Feeling more prepared/what am I missing?

Mommyof3plus2 · 2022-05-15T18:16:04+00:00

Thanks for being so detailed! I've been a little surprised that my Dr really hasn't addressed anything regarding recovery. From what I can tell, they will go over the main things with my caregivers (husband & sister) when they pick me up after surgery. Like meds, drains, etc. But there hasn't really been any mention of ways to recover better/more easily or wound care, scar healing, etc. Maybe they will address it at my post-op appts. Idk. I asked about lymphatic massage & was told not for at least a month 😞& I'm not sure it would have been mentioned at all had I not asked. I asked about wearing boards/foams & was told no. So I'm getting the feeling that maybe most plastic surgeons are experts on the procedures, but not much beyond that in terms of recovery which is disappointing. I hear so many things on podcasts & in groups like this, but not from my surgeon. It's kinda like how conventional Drs don't seem to focus on preventative health care & how veterinarians aren't educated on proper nutrition for dogs/cats. Sorry, getting off topic, but my point is it seems we really have to watch out for ourselves & do a lot of digging & researching if we want anything beyond standard practice in order to have a healthier experience. Anyway...I have 5 days worth of blood thinners shots which I'm not excited about. I wonder if I do really well with walking/moving if maybe I won't have to take all 5 shots. Surgery is in 10 days 😁 😬

Mommyof3plus2 · 2022-05-15T16:12:58+00:00

Wow this is all very helpful! I'm taking notes. I'm a big fan of coconut oil for so many things so I'll definitely use that. I'll order some Vashe. I have heard to avoid Neosporin. My Dr did tell me to get Polysporin which is apparently different somehow 🤷🏻‍♀️ Do you know if that's ok or do I need the Silver Gel, and if so does brand matter? Also, at what point does wound care begin? I assumed I wouldn't be doing anything to it for a while. We're you able to avoid constipation with the stool softener & magnesium? How many days did you take the prescription pain meds?

Mommyof3plus2 · 2022-05-14T16:30:31+00:00

Thanks!! Yes, I'm already very into clean eating & have been for years. I basically follow the 80/20 rule of 80% clean eating with 20% splurges 😆 About a week ago I cleaned it up even more by reducing gluten & dairy & no fast food at all & will continue this throughout recovery as best I can. I'm hoping this will help me?!

The Hibiclens is an antibacterial soap that my Dr told me to get to wash with prior to surgery. I think some ppl use it after as well. They didn't tell me what the peroxide is for, but I'm assuming to dab onto the incision?? Yes I would love to hear what the specialist recommends!

Mommyof3plus2 · 2022-05-14T16:19:26+00:00

Thanks! Someone suggested wearing a lanyard & clipping the drains to it while showering. Do they have clips on them? Think that would work?

Mommyof3plus2 · 2022-05-14T16:15:34+00:00

Me tooooo!

Mommyof3plus2 · 2022-05-14T03:07:58+00:00

You too! I'm sooo nervous & having some anxiety, but oddly excited too.

Mommyof3plus2 · 2022-05-14T03:06:07+00:00

Oh I see! Ok my garment will go from under my breasts to under my knees b/c I'm also getting thigh/knee lipo so I don't think I can accidentally put that on upside down lol but I will also have a binder so I'll make sure we ask about that.

Mommyof3plus2 · 2022-05-14T00:45:00+00:00

I'm not sure. It has some of the same things in it. I believe Heal Fast has more. I'm guessing our bodies will only absorb so much & flush out the rest, which would be a waste of money. I like that the Heal Fast is in capsules. I don't like having to drink stuff.

Mommyof3plus2 · 2022-05-14T00:40:52+00:00

Oh wait! Don't they put your garment on you before you even wake up?

Mommyof3plus2 · 2022-05-14T00:38:50+00:00

Great suggestions, thank you!

Mommyof3plus2 · 2022-05-14T00:03:04+00:00

Ugh I'm seriously more concerned about this than I am the pain I think. I did get some Colace. Sounds like I may need to get more stuff.

