More Inner Thigh questions

As I get closer and closer to surgery I think of more questions............
If you had the Loooong Inner Thigh Incision:

Were you able to step over the side of the bathtub to get into the shower?
Right after surgery how difficult is it to get into a regular car (not an SUV)?
Looks like I will probably be on my own post-op.......How much help is needed.....should I higher an RN to stop in and check on me and help with showering and meals?
Do you think I can drive 90 miles at day 5 or 6?

Thanks a bunch!!

A lot depends on your arm work.  Really.  If you knew it was not big deal, then you could probably do it with a little bit of a struggle.  I know I couldn't have those first 3 days but I didn't have to. I took a shower on day 3 but i needed help holding on to someone getting in and out just to be sure I had something to hold onto so I wouldn't slip getting in or out of the shower.   It was more of a precaution more than anything.  I also needed help with washing my hair and drying my back  and the bottom parts of my legs since my arm movement was very limited. I had to move very slowly.  I also had help getting into the car because I didn't want to use my arms to pull myself up.  I can do it fine now, still slowly.  You've seen how much help I needed but I had a lot done. I would not have wanted to drive that long by day 5 for sure.  I was still on pain meds by then and you shouldn't be driving when you're on those anyway.  Could I have done it if I absolutely had to, I'm sure but it would have been uncomfortable. My legs just feel better in a reclined or lawn chair position and you can't do that while you are driving.  I would have somebody drive you if you can just to be safe or at least be off the big pain pills.  

Well I did find out that the surgeon does plan on cutting the armpits.  UGH, I remember that being the worst part of the whole arm thing.  Oh well, at least this will be the last time the arms are touched.  What really bugs me is that the incisions on my arms are finally completely faded and now I have to open it all up again.  

I think you are right about the driving.....I'll figure something out.

Thanks for the input.

Were you able to step over the side of the bathtub to get into the shower?

I would have been able to do this, but would have held on.  I had surgery on Saturday, and had my 1st shower on Tuesday.  I was able to shower on my own, but preferred my husband be in near by just in case.


Right after surgery how difficult is it to get into a regular car (not an SUV)?

I have a Chrysler van, and was able to get in that, but had a hard time on a low car for a couple of weeks.  As you know we are all different with this, and you may have to see if it will work for you.  My friend who took me to some appointments and she has a subaru - and it was about 2 weeks for me to get in her car.

Looks like I will probably be on my own post-op.......How much help is needed.....should I higher an RN
to stop in and check on me and help with showering and meals?

If this were your first or second procedure, I would say yes but since you are a veteran now, you can probably be on your own on day 2 or 3.  I was alone all day after my arm/flank and did fine.  I was OK to be pretty much alone on day 3-4 of following my thighs.
 

Do you think I can drive 90 miles at day 5 or 6?

I live 45 miles from Los Angeles, where my surgeon is located, and that drive in mid day is about 1 hour, but in rush hour can be 3 hours.  There is no way that I could have done that drive for a few weeks.  I still had 4 drains, coming out my crotch, and if i would have had to break hard, I would have had a very hard time.  There again we are all different.

LOL....I'm a surgery Veteran.....
I think getting in and out of the car is going to be my biggest challenge but I'll figure something out.

Thanks for the input!!

People refer to me as a veteran now, so I thought I'd share the title! LOL. I was able to get into a taller sedan about 4 days out. My daughter and her fiance have a chevy impala, and that wasn't too bad.  The bending to get in the does place strain in the groin crease incisions, and that is an issue.  Probably the hardest thing for me to figure out was how to get on and off the toilet.  We have a tall toilet downstairs, which is where I slept and lived most of the time, and I didn't get a toilet riser, which I don't think would have helped any more than the tall toilet. I had worked on my leg muscles by doing squats and such and used a walker in the bathroom to help lower myself and stand up.  I only had issues with that for the first 2 days.  You might want to use a squirt bottle, and the toilet paper wipes to clean yourself better too, cause that is always an issue post thigh lift.  The bandaging is also awkward.

Like any of this, we figure out what will work best, and sort of modidfy ourselves around the life situation. Will you have any help at all, or a friend who can check in on you while during the first couple of days?  Since I had to keep my legs elevated, we bought a "leg riser" at the medical supply, and I could use that in the recliner or on my bed to elevate my legs to help with some of the swelling.  I wish that I had bought one with my LBL and all the recovery from those procedures.  I also used it after my arms to raise my head, shoulders and chest post surgery. 

I think I've got a plan in place for the toilet........I'm going to stand over to pee and it that is too "splashy" I'll use the Freshette I bought months ago in preparation. 
The squirt bottle is a good reminder thanks...I'll go toss it in my overnight bag before I forget.

I used to have a leg riser wedge type thingy...it was basically a big piece of form shaped like a triangle...is that what you are talking about?  I think I should go buy one because I don't have enough pillows in the house to elevate my head, arms and legs!!

WOW we go through with these procedures......but so far I like the results even love some of them.

Thanks for all your input!!!
TTFN
Ruth

I used to have a leg riser wedge type thingy...it was basically a big piece of form shaped like a triangle...is that what you are talking about?

That's the thing!  It really helped with my legs, because the pillows just weren't firm enough to keep my legs elevated high enough.  as it was, at first I needed to put pillows on top of the wedge cause I was having lymph edema issues related to my leg lift. 

And, yes, it is amazing what we go through.  Often, people will ask if it was worth it, and my answer is always yes!

I don't recall having any problems w/ getting in or out of the shower. Think I actally did the first shower on my own w/o any problems.

Didn't have any real problems getting in or out of my moms car, just took it real slow. Was able to do my SUV after about a week. Took some time to figure out the best way but managed, it was a bit more painful but doable.

I don't think I really needed much help after my MTL. My mom (who's an RN) only stayed a couple of days but really didn't do much to help me, just kind of cleaned the house & took the dog out. After that she just showed up to check in or drive me to the Dr. @ 4 day out to get my drains removed and the compression garment on.

Not real sure I would have wanted to drive that far @ day 5 or 6. I think I was still on my pain meds and very sore and swollen so have limited movement of my legs. If it mostly highway so you can use the cruise it would probably be better.

Everyone seems to agree that driving at day 5 or 6 won't work.....if I have to I'll just stay local to my surgeon till day 10.  I'll figure it out.....
Thanks for the input!!