outpatient plastics scheduled in 5 days

I haven't posted in a long, long time, but I need some support!  I am having my first round of plastics in 5 days, and I'm really nervous.  I'm having circumferential abdominoplasty (belt and tummy tuck) and medial thigh lift.  I'm a little concerned about it being an outpatient procedure.  Have any of you gone through this outpatient?  Any general advice for the recovery period from either of these surgeries?  I sure would appreciate any advice. Thanks, all! Marce

Not yet, have I had mine. I will keep you in prayers and thoughs in the next days.

Thanks, Laurie!    I appreciate it very much! Marce

I had mine done as an outpatient and had no problems with doing it that way. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I can take pain meds, and my own blood pressure ,if needed, because that's about all they will do in the hospital and charge you a small fortune for it, lol. My PS called me that night to check on me and then again the next morning, which is about all they will do in the hospital too.  You will do fine, just follow the doctors instructions, take your pain meds and muscle relaxants, wear your body garment, and don't try to over do anything even if you feel like you can. Make sure your protein level is good and take extra protein in over the next week, it really helps you heal. I didn't have the thighs done, just the belt lipectomy and breast lift. The thighs take longer to heal from what I have heard  and I didn't want a scar running down my legs that I wouldnt be able to cover up, so I chose not to do it and live with my wrinkled legs, lol. I was out of work for 4 weeks, but I have a strenuous job, so it might be shorter if you sit behind a desk and don't have to strain yourself. I wouldn't ru****! Good luck and take care! Mary

Hi Mary, Thanks so much for your response -- I feel so much better!  I met with the PS today and that helped too.  I think I am the most worried about getting in and out of the car with the thigh lift lol. Can I ask what kind of body garment you used?  My surgeon is sending me home with an abdominal binder and mesh panties.  He said that support garments from Target will be fine after the first couple of days.  I've read about the compression garments available specifically for these purposes and wondered whether I should go with those instead. I am taking your protein advice to heart and will definitely do that this week.  I will be so glad when this is over.  I think it's the fear of the unknown more than anything else that is getting to me!  I don't feel quite as well prepared as I did before the bypass -- I felt like we knew *everything*. Thanks again for the advice!  I so appreciate it! Take care, Marce

hey marce! I didn't get to respond to your pm yet, but i saw this here and thought i would just add onto what mary already said.. the abdominal binder , i wore mine for 5 weeks.. 24/6, 1 hour to wa****! LOL.. it worked so well and made me feel comfortable. wear it "tight" but not TIGHT.. if its too tight it will compromise healing..  also a tip on the panty thing, get some disposable adult diapers.. (yes i know im nuts) but hey it works!! LOL They're elastic, and are easy to stretch over your drains and it wont matter if you get something on them bc you throw them out anyways.. (dont go peeing in them or anything lol i just used them as a "Garment" not a Diaper, just wanna clarify! LOL) bc my drains were RIGHT in my panty line in my groin, so real panties were out of the question.. and these are so stretchy and paper like that it didnt rub them or anything. USE HELP Getting in and out of the car, DO NOT Strain your muscles or stomach.. let someone use their power to help you sit. and stand.. I ripped my belly button open getting in my moms mustang a week after surgery. it went POP. .but was fine after a couple of weeks of healing up again.. DO NOT WEAR JEANS AFTERWARDS.. for at least 4-5 weeks! (longer probably with the thigh lift!)  just go look at my profile if you dont believe me, lol.. i ripped myself open like an idiot 10 days post op.. TAKE IT EASY. .don't try to be super woman and do everything, get up every couple of hours to walk some, but lay down and keep those feet up all other times.  You will more than likely get the plastic surgery blues afterwards, this is normal.. you might feel like a freak show(at least i did) bc you have drains hanging out, and cant get around well.. and just feel kinda blah.. but trust me, you will feel SO much better after a few days, and then when your drains come out you will feel almost normal again.. but like i said, take it easy don't over do it. .I thought I was "FINE" and bam, messed up..  there is a plastic surgery board on here, and its very helpful.. click on "Forums" up there, then click "plastic surgery" then look to the left, and click "message board" ..  The thigh lift, I didn't have but wish I had! lol.. just be very careful, keep your legs open to let everything air out and stay dry so that you don't compromise healing.. don't climb any stairs.. if you have a 2 story house, plan on living down stairs for a while! you will do great!! Let us know how everything is going! jen

Hey Jen! Thanks so much for your response!  I knew you would have great advice!   I love reading the forums, but I think they get me thinking TOO much sometimes if you know what I mean LOL!  I will be thinking of you every time I get in and out of the car!  The diapers are a great idea -- I will definitely do that.  I was going to wear some of my old granny panties LOL!    I think what was getting to me is that  not as many people have the thigh lift, and that does seem difficult.  I think also Dr. Bour prepares us so well that to not know EV-RY-THING before going in makes me nervous!   I'm glad this all happened fast so I didn't have more time to think about it.  I wish I was in recovery mode instead of anticipation mode, which for me is much worse than the reality lol! I really appreciate your advice and support!!!  It's so nice to know I can come back and count on the upstate folks for support.  Marce

Alright you!!!! now I have you in a diaper in my head!!! but don't worry you are cute with pigtails and a passy too!!! Sorry I just had to say it! I try to behave over here but you know you can take the girl out of the country..............

The garment I had was one the PS gave me. It pretty much looks like a body  girdle that zips up each side and has an open crotch, no it's not sexy like crotchless panties, lol, but like Jen said, it actually feels good to have it on holding everything snug. I was uncomfortable without it on. I wore it for 3 weeks then switched over to an abdominal binder that just wrapped aound and velcroed. I wore it until I was 7 weeks out of surgery. It really helps with the swelling, more than anything. Your doctor should have plenty of advice for you afterwards, so follow what ever he tells you. Enjoy your birdbaths for a while, I wasn't allowed to shower until my drains were all out, it sucked, lol. Can't wait to see you again! Hugs! Mary

LOL Mary, my hubby is sorely disappointed about the crotchless garment not being sexy   I can't imagine feeling sexy for quite a long time!  LOL! I think I may feel more comfortable with the body girdle type garment too.  My surgeon is not recommending it, but with so much work, I think it will make be feel more secure. You guys are awesome -- I would love to get to see everyone again.  I didn't say much, but I enjoyed being with you all.   Please do let me know if you all get together!  We must all be a bunch of hot chicks by now Hugs, Marce