Lower Body Work Vets - What helped the most post-op?

I'm going for a consult, and hopefully to schedule a date, for lower body work.

Insurance approved excess and sub-Q tissue removal for legs, thighs, hips. 

Any stories from vets of this type of surgery would be greatly appreciated.  Good, bad and ugly of the recovery period, especially.  

It will be inpatient surgery, as there is such a huge amount.

If you were inpatient, how long did you have to stay?   (for reference, I stayed a full 7 days after my DS, no complications).

Thanks!!!

 

 

I had an extended tummy tuck, breast lift/augmentation and a medial thigh lift all at once.  My drains in my thighs fell out (due to gravity) and I developed large seromas there.  The seromas did make it hard to walk, however, after being aspirated every other day for about 10 days (my surgeon is 2.5 hours away from me) they resolved and went away.    I stayed one night in the surgical center and made the 2.5 hour trip home the next day.  Things I found invaluable:  lift chair (purchased from a Craig's list type website, a female urinal (kept all my dressings dry AND saved me from having to sit down), a lifted toilet seat (first few weeks), plenty of ice packs, and someone to help with darn near everything those first few days.    Hope that helps.  It wasn't a horrible recovery.  I was back to my office job in 3 weeks and back to running about 7 weeks post op. 

Looking at your stats,OMG, I think you will go below goal weight!
Your DS was more days than some so I would imagine 3-5 days in hospital for you.
I live in israel and the Health Care System is similar to the UK. I also tend to have problems. My army (revision from old open surgery Ring) I was in for ten days. My TT was ten days and my BL/BR was five days. With both I had problems after I went home.
I live alone but I would think to have help for when you can shower as well as a chair or something in the shower. Also anything that is down low, move to waist level so you don't need to bend too far. Wipies for toileting.
No lifting carrying in the beginning.
You might want to stick up on protein foods/powder as that helps with healing.
And if you ever want to talk, I'm happy to call you on my dime. Just on me your number and time slot as Israel is seven hours later than NY.
Good luck today on your consult!
Mikimi in Israel

I had LBL and BL and had a very easy time.  I was overnight at the surgical center, then home the next day.  I had a walker on standby, never needed it.  HATED the recliner......I did best on the couch propped with pillows around my sides and under my knees.  Moved to the bed after a week and slept in a partially seated position for a couple weeks. I started walking outside the day after my surgery (very slow, but walking) and kept going each day until I was over a mile within a week.  Back to work at 2 weeks and back to running at 4 weeks.  I'm not the "norm" though...everyone's experience is different.  I have a VERY high pain tolerance.  My #1 best item I had.........the raised toilet seat--I'd still use it today but my husband banished it!

Besides the above, the thing that helped me the most (I'm 4 weeks out today) is having a "grabber" to pick things up for you, when you drop them, and unfortunately you will drop things.  Also if you're going to use a female urinal you need to practice ahead of time, trust me it's not fun to pee on your bandages - sorry tmi:)

The only extras I needed were big sanitary pads (No perfume or dyes) to use on the suture line and then gauze squares when they started closing up to wear under clothes. I also loved lots of pillows to prop up my legs arms and back. A heating pad for my back helped a lot.