sorry, another question
For those that did a lower body lift. Tell me again how many days before became a little easier? I am on the 3rd day and really hoping that I turn a corner by Monday. I know I've seen many of you post that 6 to 8 weeks and you feel back to normal. I just want to know when I'm going to move around easier.
190 lbs lost
VSG 07/2008
lower body lift 10/2010
upper body lift 11/2011
Aloha DF-
Sorry, but I was one of those really fast healers. I attribute most of my immediate post op comfort to the On Q Pain Blocker (my PS uses one in all the lower body lifts, it was fantastic, and we now use that same soaker method in our limb amputations at work- the dogs and cats are SO much more comfortable and less zonked out on narcotics) --- your entire trunk/core is numb for the first 5 days from the local anesthetic that gets pumped in your drain holes with an OnQ.
My personal pity party was the first night I was home ( so about 36 hours post op)..... after spending the first night at the SurgiCenter where a nurse is glued to your side and helps you with everything , you go home to where your kids and husband are looking at you wondering when you'll be able to make dinner again. I was bleary from the narcotics and kind of emotional and fragile from the anesthesia - because I have the most medical knowledge, I did all my own wound /drain management...so I had a little cry...then smacked myself upside the head and thought how lucky I was to be able to afford and elect to have this surgery when so many people couldn't.
I felt more like myself by about Day 3 , and as soon as the drains were pulled on Day 12, I was permitted to do some stretching and yoga, and that made me feel great ( though I was fatigued really quickly, like in 15-20 minutes). I made it a point to stand straight up from Day 1, I took lots of naps and babied myself, I didn't answer the phone if I didn't feel like it, I was religious about staying on top of my pain meds and also used packs of frozen raspberries for adjunctive pain relief once the OnQ Blocker had been pulled. I made sure I changed positions often on my pillows so I wouldn't get stiff from lying in one spot, and did alot of walking every few hours.
You see now why it's so critical to be in the best shape possible prior to plastics !!!!
---- lots of squats and core strength ( so you can get up off the toilet and off the couch!)
---- lots of muscle built up for protein stores ( because you really don't feel like eating after surgery). With my VSG I have no appetite anyway, so I drank 3 protein shakes daily to ensure I was getting in 125+g protein/day - I had lots of muscle built up in case I didn;t hit those numbers every single day, you gotta have protein to heal!
---- all the extra weight off and maintained for 6-9 months before you attempt plastics ( because you sure don't relish the thought of going through it AGAIN for revisions if you lose more poundage later). Also, for a lower body lift, you don't want any extra SQ fat dragging your freshly 360` incised abdomen down- imagine even 10-15 lbs of extra weight hanging there pulling everything downward. Not pleasant to think about.
Be well, don't forget the little things (eg take a stool softener if you are taking the narcotics + not moving around much + not eating enough fiber). Drink enough water by placing a large sipper bottle of ice water next to you. Have the remote, your cell phone, your medicines, chapstick, cough drops, and a cooler with protein shakes, tapoioca pudding, etc nearby. In the nearby bathroom, have your gloves/sterile gauze/notebook for recording when you last took your meds and how much the drains are draining. If you had a breast lift/implants done, you'll start massaging ( ouch) in a few days- ice them first with frozen berries and take a pain med before you do your breast massage ( to keep the scar formation to a minimum, you don't want rock hard bosums after all this!).
This too shall pass- hang in there! XOXOLori
Sorry, but I was one of those really fast healers. I attribute most of my immediate post op comfort to the On Q Pain Blocker (my PS uses one in all the lower body lifts, it was fantastic, and we now use that same soaker method in our limb amputations at work- the dogs and cats are SO much more comfortable and less zonked out on narcotics) --- your entire trunk/core is numb for the first 5 days from the local anesthetic that gets pumped in your drain holes with an OnQ.
My personal pity party was the first night I was home ( so about 36 hours post op)..... after spending the first night at the SurgiCenter where a nurse is glued to your side and helps you with everything , you go home to where your kids and husband are looking at you wondering when you'll be able to make dinner again. I was bleary from the narcotics and kind of emotional and fragile from the anesthesia - because I have the most medical knowledge, I did all my own wound /drain management...so I had a little cry...then smacked myself upside the head and thought how lucky I was to be able to afford and elect to have this surgery when so many people couldn't.
