StephanieJ

Well, dont be scared... But be prepared. I think at the Dr.'s office they give you the best case scenario. When in reality they told me it was perfectly normal to sleep for a week or even two after having such a major operation.

Are you getting your muscles stitched back together? If you're only getting the skin fixed I guess the recovery time is faster. I had to get both.

Just make sure you have someone to take care of you and the kids. And to do some driving!

SMM3

I am now 2 days post op. I had a full tummy tuck, with the muscles stitched back together. I also had breast augmention with silcon gel implants placed under the muscle, and I had quite a bit of liposuction on my back hips and inner and outer thighs. I am definately pretty sore, and feeling really tight right now, but I have been up and about a few times today, mostly just to the bathroom or kitchen for water, but I am happy that I can do these things on my own. I can't stand completely upright yet, but I am not nearly as hunched over as I was the day of surgery. So far I am happy with my recovery process. I have a wedding to go to in 9 days, and my goal is to be there.

jaybre

So glad your doing well. Did you come home the same day? I just picked all my meds up for my op on the 4th. Only getting my tummy done. What was the worse part? I mean what you thought was the worst.
Once again glad all is going well :O)

SMM3

I did go home the same day. It was late though. My surgery started at 2, and when I woke up it was a little after 7. We live about 30 mins away from the hospital, and we drove home, and then had to come back the very next afternoon, that was a little tough. I think the worst part for me was the groggy feeling. I felt so groggy for a couple hours afterwards, and I did not like it at all. I had a great doctor and nurses that all came in to chat with me before. The hardest part right now is not using my ab muscles, you use them for everything!! I think I was expecting this to be way worse than it was, so I am happy that I did it! I just can't wait to see what I will look like!

SMM3

I am now 4 days out and doing really well so far. I actually feel pretty good for the fact that I have had 3 major procedures done. I am not really that hunched over anymore when I walk, I am able to get around the house just fine. I can't bend over and pick stuff up off the ground or reach up high, but I feel pretty darn good. I am making sure to take the pain meds on a regular basis so that may be the key to me feeling okay. Hopefully my progress continues. I just hope to get rid of these drains before the end of next weeek.

SMM3

I just thought I would keep everyone posted on my progress, if anyone wants to know. Iam on day 7 of my recovery. I got to take my pain pump out yesterday, and man it is so nice not to have to wear that fanny pack looking thing around. I go to my 1 week check-up tomorrow, I am really hoping that they will take out the drain tubes, although I am afraid its going to hurt when they do. I am almost all the way upright when I stand, I am able to do a lot of the house work. I'm making sure not to lift anything or reach too high because of the implants, but I am able to wash the dishes, cook dinner and fold laundry. I am blessed to have 2 sons to help, they each have their own jobs. One has to empty the dishwasher, because I can't reach high enough to put them away in the cupboards, I'm only 5ft tall. And my other son, he vacuums every other day for me, and I have taught him how to load the washer machine, then dry the clothes,then he brings me the basket to fold. I have been walking around quite a bit, I am going to ask the doc tomorrow when I can start going on real walks around the neighborhood or something. I used to workout at the gym at 5 am 5 days a week, plus I would go on 5 or 6 mile walks with a friend 3 days a week while my 3 year old was in preschool, and I am really anxious to get back to some kind of exercise. My biggest fear is gaining the belly weight and the weight on my thighs that I just had removed! I know I'm being a bit silly, but thats how I am. As far as the pain meds, I have moved down from percocet to vicodin, and I am taking one everyone 4 hours, sometimes I will have to take a second one when I have done too much house work because my back starts to really hurt. I am taking valium a couple times a day, usually once during the day so I can take a much needed nap, and then I will take one late at nite around 11 or 12 so I can sleep well. I am more than happy to answer anyones questions. My experience was and is far better than I had been anticipating, and I couldn't be happier about that. Now its all a waiting game to see the real results.

jaybre

Good Luck with the one week check up tomorrow

SMM3

Thank you! You will be in my thoughts all day on Wednesday, lots of luck to you. Please give me some updates when you are feeling up to it.

robyne00

Definitely keep us posted!!! Very informative post. Definitely will help to answer many people's questions and provide realistic expectations.

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SMM3

Today is my two week mark. I had the second drain removed Thursday, which was nice to finally take a shower Friday morning. But, I totally over did it this weekend. I am trying to force my self to heal faster than I should I think. I just want to get back to my normal life. Now, I am feeling really guilty about all of it. Guilty because my husband is constantly worried about how I am feeling, I can't keep up on the house work, or just go and do the fun things with the kids that I should be doing. I hope to be feeling alot better soon. I am trying to just take tylenol for my pain, which is fine most of the time. I have a lot of swelling still, and bruising on my thighs. I also have some scar tissue building up which I have been trying to massage daily, but I think I may go to a massage theraphist that specializes in this? Hopefully I can find one in my area today.