3 Days out from LBL

Hi everyone!  I am home...yippee!  My LBL, butt augmentation and liposuction went extremely well.  Total time in surgery was 6 1/2 hours.  Somehow I managed to only have 2 drains which really surprised me but the surgeon said I didn't have much blood loss during surgery.  The first 2 days are rough but each day it gets easier and easier.  I consciously smile to keep positive energy flowing through my system and it helps immensely.  Oh, and lots of liquid Hydrocodone!  I've been napping quite a bit but I do get up frequently to "shuffle" around my Mom's place.  I've also been using my spirometer to increase my breathing capacity.  As for nutrition, I've been sipping some protein shakes and water and got a hankering for macaroni and cheese today so I had a few bites of that!  Yum it was so good.   

Here are the things I can share with you that I found to be extremely helpful for preparation/recovery:

*Hire a medical transport company to get you home from the hospital.  It was the best $85 I spent.  They wheeled me out of my hospital room in a wheelchair, loaded the wheelchair into the back of a van, and drove me curbside to my Mom's place.  All I had to do was walk up 5 steps which was a piece of cake.  No worrying about bending to get in/out of the car.

*Use a pain pump.  Every 10 minutes I was able to push a button and release liquid morphine into my IV.  Totally necessary for my pain level for the first 24 hours.  I also came home with an On-Q pump that slowly releases pain relief into my system.

*Rent a lift recliner.  I rented a Pride CL 30 (totally plush).  Very comfortable and leans all the way back.  Practically stands me straight up.  No strain at all on my incision sites!

*Listen to a guide imagery/positive affirmation CD called, "Preparing for Surgery" by Martin Rossman.  It really helped me relax and channel my thinking when I needed to.

PBJ--I pictured your face and you saying, "Keep your eye on the prize" when I did my first "shuffle walk" in the hospital.  Honestly, it kept my spirits lifted, so thank you for sharing that with me.

From what I can see so far, Dr. Krieger did an AMAZING job.   I posted a few pictures and will post more pictures after my post-op appointment on Tuesday.  Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers.   

Great tips! Any suggestions on finding a medical transport? I was totally worried about getting home since my ride has a very bumpy car.

 Glad to read you're home and doing well! Thanks for the tips and looking forward to see your transformation. Congrats!

 Glad you are home and doing well.  Can't wait to see more pics!

CAn't wait to see your post-op pics.  I plan on having lbl with butt augmentation also and find it difficult to find many post-op pics, which makes it so difficult to find a qualified surgeon.

Thank you so much for sharing!!!

Glad to hear your doing good! Yes the pain pump really works great, i had mine for 3 days. Take it easy and keep us posted, Congrats!!!!

So glad to hear you are doing well...it does get easier I promise!  Day 10 was the turning point for me...but some get it sooner!

So glad that my saying  (well not my saying...I borrowed it from someplace!) helped you...it sure did me!  I still use it at times!

Can't wait to see your pictures. 

Keep doing well and keep us posted.  Hang in there.

Hugs
Patty

I'm really glad you're doing so well.  It will get better each day.  Your body and it's healing properties will just amaze you.  Take those pain meds!!

 Great advice! I never of thought of the medical transport thing. I didnt even know they existed.  I do remember crying when trying to get into and out of the car that first time.

Sounds like you are doing excellent with the walks, the pain meds and the breathing excercises. Being proactive and positive like you are being will really help you get thru this with flying colors. Good luck!