Advice on Recovery From Tummy Tuck

 Hello,
I'm having a tummy tuck and would like any suggestions on the recovery process.  Also how was it getting out of bed, getting on and off the toilet. Could you use the stairs?  I live by myself and will have some friends stay with me for a couple days. When were you able to get around by yourself?
Thanks for your responses.
Mindy

I had mine 3 1/2 months ago.  I really needed someone to help me the first few days.  My husband took 3 days off of work and then the weekend...so on day 6 I was by myself and was fine then.  I ended up coming home with a urinary cathetar so I didn't have to get up and down on the toilet for the first 5 days.  I was able to do the stairs very slowly by Monday..didn't really do them before that much.  I won't lie to you...it was a very tough week.  I also had back lipo and that was awful!  (but worth it now!)  I was not hungry at all for the first several days...so have protein shakes and a friend made me soup...so have that.  You need to keep trying to get your fluids and protein in.
Please ask me any questions..I am here to help!

good luck to you

Patty

 Thank you Patty, That was helpfull. If I have anymore questions I'll let you know.
Mindy

I stayed alone and was perfectly fine with an extended tummy tuck with muscle tightening and a neck lift together.  No problems whatsoever.

I am 53 years old -- had my tummy tuck about 8 weeks ago.

I had my surgery on a Thursday and needed my husband's help on Thursday night and Friday.

He was out of the house most of the day on Saturday and Sunday --- but with the use of my remote-controlled recliner (rented) and my walking stick, I was able to get up and down by myself.

Honestly, the most discomfort/pain I had was some referred pain just above my right knee -- it felt like a knife was going into my leg when I stepped up -- so, stairs would have been hard for the first week or so.  I think that is probably pretty rare (I had a pain pump that was placed on that side and I think it irritated the nerve bundle in my pubic area that radiated down).

Do you live in a 2-story house -- with your bedroom upstairs -- so, maybe you can spend the first week or so on the ground floor?

My rented recliner was my BEST friend!!! 

 Thanks for the response. It was helpful. I live in a 3 story condo with an additional flight just to get to my front door.

Mindy

Mindy,
Right after surgery, I probably could have gone up stairs with someone behind me because I was on some good drugs.

I would suggest you plan to get to one place and stay there for a few days if you can avoid having to go up and down.

I was surprised that I could squat to use the bathroom with no discomfort alt all. I purposefully ate very lightly for a few days before surgery and started on stool softeners so I would not have any straining those first few days post op.

 Thank you for the reply. That was helpfull. I will keep you in mind if I have anymore questions.
Mindy