Tummy Tuck & Breast Lift Journal – The Real Story

Before we get to the plastic surgery part, let me fill you in on how I got to a point in my life that plastic surgery became necessary.

So, 2 years, 8 months after weight loss surgery, my life has changed big time!  I am an exercise freak now.  Who’d of thought I’d ever join a Boot Camp and love it!  With the cold/wet/windy weather, Boot Camp is indoors.  It’s a big class and not a lot of space so we are relatively close to each other while we do our routines.  Jumping jacks, squat jacks, burpees and the whole nine yards.  I never thought I’d be doing any of these, especially when I was 313lbs.

Now dangling at around 170-175 I am doing the things I never thought I’d ever do.  I didn’t get below 170, except for once, 168.  Wow, some will say, 2lbs and you’re worried!  Crazy isn’t it?  We’re lead to believe we should look and weigh a certain amount and I didn’t think I’d achieved that.  I never set a goal weight because I didn’t want to be disappointed.  I’m so glad I didn’t now.  I always felt I didn’t do the right things to achieve a lower weight, but are we ever happy with our weight, no matter what the scale says.

Honestly, I don’t think so.  At any rate, I’m much healthier than when I was 313lbs. My life has changed in so many good ways that you’d think I should be happy with the weight loss I’ve achieved.  For the most part I am, but still feel I could have done better.  So for me, the lesson is about moving forward. Keep on going…!

Back to that exercise class. You’d think all would be wonderful after losing so much weight. Now I had a new problem. After losing 143lbs, I had excess skin.  Imagine that! I expected that there would be excess skin after I loss the majority of my extra weight and do believe mine isn’t as bad as it could have been, but it still bothered me.  Did you know after losing 143lbs, while having a bath, your belly will float?  Did you know that when you exercise close to other people they sometimes can hear “flap, flap, flap”?  Did you know that your breasts would sag beyond imagination?  Did you know how hard it would be to find a bra to fit your breasts and the excess skin?   Do you know how uncomfortable spanx can be?

I decided it was time to see a plastic surgeon to have the excess skin removed.  I made a call to a couple of surgeons to get two opinions and ultimately, quotes.  Only one of those doctors made an appointment when I first called, the other said they couldn’t make one at the time of my call and said they’d call me back.  Well they didn’t.  I guess they didn’t really want my money.

Dr. Kenneth Smith of kasmithplastics.ca was the one.  I met him in November 2008.  I instantly felt comfortable with him standing there in my nakedness so knew right away he was the one.  He could have scheduled me right away, but there were circumstances why I couldn’t at that time, one being I was going to Mexico in February and secondly I was waiting for some money to come through.  I told him I’d be in touch but that I was really interested in him doing my surgery.  He told me he would have a new clinic by the time I was ready for surgery.  No pressure at all!  After that meeting, I couldn’t stop thinking about having this as the final leg of my weight loss journey.

After enjoying my new healthier lifestyle of exercise, but embarrassed by the flapping sounds which came from beneath me, and finally having the money come through, it was time to book surgery.  I called Dr. Smith’s office the first week of January.  I left a message and because I was so anxious to get a date, I called back the next day to make sure they got my message.  I told them who I was and that I had a consult with Dr. Smith in November 2008, and am ready to book surgery.  She said ok, we don’t have any dates available until mid February.  I’m thinking, wow, that soon, but had hoped for sometime mid February. She gave me the date of February 16^th.  I was so excited, after I got off the phone I was jumping for joy and had to relay my news to my co-workers and then called the hubby (since he was part of the finance team).  I would be receiving a package in the mail and when I received it, payment was to be sent in.  I wait and wait and waited and no package after 2 weeks.  I thought it got lost in the mail.  It surely couldn’t take that long to send a package out. Ha ha.  I called and was told they don’t send the package out until 4 weeks before the scheduled surgery.  So OK, it was on the way.  I received the package the next week and inside was, the bill for $14,823.40, various forms, and information sheets.

As per any surgery there was a pre-op form which my general practitioner would need to fill out and I would need to provide to Dr. Smith.  I made an appointment to see my GP.  There was also a questionnaire I needed to fill out, which consisted of some information regarding any medication I was on and past history.  Of course, Dr. Smith new that I had weight loss surgery and he had done a few weight loss patience so he knew all about our new system.  This was a relief.  I knew I’d be in good hands.  The information basically told me what to expect.   There would be discomfort and I’d be wearing an abdominal binder (for 4 to 6 weeks) which supports the muscles and helps hold the dressings in place.  I’d have to have drainage tubes in me for several days after surgery.  I was afraid of not being able to exercise for 4-6 weeks after.  I had to be careful what I ate and be diligent in my food intake.

