What do I need to know??

Ok - my extended TT with fleur de lis incision and brachioplasty is a little over a month away.  I'm trying to get myself mentally and physically prepared for this.  Taking iron every day to get that number a bit further into the "zone".  Upping my cardio exercise (running).  Making meals for the freezer.  "spring" cleaning the house.

What else do you recommend?

Also - the physical/mental stuff after surgery.  I have lots of questions:

1) what was hard for you to adjust to mentally?

2) what was the hardest part about the physical recovery? 

3) what were the weirdest/most unexpected sensations/feelings/pains?

4) how long until you could "live" and not need looking after (bathroom alone, shower alone, cook dinner, clean up that kind of thing?)

5) if you could do it again, would you prepare anything differently/more?

Thanks!!

1) yes, this was my biggest hurdle. Not sure why, and more from week 2 thru 4.
2) up and down out of bed, but I had far more work done than your list.
3) feeling gas.  Under all that skin and fat, I never felt the gas move around, especially on my left side.. you can feel it go up in little bubbles :)
4)  I was 3 days in the clinic, and well enough to come back to the hotel.  The first shower Patty was here to make sure I was okay, the next morning I took my own.  She did my dressings until I left, but that was a lot of dressing to look after just me.
5) Nothing I can think of.  I planned for 6 weeks before.  I packed only carry on luggage, so had little space so was careful.  Hooked up Skype at home so hubby could keep in touch. 

I kept myself busy here at the hotel.  I don't read paper books at all but read on here, and watched movies.   Once I got home, I was far more active.

Bonnie
who is back in bed for the next week.

Thanks for your response Bonnie.  Glad you're feeling better and getting looked after!  I've been following your story and swinging chickens for you.

Do you think the mental stuff is related to the complications you have had or just the process? 

I think it's a normal part of this, but no one talks about.  I am feeling better now, not sure why, maybe because the issues are being dealt with?  Not sure.

Bonnie

I had complications, but even without them I don't think I set up enough help and down time post op.  I think it is safer for people to plan 4 weeks of help and down time.  at least 3 and then a week or two of flexibility after that.  Having to search for sitters, call friends and ask for lots of favors, etc while you are sick is VERY stressful.  If I was able to just kick back and relax and have other people on hand to take over, boy it would have been better.  I think if you have a close family member who could come for a while, that would be ideal.  Especially if you have children.  If you are on your own, you still might end up needing more help then you plan for.

My experience wasn't usual, because I did have the complications.  But I will answer anyways

1) what was hard for you to adjust to mentally?
Being pretty helpless and dependent upon others for help with the kids, house, driving, self care etc.  I am the mom of a pretty big family, so I am always in charge and I keep the family going.  HUbby did great, but it was very hard for me.

2) what was the hardest part about the physical recovery? 
The set backs I was having.  I had a very 2 steps forward, 1 (or sometimes 2 or 3) steps back experience. 

3) what were the weirdest/most unexpected sensations/feelings/pains?
My drain tubes hurt alot in and I didn't expect that at all.  They didn't hurt to pull, which surprised me because they really bothered me in.  I had alot of unexpected pain but it was all related to my complications.  I think I had some nerve sensations that were normal, but unexpected...like cold shooting nervy sensations through my body.

4) how long until you could "live" and not need looking after (bathroom alone, shower alone, cook dinner, clean up that kind of thing?)
I think I would have been good by 10 days if I didn't have set backs.  I could use the rest room alone before I left the hospital.  Showers took a week, mostly because of the drains.  Cooking and cleaning I am still just getting back to (almost 5 weeks) but that was not normal.

5) if you could do it again, would you prepare anything differently/more?
Well I wouldn't have stressed so much about being able to get up.  I searched high and low for a lift chair and couldn't find one.  I ended up not needing any help getting up and down after the second day in the hospital.  I did use a regular recliner and it helped it didn't rock.  I also slept in my bed all but 2 nights.  I bought a bunch of wedges but didn't need any besides one.  But I bought a bunch of firm pillows and used those alot for sleeping.  I got a toilet seat riser, but didnt need it.
And as I said up there, I would have prepared to be down for a month, not 2 weeks.

