How much support will I need after my tummy tuck?

I had my arms done a week ago; planned to have a breast reduction/lift in late January then a tummy tuck on the first day my 17 year old DD is off from school for a week in early March.

With family coming from Canada to Germany to visit us in April I want to be completely healed and have enough energy to enjoy their time here so I'm thinking of biting the bullet and having my stomach done in January instead.

I would have the surgery on a Thursday and spend the night in hospital; home the next day barring any complications and on my own as of Monday after three days of help.  My only "duty" will be to let out little Yorkie out to pee a few times a day and take care of myself so it seems quite doable.

Opinions greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Mickie

You'll be fine.  I had my TT on a Thursday and was home alone on Friday all day. It was actualy nice to be able to rest all day with out anyone around.  All I did was sleep for the first few days.  I have two pugs and my only task was to let them out too. 

Good Luck!

I wasn't able to get out of my bed or recliner without help for the first week. There is just no way of knowing your rate of healing ahead of time. If you will only have help for three days, I would consider renting a medical lift recliner for a week or two. That would make things a lot easier if you can afford it.

Do you have a yard for your Yorkie or does he go to the sidewalk? You may want one of those pooper scoopers with long handles.

Barring any complications, it should be doable. I had LBL/hernia repair and arm lift and I was scared having my arms done at the same time would interfere with being able to move but it turned out to be a non-issue.

I did have DH working from home for the first week but I didn't need much help. I used pillows on my couch and bed instead of a recliner chair. I did need his help those first few days to get up - by the 5th day I was able to do it myself. Your arms will be pretty much close to healed so you will be able to use them to help getting out of that lounge chair position so you should be able to get up yourself up an earlier date than I.

Do you have contingency plans if you do have complications? Neighbours you could call in emergency, or maybe a family member could leave work for a short time?

edited to improve grammar.

My reply is simular to the others; I had surgery on 12/17 and had only my 18yr old son to depend on.  (usually can't get him to lift a finger to help me) but he stepped up big time and was a tremendous help.  I was not able to get in and out of bed myself.  He helped me there.  I had a toilet seat raiser that was a god send.  That was all the help I really needed.  I cleaned the house before surgery and at two weeks it has kept pretty good.  So, I was able to take care of everything else myself.  My son would bring me food and drink the first three days, after that I was fine to do it myself with careful movements.  You should be fine too with a little assistance.

 

Thank you all for the feedback.  I am almost certain I will go for the surgery in three weeks -  that sounds so soon as I sit here looking at my bruised and swollen arms!  But they will be pretty much back to normal by then so it does seem like this is doable. 

Cheers,
Mickie

I am somewhat of a unique case, or shall I say just plain bullheaded. I was driving the next day. I was in the hospital for one day and driving when I got home. I did not take any pain pills, because you are not suppose to drive while being medicated on those types of pain meds. So as long as you can tolerate the pain, which I did not have much at all, nothing that I could not bare without pain meds. I wish you luck... I personally believe you will be fine.

The first shower is really when you need someone around.  I stayed with my daughter and she was there to help me, but she was newly pregnant and was having morning sickness... so I took care of my own drains, etc. She did help me in and out of my compression garment the first few days though. Not sure i could have done it myself, but did figure it out after a few days the easiest way to do it. 

I also slept on the couch the first 2 nights, then up in the bed.  I didn't have any issues getting up/down. 

Remember to keep the pain meds in you 24/7.  That will make your recovery much better.  I had a timer next to my bed with my pain meds dosage laid out on the table and woke up to take them and went back to sleep.  It made the morning MUCH easier to maneuver!

Good luck!  I'm having my BL/BA in January too!