I had to make arrangements to stay in Victoria as there was not a nurse in Campbell River who could come see me on a daily basis for the first 3 days.  Dr. Smith provided some references of places to stay and I chose the Chateau Victoria, which was less than a block from his office and they had Dr. Smith‘s rates (medical rates).  In fact, we walked there on the morning of surgery.

So now that reality is setting in, I went to work in contact some people I know who had similar surgeries to find out what to expect.  I was surprised to find out that I know a few people in Campbell River who have had implants done by Dr. Smith.  They’re information was very helpful.  I reached out to a couple of other people who went through this so I would know what to expect.  I’m so grateful for them.  I did come to realize after though, that no matter what people tell you, what to expect, to do this and that, finding out on your own is really how you know.  I was told by my support that there would be pain and that they knew I could handle it.  That put comfort in me as the pain is really what I was afraid of.  If it wasn’t for that support, I would have went in blindly.  Thank you to Kris Green and Joel Lammaroue.

A week before the surgery I received a call from the nurse Cindy at Dr. Smith’s clinic.  She confirms my surgery and tells me what time I’m to be there.  I had to be at the office for 7:15am.  Cindy told me I will need a lot of post-operative care and that my support person coming should be able to handle the site of my incisions and not feel queasy as they will be the one cleaning my wounds when I got home.  My support person coming was my 18 year old niece, Mellisa.  She said she wouldn’t be affected by the looks and felt she could do it.  Cindy thought she would be too young as in the past they found that young support givers often couldn’t handle it like they thought and the patient was left with no support.  I knew Mellisa could do it and assured her she was the right person.  Final information was provided to Cindy and I was a week away from the big day.  Nerves kicked in!

I booked 6 weeks off from work and applied for Medical EI. With my WLS I was only off work for 3 weeks so I didn’t bother claiming EI.  This was going to be something else new to me.  My employer was very supportive and knew my history.  Friday was my last day of work, Monday Mellisa and I would be making the 3 hour drive to Victoria.  We arrived around dinner time, checked in, had dinner, bought a few grocery items (mostly for Mellisa because I didn’t think I’d much of an appetite for the first day or so) and went to a movie.  I was not allowed to eat past midnight!

Of course, not being able to sleep the night before, I awoke a few times and finally got out of bed around 6am.  I had a nice hot bath and woke Mellisa around 630.  We left the hotel around 6:45 which we were way too early with only being less than a block away, so we walked around the block.

We stood outside the office and just after 7, Nurse Carole opens the door and welcomes us in.  Mellisa waited in the waiting room while I went and met with Carole, got undressed into a hospital type gown and she asked me some questions, took my blood pressure, which under the circumstances was high, gave me some pre-op meds (one of which is one to make you relax).  Once the question period was over, Mellisa was able to come in.  We waited for Dr. Smith to come and he came in, introduced himself to Mellisa and had me stand up in front of him so he could take some before shots.  Mellisa and I attempted that the night before, but got into a giggle match and I didn’t want my breasts to be part of her picture.  Dr. Smith’s are better I’m sure.  I will need copies for my album.  After pictures, it was draw on me time.  Ha ha  I stood up and he started drawing lines on me.  Really when you think about it, he’s an artist.  With those lines, look at what he did to me.  He started with my breasts joking they’d be up north soon, instead of south as they were….ha ha…then came the tummy drawings.  Part way through I started feeling light headed and was sweating profusely.  I asked him if he minded if I sat down for a moment and he said no problem, better than me catching you.  He said he’s had patients not tell him and he would have to catch them as they fainted.  I sat and he put a robe over me to keep me comfortable and left the room for a moment.  Next came Dr. Townsend, the anaesthetic.  A very nice man as well.  He asked me a couple of questions and told me what to expect on his part and left.  Back comes Dr. Smith to continue to draw on me.

He gave Mellisa a prescription and I provided her a list of things needed and off she went to the drug store and whatever else to keep herself busy.  She would be contact shortly before I would be released.  They gave her an access code to the underground parking so I wouldn’t have to go through the reception area when  I was released.

At 7:50 am, Nurse Carole is back and shows me the way.  I walk around the corner to the OR.  This facility is top notch.  Very clean and bright.  Because I’ve only ever had one surgery before, that being WLS, I was again in awue of an OR with all the gadgets and lights around.  I hopped upon the OR table, which seems so small, laid my arms out and Dr. Townsend starts his majic by finding a vien, which is always hard on me.  Next thing he tells me is I’ll be feeling a little woozy…ha ha that was the fun drug before the anaesthetic.  That was the last I remembered.

