tummy tuck next tuesday - any advice?

i'm having my gall bladder out and a full tummy tuck next week - EEK! 

anybody with post-op advice or suggestions?



jeris

Jeris, I just wanted to say..YAAY, and congratulations on the TT. I know you're excited..!!

Wishing you well..!!!

I also had a full tummy tuck in 2008. My advice- Remember, pain killers are your friend during recovery time . Take them as soon as the last dose wears off in the beginning- as long as it's within the max amount of course. Make sure to get one of those "husband"/bed rest pillows if you don't have one because you're most likely gonna be sleeping sitting up for a week or two! Indulge in your showering time- it's the only chance for about 2-3 months where you won't be wearing the tummy wrap- although you do get used it quickly. And don't worry too much, the most painful part of the whole process is getting the drains removed; you'll want to hit the roof but it only hurts about a few minutes then goes away. And of course, if possible have someone there at all times to bring you food, help with your compression wrap, give you meds, hand you the remote even if its's two feet away haha.. that always helps!

Good luck to you!! Seeing your new flat stomach will make everything worth it- Bye bye Spanx!

Pain killers (stay on top of it) and stay on top of the stool softeners as well. Have soft, easy foods available for the first few days (I felt like a new post-op with all the new restriction for a couple days!). Up your protein, and my surgeon recommends adding vitamin C and zinc post-op to help with healing.

Otherwise, enjoy your new body!

 Do you really have to wear the compression wrap for 2-3 months!?  That seems like an awfully long time.

I too am going to do a TT and have been learning about the recovery time.  Good luck on your procedure.

That depends on a lot of factors.  I had to wear the wrap binder for 2 weeks, then could move to firm conrol high-waisted briefs or cami-type shapers for another 6 weeks or so.  But I had no lipo, just skin excision.

See what your surgeon says and how you feel.

My understanding of why we wear compression for 3 -- 4 months is so your abdomen "remembers" the new shape you have.  Wouldn't want to go through all that and not get the optimum results, right?

I'm only almost 2 weeks post of and it's very uncomfortable w/out the compression around my midriff.  I wear shapewear from below the knee to above the waist, and then a wrap that I got at a sporting goods store over a tea shirt (learned that on this site -- it's not comfortable against your bare skin).  I also add a wrap around my upper thighs for sleeping since I had lipo and want the best long term results there as well.

Frankly, at this point I'm much more comfortable w/ the compression.  Especially when I have to sneeze/cough.

Even though I'm still somewhat swollen I sure like my flat tummy and lack of jodphur thighs!!!

 OK, that makes sense.  Awww, suffer for the sake of beauty!   Will be happy when I am all done!
Thanks so much for sharing.