Home from surgery (long)

Thank you!

Thanks Melissa for the details of your procedure. I appreciate the good - the bad & the not so good that folks write. It gives the rest of us who have not yet had our procedures a realistic view of what to expect.

It sounds like Day # 3 is a turning point for most.

So glad you are up & walking and able to keep in touch!!

I am having the arm lift with lipo as well, not looking forward to it - but looking forward to the results!!

Linda

Thanks Linda!  Today has gotten better so that sounds about right.

Hi Melissa,
So glad to see you are feeling well enough to be posting again.
I've been anxious to hear how you are doing.  I'm doing the same thing in 2 1/2 weeks and I'm starting to get nervous.

I'm kind of thinking of not doing the arm revision at the same time but then I'm thinking it may not be as bad because it's not like having the arms done for the first time.  At least that's my understanding...I'll double check with the surgeon later in the week at my pre-op appointment.

So the thighs are bad, huh..
I've heard it's the worst and I think that's what has me nervous. 
But then I'm thinking with everything I've already done I can handle this too.  I'll take the pain meds on schedule and just sleep away the first 2-3 days.

Did you go home the same day as your procedure or did you stay in the hospital a day or so??

Thanks for the update.
I hope you are feeling better with each passing hour.
TTFN
Ruth

Thanks Ruth!  I really don't think the arm revision will be as bad either.  I wouldn't do it separately if I were you.  Gosh, you've had plenty of surgeries already.  Just stay ahead of the pain.   The first  2 days home I had to take 2 at a time but I'm doing 1 at a time now and that's working so it is getting better.  If you can find a way to pee without sitting down completely the first day or 2 without sitting, that will help tremendously!

I stayed overnight since I had both my arms and thighs done.  I couldn't imagine otherwise.  It was nice just laying in bed with my pain pump not having to move.  I almost had convinced myself that it wasn't so bad since I wasn't hurting when I was still.  Then reality set in!  Actually the real pain is when you're moving.  Sitting still and resting is fine.

Thanks for the detail!  Hope it just gets better and better with time.  Congrats Melissa!
Cindy

Melissa!
Thanks for posting!  It was so great to see you home and well.  Take it slow, very slow and rest as much as you can.  I have always feared the Thigh Lift.  I'm scared of that pain! 
Keep us posted as you can!
Happy you're doing well.
Gentle Hugs,
dee~

You know I have been anxiously waiting  to hear your story.  I go in 10 days!!!!  YIKES!!  now you've got me scared!  I wonder if they sell those Freshette thingies in the camping dept of  stores?  I need to go find one quick cause I'm 5'8" and it's a long way down to my toilet.  I don't have the lift chair/recliner either, gotta look into that too.  I thought I could manage with just my bed but now I'm second guessing that too!

So, if I just stay on top of the pain meds, it should be manageable?  I don't have a laptop and my desktop is in my office upstairs....I certainly won't even attempt to go up there. 

I hope you feel better each day and update when you can.  I'm still going through with this, just preparing for the worst and praying for the best.

. 

Gosh, I wasn't trying to scare anyone!  If it's any consolation, the pain is better today.  I'm not having to take my pain pills as often so that's good.  I was like you too, prepared for the worst and prayed for the best.  

Yes, stay on top of the pain meds and it will be better.  I recommend taking 2 at a time the first day or two and see how it goes.  I ended up not even using the freshette I bought.  I've even heard some women use a funnel which isn't much different from what the freshette does.  Just get one with a flexible tube.  Renee said she used a cup with a hole cut out in the bottom.

I'm sure you'll be able to do the stairs in a few days but I wouldn't do it more than once or twice days.  You'll know when you're able to do more.  I'm able to brush my hair now which I couldn't do the first 2 days so it does get better.

I also went for my postop appt and Dr Iz daid everything was looking good.  I have more bruising now which is ugly but he was happy with everything.  I just need to be sure I keep the ace wraps on and get good compression.

It's no fun but you can do it!

where did you get your lift chair from?  my 80 y/o mother is coming to stay with me and take care of me.....is this going to be too much for her?  I don't think she'll be able to lift me and I know she won't drive me to the post-op appt.  She's from a small town and scared to death of Houston traffic... she's excellent around the house and in the kitchen though.  

Gonna go look for me a funnel this evening.