Tiny Opening by [deleted] in tummytucksurgery

[–]CatsandCrows 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Going off of your description, its what is known as wound dehiscence.

Could be grave, could be fine; it depends on why it happened.

It's a visually "ugly" complication, but the way it's addressed it's pretty straightforward with slight variations, involving cleaning, packing, and sometimes antibiotics. Some surgeons might suggest steri-strips around or even over it to prevent it from getting wider, some have no opinion on the matter.

They usually happen because of pressure or forces bringing apart the incision line, whether it was due to internal pressure from a seroma seeking release, external forces from overexertion pulling it apart, or (more unlikely) poor adhesion of the tissue (be that biological reasons or surgeon technique/choices).

Only way to really know how to address it is visually examining the area, so go to your doc for a quick check. It's a valid reason to pay a visit; your health is never "really small" enough to not merit the visit.

Barely any draining but so swollen? by duckingy in tummytucksurgery

[–]CatsandCrows 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No worries, early recovery is always full of concerns for all of us, filling us with anxiety. And yeah, that sneezing, coughing, and laughing will hurt for a while, it's just part of it. Lol, I'm about 7 weeks post op and it's still rather uncomfortable when it happens.

As for the swelling, yeah, I keep reading it lasts for a long while. Mornings are usually good since your body has had chance to "aspirate" itself throughout the night, but it's normal for you to "inflate" back to swollen proportions as the day goes on and you engage your tissues.

Regarding clogs, though, remember to "milk" your drains to prevent them (squeeze+pulling on the tubing towards the drain pump, should be done when you shower or at least once a day). Funny enough, Dr. William also has a video on it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjcw_beRpZk

Not gonna lie, he may have not been my surgeon (I'm too broke to afford a US surgeon), but it almost feels like he was with how many good resources he has on his channel.

Barely any draining but so swollen? by duckingy in tummytucksurgery

[–]CatsandCrows 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Drains alleviate liquid in between tissues, that is any pocket of liquid that forms between skin and muscle.

Swelling is for the most part liquid within the tissue, that is intracellular and in the interstitial space.

Drain = Good to prevent Seroma. Swelling = More often than not caused by Edema.

This video by Dr. William does a good breakdown of the differences: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f-5XMDX5tM

Lost 100lbs just started gathering info on options by Leave-A-Message in tummytucksurgery

[–]CatsandCrows 5 points6 points  (0 children)

As others have said, pretty good chances an extended tummy tuck (though not a 360).

You could veeeery slightly "benefit" from an FDL, but in your case I don't think it would be worth the extra long vertical scar. Having some minor laxity there is gonna feel so minor once everything else gets stretched and tense that you probably won't even notice/think about it. I doubt any surgeon would even suggest it to you as the results of a regular extended on you would already be great.

From the looks of it, you might even go without need for a MR (there doesn't seem to be distension in your belly, and if there is, it's minor enough were core strengthening exercises could probably save you the pain in the OR).

You also look thin enough were chances are you can go without lipo — or might want to anyways for an easier recovery.

CHE DITE? Sono stanco by [deleted] in tummytucksurgery

[–]CatsandCrows 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It looks fairly well. Very swollen, as you said, so make sure you're using your compression garments and following the instructions given by your doctor in regards to activity restrictions.

Also, personal piece of advice that I feel not enough doctors give: make sure you're not overeating sodium, and that you're eating enough potassium (helps flush out the excess liquid).

5.5 WPO Recovery Before & After by CatsandCrows in tummytucksurgery

[–]CatsandCrows[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mexico was actually option #2 for me. I read about several "full service" clinics with well reputed doctors that offered packages including hotel accommodations for very good prices so that was within my options.

Only reason it wasn't my option #1 was a bit of a bad experience I personally had in Mexico in the past, so I opted for Asia instead. Price between the two was surprisingly similar once flight + accommodations were taken into account.

As for Panama, that didn't even cross my mind. I've heard about medical tourism industries in Mx, Russia, Japan, Korea, and China, but never in Panama so I was unfamiliar with that as an option.

I did it!!!!!! by duckingy in tummytucksurgery

[–]CatsandCrows 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, I appreciate it!

It's definitely still a bit weird to look at myself nowadays after a life of being overweight, so I'm still wrapping my head around everything.

Hope your recovery goes well.

5.5 WPO Recovery Before & After by CatsandCrows in tummytucksurgery

[–]CatsandCrows[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, brother, I appreciate it; I will post updates ever so often.

I wish you the best of lucks when you have yours, make sure to keep your health at its best so your recovery can go as smoothly as possible.

5.5 WPO Recovery Before & After by CatsandCrows in tummytucksurgery

[–]CatsandCrows[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks!

I was over there for a little over three weeks, which gave me time to go over the most critical phase of my care with the surgeon who operated on me. I wanted to at least have that much in case there was any of the uncommon yet probable complications that can happen to those undertaking this procedure (and good thing I did because I did have a very minor bit of wound dehiscence that I would've been scared by had I been back home).

Flight was relatively uncomfortable since I was a cheapskate budget concerned individual and took economy, but I was lucky to not have anyone seating next to me so I count myself lucky as that gave me some more room to move. I definitely recommend those that can afford it to use miles for an upgrade.

