Showering vs. non showering

I had my second consult today and was told pretty much the same thing as the first consult including that the thigh lift and tummy tuck can be done at the same time and it should take about 4 hours.  The only difference in the consults were the cost of the surgeries about 3500 difference and that this Dr didn't allow showering while the drains are in place for up to two weeks.  My question is what is the norm for everyone in cyber land?  My first consult wants showering after day one and this Dr is the complete opposite.  It is strange that they both stated that doing the thigh lift and TT together is no problem.  Not sure if this is due to my size and build or what.  What is your experience as far as being allowed to shower.  Any input is appreciated.

Hello- I am 12 days out from TT. I had two drains in my groin area. I was told that I could shower two days later. I had surgery on 05-20 and showered on 05-22 and everday after that. I did cover the drain site which tape never held but continued to cover. I had drains out today and he said everything looked good. I can't help with the thigh lift questions but wish you much success.
Jenn

I just had my LBL, not a regular TT but my surgeon does not like to do the LBL with the thigh lift.  A TT would be a different technique so I could see why they would do a thigh lift at the same time.  When my surgeon explained his technique for the LBL, it makes sense why he wouldn't do the thigh lift at the same time.

As for the showering, mine does not want me to shower  until my drains are out.  Even though you're cleaning yourself with soap and water, he would just err on the side of caution and protect the points of insertion for the drains - not his exact words but that's the gist of it.

I cannot remember for my GBS if I was able to shower with my drain.  I think I was simply for the fact that my drain and PIC came out the same day and I remember wrapping my arm with the PIC line in it before getting in the shower.  What I can't remember is what I did with my drain.

Don't let the showering be what makes your decision - which doctor made you feel more comfortable?  Which one did you get a sense of confidence from?  Which one calmed your inner voice? - That's considering that everything else is equal.

I actually feel I got more information from the first consult...especially about the risks.  The consult today hardly discussed any risks.  I was freaked out after the first consult due to the fact that the feedback on OH was not to have the two procedures done together.  I thought maybe the first Dr. was out of his mind.  Today's Dr. told me the exact same thing (without me inquiring) that the procedures could be done together.  Both stated that the procedures should take about 4 hours to do.  The first Dr. will do the surgery in the hospital and is about 3500 cheaper than the second Dr. who does it in his surgical facility.  Both surgeons are board certified and now I am checking to see if I can find anyone who has has surgery with them for their input.  So far I have heard great things about each.  The first surgeon also addressed the issue with the mons area.  I also inquired about it with the second Dr. and he thinks it will be fine with just the TT. 

My surgeons let me shower within 2 or 3 days from surgery. I'm surprised both drs let you do that. The drs I consulted with advised against it. Maybe your TT won't be too extensive. You're braver than me. I wouldn't have wanted to do those 2 together after having my thigh lift. I had the LBL so maybe the TT is a lot easier.

Good luck with your decision!

 Hi,
I could not shower. It was awful!! :-( I had the TT drains in forever. As far as the arm lift, I couldn't shower anyways or wash my hair...it was pulled too tight!

A truly good surgeon will know his/her capabilities.  And individuals who go through plastic surgery will know what their recovery limits are.  I had a similar conversation with my surgeon about how to group procedures - I had my first round of surgery on Friday and he did four plastic procedures plus a hernia repair.  I was under anesthesia for 7.5 hours.  From what I have seen, my results are incredible.

In my opinion, what makes getting multiple procedures done at the same time possible is which procedures are done together.  Think about it, for each procedure the body has to be positioned in a different way.  The surgeon is going to want to minimize how much you are moved during surgery.  Some procedures should not be done together. 

Did you ask the surgeons to explain why they felt it was safe to do both procedures together - not in a derrogatory way of questioning but just to explain it to you.  You can even mention that "you heard from others that it's not recommended..."  They should be able to put your concerns to rest.

There's a difference between can they be done together and a personal preference of doing them separate.

$3500 is a big difference, seems strange the hospital would be more than a surgical center???  What kind of thigh lift are you looking at having done?  I just had the long thigh, extended TT, Brachio, and BL/BA all done at the same time (10 hour surgery).  My local consults would combine the breast and arm surgery together and lower body/thigh together also.  I had 5 drains and was able to take a shower as soon as I was able to stand, which was the second day (due to low blood pressure).  Maybe try a third consult just out of curiousty (if its free) ???

Keep in mind, each surgeon is going to have their own protocol for after-care.  This doesn't apply to just plastics, but every surgeon.  For example, in my orthopaedics practice, there are 5 surgeons and for an ACL replacement, each doctor has their patients follow a different protocol - and I know this because I had a discussion about the after care with the nurse who supports 4 of the surgeons.

So what we think is reasonable in terms of how soon you can shower, is irrelevent for the most part.

What should really be driving your decision is which surgeon makes you feel most comfortable, has the better track record, and who seems the most competent.

I had a lower body lift and tummy tuck at the same time- honestly I preferred it that way. They were able to unite the sutures and I think it worked out much better because I just have 1 thin scar line.

As for showering, I was out of the hospital after 2 days and showering right away. Honestly, I don't know HOW you wouldn't shower for 2 weeks! That is CRAZY! In the hospital, they cleaned me with a wet cloth/etc. Granted, for the first 2 weeks I was showering with the help of a nurse... I had my surgeries done in Colombia and was treated GREAT because every day, twice a day, a nurse would come to do a medical massage to help me get the liquids into the drain and then she would empty them out and help me shower (I had 2 drainage tubes- both on right hip).

Anyways, I think it's totally fine to do the LBL with your TT. I honestly wouldn't have wanted to do it any other way. Though I will warn you- recovery isn't fun! But I think it's easier mentally to kinda just get it all done at once and recover for a few months, and then you're good and don't have to worry about getting something else done in the future.