5 days post-op
Woke up this morning to face day 5 following my upperbody, arns and thigh lift. I still havent been brave enough to even attempt to sit on the toilet. they gave me a femtale urinal when I left the hospital so I've been using that or just straddling.
The main problem I'm having is my butt hurts. My doctor made me promise him I wouldn't get in the bed so I've been camped out a big chair for 5 days. I believe there are some stitches that go all the way to the back of my thigh and that is what is irriating me.
I set up alarms on my cell phone to remind me to take my pain pills.....they have been a lifesaver. I was given permission to shower on yesterday but I was too chicken to try it so I just had my mother give me a sponge bath.
I got 4 of the six drains I had taken out yesterday and he said he would probably take the other out of my thighs on Friday.
The best news for me is the fact that I can now stand and sit all by myself!!! I get tired real easy so a trip to the bathroom is about all I can handle.
Last night, my mother and daughter were trying to get me into my compression garment but couldn't figure out how to do it right so I just made them stop and we re-wrapped me up with the ace bandages. Im gonna attempt to get it on today.
So, on day 5, all I'm doing is sitting/sleeping and when I am awake, I grab the laptp. My mother has been trying to feed me everyday but I don't have an appetite at all. They took off 6 lbs of skin so hopefully between that and me not eating, I've lost a few pounda.
The main problem I'm having is my butt hurts. My doctor made me promise him I wouldn't get in the bed so I've been camped out a big chair for 5 days. I believe there are some stitches that go all the way to the back of my thigh and that is what is irriating me.
I set up alarms on my cell phone to remind me to take my pain pills.....they have been a lifesaver. I was given permission to shower on yesterday but I was too chicken to try it so I just had my mother give me a sponge bath.
I got 4 of the six drains I had taken out yesterday and he said he would probably take the other out of my thighs on Friday.
The best news for me is the fact that I can now stand and sit all by myself!!! I get tired real easy so a trip to the bathroom is about all I can handle.
Last night, my mother and daughter were trying to get me into my compression garment but couldn't figure out how to do it right so I just made them stop and we re-wrapped me up with the ace bandages. Im gonna attempt to get it on today.
So, on day 5, all I'm doing is sitting/sleeping and when I am awake, I grab the laptp. My mother has been trying to feed me everyday but I don't have an appetite at all. They took off 6 lbs of skin so hopefully between that and me not eating, I've lost a few pounda.
I'm glad you posted. I was going to PM you to see how you were doing today. I'm surprised you had so many drains. I didn't have any on my arms or thighs. I had one in my abdomen because they revised the anchor scar but that didn't really produce any fluid.
It took me a few days before I sat down too. I didn't get a urinal other than the freshette I purchased and was crazy enough to sit down the first 2 days before I even thought to squat. When I did sit down it kind of just happened without me trying. Too bad you weren't able to get a lift chair. That was a lifesaver those few days when I couldn't use my arms too much. Do you have a couch that is firm enough to sleep on? That's where I've been sleeping. I couldn't have been able to do that on my old couch because I would have sunk in so far I wouldn't have been able to get up on my own. Why doesn't he want you to get on the bed yet? Is it because of the incisions on your back? I can see how getting up can pull on that area.
When I put my garment on I zip up most of one side first and then do the other that way if it needs to be pulled up I can do it before it's closed and to snug to pull on. Just make sure when you pull it up on the legs that the open crotch sits just right. It kind of like putting on hose. It's easier to pull it down if you need to than it is to pull it up.
Hopefully you'll turn a corner in the next few days. At 2 weeks out it has been like night and day for me. You would never know I was miserable the first week by how I am doing now. I noticed my biggest change afer the first week and it progressed from there. I'm taking it easy today because I think I've been moving and doing too much the last couple of days.
Let me know if you have any questions!
Melissa
It took me a few days before I sat down too. I didn't get a urinal other than the freshette I purchased and was crazy enough to sit down the first 2 days before I even thought to squat. When I did sit down it kind of just happened without me trying. Too bad you weren't able to get a lift chair. That was a lifesaver those few days when I couldn't use my arms too much. Do you have a couch that is firm enough to sleep on? That's where I've been sleeping. I couldn't have been able to do that on my old couch because I would have sunk in so far I wouldn't have been able to get up on my own. Why doesn't he want you to get on the bed yet? Is it because of the incisions on your back? I can see how getting up can pull on that area.
