Tummy tuck

 Wanting a start to finish of what happens w the tummy tuck ex:  u cometo the hospital then u  what fill out paper work the what u change into a gown then what u get a sedative? Just wanted a play by play if anyone can help? Please!

My experience- I went to admitting, paid, then went to the plastics dept and checked in. Gown, pee in cup (pregnancy test) Lot's of people come in and introduce themselves, Surgeon markings, IV's- Then the mental stuff.... No sedative but wheeled into the OR, While a man with a loud voice tells everyone my name and what I am having done and ask if everyone is all on board. Everyone yells YES, then ask's me if that is my name and what I am having done. So 15 poeple standing around and I have to stand on a tarp and be sprayed down with antibacterial spray, with each turn I saw more and mlore of the Operating room and it's machines and supplies. Then I finally get to get back on the table as they tell me that my blood pressure is getting a bit high. YA THINK!!!!! And next thing I know I wake up with family around me.  And here I am scheduled for round 2 in 5 days!!!!!!

Hopefully you are not sorry you asked now.....

 Wow thanks for the info Monday is the big day! Yay! & hoping all goes well for you too!

My experience was nothing like the prison de-lousing/rape scene described above.  I had two consults with my PS in his office.  Both were thorough clinical evaluations.  The morning of the surgery, I checked in at the hospital.  I was taken back to the pre-op prep area where I was weighed, vitals taken, and dressed in a hospital gown, put on calf compression socks.  The Nurse-Anesthetist came in to start the IV.  Then the surgeon came in and did the markings.  My family was allowed back after that until I was taken to the OR.  I was put asleep and woke up 8.5 hours later in recovery.

After that, I was taken to my room.  The nurses came in and checked on me.  A couple of hours later I was gotten up to walk for the first time.  I went home the next day.  I had 5 drains in me when I left and detailed aftercare instructions.

As far as paperwork, I had the usual admitting forms to fill out.  I had pre-paid everyone so none of that was necessary.  

I was sent home with prescriptions for Cipro, a muscle relaxer, and pain meds.  I stopped taking the pain med and muscle relaxer the saturday after my surgery.  I had follow ups with the surgeon at his office at   5 days, 8 days, and 10 days.  My next appointment is Tuesday. 

My surgery was October 3rd.  I started back at work yesterday.

 Thanks for info I can't believe you went back to work so soon!

I followed the same rules that I did for my sleeve surgery:  Walked as much as I could post-op, MAximized my protein (100g a day or more), did my incentive spirometer, listened to my body and slowed down or rested when I was tired.  

I havent had any complications yet or openings in my incisions.  I am healing very quickly.

The worst pain I have had so far has been from my muscle repair.  That only lasted a few days.  It would hurt like HELL when I would cough, laugh, anything that caused muscles to contract in the abdomen.  

I think one of the things that helped a lot was minimizing my reliance on the narcotics.  I would take them only when really needed, not on any schedule.  Doing that I never got in the zone where I built up a tolerance to them.  

I threw my pain meds and muscle relaxers away the saturday after my surgery.

 Good advice! I hope I heal as quickly thanks so much!

Oh the rest of my hospital experience and hospital stay was relaxing. This particular hospital has a drill seargent cadence that albeit mentally scary it's there way of making sure that there are no mistakes going in. I spent one night in the hospital and 4 weeks in my medical lift chair. had an opening in my back about the size of a quarter but it healed up within 3 weeks. Lot's of protein, water, pineapple juice then back to work. Oh, NO pain at all. AND.. weaned myself off of the heavy duty painkiller after 2 weeks. It's a pretty interesting experience and the body is very amazing!

I had tummy tuck in 2007 and breast lift/reduction on 10/10/12.

Both procedures were same dr, same surgical center and near identical results.

Blood work about a week before. They called in my prescriptions so I got them the day before I went for surgery which is very helpful.
Day of surgery check in at surgery center at 530am, undress, in comfy gown with Heater then meet with anesthesia, and ps doctor. Dr makes his markings then taken to Operating room.

Woke up both times in terrible pain quickly relieved by narcotics. Seems like after a 10 min nap ( it's prob longer ) , I am put in wheelchair and home.

I had option both times to stay overnight but opt to go home each time.

With tummy tuck I had two drains that we had to "milk" and record fluids, slept in recliner for 1 month. Was up and walking around same day though. Took pain meds and antibiotics on a schedule for about five days. I had tummy tuck with muscle repair and LIpo so it hurt to cough or laugh and was hard getting up and down but otherwise I healed well. The key is to do a lot of walking but make sure to get rest and do not try to do too much activity, like cleaning or pushing or stretching because it will affect your healing.

The breast lift was much easier. No drains, just bandaged up really heavy. Had surgery on wed. I slept all day Thursday but then was able to drive to volunteer at the school on Friday for 4 hours sitting down.

I rested fri eve, sat and sun. On Monday I went back to dr to get dressing removed. I had to wear a bra , underwire and very tight for 24 hours a day. I go back next Monday to get more dressings removed and checked. I can now take a shower, it has been 8 days and I can move around like normal. I was moving around today and almost forgot that I was still on restriction from lifting, pushing or pulling. Don't want to pop any stitches.

I'm loving the new girls. Let me know if you have any questions.

Hi congratulations on your procedures I wanted to know were you self pay for both procedures or did your insurance help at all.

Thanks happy healing

Carla