Question:
what was recovery like for those of you who had a tummy tuck and arm lift done?

I will be haveing a tummy tuck and under arm lift done at the same time and was wondering what recovery would be like? I anticipate a 2 day stay in the hospital and then will return home where I live alone and have no one there to help me. What can I expect once I return home? Will I need to make arrangements for someone to stay with me? When I had my WLS (4 day hospital stay) I returned home and was by myself without any problems although my step-mother did bring some food to me a couple of times. Will I be OK by myself this time around?    — [Deactivated Member] (posted on August 22, 2002)

August 22, 2002
Hi, I had both of these surgeries done, but at different times. I had a complication with one of my arms and really needed help for a good week or so after I got home. The tummy tuck was a lot better, but I did have someone with me for the first 4 days after surgery. If you could have someone be there (or nearby) for the first few days I think I would certainly try for that. Remember, your not going to be able to lift ANYTHING heavy, and you will be bandaged. Please try to have someone with you the first few times you shower...you can easily get light headed and need some help. Best of luck to you.
   — Amanda E.

August 22, 2002
I had my tummy tuck (panniculectomy) and armlift in November. I think that I usually have very positive responses to surgery and good post-op recovery experiences, but I genuinely would have to say that my plastic surgery was the most "comfortable" surgery I have ever had. My surgeon offered me the option of outpatient surgery or a overnight stay in the hospital. I was having an "anchor incision" tummy tuck and thought that that was a really big incision to have as outpatient, so I opted for the hospital. In retrospect I am confident that I could have done this as an outpatient with no problem. I was up walking in the room the night of surgery, and in the hall the next morning with no more pain than a bad paper cut. I had full range-of-motion in my arms and had no trouble lifting or reaching, and my incisions were from elbow to armpit. I had four drains at the base of the tummy.....none in the arms. I went back to work full-time (office position) one week after discharge from the hospital. My husband was off from work and home that first post-op week, but I really didn't need any assistance. I wish you the same great experience :-)
   — Diana T.

August 23, 2002
Just had my tummy tuck and liposuction of the arms (part 1 of my arm lift procedure) and I was a 23 hour outpatient. I had surgery at 10 am whihc asted for 4 1/2 hours and I could have went home by 8 that night. It wasn't nearly as bad as my lap rny. I could sleep more easily and they gave great drugs!! But remember, your body is now MUCH lighter and hopefully in MUCH better shape then it was before the rny. That makes a huge difference in the recovery time of surgeries.
   — Patty H.

August 26, 2002
I have a very high pain tolerance but found the first few days after my plastic surgery MUCH more painful than the recovery from my Open RNY. Worth it? Yes. Painful? Yes. <p>That said, I think you should ask someone to help you on your first day home, but then you'll be OK. I was only in the surgical center overnight and someone with my the first three days; the last day, the person was just good company; I didn't really need her. <p>Feel free to browse through my experience and to check out my post-op photos on my profile. I have many more photos including befores on the Yahoo group called ossg-plasticsurgery in a Photo folder called JuliaZ. <p>HTH!
   — Julia Z.