When I put my garment on I zip up most of one side first and then do the other that way if it needs to be pulled up I can do it before it's closed and to snug to pull on. Just make sure when you pull it up on the legs that the open crotch sits just right. It kind of like putting on hose. It's easier to pull it down if you need to than it is to pull it up.
Hopefully you'll turn a corner in the next few days. At 2 weeks out it has been like night and day for me. You would never know I was miserable the first week by how I am doing now. I noticed my biggest change afer the first week and it progressed from there. I'm taking it easy today because I think I've been moving and doing too much the last couple of days.
Let me know if you have any questions!
Melissa
I guess I'm just extra juicy..the 4 drains that were coming out my back and underarms were pulled yesterday he said he would pull other 2 on Friday. He did some extensive work in my legs and back so I'm guessing that's why the drains were left in. He showe me an my family the pictures of my skin (6 poiunds removed) My surgery was scheduled for 12 noon but they didn't get startd on me until 1:30 and didn't finish until almost 9 that night. I didn't get into my room until after midnight.. I ended up staying an extra night because had to have a heart monitor on for observation. Apparently my heart started having irregular beats while I was in recovery.
Dr. Iz didn't want me to get in my bed for at least the first. possibly 2 weeks, because it's lot harder to get out the bed as opposed to the chair.I have one of those monster beds too. I'm using a big double wide chair w/ottoman as my bed. I've got tons of pillow all around me.
Like I said earlier, my tailbone hurts because I'm sitting on it all day.The incision in the back of my groin are leaking so I have to cover eveything with a plastic pad before sitting down. If that area wasn't bothering me, I believe I would move around a little more but standing and sitting is not pleaant experience for me right now.
Dr. Iz didn't want me to get in my bed for at least the first. possibly 2 weeks, because it's lot harder to get out the bed as opposed to the chair.I have one of those monster beds too. I'm using a big double wide chair w/ottoman as my bed. I've got tons of pillow all around me.
Like I said earlier, my tailbone hurts because I'm sitting on it all day.The incision in the back of my groin are leaking so I have to cover eveything with a plastic pad before sitting down. If that area wasn't bothering me, I believe I would move around a little more but standing and sitting is not pleaant experience for me right now.
Wow, that was a long surgery. Now I can see why he used so many drains. Was the 6 pounds from your back alone? That was a lot. It was a good thing he kept you the extra night. I used a pad on the bottom of the recliner because I had a little bit of drainage from my incisions but not too much. I was most comfortable in a reclining position.
Was Dr Bullocks on the OR with you too? I like him too.
Was Dr Bullocks on the OR with you too? I like him too.
(deactivated member)
on 3/24/10 1:52 am - West Central FL☼RIDA , FL
on 3/24/10 1:52 am - West Central FL☼RIDA , FL
So glad to see you are well enough to be posting.
I'm right behind you...I'm having the inner thighs (long incision) and my arms done early tomorrow morning.
Best wishes to you on your continued recovery...I hope it's a totally smooth, event free, and quick for you.
TTFN
Ruth
I'm right behind you...I'm having the inner thighs (long incision) and my arms done early tomorrow morning.
Best wishes to you on your continued recovery...I hope it's a totally smooth, event free, and quick for you.
TTFN
Ruth
I agree with WildeWoman - keep up those fluids and try try try to get your protein in. I didn't keep up with my fluids well the first day home from hospital and you saw - I ended up in an ambulance for the first time in my life and sitting in the ER over some pretty crazy dehydration (along with other factors but still).
That's a very smart thing to do - with the cell phone alarms. I keep trying to wean myself off my drugs and then end up in pain for a good hour waiting for them to kick in when I realize I am not super woman after all!
Continue getting better!!
Tell me how it feels to get drains out - I get mine out today and am excited though slightly terrified!
That's a very smart thing to do - with the cell phone alarms. I keep trying to wean myself off my drugs and then end up in pain for a good hour waiting for them to kick in when I realize I am not super woman after all!
Continue getting better!!
Tell me how it feels to get drains out - I get mine out today and am excited though slightly terrified!
Surgery Date 1-29-09
Surgery Weight 317
Lowest Weight 175
Current Weight 195
Surgeon Goal 180
Personal Goal 165
Total lost since surgery 142 pounds!!
Surgery Weight 317
Lowest Weight 175
Current Weight 195
Surgeon Goal 180
Personal Goal 165
Total lost since surgery 142 pounds!!
Most Active
Recent Topics
