Appreciate your advice - pre surgery

Good Morning:

I am having an extended abdominoplasty Aug 24th...and have been reading the P/S Forum for the past few weeks to read experiences.

I will have stool softeners etc in the house as well as ordering a Marena binder to supplement the one I will come home from hospital with.

appreciate any further advice or items I should get prior to surgery. Excited but scared
as I'm sure we all understand.

For FYI - my panni is almost 10 pounds plus abdominal "stuff"!....the thought of all this cut off freaks me out....in a nice way though

Thank in advance

Barb

Set up your rest/recovery area before you go for surgery.

See if you can get your scripts for any medications prior to your surgery.

As far as stool softeners and the binder - confirm with your doctor that you're using the ones he/she prefers. 

Make your counters (kitchen and bathroom) reach-friendly.  Anythng you use frequently, put on the counter so you don't over extend in either direction.

Good luck!

Lisa thank you so much for your response. I will take all of your advice. I already purchased the stool softeners but will check with the surgeon.

Did you purchase an extra binder? I will be sent home with one but would like an extra for when it needs washing

Were you able to sleep in bed or did you sleep in a lounge chair?

Great advice re the countertops....and I am going to prepare some soups for quick meals

How long before you were able to move with some ease....not be helpless?

You are one brave lady...I see you have had major surgeries just a month apart....great to get it over with. I have a long list of wants....but we will see how I progress with this surgery first

Thanks again

Barb

You're quite welcome.

You're probably fine with the stool softners you have but when it comes to OTC and scripts - I always like to confirm with my doctors that I'm not taking anything that would conflict.

Not be helpless?  Probably about a week, but I still needed DH to do a lot for me.  But I could get up and down on my own.

I was given a binder for my lbl but already had one at home from when I had a hysterectomy.

Thanks again

Did you have an abdominal binder? I was looking at the Marena on line today and figured I would order one - I have read so many posts that people like to wear their binders for quite a long time post surgery

I think my DH can handle me helpless for a week....he is already asking when he can get back to his golf buddies!

Did you sleep in a bed or chair?

Just read your post re leaky leg....sure was great news for you all around....glad for you Lisa

Thanks again

Barb

I still relied on DH for most things, I would try something and if I couldn't do it right away, I stopped.

I slept in a recliner.  My ps did not want me laying flat - so either in a recliner or in bed with pillows.  We have a very curious cat so it was easier to keep him off me in the night in the recliner.

I'm happy with the progress of my leaky leg.  I traveled by air for the first time yesterday and I did rather well with it.  Some swelling, not nearly as bad as I expected.

Yes, I woke up with one from my lbl; but I had a second one at home from a previous surgery.  You might want to hold off on ordering one just yet.  Or at least talk to your surgeon first.  You don't know what size you'll need - binders you can somewhat guess, but if your ps wants you in a full compression garment, you want to make sure you order the right size.  I'm not sure they'll know what size you'll need until they put one on you.  But I don't have experience with the full compresson stuff.

You have been so helpful Lisa

Truly appreciate it

barb

I had my extended tt about a year ago and my doctor took off 22 pounds of skin and such. I have to say I had little pain afterwards, more just annoying with the drains and such, my cat liked to play with them. I did sleep in a recliner for a few nights and then after that my husband pile up a bunch of blankets so I was propped up pretty well. I loved my body pillow so I wouldn't try to roll over since I am a tummy sleeper. I was fine with the binder that I was sent home with and I do believe I wore it for about six weeks just felt it helped with swelling and was a comfort. Good luck and keep us posted!

Hi Karen

Thanks for the suggestions...especially the body pillow....I will pick one up. I really would prefer to sleep in bed and maybe that will help.

I also appreciate the advice re the binder....from your advice re needing the one plus Lisa saying to wait to see sizing - I am going to do just that and sit tight until I see what I need.

I am a bit anal about getting thing prepared...same at work because I dont like surprises...

I love to hear you had little pain...especially after 22 pounds taken off......they figure I will be about 15 or so when the panni and abdominal "stuff" is gone....pretty much puts me at goal

Thanks again Karen....I really begin to feel more relaxed when I know what to expect and to prepare for

Barb

BARB, I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOO  EXCITED FOR YOUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!  and i am so jealous!!  ha ha.  way to go. good luck andlet us know how it turns out.