I woke up in the OR with Nurse Carole calling my name.  That was 12:30pm.  Why I looked at the clock is beyond me.  Surgery was done and my bed was beside me and next thing I new I was moved into a hospital bed and to recovery.

This is where Nurse Heather came into the picture.  What a great gal.  So very helpful and so very sweet.  I had a catheter put in while I was under and at that point felt no pain whatsoever.  Heather told me I wont feel any pain until the anaesthetic wears off but that is what pain meds are for she said…ha ha.  Then it was just the discomfort of it all, not-so-much the pain.  Out of curiosity, I asked Heather how much in weight was removed from my tummy.  5lbs!  I expected more, but was glad that was gone.

Heather called Mellisa so she could pick up a sports bra, non-underwire.  It just so happen at that time Mellisa was in the Bay.  Heather told her I would be ready in awhile and she’d call her back.  Mellisa finished up there and made her way back to the office.  She wanted to find the underground parking and her way up to the office before she received that call.  Heather called Mellisa while she was just getting into the office to let her know I would be ready to go by the time she got there, but Mellisa was already there.  After a bit of farting around I was helped into a wheelchair and was rolled out the back way down the elevator right to the car, this was around 2:30pm.  It was tough getting in of the car because I wasn’t sure if I was hurting anything because I still couldn’t really feel anything.  I mean, I could feel something, but it wasn’t excruciating.  Mellisa drove the 2 second (I swear) drive to the hotel.  She went in and asked if they had any wheelchairs, but they didn’t.  I got out and we made our way to our room.  Of course I climbed into bed with Mellisa’s help.  Nurse Heather would be by later to see how I made out.

Around dinner time, Heather stops by and gives me some pointers on how to get in and out of bed.  She wanted to make sure I’d get out to move my legs around.  I did get out later when a friend showed up.  A short jaunt from the bedroom to the kitchenette and then into the living room area.  I had to walk hunched over looking at the floor to decrease the tension on my incisions.

Heather took the binder and dressings off to have a look.  This was my first glance.  Incision was from one hip, all the way around to the other hip at the bikini line.  It wasn’t all that bad, but I wondered why the incision was out so much.  It looked like the inseam of a piece of clothing.  Nurse Heather assured me this is done for a reason because the skin will stretch some and will lay flat.  They do it that way to elimiate as much scarring as possible.

Next she had a look at my breasts, which I was so impressed with because they were up where they should be.  I didn’t have a bra on because I had ice packs on.  Heather helped put it on and I didn’t need the ice packs anymore. I couldn’t see the incisions on my breasts, but they were under my breasts.  My nipples were completely removed to do this process.  I wonder where they put them when they removed them and if they labelled the dish to make sure they put them back on the right side?  I had a chuckle with my friend about this.  She also had her nipples removed in a breast reduction many years ago.  I had no pain at all in my breasts or the incisions.  Heather would be coming back the next day to show Mellisa was she would be doing for me when we got home.  Heather left a bunch of medical supplies, gauzes, polypore, hydroden peroxide and various dressings.

That night was tough sleeping.  I had to sleep on my back with pillows propped up behind me and one under my knees.  I’m a side sleeper, so this was going to be some getting used too.  I never did get used to it.  Heather provided me with a medication chart so as not to overdoes on pain medications.  I was prescribed Dilaudid and Extra Strength Tylenol.  I could take 1 to 2 tablets of the Dilaudid every 4 to 6 hours as the Tylenol 2 every 6-8 hours.  We had to write down each time I took these and chart it over to when I could take the next set, if needed.

Heather also provided us with a drainage chart.  Two drains tubes were inserted during surgery and needed to be emptied daily.  We had to keep track of the amount fluid we drained as this would decide on when the drains would be removed, usually 4-7 days after.  I could have had one removed mid week the following week after surgery, but decided to just wait and have them both removed in Dr. Smith’s office as I was going down for a pre-op visit anyhow.  There had be less than 24 cc’s of fluid in each drain for them to be removed.

The next day, the day after surgery, Heather returned and showed Mellisa what she needed to do.  She used hydrogen peroxide and polysporin ointment on the incisions, then they were covered up with gauze.  This needed to be done on a daily basis. I was grateful for the catheter and asked if it was ok to leave it in one more day.  I am glad we did because I know I wouldn’t have made it to the washroom in time.

