NHS Tummy Tuck Diary (Pics Included)

[PoppyPoo]

Hi Poppy that doesn't sound too pleasant about the fluid build up. Glad your doing well otherwise. The weight will sort itself out when you are more mobile, thats what i'm telling myself too so if i put a little on over xmas it's not gonna let it get me down. You just concentrate on getting well and enjoy xmas time.

xx

Thanks for the supportive words hun. You're absolutely right of course but I just can't get that nagging out of the back of my mind about shouldn't be eating this shouldn't be eating that. My BMR (what my body needs when I'm bed-ridden) is 1378.9 calories per day and I know I've been consuming 2000 most days. Part of me is even dreading Christmas actually. I suppose that goes for most of us that have had past issues with weight though hey! I'm feeling a bit low at the mo I think because of my inability to exercise and do certain tasks. I'll get over it though. Note to self - stop moaning! Haha! xx

 

[Dieting Rambler]

Hugs Poppy! It's quite normal to feel a bit low after a major operation. You keep your feet up and heal well and you will back to exercising in no time!

 

[PoppyPoo]

Hugs Poppy! It's quite normal to feel a bit low after a major operation. You keep your feet up and heal well and you will back to exercising in no time!

Awwww thanks hun! You're totally right. I'm chilling out now - promise!
x

 

[xluckyloox]

Hi Poppy and Bluehail any suggestions on what i should pack in my hospital bag, i only want to take things i'll need.

Thanks xx

 

[PoppyPoo]

Hi Linda. So close now!

I took loose pyjamas, slippers, dessing gown, toiletries, towel, reading/writing material/boredom busters, prescription medication, money for patientline tv credit, loose fitting pants for the journey home in case of going home with the drains in and loose, comfy outfit for the journey home. You don't need pjs and dressing gown if you want to travel light because they'll provide you with hospital gowns but when you're back on your feet hopefully when you're about a day post-op, being able to put your own things on makes you feel a bit more human. They also provide towels but my own big fluffy soft one made me feel better. Hospital towels are rubbish!

I would also invest in a few pairs of firm support pants to wear after the drains have been removed. I wear mine everyday with my abdominal binder thing over the top.

Have you started taking any supplements or increased your protein intake yet? This should really help with the healing process of your scar if you start a couple of weeks before the operation.

Just generally take good care of yourself now chick, try to avoid any obvious sins because the healthier your body is, the better you will recover. Get plenty of sleep and good food.

So excited for you hun. Bet it seems like a dream doesn't it?
xx

 

[PoppyPoo]

So I'm now 2 weeks post-op and I'm feeling a lot better. I have been taking Ibuprofen and Diclofenac 3 times a day to help ease discomfort but I don't think I really need to any more.

My movements are a lot less restricted and massively improved since last week. In fact, I feel able to try out some light exercise now so I might have a little go on the exercise bike. Nothing intense though.

My posture is still stooped forward a bit but not nearly as much as it was. I have started using Bio-Oil on my tight skin and on the parts of my scar that have healed and have no scab.

I still have some stretch marks on my lower ab region so hopefully the Bio-Oil will improve those a bit too.

I have an appointment with my GP tomorrow to ask her about some Dermatix which is a scar treatment that can be obtained by prescription and is meant to be even better than Bio-Oil so will keep you posted on that.

I added pics most days for the first week to show the healing process with the bruising and swelling going down but as the changes will be more gradual now I will be adding weekly updates. Will add my 2 wk post op pics later this evening.

Oh and love and best wishes to Lou who is having her tuck today. Thinking of you Lou.
xx

 

[xluckyloox]

Thanks Poppy for the bag packing tips. Poppy had you already came off the cd diet before your op or did you do it right up to going in? My diet councilor said i can do the w8 rapid plan right up till i go in but my doctor isn't sure and hasn't had any experience of anyone on this diet. The Rapid is 4 meal replacements a day and 3-4 ltrs of water. Sorry to be a pest.

xx

 

[PoppyPoo]

No worries hun. Happy to help wherever I can. I did a little research a month or so pre-op and the general consensus seemed to be that it is best not to be in calorie defecit a couple of weeks before and after your op. (You also need to increase your protein intake).

I stopped my diet about a month before my op and I am now only just starting to think about calorie counting again just so I don't gain any more weight. I am not thinking of anything as drastic as CD for a little while as my body is still recovering and needing the extra calories.

I have just been listening to my body and eating when hungry but attempting damage limitation by sticking to the healthiest options. However I have still gained 5 pounds in this 2 weeks of recovery!

This is because of the lack of physical activity. Even when I don't get much exercise when I'm fit and well I'm running around cleaning and hoovering, playing with the kids, etc. and I can maintain my weight fairly easily. But I have been doing nothing at all. Just getting up to walk around the house here and there.

Could you maybe consider ditching your diet for a couple of weeks pre-op and just eating as healthily as possible to give your body the best chance of an easy recovery? Whatever you decide though, it is essential to increase your protein intake (skinless chicken breast, egg white, cottage cheese, skimmed milk are all good low fat sources).

