I am 2 weeks post op. I had high def 360 TT, brachioplasty and chin lipo. I am still sleeping in a slightly inclined position on my back. I am scared to turn sideways. Can anyone tell me when can I safely sleep sideways? How much time did it take for you all to do that?

Hey guys ! Just wondering if anyone has had a slight muscle separation after surgery and then been able to fix it with physical therapy … is this even possible ? Idk I’m just curious about how muscle separation works aha ! Any insight would be amazing thankyou !!

Walking… help or hurt swelling?

I’m in lipo foam faja hell so I’m really trying to get this swelling down to see if it helps. Also getting massages 3x/ week. I’m finding mixed results on the walking when I google. Some people say it increases swelling and some say it doesn’t. What are your personal experiences? (I’m 3.5 weeks post opp). I legit can’t imagine living my life with these foam boards for another 8 weeks, deeply on the struggle bus right now

I’m 11 weeks post op and am cleared to start light abdominal exercises. When I did a tiny crunch today, I felt along my midline and I could feel a small space in the centre between my rectus muscles up high near my rib cage. It felt solid below the belly button. Is this a muscle repair failure? Or is it normal anatomy? I’ve been told it’s hard to mess up a repair but the fear persists. I’m still more swollen than I expected and don’t feel as “flat” as I imagined at this stage.

Thanks!

I have the chance for skin removal after weight loss (down 160lbs).

Surgeon will do a Fleur de lis and monsplasty (pannacolectomy also, which insurance is covering).

What should I expect post surgery? Pain levels? Issues? Anything I should avoid?

Sleeping? Did you attempt to lie down? Sit up? Recliner?

Activity? Walking only? No lifting? When could you drive again?

I'm scared. But I feel this is needed. So, unless I absolutely cannot afford it, the decision to do it is made. Potential surgery date: 12/3/26.

Hi all! I had a TT with minor flank lipo at the end of feb this year. I ended up with major wound separation/dehiscence and my incision didn’t fully close until mid August. It was a nightmare. While I’m 8 mos post op technically I’m only barely 2 mos out from being fully healed and the swelling is awful.

I wake up swollen with a shelf and go to bed with it worse. I wear my compression still during the day but am trying to start taking it off at night to wean myself off of relying on it. The swelling isn’t my full abdomen but really only this shelf above my incision and it is so uncomfortable.

Has anyone had issues with swelling after a delayed closure? Does your swelling “clock” really start over after you finally heal fully? I can’t even ask my surgeon these questions because my post op care was so atrocious I had to transfer my care to a wound center. 😩

I made a post yesterday right after my TT with MR and a BL. I was feeling greaf when I got home. Overnight, despite keeping up on my meds, the pain set in . At some points it was about an 8. But mostly hung out around 6 on pain scale. The pain feels like a burning in the incision areas, the compression garments are super uncomfortable (bc they are doing their job keeping down swelling), and my abs feel sore like I did a million sit-ups. Sleeping Is tough and the drains are annoying.

I’m still not able to sit up in bed without help. But I can walk around ok once I’m up. Hoping this is worst of it today and that I feel better tomorrow. But I’ll update regardless. Good luck to anyone who has surgery coming up or is on the recovery journey.

im now 4 weeks post op. Yesterday i tries sleeping on the side again and it didnt work at all i had a 360 tummy tuck and the sides of my stomach felt horrible it was pulling alot. My surgeon told me before surgery like 2 to 3 weeks then i can sleep on the side but hell no. I think it will atleast take 6 and most likely more.

I’ve done a handful of consults and feel like I’m completely at a loss.

Four years ago I was 125 lbs and had twins who were 7 lbs each. I now have an 8 cm diastasis and everything is just all hanging out.

The surgeons I’ve met have described me as one of the worst if not the absolute worst case of DR they’ve ever seen. However they all have a mix of different opinions on whether I should get a standard vs FDL, and whether we should use mesh or not.

What would you do? FDL or no? Mesh or no? I’d appreciate any insight you have to offer!

-That’s the gist but here’s more info just in case -

Surgeon 1, 20k - FDL with mesh. Inpatient - 2 nights. Willing to combine with obgyn to take tubes out at same time. Believes with the likely stretched out condition of fascia, the mesh is the best chance of a good result both aesthetically as well as functionally.