Day 2 after surgery, I got up just before Heather was there, sat in a chair and ate a couple spoonfuls of cherrios.  I started to feel light headed.  Heather arrived and we got me moved to the bed.  I felt better and Heather went about the cleaning of the wounds and removed the catheter.  Now I had to get out of bed!  I did get out a couple of times a day, but this time I’d have to make sure I timed when I had to go to the washroom so I would make it.  Shortly after Heather left, I did get up as I had the feeling I had to go, and as I was getting ready to sit down (as it was a slow process) I pee’d.  I’m 40 for heavens sakes, I don’t wet myself, ha ha.  I knew then I’d have to make a point of going more often, even if I didn’t feel like I had too.  I hadn’t eaten much by day 2, a few soda crackers and couple spoonfuls of cherrios.  I had no appetite.  I also did not have any nausea from the anaesthetic.  I never did with WLS either.  Maybe I’m one of the few that doesn’t and won’t?

Day 3 after surgery.  This was go home day.  The long drive to Campbell River.  We had an appointment to see nurse Laura and Dr. Smith to assess the job he did before we headed for home.  Everything looked good and we got the go ahead to go home with an appointment to come back down the following Friday for another assessment and a new binder garment.

We hit the road.  Call me crazy, but we stopped in Nanaimo for a bite to eat.  I did sleep from Nanaimo to home though.  It was nice to get home.  I have always felt we heal faster in our own familiar surroundings.  I slept on the couch that night with pillows propped up under me.  I found my low back to be sore.  I think had I put a small pillow under my low back that might have helped as I was holding myself up a lot of the time with no support under that part of my back.

Day 4 was the day Mellisa would be taking over nursing duties.  We got set up in the bedroom and she did a fabulous job.  She tightened the binder and finished with the cleaning of the breast wounds and I was good to go for another day.  I layed around a lot, but could move around a lot better.  The days seem to drag on when you can’t do much.  It just happen to be beautiful sunny weather so that made it worse.   I couldn’t go outside and do anything in the yard.  There is going to be more sunny days ahead when I can so I just told myself not to fret. I work fulltime, so my days did drag on.  I read a lot and watched TV.

Day 5, much the same.  Mellisa did her nursing duties and next she even became my hair dresser.  I needed to wash my hair.  I wondered how we would do it, but we managed with no pain or problems.  I hung my head over the kitchen sink and she used the spray tap to get my hair wet and wash etc.  Boy did that feel good.  She even brushed it for me after.  Of course I couldn’t have a shower, at least not until 24 hours after the drains are removed.  I would have to sponge myself.  I lived in my jammy bottoms as they were comfortable and loose fitting.

Day 6.  Everyone, hubby and Mellisa, were back to work and I was on my own.  Mellisa cleaned my wounds before she left for work and I would sit there to try to fill my day.  I did sleep.  While I was reading I would feel my eyes getting heavy and knew it was time.  I had to make other arrangements to get my 9 year old son to/from school and/or daycare.  I’m lucky and have family close by.  My mom picked my son up in the morning and if hubby worked late she would pick him up after she finished work.  Mellisa also drove my son to/from school so this was helpful.  I knew as long as I needed the pain medication I should not drive.  I felt guilty with everyone around me doing things when all I could do was sit and watch.  As moms, wifes, and aunts, we all know how much doesn’t get done around the home when we can’t do it.  I made arrangements with a friend of mine who also happens to clean houses for her to come and do my housework once a week for a while until I could start again.  I figured my family could do in between and our house wouldn’t be a complete shambles.

Day 7, was great.  A friend of mine stopped by for a couple of hours so this helped the day fly by and then later my house cleaner came.  Mellisa had to work at noon so she did her nursing duties before she left in case she didn’t make it home until too late.  She’s such a good kid.  She’d always check in to make sure she wasn’t needed for something.   This was the last day I took my pain medication.  I even had 3 left.  I wonder now, if I even needed to take it, but wanted to make sure.

Day 8.  As usual I hadn‘t slept much through the night, waking up a couple of times, 2am, 5am and then 6am I finally stayed up.  I tried to sleep on my side, which I‘m generally a side sleeper but it felt awkward with the binder on. Mellisa had the day off.  So she drove my son to school and me to town so I could get out of the house.  I went and got a coffee and took her for breakfast, then we stopped at my place of employment so I could let everyone know how things were going.  It was good to get out.  We got home and Mellisa started her duties.  Then it was time to pick my son up from school.

