4~day PS post-op Doing Well!

Greetings All, Just a quick update. I am 4 days post op from my plastic surgery and each day gets better. Thanks you Jesus. Today I can finally make it in and out of bed by myself. The abs feel like steel alright!! lol  I cut back on my pain medication and that  helps me not feel so nauseated. Several times after being up and about I go back and sit on the bed and get the nausea mouth waters and foamies...spit a little then burp and I am all better. They make you take stool softeners twice daily and I think cutting back on the loratab helped kick my bowels into gear so I am relieved about that. I took a shower yesterday and was totally shocked at the sight of my body in the mirror.  for all the 6 hours of surgery, with lipo and all I don't have a single bruise on my body except for where the Nurse insisted on starting an IV and blew my vein first thing the morning of Surgery. My tummy is all soft white skin and flat with a great looking belly button...lol Midrif flat with very high firm perky boobs. Surely these came from the Barbie collection as I am sure It would have taken a miracle to get these out of what i gave her to work with...lol I feel so much better every day. I am spending about 20 hours a day in bed elevated on my back just sleeping and resting. For those of you with upcoming PS, please make sure to plan on having someone to help you completely after you are home if you have both procedures done. They day the panni is not bad as it is just an excision. With the full tummy tuck/lipo, you really get a work out but I honestly have to say it is sooooooo worth the extra! I am already thrilled with the results. Sherri and for others who have asked. I had mine at the Carmel Ambulatoy Surgery Center. Feel free to call ahead and take anything thing clear fluids you may think you will need. It is a great place however they need more preparation for Barri patients.  I gave them such a list of changes when they called for my post op care at home that they were so suprised. :o) I told Dr. Bergemans office how they were and they too noted it for others coming up. The Dr. Was so completely excellent that she covered all bases with me and that is what I went off of.  I see her on Wednesday Morning for my 1 week check up. My drain, only one is yielding about 50cc daily so that is not much. I will be glad to keep it as long as she feels I need it but will be glad to see it go as it is a real in the way pain! I switched off to my  binder from my RNY and it helps. The compression garmet they put on you is good only it flaps up and velcro fastens between the leg and with the drain there is can be a little tricky. My hunger is really low and i don't really want food at all but force myself as I know I must. I keep looking to 6 weeks from now when I am back at work and know that I will be feeling and looking awesome. Funny thing about the nerves healing...they itch like crazy and I swear I can close my eyes and feel the itch on my old tummy and when I go to touch it it is gone. They call it skin memory and say some have it for a long time. an odd feeling but not bad. I figure the itch means I am healing well and looking forward to a better day each morning. Hugs to you all! Cinderella lives and is doing very well with her Barbie makeover! Just look out Ken!!  Marianne

Gee, I very happy for you and jealous at the same time.  I can't wait to grt rid of this excess skin.  I was wondering how long you have planned to take off work?  I want to start saving up vacation time to use for a leave.  I didn't know weather to plan for 4 or 6 wks.  It must be truly amazing to have all those changes.  I bet you can't wait to go clothes shopping!

Jan, I am taking 6 weeks off. I decided to do my surgery this summer as my full pay will come out of our sick bank time since they tagged this to my WLS and does not touch my sick days or vacation. And Sept 1 I accrue another lump of hours. We are planning our fall Vacation to Vegas in October and I am really looking forward to that. I truly can't wait to shop for new "bottoms" Skirts, Slacks and Jeans. I had been thinking that I wouldn't change that much but looking at my new size I will definatly have a lower body change. Most of the fabulous tops I have bought will still fit great and will now be able to wear tucked in so no extra's there. I am looking forward to a trip to Victoria Secrets when I am ready for new bras :o) I bought front hook leasure bras to wear during my recovery and they were the smartest thing I have purchased! So comfortable and really does the job. If you have the whole works done like I did, just plan to have someone else take over the house and plan on spending alot of time looking at your ceiling :o) Rest really is the great healer for this. Take care and keep me posted on you! hugs! Marianne

Marianne,  Glad to see the update on your recovery,  sounds like you are doing awesome...  keep us posted and dont forget pictures ....  Carla

Marianne, I'm glad you're doing better! Did they say how many pounds they removed? When Dawn had hers, they told Mark 14 lb..I think. They also took a picture of it in the surgical pan (with Dawn's cell phone). I don't know that I want to SEE mine..but I'd want to know how much it weighed. I think it was Dawn too who told me that she uses a garment that was recommended that is at Kohl's (I don't remember the name of it). Since she didn't have the full tummy tuck/lipo maybe she didn't require the compression garment (????). So biggie thing..remember to bring my own water, protein drinks, and fruit2O..can do! I'll just pretend it's camping! LOL! Were you just there over night? The 20 hours in bed..is that part of the doctor's orders? What all was the doctor's post-op orders? Oh..did your hubby stay with you at the hospital or go home at night?  I think that's all the questions for now.  Take care hon! Can't wait to see that Barbie look! You were already a tall blonde goddess!! Sherri

