new with LOTS of questions

 Hi everyone.  I have selected my surgeon after interviewing 4.  I have decided to do both the breast reduction/lift and the tummy tuck at the same time.  I am self pay ($17,000) and am looking at the 1st week of January.  I was hoping you all could help me with my many questions.

~ My Dr. is doing a "horizontal" tummy incision only and then will "corsette" the muscles and do lipo.  Is the a tummy tuck or an extended tummy tuck?  Is the difference the tightening of the muscle
 
~   I am terrified of pain (I actually waited almost 35 years to have my 1st child for that reason!!).  I cannot sleep at night because I am so scared of the pain.  What do I do to feel better?? H E L P !

~  If you had the choice would you choose to stay in the hospital or go right home or stay at a hotel with a private duty nurse - and for how long do you think is needed? If I go home can I walk up the stairs immediately? The Dr. says to NOT do the hospital overnight due to all the unnecessary annoyances and germs and it's not necessary.

~  For those of you with lap/realize bands.........did you have them emptied or a slight unfill?

~  I read this board and I see all types of abbreviations/terms.  How can I learn what they mean?

~  What do you wish you had known prior to the surgery and what are some *key* questions for my surgeon?  Is there a book I should read or a list of "helpful hints?"

~  I have lost about 75 lbs. and have about 15 to go - how much can I expect to loose between these gross boobies and belly post surgery?

~  Did I mention I am terrified?  I can feel my heart pounding with the fear of pain right now just righting this..........

karen in nj

Hey Karen,

#1-Take a deep breath, you are going to do fine.

#2-This board is the place to be.  There are so many intelligent folks here with good common sense.

I had an extended TT w/muscle tightening and lipo (like what you described) and breast lift on Oct. 20 and feel really, really good.

I went to Mexico and the package I purchased was 4 nights in the hospital and 4 nights at a hotel.  If I had had the surgery in my hometown, it would have been fine to go home....with some pain meds.  The 4 nights at hospital/hotel was overkill in my opinion.  But being so far from home and facing a long flight home I went conservative to make sure I could handle it.

If you are not already, I would have an exercise regimen firmly in place and be taking all of my vitamins and supplements.  I really believe the regular exercise helped me bounce back quick.

My breast lift has truly been a breeze.  Very minimal discomfort from it.  I had a drain in each breast for 4 days and that was a big pain in the butt.  Also had a drain at each end of the incision for my TT (tummy tuck) for 7 days.

There was more discomfort from the TT, but overall I would say it was a 6 on a scale of 10.  I did get regular pain meds (mostly Torodol) through day 4.  Keep in mind that everyone has a different experience so others will chime in with their opinion.  Coughing and sneezing was BAAAAD up through the last couple of days.  Not terrible now.

Already, my waist has gone from 32.5" to 29" and I do still have some swelling.

The swelling in my breasts is starting to decrease and they are settling into place.  No matter what they will be an improvement over before surgery!!!!!, but I think they will end looking pretty darn good.  My husband is eyeing me like an early Christmas present!!

If you decide not to do the overnight stay, I can see where a regular recliner would be nice to help you get up and down and maybe to sleep in for the first few days.  I did not have one of the toilet seat extenders and did just fine-really didn't need one.

I wear my Veronique compression garment 24/7 and it is wonderful.  When I take it off to wa**** my abds actually start aching so I know I still need it.

 Wow - you actually made me feel better than my husband who hasn't a clue!  Thanks a lot!  Is your tummy tuck being circular mean "all around?".  Did you get a " pain-ball?".  I am definately renting an electric recliner.  Please - if you have anymore words of wisdom please send them my way. xoxo

My tummy tuck was the extended "hip to hip" horizontal incision. 

No, I did not have the pain ball and really didn't need it.  If you stay on top of the pain I think you will be fine.  Keep in mind a lot of the pain meds also constipate you so it's a good idea to take a stool softener to avoid straining early out.

You are going to do great!!

Here is my $ 0.02...

~ My Dr. is doing a "horizontal" tummy incision only and then will "corset" the muscles and do lipo.  Is the a tummy tuck or an extended tummy tuck?  

Depends how far back he goes...may be an "extended." He should show you or draw for you exactly where the cut will be.
 
~   I am terrified of pain (I actually waited almost 35 years to have my 1st child for that reason!!).  I cannot sleep at night because I am so scared of the pain.  What do I do to feel better?? H E L P !

The emotional component of pain is a big deal and must be dealt with for proper pain management. Anti-anxiety meds (and I'm talking 10mg of Valium) are what I use, and in no small doses either. Anxious patients write their own pain ticket so as a doc you have to intervene before surgery. A pain pump to numb the area, nerve block injections before you wake up, and a button you hit to get narcotics in your IV are the other 2 components of my pain control approach.  Ask your doc what to expect.  "Its surgery, it hurts"  is unacceptable !

~  If you had the choice would you choose to stay in the hospital or go right home or stay at a hotel with a private duty nurse - and for how long do you think is needed? If I go home can I walk up the stairs immediately? The Dr. says to NOT do the hospital overnight due to all the unnecessary annoyances and germs and it's not necessary.

I keep all my patients overnight to avoid the uncomfortable transfer to the car right and then again to house and bed right after surgery. TT is one of the most involved procedures you can have done, and overnight for proper pain control is essential IMHO.  Why is your doctor operating at a facility where he is worried about germs ?

~  For those of you with lap/realize bands.........did you have them emptied or a slight unfill?

I prefer emptying all my bandsters to allow them to take their pain meds and vitamins, get the extra nutrition and protein they need to heal, and relieve any swelling that can come from surgery and cause nausea.  Your tummy "corset" will also make you feel full and some of my bandsters never go all the way back to their original fill.

~  Did I mention I am terrified?  I can feel my heart pounding with the fear of pain right now just righting this..........

Call your doc, and I'm sure he will say:

"Whats your pharmacy number ?, you need to start that Valium now and also come back in to let us answer your questions and tell you exactly what will happen on your big day...the more you know what to expect the less you will have to worry about.  Fear of the unknown is a real source of anxiety for many patients."

 Perfect answers.  I just read  each and every word you posted and you are great!!   I feel so much better and I have printed out your advise to keep with me in case I become panicked again!!   Love, karen 

Congratulations!! you must be very excited.  I had tummy tuck breast lift and implants Oct 22nd.  I was mostly worried about the pain as well.  The first two days are the worst with pain after that very manageable.  I had morphine and percocet in the hospital and percocet when I went home.  I was only in the hospital one day.  The first week  or week and a half I walked at a 30 degree angle(like an old woman) this is painful on your lower back.  If you can do any excercises to strengthen lower back I'm sure that would help.  Thankfully they removed 13 and a half pounds.  I was surprised everything went well for me and my recovery has been much easier than I anticipated.  Good luck with your surgery you will be very happy with the results:)