Day 9, I drove for the first time, the short distance to my son’s school.  I was feeling much better, but had to nap later in the day.   My naps are about an hour and sometimes I nap twice a day.  It depends on what I have been doing.  I am awake a couple of times during the night and I think that has a lot to do with being tired as well as the surgery itself.  I made dinner, but had to get the hubby to pull a pan from a lower cupboard.  If I use my legs I can bend over some, but not far enough.  I washed my hair in the sink on my own and even flat ironed it.  I figured I’d increase my activities as I could tolerate it.

Day 10.  We were up early for our trek to Victoria to have a follow up assessment.  Had to drop my son at my mom’s place at 630am.  My hubby’s truck is high so we had to use a stool in order for me to get in without any pain or problems.  It’s funny, every time we go over the slightest bump, it jiggles my tummy and feels weird.  Must be the fact it’s still numb.  I met with Nurse Laura and she cleaned me up.  She thought my wound looked a little red and wanted me to keep an eye on it.  I think it was from the binder, as it seem not to fit as nicely and was riding up.  Dr. Smith came in, said things were looking good.  I graduated to another form of girdle, granny panty type spanx.  I didn’t think they were as tight as I remember my spanx being so Laura said if I felt comfortable I could wear my own spanx over top.  My breasts were healing nicely as well.   When we got home I emailed Laura.  I asked her if the jelly belly will go away when the swelling heals.  She said it’ll calm down but some times small revisions are necessary.  I really hope it goes down and the tummy will be flat and no need for revisions. It really is swollen and it doesn’t look the best so I must give it some time. It was a long day so had a nap when we got home then later went for coffee with some friends.

Day 11.  I slept great last night.  Only woke once, at 5am to go to the bathroom.  Then back to bed until 9am.  Felt good.  I got to have a shower today.  It felt great, but I was cautious.  I was told I could use soap over my incisions and put peroxide on afterwards.  I will also need to put some tape on the incisions, but I think I’ll wait for a couple of showers.  The tape stays on for 3 days, then one day off, then back on for 3.  I can shower with the tape on.  I probably shouldn’t have, but I vacuumed!  I ran into town to get some more gauze and then home and slept.

Day 12.   Went for coffee with a friend today.  I felt good up until the end of the day.  I knew I was ready for a much needed nap.  I cooked dinner, but the simplest things I needed help with.  I needed a pan from one of the lower cupboards.

Day 13.  Today really sucked.  I was very sluggish, not doing anything other than sitting on the couch watching the first season of Dexter.   I had a shower and then applied this medical tape over my incisions.  This is to help the scar.  I have to keep it on for three days (can shower with it) and then leave it off for one, then back to putting it on for three days.  I’m not sure how long I have to do this, I think for a month.  I will have to check into that.  This was the day I realized how important rest really is.  Although not doing anything, I was still exhausted.

Day 14.  2 weeks today since surgery.  I received a call from Nurse Heather, checking up to see how I was doing.  I thought that was very sweet of her.  The care they give was unbelievable and they still are surprising me.  Today I felt better.  I had to take my son into town for an education assessment and had to wait around for awhile.  I went by work and said hello.  I was tired just sitting there.   I know my days will get easier as time goes on.

So now I sit at 5 weeks out.  I probably could have gone back to work but decided not to.  I started walking on the treadmill last week (4 weeks out) for 30 minutes.  I am tired after doing this so it feels really strange because I could do more than 60 minutes of cardio and not think twice about it.  I realize it takes time to get back into the swing of things and it will come.

The incisions are healing great.  I did however notice some oozing of puss from my pubic incision.  A small one, size of a pin head maybe.  I attended at the clinic and the doctor took a swab but didn’t feel it necessary to put me on antibiotics, just clean with peroxide.  It is getting better.

My abs are sore still.  I’ve just been unblessed with a cold and the sneezing and coughing do cause my abs some pain, but nothing more than as if I had just did a major ab workout and I’m feeling the effects.   My belly is still swollen.  My breasts have not caused me an ounce of pain.  I’m really happy with them and they are still healing.

I will see Dr. Smith again at the end of May, 2010.  At that time he will take after pictures.  I also see Dr. Amson that day as well. He does not know I had this surgery yet, but knew I wanted it and who I was going to see.

Although I won’t get much time in the way of training, I am considering the 10k again this year.  This will be my 5^th year so I just feel I cannot not go.

I’d really like to hear your comments. Take a moment and leave your thoughts in the comment field below. If you want to contact me directly, email me.

Jenn

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