Sherri, My Panni was 8 1/2 pounds. I am not sure exactly how much was lipoed but I think quite a little bit. I may check out the garments at Kohls  when I am up to it. I have some Rhonda Sheerer body shapers that I have worn since my RNY surgerythat I hope to wear as soon as the drain is out. The drain is in such a difficult place for any undergarments and the pulling on it is painful! :o) I fully intend to wear the compression garment as they say it will really improve your results. With a panni it is probably not as important for compressions as with the full tummy tuck. With the full TT you really get your moneys worth and then some.  Right now I am wearing my binder from my RNY and it helps but I hope to switch to a real garment when the drain comes out. I want to keep it as long as she says I need it as it is doing it's job. Mine is not bad now, I am adveraging 30~40 cc's per day so maybe when I see her Wednedsay I will get lucky! :o)  Camping is a good way to put it :o) I think they will be better now than they were for me as I have talked so much about it. They told my AFTER surgery that Jon or my daughter could have stayed the night so I would check before yours to make sure. 20 hours in bed is what I really did the first 5 days. Today I am up more but not really up if you know what I mean. I am sitting in my chair and still napping alot. Laying on your back bets to be  a pain but it is theonly way your can rest with your knees up on pillows and your upper body propped up. Doc said light walking to the bathroom and a little around the house but really to do nothing. I did get up 4 am Saturday and do a few dishes, pick up the living room and kitchen and felt good. I have learned to lean over carefully with lots of lee way to keep the pressure off my incision. I gently sorted laundry Sunday and would put thingsi n the washer a couple of pieces a a time. Then unload into a basket the same way andhave Jon put them in the dryer and then bring them to me to fold. I am careful on not lifting as it can be dangerous on the breast if you break a blood vessel so I treat them with great care, Not so easy as they really are out there now! lol So hard to get used to!! but...not complaining. I massage the upper chest thru out the day and they seem ot be softening and dropping a little. It takes time for them to fall into place. The itching will drive you crazy but that is a good sign. Healing I guess......it looks like I am coping a feel all the time just gently rubbing them..lol she did an awesome job, I have full sensitivity and am so amazed that she came out with these after what I gave her to start with. I would really encourage anyone who is looking into the surgery to check Dr. Bergeman out. I can not say enough good things about her. She is totally the best!! I am so glad I went with the upgrade from a panni to the full TT. It covers your from your midruff to your mons and with mine there was even a slight thigh lift I am noticing that is awesome. I probably will never do my thighs (they say it is the worst for pain and this is it for me :o) and just the little lift she gave them really makes a huge difference. I don't know that the thighs get lifted in all cases but the way mine was done it sure had made a change for me. I am excited for you to have your consult and get your surgery scheduled. I thought the RNY was the change of my life but this is so totally cool and I am really loving thinking about my new shape when I am all healed and back to normal exercise. Keep me posted on your progress! Looks like you have been vacationing enough for the both of us! Keep up your fantastic summer! Hugs! Marianne

Marianne, It sounds like you are doing great.  I am so happy for you.  Don't get too industrious, let yourself be taken care of.  Where did you buy your leisure bras?  Dr. B's office said to check out Kohl's (full price) or TJMaxx (cheaper) for Flexees garments to wear while the compression garments are in the laundry.  But she said that for the first 4 weeks, when not wearing the compression garment, I have to wear the flexees and do NOTHING.  She said when the laundry is being done to put on the flexees and lay down and wait.  I like that kind of post-op instructions.  I didn't get to be obese by being athletic...I got that way from being a slug. I'm currently looking into renting a lift-chair recliner for the first week or so post-op. Keep us posted on your progress.  Can't wait to see you again.  I'm sure you look mah-va-lous!   You always have!

Annette, I bought my bras online thru the woman within shopping site and I love them! They are front hook and so comfortable. Perfect for recovery. I had been padding them with a soft wash cloth over the incisions but today just put it on alone and it seems fine. The compression garmet can be a pain but it does a good job. I truly plan on not doing much for most of my 6 weeks off. I think most people think PS is alot like our Gastric Surgery where they want you up and walking alot. With this ...you learn to vegitate alot! lol I don't mind as my body is tired and the rest feels good. Plan on a good bedside supply of what ever you need and lots of pillows to prop you up comfortable. I have a huge wooden tray that I placed on a straight back chair next to my bedside that I piled with all my meds. kleenex, mirror, blistex, books, protein bars, bottles of water, etc, so everything is in easy reach and I don't have to bug everyone to get me things. I looped a walmart sack over the bed post for trash and that works really well. Every day it gets better but I have a long path to go still. I se Dr. Tomorrow morning so I am anxious to see what she says. My scales today said I was down 6 pounds from surgery so...with the 8 1/2 they removed + the 800cc's of saline added for implants and the swelling I guess 6 pounds lost is good. I know it takes months to see our new figure but this is alot better that what I was looking at so..I am happy! Keep me posted on yours and call me anytime. Talking on the phone I do really well! lol Hugs! Marianne