Question:
I'M APPROVED FOR TUMMY TUCK

HI EVERYONE IM SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW. I GOT A CALL THIS MORNING AND IM APPROVED FOR MY TUMMY TUCK. MY SURGERY DATE IS NOVEMBER 2ND. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT POST OP. WHAT IS THE RECOVERY TIME FOR TUMMY TUCK AND BREAST LIFT W/ NO IMPLANTS AT THE SAME TIME. IM THINKING 2 MONTHS OUT OF WORK. SLOW RECOVERER LOL LOL. THANK U ALL FOR THE INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS SURGERY. THIS FORUM IS THE BEST.    — sexysag37 (posted on September 14, 2004)

September 15, 2004
I had my abdominoplasty with a lot of muscle repair done on 8/2/04 and went back to my desk job full time on 9/1/04. I had a lot of pain (and I am not a wimp) and took my pain medication pretty much every three hours during the day the first week or so. I weaned off of it before I went back to work, taking it in the afternoon and before bed, then just at bedtime. I couldn't stand up straight for two weeks, and my back hurt. At this point, my abdomen, hips and upper thighs get pretty puffy by the end of the day, even though I wear a support garment from the time I get up until I get ready for bed. I am still not allowed to lift over 10 lbs. Probably the hardest part, for me, anyways, was having to sit around and do nothing. I did do a few things around the house - ironing, and simple stuff like that (even though I would iron a shirt or two then have to sit down for awhile.) I feel like I still don't have my regular energy back, but I am getting there. Just started walking again last week. If you can get two months, take it! (The results are worth the pain, believe me.)
   — koogy

September 15, 2004
Congratulations, Rita! I think recovery from plastic surgery varies greatly by individual. I had an extended abdominoplasty, hernia repair, brachioplasty (arms), liposuction and the skin that flabbed over the sides of my bra removed in one surgical episode (15 pounds total removed, so it was significant). I had the surgery on Thursday, and didn't take as much as a Tylenol after Friday afternoon. I was able to stand up straight and walk well by Saturday, and have had very little swelling (I do wear either the binder or a panty girdle all the time, though, even at two months out). My surgeon told me that I would need four weeks off work--I argued for two weeks, we settled on three, but I was working half-time from home by the Monday following surgery, and had absolutely no problem returning full time (desk job, but fairly demanding mentally). I could easily have gone back full time after two weeks. I was a little tired the first two weeks, but not nearly as much as after the lap RNY, and not enough to nap during the day. I had an easier time getting over this surgery than I have had getting over the flu. I think I'm the exception, but my point is, you never know. I'd have gone crazy being home for two months-two weeks and I was more than ready to get back to my normal life.
   — Vespa R.