Already been more than 1 week Post-op Inner Thighs and Arms

Here's the continuing of my first days in recovery.  I already posted days 1-3 here's  the next 6 days.

Reminder of what I had done.....

Inner Thighplasty – because I had so much loose/wrinkled skin all the way around and up/down my legs I needed the incision from groin to knee.
Brachioplasty –  Full length of the arms, thru the armpit down the side of the breasts.

Revision to Tummy Tuck incision – he wanted to re-do the incision from the belly button up to “straighten" it out. I thought it looked start already…

Revision to Breast Lift - he removed the dog ear I had at the very top of the TT incision (what I was calling my 3^rd boob…so glad it is gone)  

Day 4 Post Op (Mon 3/29)

 

What a day……..checked out of the local facility, stopped by the surgeon, drove home (90 mins), unpacked the car, got me changed, changed all the bandages/dressings, got me into bed, had some late lunch and I’m wiped out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Kind of freaked out about my right armpit…..looks like the entire horizontal incision split open.  Of course this wasn’t noticed until tonight so I have to wait until tomorrow to call the surgeon…UGH!!

 

Forgot to report that yesterday, day 3 post op, I had a first BM…..much better than with previous surgeries.  As usual I started taking a stool softener after surgery but this time it worked much faster……The secret…..EVERYDAY I added a scoop of fiber (Metamucil type stuff) to 1 of my protein shakes.  I did not want to do more than one a day because I didn’t want to cause any major issues just the one serving a day was enough to make it “easy" to move out. 

 

Took only 1 painkiller tonight to take the edge off and help me to sleep.

 

Day 5 Post Op (Tue 3/30)

Well I’m right the armpit split open put they are not overly concerned about it…I don’t have to rush in to have it closed.  They suggested trying butterfly bandages tonight and they will work on it when go for my follow-up appointment next week.

This ought to be interesting trying to put the butterfly strips on.

 

WOW the swelling in the legs is awful today and got even a little worse tonight.  Feels like 10 lb sausages in 2 lb skins.  The bruising has also showed up today.  Hoping this only lasts a couple more days.  The good thing is I know this will only be temporary…thank heavens!  Will try to take pics tomorrow if I can muster up the energy to shower.

 

Had a 2^nd BM today….wasn’t as easy as Sunday but still better than past tries post-op.  I’ll take stool softener again tonight and see what happens tomorrow J  Sorry for the details but it is part of the struggles of post-op!

 

Well we got the butterfly bandages on….hopefully it will help hold things together until the surgeon can really fix it. 

 

FYI – Still loving my freshette!!!

 

2 Tylenol in the morning and 2 at night is all I need to take the edge off.  Might take 1 pain killer at night instead of Tylenol just to help with sleeping

 

Day 6 Post Op (Weds 3/31)

 

Took a shower all by myself for the first time since surgery (previously I had a nurse helping with that).  I was able to manage the washing ok…I was worried I’d be grossed out by all the ugly incisions along/around the groin but I did ok.  The whole process of getting all the garments, bandages, and gauze off, showering and then getting it all back on took about 2 hours.

 

I took some pics of my legs with all the swelling and bruising….I feel less pain from swelling today…..not sure if it’s real or perceived but it just feels a little less tight.

 

Day 7 Post Op (Thurs 4/1)

I am going to force myself to stay in bed and rest today.  The swelling from the knees to the calfs is just amazing….still feels like 10 lb sausages in 5 lb skins.  It’s amazing that the human body does not explode.  My biggest fear with all the swelling is that I am stretching out the skin and it will be all wrinkled and saggy again when the swelling goes down.  I won’t weigh myself until the swelling starts to go down because I’m guessing I must be holding lots of fluid weight. 

 

 

Day 8 Post Op (Fri 4/2)

 

I feel I have a lot more energy and strength this morning BUT I am going to force myself to rest in bed again and safe the energy for healing not for cooking and cleaning (originally I was thinking of cooking a quiche and sweeping all the floors).

