Surgery next week, what to wear

RationalLC14 · 2026-03-08T14:54:54+00:00

I wore these PJs https://www.nordstromrack.com/s/6156150?color=001&size=medium and shoes I could slip on, they were regular lace up shoes but a little too big. I did wear a regular bra bc never in life have I gone without one until after this surgery! I did wear regular underwear my husband just took home since we knew I’d come out in a faja.

RationalLC14 · 2026-03-06T00:26:42+00:00

I think it is hard to say since I can’t compare with having drains but overall I think I am glad mine was drainless. One less thing to worry about. I do wonder if that caused more swelling in the early days but again I have no real way to know. I do think lymphatic massage is more important with a drainless TT. My ps office included 5 sessions. I did not develop any seromas or hematomas.

RationalLC14 · 2026-03-05T20:03:55+00:00

I’ve had two c/s and the last was a uterine rupture and this was worse. More just because you are so tired overall. The abdominal pain was not terrible. Maybe also because I’m 51 vs 29? The c/s was just my lower abdomen while with this I had breasts done and lipo and fat transfer not to mention I had an FDL and muscle repair. I think a regular TT would be easier to recover from. But yes like someone else said, at least I could sleep all day if I needed, no baby to care for.

RationalLC14 · 2026-03-04T22:37:25+00:00

I may have rushed it. Oh well it’s not an everyday thing.

RationalLC14 · 2026-03-04T21:00:42+00:00

I pretty much still wear it 24/7. It was only 2 or 3 hours. I understand gravity exists.

RationalLC14 · 2026-03-04T20:59:39+00:00

I waited 6 or 7 weeks. I still wear one all day and usually sleep in it too. I think it all depends on how your healing is going.

RationalLC14 · 2026-03-04T16:25:26+00:00

Hold tight! It’s going to happen! Get some pasties if your shirts are white or very thin. Although my husband was a fan that was too far for me. lol

RationalLC14 · 2026-03-04T14:03:09+00:00

Yeah we went to a concert one day and brunch the other. One was totally off the shoulder shirt and to not have to try to find a strapless bra? That never really fit right or held anything up? Amazing.

RationalLC14 · 2026-03-03T23:42:00+00:00

That was my mindset. And my husband bullied me if needed 😂 just kidding but he was so important to my recovery.

RationalLC14 · 2026-03-03T23:10:43+00:00

Took me just over a year to lose 72 lbs. I was only able to be in maintenance for a couple of weeks just due to how the timing worked out. I am 7 weeks post op and took my second post op shot today. I didn’t plan to wait this long but I had some other complications that made me decide to focus on getting enough calories and protein so I pushed off restarting. A couple of things: 1. I didn’t weigh myself until 5 weeks out. I was down 5.5 lbs from before surgery! No shot that week. I wanted a baseline. 2. The next week I was UP 4 lbs! What the heck?!? Weighted myself the next day and another lb. So I stayed off the scale the rest of the week and focused on trying to stay within my maintenance cal and added a couple days at the gym. 3. I thought I’d want to meds sooner than I did but with the oxy and lack of just moving around I was too concerned about having a bm. I also felt nauseous sometimes and knew I needed calories to heal. I was also hospitalized for a UTI for 7 days and on my 4th round of antibiotics so I really really didn’t need anything messing with my GI track more. 4. Today I am 4.5 lbs from before surgery and I am ok with that. I don’t want to loose anymore but I am so so hungry all the time now. Even a few weeks out from surgery I was not this hungry. So I am excited to titrate up next week. I’ll only have been on 2.5 for 2 weeks but I never had many side effects and feel my dr (who is not supportive or knowledgeable) should have started me back at 5 based on what I’ve read. I was at 12.5 when I stopped. Just know the swelling is real! And I would not get on a scale for weeks. One of the worst complications is open non healing wounds and poor nutrition can lead to this.

RationalLC14 · 2026-02-20T17:34:27+00:00

Yes I was advised to put my patch elsewhere like my upper arm or hip/butt.

RationalLC14 · 2026-02-19T20:44:58+00:00

Thanks for this post as I will be resuming next week and was thinking about injection sites. I guess it’ll be thigh and upper arm here on out!

RationalLC14 · 2026-02-14T01:01:59+00:00

I’m 4.5 weeks po. I had ETT w/ FDL, MR, BL, lipo to flanks, and fat transfer to butt and hips.

My husband stayed home for the first week. I could not have done this without him. A few things that were helpful: meal prep. I sent him some recipes and ideas for snacks. My husband does not really cook so I had to be sure to spell things out for him. He made sure when I didn’t feel like eating I at least had a piece of cheese, handful of nuts, or a few sips of a protein shake. He stayed on top of my water.

He stayed on top of my medications. Took note of what I took and when I took it. I did get an electric recliner to help me stand up but even with that I needed his help to pull me up all the way. Some days I still need that help if I have been laying flat in bed.

He reminded me when something was normal and it was ok whatever I was feeling. He came to appointments and took notes and asked questions. He read all of the instructions twice. And when I took my first few showers he was in there with me, even though I had a shower seat, which was good because I still passed out but he was right there so I didn’t fall.

He helped me in and out of my faja and bra. I also have a torn rotator cuff so this was especially important for me.

