Supplies for panniculectomy recovery?

I am having a panniculectomy in October. Mine is huge. I went from 430 to 170. I'm trying to figure out what I should have on hand after I come home. Or any tips or tricks to make recovery less hellish.

I am going to rent an electric recliner and I have each parent coming for one week (so 2 straight weeks) of help. I'm married, but my husband is gone from 4am to 6pm.

I'd like to have everything ready before I have surgery. Thanks for any advice!

I had mine in the end of May. I had some complications (still having complications) but that's not the norm. I'm just one of those people.

Get quite a few white tank tops that are long to wear under your compression garments because they get itchy. You'll be able to pin your drains to your compression belt.

Also, get some men's basketball shorts (or pants, if it's cold) with a draw string. They have become my best friend. They have pockets for my phone or whatever else I need to have on hand.

If you can, sleep in a recliner. Mine was a 360 and though I had no pain in my butt, I still feel more comfortable in the recliner. I still switch back and forth.

Get one of those water bottles that keeps water cold for 24 hours. I think they're called Yeti bottles. Mine is an off brand but it was my saving grace to always have cold water. I even brought mine to the hospital. Once I was home, I kept my meds on the coffee table next to me and only had to get up to use the bathroom.

You will LOVE the results. Even though I've had problems, I already feel like it's been worth it even though I have to go for a revision. I'm scheduled for October as well but think it is going to have to be sooner.

The most important advice is PAY ATTENTION TO THE DRAINS! If they don't produce a good amount of fluid or if one is collecting less than the other(s), call your doctor immediately. One of mine got clogged and backed up which caused a terrible infection.

Keep everything as clean as possible and follow ALL instructions from your doctor. Stay ahead of the pain. Don't try to be a super hero. Take your pain meds. You will need them, at least at first.

Good luck and shout out any time!

Quick question, how long did it take for your insurance to give an approval?

I'm sure there are more comprehensive answers out there, but I'm currently recovering from fleur de lis abdominoplasty and scoured the interwebs for such a list. I realized while recovering this is my *fifth* abdominal surgery (including two c-sections and a lapro hysterectomy) and I would have found most of these things helpful for all of them. Having said that, my newest incisions run from between my breasts to just above my pubic bone and from outside hip to outside hip. In addition to the muscle repair and skin tightening they did. So some of this might be total overkill for you.

• electric recliner, preferably with independent head and foot controls and lift chair capability (I stopped using the lift during week two, but man was it nice. They should hand those things out to all abdominal surgery patients.)
• some pillows and blankets for sleeping in said recliner; I used a moibus neck pillow for sleeping, kept another pillow under my knees for comfort, and kept a third pillow handy to throw over my incisions when a cat came to visit; emergency incision inspector paws are extremely painful.
• walker with seat, amazing for the drugged up, hunched over stagger to the toilet; also a nice high seat at the table or for doing laps in the hallway. (At three weeks only the cats are using it for "Whee! A hangry seat that rolls when I jump up on it to yell at you!"
• toilet seat riser, which I really wish I had been able to use with the ab repair; standard toilets are a looooong way down.
• ice blankets; mine says CoreProducts Soft Comfort and is a huge ice pack with a soft cover and has been awesome for incision pain and swelling. I have two and swap them out.
• RTD protein drinks/protein water/hydration drinks/bone broth/hot tea and a big old water bottle. Post surgery you have to keep your protein up and stay hydrated.
• warm, non-skid slippers/shoes because you're not bending over to put on socks or tie shoes. (I finally got the wool lined birkenstock clogs I've been coveting and they are amazing. Sometimes I sleep in them. In the recliner.)
• the afore-mentioned cotton tank (or in my case quick dry cami with shelf bra) to go under your binder so you're not a literal hot mess.
• button in the front nightgowns mean not having to pull things over your head; cheap Amazon swing dresses mean no pants and no waistband pressing on your incision.
• dry shampoo and camping type bath wipes are great if you have drains and can't shower for a few days.
• I like arnica gel for the parts of the abdomen that are NOT covered in stitches.
• books, movies, knitting, video games, or something else to keep you entertained and off your feet after the pain meds end and you start feeling a little better.
• small bedside table/chair/tv tray to hold all the stuff; a battery and cables to charge it; and a small notebook and pen so people can help you log your meds properly - never, never get behind on pain meds.

I hope it goes amazing for you ;-)