 

Some of the bruising on the inner thighs is already starting to turn yellow and starting to fade.

Still practically no bruising along the arms, just a little bit at each armpit and no swelling that I can tell.  If my arms are swollen than all I can say is they are going to be skinny twigs when the swelling is gone (I REALLY don’t think that is the case).

Day 9 Post Op (Sat 4/3)

I took a shower this morning…..it’s a chore with so many fresh incisions but I was able to get it all done in about ½ the time.  Not that I am racing but it just shows progress.

After my shower I looked at myself in the mirror…..I’ve got steri-strips running up/down my arms, around my breasts, down my TT (to my BB), around my groin and all the way to my knees….what a sight! 

I am amazed about how well I feel overall. I feel energetic and do not have “brain fog".

My knees and calfs are still really swollen.  At least the pain is not to bad anymore …..I’m finally in a compression garment that goes below the knee.  The last couple of days I’ve been wearing a long one which is too big and the short one on top so it’s been cutting into the leg just above knees…very uncomfortable!  I think this will be much better and it’s nice to just have 1 garment on!

The incisions in the groin area a little sore but not bad.  A couple of Tylenol is plenty to take the edge off.  I’m careful to keep soft gauze pads around there to prevent rubbing and helps keep the whole area dry (I find the 5x9 work best).

The left leg groin area does not look as nice as the right but I’ll ask the surgeon about it on Tuesday.  I’m not panicking over it (yet) since it’s only been a week and things are swollen and raw….need more time to heal but I do want to hear what he has to say about it.

 

My arms look so tiny…WOW….there is no jiggle in them.  FINALLY!

My armpits are sore.  The Left armpit is very ropey; I can’t wait to see the surgeon on Tuesday to ask about this and what his plan is to improve the look.  After all these procedures the one thing I’ve learned is my surgeon always has a plan and so far he has not let me down.

 

The revision to the top of the TT is a little sore…this proves to me that the OnQ pain pump really works because I never had any pain at all in the TT incisions.  It’s not bad but it is different than the original cut.  This revision removed the dog ear (aka 3^rd boob) in the middle of my breasts….It’s still covered with steri-strips but I think it will look good….I’m really looking forward to seeing how this turned out.

The minor revision the breast lift looks good….the right breast looks like it is hanging a little lower but maybe they are just adjusting (I have NO implants).  I’m not going to worry about it….so far everything else about the breasts look great.

In the middle of all this I’m still dealing with the wound on my butt cheek after my LBL in Dec…still packing (wet/dry) it….it is doing really nicely….it’s about ¼ the original size now. 

More to come after I see the surgeon on Tuesday….. will post more pictures in a couple of days.

All in all doing and feeling really well....much better than anticipated.

Hope everyone is healing and feeling well.

glad to hearu r doing so much better, keep it up , u look WONDERFUL

Thanks for the up date. I'm having my arms done as well. How much can you lift now? I thought it was 5 pounds for like 6 weeks.

Thanks!
Linda

Lifting the gal of milk out of the fridge door and I can feel the the arms pulling.  I won't try to lift, push, or pull anything for at least 6 weeks....just too risky and I do not want my arms re-done again!!!

Congrats on this last round of surgeries.   Take it easy so you heal well!  your updates are great and very helpful to those of use yet to go through all that you have! 

Ruth
you have been thru a lot

I am glad that you are doing well

rest is the key
I can keep track of my arms just by your posts,

take care

Debra

Hey Ruth,

 Glad to hear you're doing well. So far, so good with me. 2 out of 5 drains out and only taking Tylenol at night. Hoping that the groin incisions heal up without trouble. I've heard those are the troublemakers. Thanks for the updates. Keep in touch, sista.

Robin

Hi Ruth, it's good to read your reports, especially since you are doing so well. It will help all of us who are still waiting for our plastic surgery - good to know all the seemingly minor details like going to the bathroom etc.

Take care, and get all the rest you need to heal.