what to expect after tummytuck and breast lift/augmentation?

Sorry! i am sure this has been asked before but darned if i can find much in the last four pages or so on it!

I am having a tummy tuck and breast lift/augmentation the end of july.  SOOOOOOO how did YOU feel after wards if you had these? How long til you were feelin' human? How long til you could take care of your self? your kids? drive?
Any tips for making things easier? what to have on hand? how long will i need someone to be w/me to help out?  Afriend mentioned renting one of those 'lift' recliners to help.  any other suggestions?

HELP A SISTA OUT YA'LL!!!!!

and thanks in advance!!!!!!1

I have not had any plastics, but do you mind telling me what the quote was on this???  I want these procedures and was quoted 17K!!!

For me, i won't need any lipo, so dunno if that makes a dif.  But in Lees Summit the dr (Matt Chaatre) quoted me 11,400.00   for Tummytuck, breast lift and aumentation.  Also, i know we get a bit of a discount for paying in cash in advance.

Thanks... I am going to check out other surgeons in my area... I know it tends to cost more where I am because of location but I am really hoping to get it done for less than 15K!!!

I had a LBL and BL six days ago, and only today am I beginning to feel more like a human and less like an alien!   My parents have been with me everyday, and I couldn't have done it without them. Only today am I able to get my binder off and on by myself to use the restroom, etc. I am planning on having somewith me at all times for about two weeks post op.
 
As part of the recovery process, my Dr. includes a hotel for out of town patients for two weeks. The hotel has a lift recliner and it has helped out SO much!

Hope this helps!

Hi!

I had those exact procedures on June 2.  A full tummy tuck and a lift with implant.  I was completely out of it for about 4-5 days - they give you really powerful drugs.  I needed assistance getting up and down cause of the tummy tuck.

I would plan on having someone help you for a week.  Not sure when your Dr. will take the drains out, but mine did at 7 days.  It was nice to have someone help me with those at first!  You can't really lift anything (not sure how old your kids are)....but I was feeling more back to myself after 2 weeks and returned to work (desk job mostly) part-time.  Today is my first day back full day!  Fortunately, I am lucky to be able to go home at rest if needed, live in Boston and walk to work.

The recovery is a lot!  Don't expect it to be cake, I'm a very impatient person and am ready to be healed already, but I know this is a process! 

The boobs were nothing compared to the tummy tuck.  I found ice to help with the swelling a bit, I wore the compression garment and it helped for a bit, everyone is different!

I went to the gym for the first time this weekend and walked on the treadmill and got the go ahead to do some light isolated arm exercises as well.

I have to remind myself (cause I tend to pu****) that it's best to heal slowly and properly!

Take care of yourself!

PM me with any questions, I'm happy to answer any questions, I'm not shy!

Hugs,

Kristen

 

Thanks Kristin!

That is very helpful.  I have a little better idea of what to expect.   The whole 'drains' thing is freakin me out a bit.  When i had my WLS they were in for like a day.  And i was out of it and barely knew the dif.  lol 
I have heard the breasts aren't as bad as the tummy tuck, and in an effort to be prepared i watched several youtube vids of both operations.  don't think i will be doing that again.  lol

I am sure I will come up w/ a question along the way.  thanks again!

I did not have my breasts done, but I had an anchor cut TT done 16 days ago.  The first 3 days were painful, since then I have not taken any pain meds.  Quite honestly, my gallbladder removal and bowel obstruction surgery back in February were way worse.  It just goes to show that it is all relative and everyone heals differently.  I am personally chomping at the bit to go back to work and get back into the gym.  My drains were out at 6 days post-op and I am fortunate to not swell too much.  I did sleep in a recliner for the first three nights after I was discharged but did not have a lift one. Just use the muscles in your legs.  I didn't have a toilet seat riser either, but some people use them and make using the rest room a bit easier.  Good luck with everything!

Aloha-

I think at least part of it depends on what kind of patient you are. I was much more tolerant of pain in my 20's than I am in my late 40's, but I am also a stubborn independent cuss....and  I had an easy recovery.

I had a circumferential lower body lift, breast lift + augmentation after losing 197 pounds and had been at goal for 9 months prior to plastics. I was in the best shape of my life and had focused on upping my protein intake 3 weeks prior to plastics, as well as lots of muscle building with squats, weights, etc. Surgery lasted almost 7 hours, I was in the surgery center for 1 night. Walking within hours of recovery, walking straight up within 2 days, 7 drains placed and all pulled by 12 days post op - at that time, I was given the green light for stretching and yoga. I was cleared for cardio and weights at 3 weeks post op as long as I took it slow for a few weeks.

Pain meds tapering over the first 10 days, best thing ever was the OnQ Pain Blocker apparatus my surgeon uses for his CBLs- totally numb abdomen for the first 5 days which was great! Didn't drive til off pain meds and the surgeon said I could handle a very abrupt stop in the car as well as cranking the steering wheel hard. Most painful / depressed/ buyer's remorse day was at the end of night 2 when I had a little pity party and cried some tears....then smacked myself upside the head and thanked a higher power for allowing me to have plastics in the first place.

I had my husband and kids around for the first 4 days ( Weds surgery, home Thurs), then they went back to work/school and I was fine. I slept on the couch downstairs ( tallest commode is there, TV is there, kitchen is there), using 3 large Tempur Pedic pillows to keep my body in the  "W" position ( others use a recliner, or hospital bed). I kept a small cooler near me with protein shakes, ice chips, food, etc for when helpers weren't around. I had a notebook to record things like when I last took meds, amounts of drainage, etc. I handled all my drains myself since I have the most medical knowledge and didn't want any outside contamination if I could help it.


MUST haves for me:
-my TempurPedic pillows ( one huge triangle for under your knees/butt, one wedge for behind your back, smaller one to rest on your belly and support your arms or under your neck)
-the OnQ Pain Blocker- BEST BUDDY EVER!
-medical gloves / antiseptic soap/ sterile gauze pads/ Triple antibioic ointment for changing   drains and dressings, a thermometer
-bags of frozen raspberries for breasts for when you have to start massaging them  
  (to prevent  subcapsular contraction)
-lots of DVDs and the satellite dish- I didn't feel like reading ( and I'm an avid reader) or going on the computer- just wanted to veg out.


Here is an even LONGER answer I posted for someone having the same procedures- I broke it down even further.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/plasticsurgery/4161252/Hav ing-Circumferential-Panniculectomy-LBL-next-week/#34040667

Best of luck- would I do it all again? ABSOLUTELY, I'm really happy with the results. Be well- XOXOLori

Thanks so much!!!! This will be enormously helpful! that is kind of what i was looking for besides recovery, is what was helpful, what made life easier, etc.

I am ASSUMING (might be silly ) that a tt and breast lift/augmentation won't be quite as bad as an entire LBL?

CHEERS!