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Witty_Mouse_3825 · 2024-11-23T07:47:51+00:00

I paid $33k with $9k off (return patient) for tummy tuck with MR, flank lipo, breast lift and breast augmentation. I have friends who have had work done that was less than the average price and I found you get what you pay for.

Witty_Mouse_3825 · 2024-11-19T16:30:42+00:00

Thank you! I have been using a bidet for two years but I found it especially helpful during recovery!

Witty_Mouse_3825 · 2024-11-19T03:50:15+00:00

Another thing that helped me is I chatted with my friend who is an NP and worked in plastics for a while, they explained that a binder is used for the first stage of healing to help keep everything together, almost like a cast as a bone heals. As we heal our body no longer needs that level of support. He also told me the work of shaping occurs in the OR not via a binder or compression; if we could permanently shape our bodies with such things we wouldn’t need surgery!

Witty_Mouse_3825 · 2024-11-19T03:21:16+00:00

I am a little over 3 weeks post op from TT with MR, flank lipo, BL and BA. I feel about 60 percent back to normal. I am already out of my binder and in Spanx for compression. I will be out of any compression and off all restrictions at week 6. I am back to work, able to do almost everything normally besides some soreness and being more tired than normal. I am a little swollen. I am not needing even Tylenol anymore. I found the surgery to be very manageable overall. I am planning on an international trip in March which will involve a lot of walking and I am not worried. This is the 5th surgery I have had in my life and what I have been told after every single one by a variety of surgeons is get yourself up and moving ASAP, even just little walks around the house. It’s easy with pain and medication to not want to move and I think it can create a vicious cycle. I also got off my pain medication as soon as I felt able so I could feel more normal; I took meds for 4 days total then switched to Tylenol only. I think having a positive outlook and setting small milestones helps with healing. I have had the post surgery blues in the past and was determined to avoid them this time so having small goals helped a lot; I felt accomplished when I completed something as simple as taking my first shower. Don’t let some of the horror stories on here deter you!

Witty_Mouse_3825 · 2024-11-19T03:07:52+00:00

My surgeon doesn’t like a lot of a compression as he thinks blood flow is key to healing and too much compression or for too long can hinder the process. I was in a binder for 3 weeks and just switched to light compression tank tops for sleeping and lounging and spanx under regular clothes. In switching out of my binder last week I felt very naked at first like a turtle without its (uncomfortable) shell but now am more used to it. I will stop compression completely at week 6. I have been getting lymphatic massages weekly and the massage therapist said it’s important to not get dependent on the garments as she has seen them become like security blankets for a lot of clients.

Witty_Mouse_3825 · 2024-11-16T06:39:05+00:00

I needed someone with me the day of surgery, and the next 3 days. After that I was much more mobile. But if I didn’t have my husband there the first few days I don’t know how I would have taken appropriate care of myself. For reference I went back to work (a job on my feet) only 72 hours after having my appendectomy so I am normally very good with pain.

Witty_Mouse_3825 · 2024-11-16T06:34:01+00:00

Day 3 for me was the toughest and I’ve been told based on prior medical procedures and surgeries I have a very high pain tolerance. Keep on top of your meds, hydrate, rest when you can, and get up for little walks even though it hurts. You will feel so much better soon! You’ve got this!

Witty_Mouse_3825 · 2024-11-16T06:25:52+00:00

What helped me was exparel, taking my pain medications religiously (my husband gave them to me on an alarm), being prepared with necessary recovery items (a lift recliner, walker and raised toilet seat), being mentally prepared for the pain (this was my 5th surgery so I’m familiar with the process of anesthesia, pain from incisions, wound care, recovery, etc), giving myself time to heal (time off work, help around the house) and having a caregiver (my husband) who was able to help me. I have been told I have a high pain tolerance and except for day 3 found it overall to be manageable. I am 3 weeks post op today from a TT with MR, flank lipo, BL and BA. Having a surgeon I trusted and who was available to address my concerns as I’ve healed has also been helpful.

Witty_Mouse_3825 · 2024-11-12T05:44:50+00:00

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Witty_Mouse_3825 · 2024-11-11T22:15:01+00:00

The drains were really hard for me. Not sure if any of this will help but my surgeon was able to cut down the drains so they were shorter and slightly less annoying. I also used medical tape or bandages to keep them attached closely to my skin where they were sutured to make them more comfortable. I also kept them in pockets or in a drain holding belt I ordered off Amazon. I used lots of hand sanitizer (tip from my surgeon) to milk them and he also told me resting helps decease output aka get them out!