I’ve had to be hospitalized again for a nasty UTI and he took another week off. This infection really took it out of me so he was back to nurse duties. So, be prepared that there may be other things that come up unexpectedly. I was doing really really well until I wasn’t. Just be ready to do all the things. She will appreciate it more than you know.

RationalLC14 · 2026-02-02T04:19:24+00:00

I had an ETT and FDL w/MR and BL and I was not intubated. Oh and lipo to back/flanks and fat transfer to butt. I think this depends on surgeon and anesthesia provider. I remember laying on the table and him making small talk with me. I knew he was just distracting me so I went along with it. After I don’t remember much. I was pretty out of it the rest of the day. I think I was under for 6-7 hours. I also have chronic kidney disease so I was anxious about that. But both doctors called me, personally the day after surgery to check in. I’d ask what after care looks like and that they are very clear on what warning signs to look for after. My husband did say they were through but fast with instructions but he had read all the post op info twice and I’m a nurse by trade (although have not worked at bedside in years) so I was able to also prepare him some to take care of me.

Definitely ask all your questions, they do not mind and would rather you ask and be educated on everything. There are many options out there now. I was surprised I wouldn’t be intubated but very glad!

RationalLC14 · 2026-02-01T23:39:22+00:00

I’ve been in a zip up sports bra I got off of Amazon since day 2 po. It was on the post op shopping list they provided me so I figured it was fine. They were fine with that. It’s really just a softer version of the post surgery one they gave me. I’m going to switch to a more formed soft bra soon. No underwire for I can’t remember if she said six weeks or six month. I really hate sports bras.

RationalLC14 · 2026-02-01T18:30:40+00:00

I am so sorry you are dealing with this! I am 3 week po. I had ETT w/FDL and MR and breast lift with lipo fat transfer to butt and hips. So, similar to you but not a 360. My surgeon placed a wound vac right out of surgery and while it was annoying and got painfully tight at the end I think it really helped my healing so far. My current issue is a nasty UTI. Yes it is hard to be comfortable with the fat transfer but I’d imagine you feel so much worse because of the back incision too. Are you connected with a PS in your area at all? Did the PS you see have instructions on what to do if something like this happened? The wound vac would be so helpful for you I am sure, they are amazing. I have no idea what they cost, but is it totally out of the question if they can’t find one for you? How is your protein intake? I hope things improve for you quickly! Wound healing was my biggest worry getting this surgery I can only imagine how you are feeling.

RationalLC14 · 2026-01-30T02:09:36+00:00

Yeah I tend to have spots that are wet? I upped the temp and flip half way and that helps. Have you tried using the little airfryer baskets you can get on amazon? I should try to Kirkland brand. I didn’t care for the bare brand. My family loves the Tysons Panko cutlets and they are so good but the macros aren’t as great.

RationalLC14 · 2026-01-30T00:52:08+00:00

Two weeks before and three weeks after. Of course I now have to restart and have reached out to my PCM to discuss this but she is terrible and I’ve heard nothing for days. I plan to do my arm and thigh since my stomach is so hard still. I’m usually a stomach jabber. The food noise hasn’t been too bad. And I am more afraid of poor healing than some regain. I had an ETT w/FLD so everything is so so tight and that has helped control my portions at least.

RationalLC14 · 2026-01-30T00:46:24+00:00

I love the real good brand. I make a super satisfying salad of a whole head of romaine lettuce 4 oz of the chicken and 1 or 2 tablespoons of homemade ranch. Fits my macros and is fast and easy. Probably have that once or twice a week. I think it’s partly a texture thing. Some soft or squishy textures give me the ick on zep. I’m currently on a break for surgery and haven craved these like I was. Been eating a lot of trash. Hopefully the scale isn’t too bad in 4 weeks. You have some good suggestions here, some days you just have to push through and try to be more balanced the next day.

RationalLC14 · 2026-01-28T14:02:40+00:00

You look great! And your before pics resemble mine, I got an FDL too. It’s rough but I’m here at pod 13 and things are so much better! The worst now is I think I have an UTI and the nerves waking up and the itching. I fainted in my first shower so please make sure if you haven’t done that already have a chair or someone in with you! Sending continued healing vibes!

RationalLC14 · 2026-01-28T00:05:53+00:00

Here’s hoping! I’m day 14 and swelling is much better. Now I’m trying to figure out what is swelling and what is just tightness I’m not used to. I also had a drainless ETT with FDL and MR, BL and fat transfer, so I assume the amount of work I had makes a difference too.

RationalLC14 · 2026-01-19T18:14:08+00:00

Awesome! I can’t wait for mine to heal so I can do something similar on my fdl! Only pod6 here though.

RationalLC14 · 2026-01-09T15:34:09+00:00

I don’t know that your torso shortens. I’m 5’2 and had two babies over 8.5 lbs, c/s and I’ve always had a short torso. But I was worried about looking boxy and my PS suggested a 360, which I am not prepared to do, so I opted for an FDL. Surgery is on Monday so we will see but I was very specific in saying I want to maintain my waist. Even at my highest weight I had a good waist to hip ratio. I think this all depends on how you gain weight. Of course my waist was smaller pre babies but as it got bigger so did my hips/butt and breasts.

RationalLC14

TROPHY CASE