Abdominoplasty and mastopexy

I'm having this surgery on Monday next week and would be keen to get some general tips from people who've had them.  An sugestions would be great.
Fortunately I'm able to take 2 weeks off work and then start working part time at home.  But I'm curious about in the hospital - do they encourage you to get up straight away for going to the toilet and shuffling about the ward.  What about when you get home - we have stairs and I heard these can be a bit tough.  How soon could you go for a walk?
Some people have told me they kept the compression garment on for ages - it made them feet secure.  Any thoughts on this.
I'm feeling a bit stressed about losing my fitness although I know it's inevitable.  It's just that I've worked so hard since my sleeve - lost 58kgs and doing some serious gym and cardio.

I'm 10 weeks out.

I was up to pee w/in 2 hours of the recovery room. I was walked around the Day Surgery unit before my release.

I got home and climbed the stairs to my bedroom and went to bed. (Our bedrooms are all upstairs.) Not easy but we have railing so I just went slow and hung on.

I was instructed to be up walking every 2 hours and to shower daily (with the drains!) starting that next day.

I am still in Spanx. He only wanted me to wear the binder for a month then switch to Spanx for a few months. Helps with swelling but really helps with readherence of the tissues and ultimately contouring of my waist. I hate it but I wear it.

You will lose fitness. Expect it. It is a big surgery and anesthesia takes a toll that is sometimes felt for weeks. How much is up to your surgeon. Mine is very conservative in terms of return to exercise. I had a big surgery with a big incision and muscle tightening. He still does not let me jog or anything else that involves bouncing or sideways torque on my abs.

I have a pencil thin scar so far and no problems with healing. I wanna keep it that way so I am just walking still. I walk fast and far enought to sweat- for sure. But I won't jog until he clears me. I will see him in 2 weeks. We'll see what he says!

I was also out of bed a few hours out of recovery.  You can't straighten up -- but you can shuffle hunched over no problem.  I would walk for 20 minutes (doing laps around the house) every few hours while I was at home.  I had my procedure on Friday -- relaxed on the weekend and worked from home full 8 hour days for the next two weeks.

Like the other poster said - the compression garmet helps "train" the tissue to be the best shape possible -- I really didnt mind mine.  My surgeon provided one and I wore it for 4 months then switched to spanx.  

I wouldn't stress too much about loosing your fitness.  You arent going to feel like doing much for the first few weeks and, if your surgeon tightens you up really good you wont be able to straighten up for at least 4-6 weeks.  

I also highly recommend staying away from a scale for at least a month -- the surgery will require tons of flood and blood and you will probably "gain" 20 pounds.  Then the swelling -- lots and lots of swelling for a lot longer than you would think -- 4 months, maybe more?

Happy healing! 

I went home two hours after the surgery.  I had someone stay with me the first night and then was fine on my own after that.  No problem getting up and down or walking around.  I went for slow walks after the first two weeks and then was able to pick up a little speed every week after that.  Per the doctor, I waited six weeks before resuming my normal exercise routine (pilates, zumba, etc).  I wore a binder the first four weeks and something similar to spanx for the next few months.  One thing I wished I'd done was to start taking a stool softener the day of the surgery. 

thank you to everyone for your great advice - good to hear your stories and encouragement.

 Hi, I had my Abdominoplasty and Mastopexy on 27 Sep 11.  I spent one night in hospital, and they had me up as soon as I woke up to go to the washroom.  I was up every few hours after that, and then in the morning was up and about on my own with no problem.  When I got home, I had stairs to climb to get to my bedroom, but they were not really any problem.  Just hold onto the railing and take it slow.  I stayed up in my room my first day home and then went downstairs for an hour or so the next day to break my day.  I was off the pain meds by the 3rd day and just took Advil at night.  I had two drains and they were removed the following week, 10 days after surgery.

I have worn a brace/binder since surgery and it will come off permanently in another week.  I remove it to wa**** and when I go out with friends, I have worn a spanx type garment.  I do feel better with the binder/brace, so I think I will go out and get some flexees as others have suggested.

All is going well, I think you will be pleasantly surprised how well things will go for you.

Good luck and speedy healing and recovery.,

Take care.  Linda