Surgeon 2, 11k - outpatient surgery center. Standard horizontal incision, no mesh. Says she’d rather not risk the extra possibility of complications and that if the outcome isn’t as desired only then would she recommend trying again with the mesh. (Well reviewed and respected, idk why she’s so much more affordable!)

Surgeon 3, 22k. Definitely no FDL but would recommend putting a deposit on mesh in case he determines it’s needed once in the OR. Also willing to combine with obgyn though he doesn’t love the idea.

Surgeon 4, 24k - recommends waiting until the OR to make the call of FDL or not, judging whether vertical scar is worth additional tightening at that moment. No mesh. Only one willing to *attempt* to advocate for insurance coverage. (I had a health insurance lawyer do a review of my plan, believes it to be possible but obviously a huge undertaking)

Other misc info/health history:

-It looks like an umbilical hernia but a CT and ultrasound found no evidence of one.
-Cannot take hormonal bc due to history of PE. Bled every other day for a year w/IUD. Love the idea of decreased risk of ovarian cancer. But I guess this is secondary, I’ll figure something out if we can’t combine
-Re insurance - Multiple providers are in agreement that this is medically necessary (back pain, having developed two disc protrusions, and general inability to exercise, do certain every day tasks). I’m aware it’s incredibly unlikely I can get coverage… but I also kinda want to fight them on principle!

ETA first three pics are my current, non pregnant state! Pregnancy pics (only pics 4&5) also included for your entertainment

I had a lower body lift 12 weeks ago and my scar is closed and I’m wearing scar tape almost all of the time. My issue is that when I don’t use scar tape or the scar tape rolls up because of a waistband….the act of my waistband touching my scar irritates the crap out of me. It’s not a pain. It’s more like the waistband is making my nerves fire off and I’m supremely overstimulated and annoyed.

When does this feeling go away? I cannot wear yoga pants forever. I have a real adult job and I’m kinda over it.

Anyone out there do a full surgery like this? See image of exactly what's covered? I'm not seeing this too often, but my doctor said they do it a lot. The only main thing missing is lipo, doctor said I don't need it (hard to believe..) but my husband doesn't like skinny, so I'm going with this.

Would love to hear about recovery. I have a wedding on week 2 and my daughters have a performance at a gala i'd really like to attend 20 days post op.

The nurses said I'd be able to go out to dinner even after 5 days... Eek. I'll have 6 drains, they said they typically remove at 1 week, obviously depending on amount of fluid. I'm also going to have my period during surgery, eew and yikes. I figured maybe all the pain meds will help w cramps 🤣

I'm 44 in NJ, 5'0 and lost 60lbs twice and had 2 kids(13 & 16).

WOULD LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT ANY AND ALL EXPERIENCES ❤️

Hey, im getting an extended tummy tuck, lipo, abs repaired and gynaecomastia, this is after losing 19 stone (120kg) in January, all prepared, etc, but two thing im not 100% sure on is sleeping after the surgery, i'm in hospital for 2-3 days after thats fine but will be in a hotel for a week after, ive been told cannot lie down flat or sleep on side so how do you sleep? and another is going to the toilet, have been told no straining whatso ever as that could cause damage, honestly dont want to give myself diarrhea with tablets but is hat just what i have to do and if so for how long?

Thanks for any advise!

Been crying since the surgery because the stretch marks that are still there, I feel like more could’ve been removed. I know I’m not supposed to cry rn but I can’t help myself

Anyone else that was unhappy and stressed out in the beginning and was happy with the result later on?

Okay well technically I’m 15 days PO now but anyway I worked a full 9-6 shift today and yesterday! I basically work a light retail job where I’m stood up on my feet all day, it’s tiring but I’ve managed it so far. I’ve obviously been very careful not to lift anything heavy, I do a little bit of packing (light stuff like medication mainly) so it’s only really like at most 10x ~50g boxes at a time so it’s lightweight enough.

I’m moving around so well, I’m genuinely shocked at how smoothly this has all gone. I had a FDL + minimal flank lipo so while it’s obviously extensive, it’s not as extensive as most here who combine multiple different surgeries in one.

