Lower body lift expectations

hi all
I am having a LBL in 6 weeks and for me if I have a good realistic understanding of what to expect it helps me keep a positive outlook and that goes a long way to help recovery so I appriciate anything anyone can share-with the insisions going all the way around your body how do you find a comfortable way to lay down?, how long till you are back to work and what are the things that really worked to help you? is the pain similar to a c-section ? any and all your advise is soooooooo appriciated.
Thank you

I can tell you my experience - but it may not be typical.

I had no problem reclining in a recliner or on wedge pillows (we called it the "lawn chair" position) right from the start. If I was fully laying down, it didn't hurt but I couldn't get up without assistance.

I went back to work in 2 1/2 weeks, but took a day off that first week to stay home and sleep - not because of pain.

Never had a C-section, but I was off controlled substances the day after surgery, and off regular tylenol within 4 days.

The thing that helped me most was having loose and soft clothing, and DH around to pull me up when I got too low to do it myself!

Thank you for sharing I appriciate you taking the time :)

I'd say something similar.  The pain in the early part of the recovery comes more from your muscles being tightened than the incisions.  My incisions didnt really hurt, but if I moved in certain ways, some areas (mostly in the back) would feel like they were pulling a bit, so I modified the way I moved.

Because you're protective of your tummy, and not walking upright after the LBL, I got a sore back, all muscular. 

Sleeping was easiest in a recliner, just prop around yourself with pillows.  You should be able to find a comfortable position.

The first few days hurt the most, I never had a C-section, but I did have open pelvic surgery twice - once for hysterectomy and once for an ectopic pregnancy.  I'd say the pain is about the same, but again after day 3 or 4 the pain is not all that bad.  It is more muscular in the abdmonial area, and for me, my back from walking hunched over.

By 2-3 weeks you shouldnt be in any real pain.  I'm 3 weeks out now, and working from home but totally wiped out.  I dont need pain medication, but I'm still a little slow moving and hunched over a bit.  I'm able to take some breaks and nap so it's working for me.  I do not think I'd be up to going to an office full time right now, but maybe in a week or so I could.  I'm also 47 so if you are younger you might have more bounce in your bounce back :)

Hope that helps. 

Very helpful, thank you for taking the time to respond, I appricate it alot :)

I was off 8 weeks, but had an LBL, BL, arms, and sm upper thigh lift, then a full face lift 4 days later.  I was in the hospital bed for a week, then the hotel for a week.  I slept in the bed, as I wasn't comfortable in the recliner.  I used all the pillows on the king sized bed.  At two weeks out I was in my waterbed.  The pain really was minimal for me too.  No c-section to compare too.  My DS was more painful I think.  I did use pain pills at night while the stitches were in behind my ears, as the chin wrap pushed my ears back against the stitches.  It took a long time to get my stamina back, but I was 58 when I had my surgery.   All my incisions were pretty numb, my arms hurt more than the LBL, but the compression garment had folds in the elbows and was tight.  My forearms were painful and I used the heating pad on them before I went to sleep and when I woke up in the morning.  YMMV

Thank you so much

I'm 3 weeks out today, still sore & tire very easily.  I went back to work @ 2 weeks, worked 2 days & was off for 3, now I'm back & have made it all week.  I do get VERY tired tho & come straight home to rest.  I have a very mental job, nor physical tho!

I had 3 c-sections, I think this pain is much worse than they were. 

Had to lay propped in bed, still sleep that way.  Loved the recliner, it worked very well for me.  My thighs have been the sorest part of it all for me.

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond, its very appriciated :)

mine is in 18 days.  yesterday at pre-op I asked all these same questions.  My surgeon said it was easiest in the begining to sleep in a recliner, and that I would need someone to help me get up if I was to lay flat.  He also recomended that I break out my walker (I HAVE ARTHRITIS and have to stop my arthritis meds for surgery) to help me walk for the first few days as it gives me something to hold onto and lean on when walking.

He also explained that the back incisions are drawn with me bent over slightly so that there is some ability to lean forward, and I am not stuck straight up and down like a tree. 

I have never had a c-section so I have no idea what that pain is like.  But I have had 8 joint surgeries and 2 abdominal surgeries.  Joint surgeries SUCK!  

He said not to expect to go back to work for 2-3 weeks and no driving for 2-3 weeks or until off pain killers which ever comes last.