Hope I was able to help.
xx

 

[PoppyPoo]

Just another thought hun - on CD there is an option where you add protein rich meals to your plan. Is this possible on W8? Or do they have a maintenance programme you could do for a while until you are better?

 

[xluckyloox]

Just spoke to my w8 councilor and she said i could go onto management where i would be on 3 meal packs and a meal of 5 oz of protein and veg and also fruit etc mmm really missed my fruit. Do you think this sounds enough protein.

 

[PoppyPoo]

Just spoke to my w8 councilor and she said i could go onto management where i would be on 3 meal packs and a meal of 5 oz of protein and veg and also fruit etc mmm really missed my fruit. Do you think this sounds enough protein.

Hi Linda,

5 oz of protein is apparently more than the recommended daily amount of protein for the average woman so this might be ok. Click Quiz: Are You Getting Enough Protein? - MyDietExercise.com to calculate your own specific needs more accurately.

However, you should be trying not to be in calorie deficit, which you will be by quite a large margin because the programmes you are following are VLCD/LCD.

If you feel you need to carry on with your LCD pre-op that's one thing but please don't carry on with it post-op at least for a couple of weeks or until your wound is properly healed. Your body needs all the help it can get through regular nutrition to recover well.

There's loads of info out there about wound healing and nutrition. It might be worth spending a bit of time on Google to get as much info as you can before you decide.

I've gained 5 pounds in 2 weeks of being pretty much bed-ridden and not much change in calorie intake but I know I can get rid of it pretty easily when I increase my activity levels so I'm trying not to worry about it too much at the moment and just concentrate on getting better.

Good luck in your decision hun.
x

 

[PoppyPoo]

New pics added guys. I've started taking pics of my tum with my knickers sitting in the correct place as well as with them pulled down slightly to show my scar so you can also see what it looks like when covered by underwear or a bikini. You should really be able to see the difference now despite the 5 pounds I've gained!
xx

 

[Dieting Rambler]

you look fantastic! your waist is amazing!

 

[PoppyPoo]

you look fantastic! your waist is amazing!

Awwww thanks hun! I've not measured my waist yet because I've been waiting for the swelling to go right down but I just read somewhere today that when the upper abs are repaired (like mine have been), it is supposed to make the waistline slimmer. Result! My PS didn't tell me that and because I was swollen and bruised I must say I didn't really notice until now. I'm so glad you can see it too because it's so hard to get the difference to sink in to my head since I lived with my old stretched tum for 10 yrs, so hearing it from other people is lovely. Thank you!

Today is the first day I've gone without any pain relief all day and have not felt the need for it at all. I think I might be back to 100% by next week. Fingers crossed.
xx

 

[tara66]

Hi Poppy,
Your pics are looking great! So glad you are starting to feel some of your energy coming back. Don't get carried away tho, remember to take it steady as you feel a bit better x

 

[dietingqueen]

Hi Poppy,

Your wound is looking great and seems to be healing nicely.... and yeah i can see your waist tooo!!!!! Your looking fab!!!!! wish i had the courage to do it... cos i have the same tummy as your b4 pic!!!!!

Love Nas x

 

[PoppyPoo]

Hi Poppy,
Your pics are looking great! So glad you are starting to feel some of your energy coming back. Don't get carried away tho, remember to take it steady as you feel a bit better x

Thanks hun! I know what you mean about taking it easy. Actually I have been wanting to start light exercise but I'm scared of doing myself an injustice so haven't done anything. My OH has been doing all the housework so all I've done is walk around the house here and there. He booked a fair bit of time off work and I'm barely allowed to lift a finger! Bless him. My post-op appointment with my PS isn't until Dec 22nd but I am seeing my GP tomorrow so I may ask her for some advice.

I can't wait to go swimming again but I know that won't be for a while!
x

 

[PoppyPoo]

Hi Poppy,

Your wound is looking great and seems to be healing nicely.... and yeah i can see your waist tooo!!!!! Your looking fab!!!!! wish i had the courage to do it... cos i have the same tummy as your b4 pic!!!!!

Love Nas x

Thanks darlin! Ooooh all these compliments. It's like Christmas has come early. Do you really think I'm brave? Some of my friends initially thought I was insane but I knew for sure even before I had it done that I made the right decision. I know it's not the right choice for everyone but for me personally it has turned my life around. I just need to sort my boobs out and tone up everywhere else then job done.

 

[PoppyPoo]

Good news! Seems that I've only gained 3 pounds and not 5. Must have had some water retention.

I started calorie counting yesterday for maintenance so I don't gain any more weight while out of action. I'm seeing my GP today too and will ask her for some exercise advice. I'm hoping she'll say it's ok to do a light bit on the exercise bike every day.

 

[dietingqueen]

Thanks darlin! Ooooh all these compliments. It's like Christmas has come early. Do you really think I'm brave? Some of my friends initially thought I was insane but I knew for sure even before I had it done that I made the right decision. I know it's not the right choice for everyone but for me personally it has turned my life around. I just need to sort my boobs out and tone up everywhere else then job done.

You milk it!!!!! LOL x

But yeah i blummin do think your brave!!!!! if there was no pain involved i'd have it done PMSL... I'm a wuss!!!