???s re: tummy tuck

just thinking here(for once). i am getting a TT when i have hyste.. everything will be taken.. i have so much wanted this and now it will come true. after all i am and will go thru i feel like it is my prize...
Q: when you have the TT after Hyste, what happens if you get the swelly belly ? will this stretch the skin again ? i'm sure i will have to wear something for support, but where does all the swelly go ?

Hello -

Congratulations to you!! I had my hyster & TT 2 weeks ago & I am starting to really feel better today! The swelly belly is very common if you just have a TT only. Yes, the support garment helps. I have only noticed my belly swelling twice since surgery. (I had eaten a baked potato botth times...hum???) The website makemeheal is wonderful for info on your tt. Good luck to ya!!!

great ! i will look for it.. so are you feeling ok ? pain?

I am really feeling good today - best day so far. 1st two weeks were hard. Drain tubes make everything awkward and uncomfortable. PS removed one tube at 1 week and other tube yesterday, so I feel much more free today. Took my 1st real standup shower last night, felt great!! (had been sitting on a 5 gal. bucket) I am standing up much better now, PS said to just let my pain be my guide. I really got a good look at stomach last night and I am so excited, can't wait until I can stand up completely!!!

what is a ps tube ? drain tube huh ? where is that placed and does everyone having a TT and Hyste have one ???

PS is Plastic Surgeon. Yes, from what I read, drain tubes are used for almost all tummy tucks. I had 2 placed below my incision site. You just have to empty them daily & record the amounts. I think they made things very awkward.

so what drains in it ? blod, or just fliuds from the healing process ? i sound so stupid here. sorry. then when they remove it does it hurt ? do you go home with it in ? so sorry for all these ??s ok 1 more... do they have your belly all bandaged up ? to help with the swelling ?

I really do not mind your questions at all...ask away!! Yes they drain blood & fluid to prevent internal swelling. I had 2 tubes, 1 was removed at one week post op and the other one at 2 weeks. Yes it hurt on removal. I was off painkillers so it was a bad stinging, burning feeling. Pain did not last long, but yes, it HURT!!! Before surgery, I had to buy an undergarmet binder for them to put on me after surgery. I forgot to give them my binder so when I wokeup. I was in a wrap around binder. When they came in to check on me that night, they opened the binder and removed some bandaging. I was out into my purchased binder the next day. I am still wearing my binder, PS said atleast 3 weeks maybe longer. My binder is like biker shorts, runs from from under boobs to top of my knees. It is crouchless & has zippers down both sides. I only remove it to shower & wash it. It really is supportive, I feel very odd & kinda uncomfortable without it on.

thanks manytins, sounds like a girdle.. sort of... so can you pee with it on ? or do you need to keep pulling it on & off ? i really want this so bad to have TT and now i am facing some complications b/c PS cant do it on April 7th date, so they want to postpone evrything untill May 5 not sure if this is wise for me to do where i have the cancer issue.. so OB is trying to come up with a solution .. they will cal mon or tues...

Yes, I can use the bathroom with binder on. I understand your scheduling problem. I had to postpone for 1 month in order to get mine worked out between both doctors. It really is worth doing at the same time, explain your cancer concerns & push the doctors if you have to. (of course, your health is always the most important) Good Luck!!