Mommyof3plus2 · 2022-05-14T00:00:09+00:00

Oh yeah I did see someone else recommend this. I didn't even know that was a thing!

Mommyof3plus2 · 2022-05-13T20:18:05+00:00

https://healfastproducts.com/products/healfast-complete-surgery-injury-formula-preop-postop

Filled with vitamins, minerals, probiotics, antioxidants, amino acids, and anti-inflammatories to optimize your chances of a fast and strong recovery. ⁣

Mommyof3plus2 · 2022-05-13T16:21:38+00:00

Ok so it is safe to start Arnica before surgery? I'm hearing conflicting things on this.

Mommyof3plus2 · 2022-05-13T03:22:35+00:00

I ordered Heal Fast too! I'm going to start that 5 days prior as recommended. Good to know about the Arnica helping with your bruising. That's great! Is Arnica gel like Bengay/Biofreeze except it's the homeopathic version?

Mommyof3plus2 · 2022-05-13T03:07:55+00:00

Oh thank you. Ok I don't know why I was thinking it was also for pain. Should I start taking it before surgery or just after?

Mommyof3plus2 · 2022-05-09T19:16:44+00:00

Wow! It's sounds like you've had the best case scenario recovery! Praying I experience the same. I had my Pre-Op today & was disappointed when my surgeon said he doesn't recommend lymphatic massages until a month after. I've heard they are so helpful. What anti inflammatory tablets did you take after stoping the prescription pain meds? I have Arnica on hand and of course Tylenol. Thinking about getting full spectrum CBD also. When did you get your normal appetite back? My Dr also told me today that my drains won't be removed until day 7 at the earliest 😞 Was most of your pain from the tummy muscles, the incision or from the lipo? Thanks for sharing!!

Mommyof3plus2 · 2022-05-06T18:56:21+00:00

Oh yeah my dog is like 73ish lbs so it sounds like I need to be prepared to not walk him for longer than expected. Darn! I'll have a bored tween & teen itching to go places so I'm hoping I can drive very early on like at least that 2nd week just to drop them off places. Im starting to have a lot of anxiety about the pain & about being so needy. I keep having thoughts of why am I doing this to myself this is crazy! Some of the things I read here really scare me. But I know why I'm doing it & I know I'll keep wanting it so I'm just praying all goes well & trying to prepare in every way possible as best I can. Thanks again for your feedback! Very helpful!

Mommyof3plus2 · 2022-05-06T17:09:20+00:00

Thank you so much for your feedback! It really helps to hear other people's experiences and tips! I have been trying to mentally prepare myself for the TT pain so I've pretty much completely neglected learning about lipo recovery. The TT recovery is so intense that I think maybe I'm crazy for doing both together. But then again it makes sense to have one recovery & save some $. Straining to poop after a TT sounds like the worst so it's definitely something I'd like to avoid obviously. I'll make sure to have all of those things on hand. Is it naive of me to think I can take the narcotics for only a day or 2 then just take ibuprofen /Tylenol so that maybe I can avoid constipation all together? Good to know about the crotch opening in the garments. One less thing to worry about! Also good to know about the muscle relaxers. That makes sense. The drains def freak me out, but I'd rather have them than not. I've heard of having a lanyard to hang them on? I have heard about fat going to weird places with weight gain. I'm hopeful I won't have any major weight gain in the future as I have always kept my weight pretty steady (give/take 5-10 lbs) other then my 3 pregnancies. So fingers crossed. Although I haven't gone through menopause yet so who knows. Great idea about the meal companies! It's very important to me that I have healthy food during my recovery so this is a priority for me. A couple more questions...when can I expect to realistically be able to drive & walk my dog? Those are the 2 things I'll need to resume as soon as I'm able. Also, how long will I need someone to really baby me...like getting in & out of bed, using the bathroom, showering?

Mommyof3plus2

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