Tummy tuck in 2 weeks...help!!!

Hello everyone,

I am looking for insight and ideas from all of you who have already began your plastic surgery voyages. I will be having 4 different procedures - done as 3 surgeries over the next couple of months.

I am scheduled for a tummy tuck two weeks from today...based on your experiences I am curious what must have items should I have on hand at home? I will be coming home the same day and I live about 1.5 hours from the surgery center.

What can I expect pain wise? I have had 2 C-sections and a hysterectomy, I am thinking that the pain will be somewhat the same. I had no pain at all with my Lap-band surgery last April.

How long before I will be able to shower? Paperwork for pre-op appt arrived today and it says that drains will be removed in 5 to 10 days...hoping that it doesn't mean that I have to wait that long to shower :(

Thanks all

Hi - take a look at my blog, I've written about my plastic experiences (TT and breast lift, then 7 weeks later arm and thigh lift).

I've written a post about useful items etc.

Good Luck - the TT was a much easier recovery than my hysterectomy 3 years ago.

Good Luck

Hi, The only wisdom I have if from others, I'm not scheduled until November.

Lift chair
High rise toilet seat
shower chair
Boxer shorts ( I boought some terry cloth rompers)
Mens long wife beaters (to put between your skin and compression binders)
Button us shirts
Cough drops, (I would think that coughing would jar your body)
Heating pad, Ice packs
I bought some incontinence bed pads just in case my drains leak

I'll continuue to add to my list as others who have been through it post.

 Hi there !!!! I had an extended tummy tuck 2 weeks ago.....I feel really really good!!!! I didn;t really need too much post op.
I slept in my recliner for about 2 nights and most of the first 2 days. I kept a bottle of water near by ,the tv remotes  and phones by my sides. I used ice packs on my sides and lower back ( that hurt the most from walking stooped over****pt my pain meds within reach and my pill splitter. I actually kept my meds in a cosmetic bag so I could grab it easily.I also put my chapstick in the bag with my meds.
I didn;t need a raised toilet seat or walker.....I took my time walking and sat really really slowly. I am still using my binder so undershirts are a must to keep from itching. I wore a loose summer dress back and forth from the hospital. My surgeon took off over 12 pounds so my preop undies are way big and were no problem to fit over the binder and swollen tummy. i wore my nighties at home and a cotton sundress to my md appointments. I had 2 drains and they were removed at my one week post op visit. My surgeon's rule was they had to have 40 cc or less in them over 24 hours before he would remove them, he also removed my belly button sutures at that time.
 Around my drains would leak alittle so some 4x4 guaze bandages were a big help. I could shower 48 hours after surgery.( I am allergic to steristrips so I didn;t have any of those annd yes I showered drains and all)..but I had some bath wipes for bird bathes that helped.  A fabric housecoat belt helped hold my drains when I showered. I would also ask for a couple of specimen cups with measuring marks on the side to measure your drainage from your drains. I emptied them everytime I went potty.
As for the pain the first day I took percocet 1 tab every 4 hours  I could take up to 2 but one was enough. By day 3 post op I had stretched it to 6 hours and by day 4 I changed to liquid lortab .....much easier for my tiny tummy to handle and the percocet was knocking me for a loop. By day 5 post op I was only taking meds at night to help me get comfortable enough to sleep. As of right now I am not taking any pain meds but do use ice still for my lower tummy and back at the end of the day. I am feeling so good have to remind myself not to do too much.
This is long winded but I hope it helps.......good luck !!! I have post some pictures on my profile......friend me if you would like to take a peak!!
Janet

oooopppps I so forgot to add that i stocked up on protein shakes, greek yogurt and soup ......I did mostly full liquidy foods the first couple of days  just ot be on the safe side with my lapband... I also had my three wonderful children home. The older boys 11 and 14 would help me with the recliner holding it so I could climb out and helping me pu**** back to place for my bathroom trips. My daughter stayed on the couch next to the recliner and handed me what I needed.....she never left my side for 3 days....my own little nurse!!!!
Good luck!!!
Janet

There was really nothing I could have not lived without but I did find the following helped:

chap stick
donut pillow for my rear because I was sleeping on my back for several weeks
wedge pillow to sleep elevated
gowns (just found they were more comfortable for me)
protein powder
stool softeners
I wore the undershirts to keep the compression garment from rubbing but I could have cut the top half off of the wife beater and been more comfortable (which is what I do now when I wear the compression garment at night) just wearing it as a liner with out the straps

I did have to wait 2 weeks to shower - my doctor did not let me shower with my drains in, but I suppose every doctor is different

I had never had abdominal surgery (other than my lap rny) and the pain was very tolerable.  I took narcotics the first 3 days then just ES Tylenol after that.  It hurt me worst trying to sit up in the mornings.  It also hurt my back having to do the granny walk the first week or so.  I had prepared myself for terrible pain and I never experienced it to the degree I had feared.

The worst part besides not being able to shower?  My compression garment was not made for a short waisted petite person and I had to fold the top over - it was very uncomfortable.  The drains were pretty yucky, too, but 2 weeks goes by very quickly.

Good Luck!

Wow i guess I'm the exception, but I had a very rough go of it with my extended TT... granted I did my arms too which made it more difficult because I couldn't use my arms to prop myself up when I didn't have the stomach muscles.

That said I carried my weight very low.  And had all 3 Plastic surgeons I consulted with tell me that I had the largest or 2nd largest apron they'd seen so I had more removed then most.

I showered with the drains so you should be good there.  You'll need to buy some gertiles, I started in the same size I had with the skin but as the bloating goes down I'm replacing them to a size lower.

I needed lots of pillows to prop myself up.  The pain was truly awful for me.  I had a very difficult time with the recovery it made my DS (which I had done lap) look like no big deal.I still have pain in one specific spot.  My surgery was June 16th and I really still don't feel like myself.  That being said the amount of skin I had to remove I'd still do it again.

One thing that worked well for me was to attach my drains to a lanyard I wore around my neck. When I showered, I hung a bungee cord from the top of the shower and hung the lanyard on the lower end of the bungee cord.

Laura