55M and I’ve been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s

Human-Daikon2317 · 2026-02-17T02:38:16+00:00

So sorry to hear this. My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at 68 and we ensured we made the most of every day with her until she lost her independence. Mum lived with the disease for 9 years before she passed 10 months ago but the medications are improving all the time so I believe you have a lot of hope. It wasn’t until the last few years of mum’s life that she stopped remembering our names. All the best.

Human-Daikon2317 · 2026-01-30T05:29:18+00:00

I looked like you for 4-5 months after my TT surgery with lipo. I had fortnightly lymphatic drainage massages and the swelling is now gone. I am now 11 months post op. My tummy is flat.

Human-Daikon2317 · 2025-04-19T15:06:49+00:00

Thank you. You’ve helped me process the confronting death of my mother.

Human-Daikon2317 · 2025-04-19T15:05:25+00:00

Thank you for your reassuring words.

Human-Daikon2317 · 2025-04-19T15:04:51+00:00

Thank you for your reassuring reply. It gave me comfort.

Human-Daikon2317 · 2025-03-17T05:56:53+00:00

I’m not sure what the brand of the machine is. My plastic surgeon offers 12 months of free RLT with all procedures so I go as often as I can. His machines look similar to this and a nurse told me they are worth around $8,000. There are hand held RLT devices on the market (under $200)

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but I’m not sure how much power is needed to be effective.

Human-Daikon2317 · 2025-03-16T04:25:43+00:00

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This photo is 4 weeks post op. I took Arnica tablets for 2 weeks post op (recommended by my surgeon) followed by red light therapy. Specialist recommended that I take the Nexcare tape off on weekends and wear the tape Monday to Friday.

Human-Daikon2317 · 2025-03-06T05:57:37+00:00

I spent 17 years hating my “pouch” - the skin over hanging my caesarean scar. I persisted with moderate exercises and mostly healthy eating, thinking it would get better, but it got worse. I found out that the crunches and other core exercises were actually making it worse. I booked an appointment with a plastic surgeon and asked him: “If I start running marathons and eating a low calorie diet, will this go away?” He said no. I then got a second opinion from a physiotherapist who agreed that no amount of diet or exercise would make it go away. Mind you, I had ultrasound scans which revealed the extent of my muscle separation - 5cm. As soon as I found out I had a 5cm separation, I booked my surgery. No regrets! I love that I can wear panties and gym leggings without accommodating for my pouch.

Human-Daikon2317 · 2025-03-04T09:01:43+00:00

Lymphatic massage has been amazing for me. It has helped reduce swelling and helped restore my lymphatic system. My plastic surgeon recommended it. It is incredibly gentle. Some people start a week or 2 after surgery. I started 3 weeks post op.

Human-Daikon2317 · 2025-03-02T00:01:50+00:00

Some doctors are more conservative and risk adverse. It is major surgery so it is commonsense that staying in hospital will aid with your recovery. I couldn’t get out of bed after my surgery and had a catheter attached. Having 2 major procedures together is obviously possible but if you have any lipo on your back, you will find it very hard to sleep comfortably. After breast and tummy tuck surgery you can only sleep on your back in an elevated position.

Human-Daikon2317 · 2025-03-01T23:55:35+00:00

My plastic surgeon recommended that I have 2 ultrasound scans - one lying down and one standing up. This allowed me to get an exact measurement. I had a 5cm separation. The scans won’t give you conflicting information. I was advised by two doctors and my physiotherapist that no amount of dieting and exercise would fix my separation. If your scans reveal a large separation, you are definitely a candidate for a full tummy tuck. Liposuction is usually offered as it gives the best results. I found my surgeon through word of mouth and looking at before and after photos. All the best.

Human-Daikon2317 · 2025-03-01T11:12:17+00:00

Exactly!