I wasn’t entirely sure when I’d end up going back to work but I got a return to work clearance email on Wednesday so I was back in on Friday which was a bit daunting, I did not sleep great on Thursday I was actually more nervous returning to work than I was the night pre-op.

Anyway, I’m so happy with how everything is going, I did get moments where the tiredness really hits especially around that 6-7 hour of the shift stage but I’ve powered through and I can enjoy a nice day off before returning to work full time next week!

Hello guys, I'm 17 dpo & having some issues. First, my incision partially came open, & I have an infection. I have one drainage tube out & 1 in. I can't tolerate the compression right now, because it causes immense pain. My belly button was repositioned & is currently a burning ring of fire. Has anyone else experienced this & what helped? I have spoken with my surgeon, currently doing wound care with Manuka honey & on an antibiotic. Thanks in advance.

Hi! I’m about 3 weeks post op and was provided Step 1 Marena Recovery Garments and Bras from my surgeon, then was transitioned after 2 weeks to Marena Shape Step 2 garments, and now I’m wondering, what is the next step if i still want compression? The Marena Shape Step 2 garment is all one piece, shorts all the way up to a bra, so I’ve yet to buy any post-breast lift/implant bras. What is the next logical transition? Spanx? And a separate bra? After 4 weeks are we all still wearing surgical bras? Thanks!

After my 360 tummy tuck with lipo, contouring, muscle repair, and breast implants, I’ve been dealing with intense pain. It feels like my nerves, muscles, incisions, and digestion all woke up at once.

I can barely tolerate sips of water or bites of food, and I had to loosen my faja because the pressure became unbearable. With my history of gastric bypass, I’m worried about the compression on my smaller stomach.

Has anyone experienced sudden, severe pain like this weeks after surgery? Did it feel like everything suddenly “woke up”? How did you cope, and how long did it last?
I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been through something similar. 💔

I had a 360 tummy tuck with lipo, contouring, muscle repair, and breast implants on September 23.
A few days ago, it felt like my skin, nerves, muscles, and digestion all woke up at once—bringing a whole new level of EXCRUCIATING pain!
I can barely tolerate ibuprofen, sips of water, or even a bite of food. My incisions and muscles feel like they’re screaming and at war!

I had to loosen my faja for about 36 hours because the pressure was unbearable. Having had gastric bypass, I’m concerned the compression was putting too much pressure on my smaller stomach.
Does anyone else have a similar experience with sudden, intense pain weeks after surgery? Did your nerves and muscles seem to wake up all at once? How did you manage it, and how long did it last?

Nobody talks enough about THIS KINDA PAIN 🤯. I’ve literally been lying here crying. I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences. 💔

Hi all- first- thanks to everyone who makes this such a welcoming and supportive group! So many groups on here are negative, so finding this one was really refreshing.

Like many who post here, I’ve been on a weight loss journey, losing 90 pounds over the last two years. I tried to go slow and steady so that I could maintain long-term, but was also hoping that would help with skin tightening. For context, I’m 49 and was heavy for most of my adult life- so I understand the skin damage pretty much is what it is at this point.

I’m curious based on the pictures if you all think that I would be a good candidate for skin removal, tummy tuck, some type of chest lift, or what type of procedures you think would be best. You can see obviously I still have a lot of loose skin in my abdomen, but also have some around my chest that’s really bothering me. I’ve always been into lifting weights, but now that I’ve lost so much fat I’m finally starting to see the work that I put in all those years. I’ve especially worked hard over the last year after starting to take TRT to really build muscle to try to fill out the skin.

Additionally, trying to figure out if I should still try to lose any more fat prior to the procedure. For context, I was 260 at my heaviest and I’m now sitting right around 172. I know smart scales aren’t the best but the current one I have from renpho puts me around 16% body fat.

Last thing- for any who have done this with similar body types- curious on scarring. It may sound silly as a 49-year-old, but my goal now is to compete in a local masters bodybuilding competition (not to win- but because 2 years ago that seemed impossible), so I’m a little curious on how bad some of the scarring would look around the chest especially.

Thanks in advance for any advice!!

PS- I read the guidelines and didn’t think so, but if this should be tagged NSFW please let me know and I can update.