NHS Tummy Tuck Diary (Pics Included)

[PoppyPoo]

Silicone Scar Reduction Strips

I've been reading up on silicone scar reduction treatments. Some (like Dermatix) you can apperently get on prescription but my GP advised I purchase Bio-Oil and even break open oral Vitamin E capsules onto my scar every day.

I am still interested in trying the silicone treatment though because I have heard so much about it.

I was looking on eBay for Dermatix and Cica-Care which are said to be the market-leaders in this type of treatment.

However, during my search I stumbled across a seller in the US that is selling the same sort of stuff from a different manufacturer at a fraction of the cost so I have ordered some. The listing is at:

2 Sealed SIL--K Pure Silicone Sheeting Scar management on eBay, also, Scar Stretch Mark Reducers, Bath Body, Health Beauty (end time 21-Dec-08 04:13:10 GMT)

The gel strips are meant to be much more effective on raised scars than the gel applied from a tube so it must be worth a shot.

Will let you all know how it goes.
x

 

[PoppyPoo]

Hi poppypoo, long time no post i'm afraid (whole family been wiped with the tummy bug!). Just needed to say i'm speechless at your pics - you look tiny!!!!!!!!! You must feel so proud and amazing. I was supposed to have my abdominals stitched back in Dec but no date came through so I guess it'll be new year for me now. They only give 2 wks notice but do you mind me asking how many days post op could you atart lifting (if at all)? My youngest is approaching 1yr old and obviously it's gonna be hard not holding the kids for too long but i'm also aware of being very careful not to overdo it and cause infection.... Your waist looks so small - ther is a vast difference between your before and after pics. Well done. I'm so glad you posted this journey. Thanks

Hey FT! Great to hear from you hun. I hope you're all feeling better now.

Thanks for the lovely comments. I'm looking forward to taking some more pics tomorrow as I'm aiming to take them every Tuesday now (the day I had my op) to give a week by week perspective on the healing process. The day by day progress was noticable in the first week but it is slowing down now.

What a shame you haven't received a date yet. I hope you get one really soon.

I didn't really lift much for the first 2 weeks but I would say my ab repair was sore for just under a week. I hope that helps. Have you got a good support network around you to help with caring for the wee people?
xx

 

[FocusedTer]

Not sure how effective my support network is going to be. My OH has a habit of trying to manage everything and so he'll prob be exhausted running around - making me feel guilty (without intention of course) no doubt. I'm going to send the little ones to my childminder full time for a couple of weeks minimum and really try to rest. My mum has offered to help with childcare costs and will come and do housework and shopping bits. I guess only time will tell... I'm more worried about my OH coping than how i'm gonna feel.

 

[PoppyPoo]

3 weeks post-op pics added girls! There is further noticable improvement. The scar is looking less inflamed and the swelling has gone down more.
xx

 

[PoppyPoo]

Not sure how effective my support network is going to be. My OH has a habit of trying to manage everything and so he'll prob be exhausted running around - making me feel guilty (without intention of course) no doubt. I'm going to send the little ones to my childminder full time for a couple of weeks minimum and really try to rest. My mum has offered to help with childcare costs and will come and do housework and shopping bits. I guess only time will tell... I'm more worried about my OH coping than how i'm gonna feel.

I'm sure everything will work out fine hun. And just remember - it's only a temporary thing. Coping with childbirth and what comes afterwards was more hard going than my TT coupled with the ab repair so I'm sure you'll cope just fine. I'm feeling 100% now and have given my friend the go-ahead to arrange our trip to the Brighton Tattoo Convention at the end of Jan but I held off for ages because I didn't know if I'd be well enough. I even worried about a trip with the kids in March! :S Now I'm wondering what all the fuss was about.
xx

 

[Lou1973]

3 weeks post-op pics added girls! There is further noticable improvement. The scar is looking less inflamed and the swelling has gone down more.
xx

my goodness - your waist is tiny now

 

[PoppyPoo]

Thanks hun!

I thought the assymetry would have corrected itself by now but it doesn't seem to be changing much. They did say if this happens they would correct it with lipo. Suppose it depends how bad it is though.
x

 

[Lou1973]

what do you mean re assymetry? looks fab to me

 

[PoppyPoo]

Thanks hun.

There is some assymetry in the wound in that the right side is significantly higher than the left. Probably by about an inch. You can also see on some of my earlier photos that it is more raised too. It's gone down a bit but not that much.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not really worried about it as I'm over the moon with my new tum but thought I should mention it in case anyone else notices and to reassure them that when assymetry occurs they can correct it.

My post-op appointment is next Monday so hopefully it will have gone down some more by then because I don't really want to be having anything else done to it.
xx

 

[FocusedTer]

HI Poppypoo, wow these pics just get better and better. Have you measured your new waistline? There is such a visible difference.

 

[PoppyPoo]

OMG hun! Thanks so much for reminding me to do that. Have just done it for the first time since before my op and I have lost 3 inches! I've gone from a 30" waist to a 27" waist!!!!
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[xluckyloox]

Hi Poppy your pics look fantastic, your healing very well, can't believe thats over 3 weeks now since you had it done.
Tc XX

 

[Lou1973]

OMG hun! Thanks so much for reminding me to do that. Have just done it for the first time since before my op and I have lost 3 inches! I've gone from a 30" waist to a 27" waist!!!!
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lucky you - my waist has gone up an inch but am sure it's just swelling!!

 

[Trim T]

thats amazing Poppy, no wonder your waist looks so tiny!

Good luck for tomorrow luckyloo x

 

[PoppyPoo]

Thanks girls!

Don't worry Lou, it will go down.

Linda - good luck for tomorrow hun! Will be thinking of you. This time tomorrow you'll be in the post-op TT club! Can't wait to hear how it goes.
xx

 

[xluckyloox]

Thanks for the well wishes, i'm so excited but on the other hand i feel sick with nerves, i'm no gonna sleep tonight, it was after 4 this mornin i fell asleep too. I'll let you know later if i've settled down any lol.
Tc xx

 

[PoppyPoo]

Have replied to your pm Linda.
xx

 

[Lou1973]

luckyloo - wishing you all the best for tomorrow - will be thinking of you.

I know it's nerve racking but it's so worth it I promise.

I had a bit of nerves getting my head around why would i voluntarily put myself under an anesthetic and the associated risks and then as I was driving I had a realisation - I was more likely to die in my car than in hospital but i don't wind myself up everytime I have to get in my car and drive (or on a train or plane). Once I'd got my head around that I suddenly wasn't nervous and was just excited to get it done and get the recovery on it's way.

Let us know how you get on - i know you're going to be so happy with the results

 

[Jax123]

OMG poppy check out your tiny waist - am gobsmacked. You're doing so well.

Went to GP myself at beginning of month and was told flatly that my PCT would not approve TT. I did ask GP to contact PCT for me just to get a list of their criteria but she refused! - can I be nosy and ask which PCT area you live in? I'm pretty sure my surgery comes under Cambs. Anyways if I dont catch up with you before have a fab chrimbo - gosh you'll be exactly one month post op then!!! take care xxx

 

[XlosingitX]

hey pop would love to see the pics but cant find them