I felt more like myself by about Day 3 , and as soon as the drains were pulled on Day 12, I was permitted to do some stretching and yoga, and that made me feel great ( though I was fatigued really quickly, like in 15-20 minutes). I made it a point to stand straight up from Day 1, I took lots of naps and babied myself, I didn't answer the phone if I didn't feel like it, I was religious about staying on top of my pain meds and also used packs of frozen raspberries for adjunctive pain relief once the OnQ Blocker had been pulled. I made sure I changed positions often on my pillows so I wouldn't get stiff from lying in one spot, and did alot of walking every few hours.
You see now why it's so critical to be in the best shape possible prior to plastics !!!!
---- lots of squats and core strength ( so you can get up off the toilet and off the couch!)
---- lots of muscle built up for protein stores ( because you really don't feel like eating after surgery). With my VSG I have no appetite anyway, so I drank 3 protein shakes daily to ensure I was getting in 125+g protein/day - I had lots of muscle built up in case I didn;t hit those numbers every single day, you gotta have protein to heal!
---- all the extra weight off and maintained for 6-9 months before you attempt plastics ( because you sure don't relish the thought of going through it AGAIN for revisions if you lose more poundage later). Also, for a lower body lift, you don't want any extra SQ fat dragging your freshly 360` incised abdomen down- imagine even 10-15 lbs of extra weight hanging there pulling everything downward. Not pleasant to think about.
Be well, don't forget the little things (eg take a stool softener if you are taking the narcotics + not moving around much + not eating enough fiber). Drink enough water by placing a large sipper bottle of ice water next to you. Have the remote, your cell phone, your medicines, chapstick, cough drops, and a cooler with protein shakes, tapoioca pudding, etc nearby. In the nearby bathroom, have your gloves/sterile gauze/notebook for recording when you last took your meds and how much the drains are draining. If you had a breast lift/implants done, you'll start massaging ( ouch) in a few days- ice them first with frozen berries and take a pain med before you do your breast massage ( to keep the scar formation to a minimum, you don't want rock hard bosums after all this!).
This too shall pass- hang in there! XOXOLori
I cannot imagine doing this without being in shape. My legs are doing lots of work right with getting up and down. I think I feel better this afternoon. I just had the lowerbody lift so I don't have to do any of the scar stuff yet.. I have an appt on Friday and will ask him what to start.
I've heard about that pain blocker. I wish my dr. would have done that. But, I am looking on the postive side that at least I was able to have the surgery and have enough leave to take off work a couple of weeks.
I would still like to lose 10 more lbs so I hope I didn't screw up by doing the plastics now. I asked all my consults if they thought I needed to lose more and they all said I was delflated all over and they didn't know where it would come from. BUT, you know how we can get about the scale and fixating on a certain number.
My melt down was this morning at about 36 hours too! LOL
I've heard about that pain blocker. I wish my dr. would have done that. But, I am looking on the postive side that at least I was able to have the surgery and have enough leave to take off work a couple of weeks.
I would still like to lose 10 more lbs so I hope I didn't screw up by doing the plastics now. I asked all my consults if they thought I needed to lose more and they all said I was delflated all over and they didn't know where it would come from. BUT, you know how we can get about the scale and fixating on a certain number.
My melt down was this morning at about 36 hours too! LOL
190 lbs lost
VSG 07/2008
lower body lift 10/2010
upper body lift 11/2011
My meltdown was at about 36 hours too!! It all went up hill from there.
I would think losing 10lbs would be fine - some of that will be from the skin they took off.
I would think losing 10lbs would be fine - some of that will be from the skin they took off.
Proud Member of the Cambridge Crew! 
HW293/LW147/CW158 Height 5'9" Working on Maintenance!
Fleur de lis TT and Brachioplasty - Oct. 19, 2010 Breast reduction and scar revision August 2, 2011
HW293/LW147/CW158 Height 5'9" Working on Maintenance!
Fleur de lis TT and Brachioplasty - Oct. 19, 2010 Breast reduction and scar revision August 2, 2011
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