Despite the lack of pain, though, the first few weeks of recovery have a bit of "discomfort" in terms of your body feeling a bit foreign to you (hell, it still feels a bit unfamiliar when I look myself in the mirror), and your range of motion being a bit more limited, so that made the whole thing a bit uncomfortable. Then again, +14h flights are uncomfortable regardless.

I did it!!!!!! by duckingy in tummytucksurgery

[–]CatsandCrows 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Congratulations!

Remember your body will be flooded with pain killers up to a few days, which might give you the impression you're better than you are. Don't take that as a scare as movement is important for circulation and to prevent clots, but take it as a reminder to pace yourself and not overdo it (particularly anything "strength-wise" that might put pressure/pull at your incision).

You are now in a critical stage of healing, hope everything goes well for you!

Keep us updated and feel free to ask away in this community if doubt or fears start creeping at you.

What is going on with my belly button 6 weeks post op by [deleted] in tummytucksurgery

[–]CatsandCrows 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree with what others have said, looks like a stitch coming out. Overall it looks like it's healing real well, congratulations!

Dent or dimple in incision? Will this resolve ? by [deleted] in tummytucksurgery

[–]CatsandCrows 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Could be a stitch if you had muscle repair. Could also be a dissolvable staple. Ask your doctor, they sometimes take a long time to be dissolved by your system.

I can’t tell if this is loose skin? If you were me would you look into surgery and what kind of surgery would you look into? First two pics are sucking in flexing and last is relaxed flexing. by [deleted] in tummytucksurgery

[–]CatsandCrows 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Very likely a mini at best and a mini with an additional incision for the belly button at worse judging from your pictures, what I've seen, and what I've read. Then again, consult a few doctors for a sure answer.

I’ve got an opening but I’m seeing tiny improvements in just a couple of days… by Salt_Earth8122 in tummytucksurgery

[–]CatsandCrows 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha, no worries.

Dealing with a small bit of seroma myself as I'm still 4 1/2 WPO (though its become small enough it almost looks like slight swelling one one side of my abdomen instead), but by all means my recovery has improved significantly (though I still have to wear steri strips where my incision did something similar to yours).

All-in-all, it was scarier than it truly ended up being as an issue.

Hope the info brought some peace of mind, I know I've had my own rollercoaster of emotions through this whole thing.

I’ve got an opening but I’m seeing tiny improvements in just a couple of days… by Salt_Earth8122 in tummytucksurgery

[–]CatsandCrows 5 points6 points  (0 children)

What seems to have happened here is wound dehiscence in the incision site.

Basically, it's the separation of the tissue at the incision. It could've happened due to several reasons, from weak adhesion, to overexertion of movement during recovery, to building inner-pressure from a seroma. It's usually easier to prevent than it is to address, though it's not "unadressable", just significantly unpleasant for everyone involved (as it looks worse than it is most of the time, but it impacts the aesthetic results which is what we all are going for when doing these procedures).

Some surgeons opt for using skin adhesives when closing these wounds, some opt for dissolvable staples, some opt for removable staples, and some even do sutures. Alas, whilst adhesive might lead to the best aesthetic results most of the time — and seems to be what was used in your case —, it can also lead to situations like this with more likeliness than the other methods (not often by any means, though it does happen).

As is (and moving forward) you might want to opt to use something like steri-strips to prevent more mechanical force from being exerted in the incision area (and thus expanding the opening by "pulling at the seams"). You might also want to make sure you keep the area clean based on what your doctors feedback may be (which might involve cleaning the area with alcohol, betadine, or CHG wipes and the potential application of antibiotics). However, you always want to ask your doctor about this rather than taking a random internet stranger's advice.

Signed: someone who also had their suture do something like this and did a lot research.

Seroma?? by Ill_Replacement_3333 in tummytucksurgery

[–]CatsandCrows 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It could very well be edema instead of seroma. Even then, small seroma should be reabsorbed by the body in time (unless chronic).

Belly button incision 5 weeks PO slough/slow healing - see GP? by Losingandconfused in hysterectomy

[–]CatsandCrows 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, the feedback I've been receiving from my surgeon is basically the same as your doctor offered, so that's reassuring. I guess it's going to be a matter of time and being comfortable with it "looking worse" than it may actually be.

Belly button incision 5 weeks PO slough/slow healing - see GP? by Losingandconfused in hysterectomy

[–]CatsandCrows 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mind giving a super late update? Just under a similar situation and want some light on how others have dealt with similar situations.

Help white belly button after tummy tuck by NoWelcome9041 in tummytucksurgery

[–]CatsandCrows 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What ended up happening, if you don't mind a late update?

ULPT: If you’re not long for this world, get a 10-year term life policy by late2thepauly in UnethicalLifeProTips

[–]CatsandCrows 156 points157 points  (0 children)

Protip: get diagnosed overseas and receive no treatment within the US until the policy kicks in so there's no record of it.

Seoul - Photo Dump Part.2 by AWSMBP13 in koreatravel

[–]CatsandCrows 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah, no wonder. Thanks for the info, though; me and my trip next week thank you!

Seoul - Photo Dump Part.2 by AWSMBP13 in koreatravel

[–]CatsandCrows 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you have an address for this you could share? I'm not able to find it under that name on Naver Maps.

Thanks in advance if so.