4 Month Follow-up with PS

 I was in a clinic for five nights, then a hotel for seven nights with daily medical care.  I chose that over going home.  Good care, better drugs in the clinic, hospital bed that went up and down.  People go home the next day but I did not want to do that.  I could not afford to do it in the states. Kaiser wanted 4 surgeries, 4 recoveries, $55k.  I got better care, one recovery for almost a third of the cost. I am delighted with my decision.

I was REALLY shocked that 2 surgeons said they send you home on the same day.
I was like, after 6 hrs of general anethisia , I DON'T THINK SO!
He said,"well if you want to pay for the extra day that's fine" I was like "how about 3 days"
It really blows my mind at some of the things these surgeons say.
I've had general surgeries in the past and no way would I want to go home the same day.

Sounds like you got VERY good care which made your experience better than most.
Congrats !

 One of the biggest reasons I chose Dr Sauceda was because he keeps you in the clini****il you are stable and then you go to the Hampton Inn and he checks on you daily. His RN also comes every morning to help you shower and get back in your garment. I am single and the thought of going home after all of that work scared me! I would have had my daughter there, but she would have freaked with all the drains and the fact that I always faint my first time in the shower. Well, I have done it twice. Once with plastics and once with dental work. I had my body work done on a Tuesday and stayed in the clinic and on Friday when I had my face work done and went to the hotel the following Monday. I had 24 hour round the clock care. It was perfect!

 Sounds great! Isn't it amazing how the upper eyelids heal? I do not scar as well as others but my eyelid scars are totally invisible!

We wanna see pics! :D 

I am glad I read your post...I just did my pre-op and am scheduled for lower body lift, and breast lift and augmentation.  I am getting excited but very nervous.  Are you glad you did it all at one time?  Would love to hear about your experience.  I am glad everything went well.

Yes, I'm glad I had everything done at the same time.  It was a long surgery, 10 hours.  It took a good 10 days before I would even consider going without pain meds.  I heal pretty well and I'm pretty good with pain, but I needed the meds for 10 days.  Recommendation:  Stay on a schedule with your pain meds.  Do not let them lapse.

I spent 2 nights in the hospital.  I was up and walking the first night, but it wasn't easy.  When I got home, I had people to wait on me hand and foot, but I wouldn't let them.  I needed to move.  I was all hunched over.  I slept on my back with a pillow under my knees.  Someone here mentioned renting a hospital bed for the house.  I wish I had thought of that. The hospital bed was much more comfortable than my very comfy bed at home.  I move a recliner into my room.  I didn't sleep on it, but it was a good place to rest. 

I had two of those canvas bags with strings.  One I used for my TV remotes.  The other I used for my cell phone, kindle, tissues, etc.  I could lay them on the bed and pull them up with the strings...very handy when it hurts to flex your tummy muscles. 

I was working from home after 2 weeks and back in the office after 18 days.  I wish I could have taken more time, but I was on leave without pay and I had some major things going on at work.

My biggest complication has been my body's reaction to my internal stitches in my left groin area.  Every now and then the scar still opens a little and bleeds.  Not much, just a dot here and there.  As complications go, it is very minor. 

My worst complication (in my opinion) was the itching.  I had itching days 2-5 on my chest.  The pain meds did not stop the itching.  It was kind of random like a hot flash.  Boom it would start itching.  I tried cold compresses and lotion.  I was good.  I didn't scratch.  It only lasted a few days, but was very annoying.  

I still wear compression garments a few days a week.  They really help reduce my swelling.  My doctor said it is fine.  

I had mentally prepared myself for about 5 days of pain.  When it went longer, I wasn't happy.  Prepare yourself for at least 10 days.  If it is better sooner then good. 

Good luck with your upcoming surgery!

Kay

 Thank you so much.  I feel much better.  My doctor wants me to sleep on a recliner for two weeks.  I was told my surgery would be about 7.5 hours and I will go to a motel close to the dr office that night.  I was hoping it would be only a few days on pain medicine (makes me sick) but will do what I got to do to rest and recover.  Now I just wi**** would hurry.  Did your results come out great?  Do you really like how you look?