removed with 25 from the Panniculectomy, 4 lbs from the left breast, and 2 lbs from the right side. Glad to hear your pain has lessened. I too cannot yet walk fully upright but I am encouraged by your progress. Wishing you continued success.

[amt5298]

thanks for your experience only way i can get it done by insurance cause i sure dont have the money would be if i keep rashes and skin infections so far i have had two they are documented with the doc and pics on my phone after four occurances they will do something if i have lost enough weight i look hearing others input to help me decide if i want to take that step or not i have a friend that goes to the same doc she is having hers done in july so i know i will get input from her to

[Joe Poppa]

You make for a beautiful flower. Congratulations.
Some men may need to take Viagra, but your husband may need to take Claritin beforehand.

[mem222]

Wow that is a lot of work for 16,000!!!!!!!!!! What about the hospital costs, did your ins cover that?

[Terps]

Hey Dwayne, congrats on your surgery! I only had ONE drain and it hardly produced anything. It was removed at my first post op appt, 5 days after surgery so I was so fortunate. I feel for you!!! I hope they get removed soon. how is your back feeling? I bet you look amazing...crazy how much your surgeon removed. You are a super hero!

[Terps]

Wow that is a lot of work for 16,000!!!!!!!!!! What about the hospital costs, did your ins cover that?

My surgeon has his own surgery center, so I checked in at 6:45 am and was home by 4pm. Fortunately it is only 10 minutes from our home. $16k covers everything...including anethesia, follow up visits, minor revisions. Still...a lot of money.

[Terps]

You make for a beautiful flower. Congratulations.
Some men may need to take Viagra, but your husband may need to take Claritin beforehand.

As always, you do wonders for my ego. For now, the playground is closed. Can't wait for the grand re-opening!!!

[Terps]

thanks for your experience only way i can get it done by insurance cause i sure dont have the money would be if i keep rashes and skin infections so far i have had two they are documented with the doc and pics on my phone after four occurances they will do something if i have lost enough weight i look hearing others input to help me decide if i want to take that step or not i have a friend that goes to the same doc she is having hers done in july so i know i will get input from her to

Keep up the documentation and photos! Create your case for having the surgery. Sounds like a medical necessity for you, which is a big deal for quality of life. Best wishes!

[Lee6Lee]

Terps, as I read your account of the pain I felt so sorry for you! But happy to see you looking so wonderful...in spite of it all! Please recover quickly. Thanks for the update. And you are looking fabulous!

[Cnjzmom]

Wow - Congrats. You're looking amazing. I'm hoping to get there someday. Thanks for sharing. May God continue to bless you during your journey.

[Dawnrogers7]

Terps-doesn't sound fun at all. You do look great though! I am going to go about it a different way. I dont have a lot of extra (some skin and sag) so I am going to continue exercising and eating what I need to maintain my weight. My plan is to see how my "extra" looks in about a year or so. My skin has already molded with my body some and I have only been maintaining about four months.

I am not a lover of pain so I will go with the flow. According to my fiance I look pretty fine in a one piece size small swimsuit. Probably won't wear a bikini any time soon but never say never!