Thanks for that.  I'm hoping for not complications - but you never know, do you?

I have kids - but they're 10 and 20.  Hoping they are more of a help than a hinderance.  My daughter drives - so I can use her for taxi ;0)

My husband has planned to be home for 4 days after I get home from hospital - I was thinking that was enough.  Reading your answers I think I might see if my mom can stop by for an hour or two for a couple days after that.

I'm so glad you posted this.  These questions are great.  I also planned for my DH to be with me for 4 days and now after reading this I'm going to ask my sister if she can pop in on her lunch hour for a few days after he goes back to work.

Prep your sleeping/resting area before you go to the hospital.  When you come home, it'll be waiting for you.

1) what was hard for you to adjust to mentally?
You know, I expected a huge issue with accepting my new body, not recognizing the new me, etc.  But I started therapy before I had my consult so that helped prepare me.  When I saw my surgeon the next day and he started taking the dressings off to show me his work, I was beyond excited.  I guess I didn't expect to be so happy so quickly.  I'd like to think that therapy got a lot of the emotional crap out of the way.

2) what was the hardest part about the physical recovery? 
Being dependent on DH for so much initially; however, we had a deal that I would try things first and if I needed his help, he was there to help.

3) what were the weirdest/most unexpected sensations/feelings/pains?
When I would extend my arms and the nerves tingling would kick in.  I got use to it, but at first it was just weird.

4) how long until you could "live" and not need looking after (bathroom alone, shower alone, cook dinner, clean up that kind of thing?)
Bathroom - a couple days (for both surgeries)
Shower - when the drains came out, I showered without my DH in the room with me - he was within ear shot but not right there watching.
Cook - probably a week and a half, minimal but DH was in the kitchen helping.
Clean - I don't clean, DH does (we have reverse roles - I work, he takes care of the house).
The biggest thing for me was when I was able to start traveling again for work.  My first flight out, I needed a lot of help with lifting stuff.  I made arrangements to stay over the first weekend, so on my return trip, things were a lot easier for me.

5) if you could do it again, would you prepare anything differently/more?
I don't think so.  I think I was well prepared or at least there's nothing that comes to mind immediately.

Thanks.  I was hoping you'd answer - since you did similar things for your first surgery as I'm having.  I'm a bit worried about doing arms at the same time as tummy - and being able to get up and down etc.  I have one of those lift recliners (was my grandpas before he passed) in my living room - so I'm thinking I'll sleep in that.

You say prep your rest/sleep area.  Any specifics you'd recommend there?  I was going to put a blanket and a sheet over it in case of any leaking of drains or anything yucky like that.  I thought maybe a small cooler that I could fill with water bottles and a few snacks to minimize my up and down during the first few days - although I have two dogs, so that might be a waste of effort - they want out every few hours lol.  A couple pillows maybe?

I've done a lot of looking at befores/afters - so I don't think I'll be too surprised by what I look like after.  At least I hope so.  I'm not looking for perfection here anyway - just to get rid of the hanging!!

Thanks for your response.

I didn't have too much problems with my arms and getting up and down.  There were times when I'd extend when reaching that have a little twinge of pain but nothing that would curl me into a ball and sob.  KWIM?

I slept and spent most of my day in a recliner; it's part of our sectional, which is all leather.  I didn't want to stick to the leather and wanted to be able to slide easily, so I had a sheet on the back and seat part.  I also used a flat sheet and a blanket on top.  After awhile, my back started to hurt so I also used a small firm pillow under my thighs.  That helps alleviate the pressure on the tailbone and lumbar area of the back.

I didn't need a cooler for stuff for two reasons - 1, DH was home with me (he's retired) and 2, since I my biggest fear is always blood clots, I would make sure I got up at least once an hour to do a lap around the house which always took me through the kitchen twice.  :)

Since you mention pets - make sure that when you are sleeping you have something to block off your mid section in case they want to jump in your lap to sleep with you.  I had some pillows along my sides to make it difficult for our cat.  I also had a lapdesk/bed tray that I used for my laptop but that also helped keep the cat from jumping on me.