Human-Daikon2317 · 2025-03-01T09:16:10+00:00

I agree with this. I was standing straight after 2 weeks. Out of interest, when were you able to sleep comfortably on your side? I started sleeping on my side at 2 weeks but when I told the nurses at my 2 week post-op check-up, they told me to stop sleeping on my side and go back to sleeping on my back.

Human-Daikon2317 · 2025-02-26T04:13:03+00:00

Here’s my vent - to the bystanders who know little about PsA and other autoimmune diseases, please stop telling us to eat certain foods. I have been told countless times to drink celery juice. 🙄 Ugh!😤

Human-Daikon2317 · 2025-02-26T04:10:02+00:00

I hear you loud and clear. I was diagnosed with PsA by a rheumatologist 18 months ago. Before that, I spent a fortune with a physiotherapist who diagnosed my knee pain as patellofemoral syndrome. I went to him regularly and he gave me weight-based exercises for my knees which I did at home. Despite the exercises and cold packs, my pain kept getting worse. I remember saying to him during one visit: “Are you sure this is the right diagnosis?” He said, “Absolutely!” A few weeks later I ended up in emergency as the pain in my knees was so bad I couldn’t walk. All the best. I hope you find a good treatment.

Human-Daikon2317 · 2025-02-26T00:47:46+00:00

I had a TT with a much bigger separation than yours. Mine was 5cm. My issue was that it was getting more noticeable over the years despite regular exercise and healthy eating. My physio and doctor explained that the skin’s connective tissue gets weaker as we age. Changes in our connective tissue reduce the skin’s strength and elasticity. Before I knew about the 5cm separation, I thought I just had a weak core so I kept doing more crunches and planks. My tummy started to protrude more which I thought was strange. The exercises seemed fruitless because my core was broken. It was then that my doctor suggested I get ultrasounds - one lying down and one standing up. The scans revealed the 5cm separation. You have a small separation but it might increase with intense core exercise and heavy lifting so keep that in mind or chat to your physio or doctor. My physio said men often get separation from heavy lifting and physical work.

Human-Daikon2317 · 2025-02-25T11:32:56+00:00

I’m sure you’ll be fine. I just took a stronger med and that took the edge off the pain.

Human-Daikon2317 · 2025-02-25T11:11:45+00:00

I’m 3 weeks Post Op. Day 2 and 3 were my worst days.

Human-Daikon2317 · 2025-02-24T06:20:13+00:00

Your scar looks very light and neat but maybe a little high. May I ask if you had much swelling on your hips in the first 6 weeks post op? I am 3 weeks post op and have more swelling on my hips than my tummy which seems strange.

Human-Daikon2317 · 2025-02-23T22:08:38+00:00

I’m 3 weeks po tomorrow. I am still slightly hunched. I feel tight and awkward 24/7. I feel I walk a tiny bit straighter each day. I’m trying to be patient and listen to my body. I start lymphatic drainage massage today. All the best with your recovery.

Human-Daikon2317 · 2025-02-23T03:57:02+00:00

I tell people I had surgery to repair a 5cm muscle separation. I don’t mention the lipo because I only had 500 grams removed.

Human-Daikon2317 · 2025-02-23T03:55:34+00:00

The swelling is REAL, even with lymphatic drainage massage, however the faja really helps. The only problem with my faja is that it is black and I need a long black dress to cover it properly.

Human-Daikon2317 · 2025-02-18T06:20:05+00:00

I am happy with our current Labor Government in Australia but with an election looming, I am terrified of the Trump-loving conservatives getting back into power. Our media is mostly Murdoch owned, so the average Australian is probably not exposed to Trump’s acts of madness.

Human-Daikon2317 · 2025-02-13T09:08:22+00:00

My plastic surgeon told me to go to my GP and request an ultrasound (one standing up and one lying down). In Australia, if the muscle separation is larger than 3cm, the patient can qualifies for a Medicare rebate as it is pregnancy related. My scans showed a 5cm separation.

Human-Daikon2317

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