12 days post op

 Well my experience has been interesting.

The first few days I have posted about, but then got a little distracted, and a little depressed.

First things first, drains do suck.  Got that.  I still have them at day 12 and as its christmas eve day, I'm fairly certain I am stuck with them for at least another few days.

You know what we don't talk about very much here?  Undergarments.  The binder and "bra" I got at the hospital were terribly uncomfortable and really made me sad.  I went on the hunt for something better and found www.Marenagroup.com wow, what a difference that made!  I couldn't shower or wrap my arms by myself, and the garments I was sent home in didn't have arms.  I ordered several (they are really pricey) but tried on two, kept the one that fit and am sending the others back.  I can shower on my own now, and don't need to worry about anyone's schedule - so liberatiing!  I call it my Super Suit.

I've heard it mentioned time and time again, stool softener, I love you.  Twice a day, every day - without question the best advice I took from the board.  And people, even doing this led to some pretty painful "experience" imagine if I hadn't taken the stool softener!  I shudder at the thought.

What else.  I am really grateful to all of the posters.  You guys helped me prepare for this surgery so much more than any other doctor or or source I could find.  There jus isn't anything like a first had account.

Thanks guys, you're the best!

Xoxo Alicia

 I'm so sorry that you've got your drains for the holidays. I think once you get them out you will be feeling a lot better because it's just so freeing not having octopus legs attached to your lady bits. Do you find that no matter how hard you try to keep them painless you bump into everything, pull on them accidentally? Funny how that happens- NOT. 
 I love Marena! That's what I used too- so worth it. And never give up on that stool softener- I got an impacted bowel after knee surgery and lord almighty it was beyond words. Ok, you didn't need to know that haha. If you still do find yourself having trouble- I love the suppositories from dulcolax- I found them pretty immediate during the 'hard' times. 
Glad you are feeling better! Keep on improving and don't get too depressed - I too had this issue and literally just spent hours on OH trying to fill my time while I watched tv, it got better once I could move around and interact with people and not be such a little hermit.
Thanks for the update and keep on keepin' on! (or whatever that cliche saying is).

Sounds like things are coming along. As one of the reigning queens of having drains forever, I concur they suck. You will get creative with ways to hide them. I'm glad you are feeling better. And yes, there is really no way to completely repair for the experience because it is so individual.

Hope you have a great holiday weekend!!

Denise

I hope you get your drains out soon and heal quickly.

Thanks for that link for the support garments. I have a question. How did you decide what size to order? Is it something that you are better off waiting until after surgery to buy or would it be good to have them prior? I have my consult on Tues this week. I'd like to do the breasts first unless by some miracle, insurance would pay for the tummy tuck. Then I'd like to do both during the same time off from work.