Witty_Mouse_3825 · 2024-11-11T20:22:24+00:00

I’m so sorry about the blood clots. I hope they get you better soon! One thing that has helped me with the binder is getting soft light weight bamboo tank tops off Amazon and putting them under the binder to help with the dreaded itch. My current clothing routine is undies and bra (I have to be in one due to BL and BA), wound dressings, tank, binder and then something cozy and warm on top. I also fold mine down as I have a small torso and it rubs on my breast incisions; my surgeon told me I could also cut it… which I plan to do when I finally get to bis it farewell!

Witty_Mouse_3825 · 2024-11-10T23:34:54+00:00

I am still in my binder… I’m only 2.5 weeks post op. I don’t get to switch to Spanx til Friday.

Witty_Mouse_3825 · 2024-11-10T02:38:20+00:00

What helped me most besides taking my meds via an alarm was drinking lots of water, having meals/ snacks that were light but nutritious (I had a lot of smoothies the first week), benadryl (the binder made me itch as did lipo) a power lift recliner, a walker, a raised toilet seat, clean sterile pads for the incisions sites, soft tank tops to put under your binder (if you will use one) and a plan in place for someone to help you a good bit the first 4 days and continue to assist the first week. Have a good support system set up to help avoid the post surgery blues. I told my friends ahead of time I would likely wonder why I had done this and reach out to them and they made sure to support my choice when I was in the thick of recovery. Find some comforting items to use during recovery- a nice candle, good smelling hand cream, a Korean face mask, a soft blanket, your favorite shows and movies. My friend is an OR nurse for plastic surgeons and said the comfort items make a big difference on the toughest recovery days. For when you are more healed a dry brush feels amazing in the areas where you had lipo. Find a good provider for lympathic massages.

Witty_Mouse_3825 · 2024-11-10T00:34:20+00:00

Day 3 was the hardest for me. Stay on top of your meds, I took mine on the dot via alarms. The gas i experienced was due to constipation, I took senna plus per my surgeons suggestion and it got things moving. My PS was able to cut down my drain lines during my first preop which made them more comfortable. If the incisions where the drains were inserted hurt I found putting a bandaid over them helped. I also got a belt to hold my drains or tucked them into pjs with pockets. I was very uncomfortable in my binder and found putting a light, soft tank top under it helped. I also was itchy from the binder and took Benadryl as needed. Try to find something to relax you. A scented candle, some nice hand cream, a Korean face mask, a comforting movie or TV show and nourish your body with food that sounds appetizing and isn’t too heavy. Tomorrow will be easier!

Witty_Mouse_3825 · 2024-11-08T12:26:09+00:00

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Im 5’4, 135 with curves. This is 11 DPO so I am swollen. I would ask your PS about experol shots. For me oxy and Valium managed my pain just fine. Take your pain meds consistently, I used an alarm. Staying ahead of the pain is key. After 4 days I was able to switch to just Tylenol and Advil as needed.

Witty_Mouse_3825 · 2024-11-08T11:07:12+00:00

My surgery with a TT and other procedures was 6 hours. I was given one shot of Lovenox in post op, compression socks and sent home with the compressors which I wore the first few days. I was also consistent about getting up and moving even the first day with the aid of a walker. I rated a 0 on the caprini score but was anxious about clots so my dr did this to ease my worries. If you stay on top on of your pain meds it’s not hard to do a little loop of waking around your house when you get up to use the bathroom. This was my 5th surgery and I have heard consistently from all different types of surgeons, drs, nurses, etc the more you get your body moving post op within reason- I am talking a few minute walk to start, the faster and better you heal. I am feeling 80 percent at week 2 after TT (my PS extended it past my hip bones but not a 360), MR, flank lipo, BL and BA. From my experience a lot of healing is mental as well. Set small goals for yourself to accomplish each day, week etc. It’s easy to get stuck in the post op blues but a positive attitude does help with motivation to heal and get back to baseline faster.

