Day 10 post op LBL - long post

I'm writing this just to share my experience thus far because I found it helpful to read others experiences while waiting for my surgery.

Today is day 10 post op. The pain is manageable and would be better described as discomfort rather than pain. I had LBL with fat transfer (9lbs of skin/fat removed).

Looking back, the first 2-3 days were a blur mostly due to the medication. I definitely needed a support person to help me getting up and sitting back down and with showering, changing dressings and putting the binder back on.

I am now independent and don't require assistance with normal activities however I cannot lift so I need assistance with lifting things/moving things more than a few pounds.

I have been working from home since about day 3 just answering emails. I was able to take breaks/naps when needed. I physically went to work yesterday for 3 hours and it was ok. I still have my drain in so that is my biggest limitation right now. It's in my groin and leaks so I have to be careful that it doesn't look like I peed myself. Sitting in my work chair was a little challenging. I made my first day a Sunday purposefully for people wouldn't be there. I worked from home today but plan on going in tomorrow.

I drive about 1 hour each way to work so yesterday my hubby drove me but tomorrow I will drive myself.

I went grocery shopping with hubby on day 8 and it was no problem. Just had to take it slow.

I've felt weak and tired but listen to my body and rest/nap when needed.

I'm still sleeping in a recliner and feel that's most comfortable.

In hindsight, here are the things I couldn't have gone without:

-Support person for 72 hours post op minimum

-Puppy training pads - I used these to sit on the couch, car, etc. They are waterproof disposable pads and helped protect the furniture from my drain leaks. Also nice because I was without panties for a few days post op and didn't want my bare bum on things

-lanyard for my drain bulb while showering

-gauze and lots of it to sop up my drain leaks and cover my incision line for a few days post op

-quick grab protein snacks (turkey bites, deli meat, light baby bel cheese, etc)

-recliner

-table beside recliner for necessities (Kleenex, water, lip balm, remote, meds, phone, book, diary, etc)

-long tongs - these helped me reach things that were just out of reach so I didn't have to stretch too much

-pillows for propping (I needed these behind my back, under my legs, beside me for my arms, etc)

-comfy warm socks

-House dress (I wore a Roots cotton pullover loose dress - made a huge difference to wear this with no undies - sometimes when needing to pee it was such a feat just to get to the washroom that simply pulling up the dress and sitting made a huge difference)

-men's non-ribbed under shirts for under the binder (I use men's small walmart brand, they are nice and long but keep a barrier between your skin and the binder. I change this undershirt at least twice a day to keep things clean as some areas leak a little. I initially had 4 but sent the hubby for another pack and now I'm thinking I could use another 4 so I'm not doing laundry every other day)

-bottled water (easier than getting up to refil your bottle because you need to drink a lot)

I think those are the staples from my perspective. I also found it helpful to keep a log of everything - when/what meds I took, naps, bowel movements, etc. The days start to blend and when the dr asks these things it was easy for me to look back in the journal and tell him.

I was told recovery would be 4-6 weeks. I feel right now that my biggest barrier is my drain. If I didn't have my drain in then I would have likely been back to work late last week. I'm nervous about going to work with it because I don't want it to leak and I don't want people to see it and it's pretty bulky.

I'm not walking completely upright but just about. I can straighten up but it really pulls in my groin area. The surgeon said he'd like to see me walking upright by this Thursday so I've got a few more days to practice.

Lastly, this surgery has been easier than I expected but I was prepared for pure hell. It's a big surgery and your body goes through significant trauma but for me it hasn't been too bad and I had extensive muscle repair too.

My belly button is going to be a problem I think as it had a crust over it that they told me I had to get off with peroxide. I've done that but it doesn't look good. I'm following my PS's instructions and we'll see what he says on Thursday.

Thanks for reading and good luck on your journey!

Quick facts:

Surgery date weight: 155lbs

Weight day after surgery: 150lbs

Lowest weight (2 days ago): 147lbs

Current weight: 149lbs (swelling since scale shows increase in water weight)

Total inches lost (day before surgery compared to yesterday):

Waist: 1.5 inches

belly button area: 4 inches

apron hanging area/thickest part: 6.5 inches

Super helpful, NB! Your drain seems like it's been a lot more a pain in the neck than most with all the leaking...

Thanks Cecily! You're right - the drain has really been giving me trouble right from the time I got home. Leak leak leak. The surgeon said sometimes the body has to get rid of more fluid than the hose can handle and that's the reason. It's not that it's blocked or not in place because the bulb fills a lot too. I'm still emptying it twice a day totalling about 100cc's a day (not including spillage of course). Hoping I'll get it out Thursday but not going to happen the way it's still draining. Don't get me wrong, I still want it in if it's doing its job - I don't want a seroma but it will be nice to say goodbye to it lol

Did you have a lot of lipo done?

I didn't have any lipo - yet lol

Hm, that's interesting. I figured with such a high output from your drain that you had, had lipo. I had both out at 8 days and they were outputting 15ccs or less each per day. My surgeon did say that having lipo increases drain output, which is why I asked.

The lowest output I had so far in one day was 35cc which got me excited because my PS said he likes it to be around 30-50cc for a few days straight before they remove it. The day after it was 35cc it went up to 110 the next day. Today I emptied it at 7am and it was 35cc then had to empty it at 4:30 and it was 55cc and right now it's about 20cc but I won't empty it until tmr at 7. It's going down and the colour has changed - went from fruit punch colour to dark now (almost brownish tint). I texted my care coordinator a pic and she said it's normal. My drain has been a real pain - figuratively speaking though because there hasn't been any pain with it so that's good.

Very helpful, I didn't think about a lanyard or the men's tank tops.

Since I live by myself, I'll have to hire someone for the 1st couple of days.

My sister suggested I have surgery in Louisville with her doctor and recover at her home.

When I'm in pain, I just prefer to sit in a corner, in the dark and be left alone.

It might not be a bad idea to recover at your sisters. The pain meds are great and really help with alleviating the pain and making it more like severe discomfort (for me anyway) and you might sleep a lot.

Either way, good luck!

I literally only remember snippets from the first 4-5 days. It's great in one aspect, but I really counted on someone to make sure I didn't kill myself, lol.