Tummy Tuck Pictures

Procedure performed: August 9th, 2007

Surgeon: Dr. Subramanya Shastri- Williamsville, NY
WARNING
This page contains surgical photos!!
When I was researching this surgery, I found it very difficult to find any photos of
#1: The Inverted-T cut (AKA: Anchor cut or Fleur de Lis) tummy tuck and
#2: Photos of women over 200lbs. having this surgery.
I vowed to take a lot of pictures of my surgery to help others who may be having the same problems I encountered.
Day 1- Still in the hospital and unwrapped by the doctor
On August 9th, 2007 I had an Abdominoplasty, Massive Panniculectomy and Ventral Hernia Repair following 130lb. weight loss from Gastric Bypass Surgery. (Went from a size 30/32 to an 18/20)

I spent one night in the hospital and went home the next day. I had an anchor cut or Fleur de Lis Tummy Tuck, and I was given staples from hip to hip and up to my belly button. Around the BB and on the top part of my incision (to under my bra line) I have removable stitches.

My surgeon put me on Cephalexin for 10 days and gave me Hydrocodone 7.5's for pain.
On day 2 and 3 I ran a low-grade fever, but this passed quickly with lots of liquids and taking painkillers every 4 hours.
Day 3- All bruised and stitched up
Day 7- Showing off my drain
8/21- Day 12--Drains removed. OUCH!!!!

8/29- Called surgeon's office b/c approx 6 staples on my right side are in a really bad place and are severely swollen/red/ANGRY. Was pretty much dismissed, as I have an appointment on Friday, but they finally said I could try an ice pack on it. It's still annoyed. Staples out Friday, August 31st!!
 
8/31- Doctor removed all my staples and stitches today. He said I was healing beautifully. I had estimated there were around 70 staples, but he said it was closer to 120!

9/2- Belly button is looking a little gross. I had a couple of large scabs that the doctor removed to take the stitches out, and the spots are kind of yellowish-green and angry looking.
Day 22- Closeup of stitches and staples
Day 18- Standing up
9/18- Belly button is doing well. He told me to keep Neosporin on it, but I think that was inhibiting healing. I left it off for a full day to let the 2 spots form scabs, and have since been putting on a very light layer each day. MUCH improved!

9/22- I had a stitch explosion today! ha ha!! NOT as bad as it sounds!! I had a bunch of spots on my upper incision line and 6 in a row on one side of the lower one that looked almost like pimples. I also had a spot on the upper that had a HUGE scab in it, where it was keeping the sides from coming together. I did some squeezing around the areas and found that all the "pimples" were little knots of surgical thread that my body was rejecting. I got them all out and threw some Neosporin on the spots. The big scab was around 2 knots together and a piece of removable stitching that was left behind. Yum! :p
Day 22- Sans staples and stitches Day 31- Healing nicely!
10/4- One new pic up. All is going well. I've been massaging my scars. i have some gross, knotty/ropy areas that are tighter than the rest.

Totally healed except for the same small open spot directly in the middle where the 3 parts attach. I'm still having some drainage there, but I'm hoping it goes away soon!
6 Weeks out!- My new belly button
8 weeks out! Full shot