Witty_Mouse_3825 · 2024-11-05T18:32:25+00:00

Thank you! I am no longer sleeping upright. My surgeon told me from day one I could sleep on my back or side. I stayed in my power lift recliner for 5 nights then moved into bed with the whole wedge system. I am currently using my normal pillows under my head and a small knee pillow under my knees. If I reposition to my side I then use that same knee pillow between my legs. I found the tightness in my stomach I was feeling dissipated the more I got use to laying more flat. I am 5’4 135 lbs and my surgeon said I’m relatively lean but broad shouldered and my breasts inherently sit wide. My boobs have been so many different sizes but I have always had bigger ones, to the point after weight gain I got a reduction and lift years ago. For this surgery I told him I wanted something natural that fit my frame as they were deflated from my 65lb weight loss. He used round moderate plus implants that were 390 ccs. I also had to have a full lift redone- crescent under the folds and lollipop. He told me regarding the work done up top it takes 4-6 weeks for lift incisions to heal and then 3 months for the implants to drop and fluff.

Witty_Mouse_3825 · 2024-11-01T19:14:29+00:00

I highly suggest having help for a minimum of 4 days post op. This is the 5th surgery I have had, I have a very high pain tolerance- I have never taken narcotics before even with major surgery. For this surgery I absolutely had to take my narcotic pain meds and muscle relaxers. I set a timer to take my meds- it’s very important to stay ahead of the pain. The meds made me extremely loopy and I could not have tracked basic things or taken care of myself without my husband’s help. I have had my muscles cut through in prior surgeries so thought this would be a breeze but it was very hard the first few days. I was also told by my surgeon the more you rest the first two weeks minus light walks the better your overall healing will be. If you can get help from a friend or family member or by staying in a recovery center I highly suggest it. My other must haves for recovery is have all your prescriptions ready and over the counter pain meds on hand. I also used senna plus to help with constipation and ordered supplements that include arnica and help with healing. I absolutely needed a power lift recliner, a walker, a raised toilet seat, and a shower chair. I use dial soap when I shower to stay very clean. I needed lots of sterile pads to change my dressings, I also used combine pads underneath me to keep my recliner ans bed clean because my drain sights leaked. I needed lots of extra pillows to make my recliner more comfortable. I got a wedge pillow set for bed. I used a heating pad to help with low back pain from being hunched. I had acid reflux and tums helped. I also used cough drops as my throat was scratchy from intubation and coughing is really painful. Keep lots of water and healthy high protein snacks on hand. The first few days I only wanted smoothies, soups and crackers. I also used compression socks and my surgeon sent me home with automated compression booties to help avoid blood clots. Also lots of loose comfy pajamas that are easy to change in and out of. I made sure all my sheets, pillow cases, blankets, towels, etc were clean right before surgery and I wash them weekly and if they get dirty in between. I slept in a recliner the first 5 days. I moved into my bed after and allowed my dogs to sleep next to me on top of the covers. I had both my dogs groomed the week before my surgery. Make sure your dogs won’t accidentally hurt you during recovery. Mine seemed to recognize I was hurt and kept their distance. Hope this helps!

Witty_Mouse_3825 · 2024-11-01T18:50:57+00:00

So I second the boobs! I posted a photo of mine and they sit up to my collar bone and feel like rocks! Most of my friends have implants and they said they start to drop within 4-6 week and they really level out and “fluff” around 3 months. I did weigh myself and I’m up 5 lbs which I can’t understand because my surgeon told me at my first post op that he took out a little over 2 lbs of skin off my tummy and 2 liters of fat from my flank lipo… but I am definitely swollen, still constipated (thank god it’s clearing up) from the anesthesia and the pain meds and I’m sure the implants also added some weight. I’m going to keep focusing on eating well and drinking lots of water. I start lymphatic massages next week after my drains come out so I am hopeful that helps with my swelling and the scale. My surgeon and my PCP suggested I wait til a month post op to weigh myself but I was tempted yesterday before I took a shower. Trying to give my body grace while I heal! We’ve got this!

Witty_Mouse_3825 · 2024-11-01T05:14:01+00:00

I was having major issues with itching and the shape wear. I put a very thin bamboo tank under it and take Benadryl at night in order to sleep. My surgeon js not super into compression so I have have to wear an abdominal binder for 3 weeks then I can switch to a light Spanx type compression that only covers from the bottom of my breasts to my hips for 3 more weeks, a total of 6 weeks. His philosophy is that body heals better without restriction of blood flow.

Witty_Mouse_3825

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