Cosmetic Surgery Chat - SurgeryChat.org

Here is my timeline: I really had a rough first week. Patience is key and you never want to over-do it.
I had a FTT/MR , BA re-do w/ nipple reduction to left side, and very little lipo . I have 4 children. Ages at time of surgery: 7,5,2 and 6 months.
My surgery took 8 hours. My meds: Lortab, Keflex, Flexeril, Phenergan, Colace, Arnica, Bromelain. My mom stayed with me for 2 weeks.

The 3 things that were the most helpful: potty riser, Velcro binder for shower and Ambien to help me sleep.
 
Night of surgery- When I awoke from surgery my pain was a 10. Horrible. My left arm and fingers were numb. Couldn\'t use it at all. My anxiety was awful. I couldn\'t stop crying in the recovery room. I thought and felt like I was going to die. They gave me an Ativan and that finally took the edge off. I could barely walk but finally made it home. Slept in my recliner downstairs. Came home with a catheter and compression garment. No appetite.

day 1- Could barely eat. Took only a few steps. I vomited in the evening. Felt like my stomach was ripping.

day 2- My mom took out my catheter. Severe migraine! So out of it.

day 3- Called in Torodal for my migraine. Made it up to my room on the 3rd floor to sleep in recliner.

day 4- Migraine better, Arm is still numb

day 5- Had 1st BM! Walked down to 2nd floor (once)

day 6- post op appt. Removed drains (2). Gave me 3 shots on both sides to numb it before she removed it. They removed all stitches and dressings. Put steri-strip on my incision (brown tape). Attempted to take shower but when I removed compression garment I felt faint.

week 1- Took 1st shower. Wore a velcro binder and sat in a plastic chair. Sore and swollen.

day 9- Feel so much better. Standing a little straighter and walking a bit faster. Feeling in my arm and hand came back (finally)!

day 11- drove for the 1st time. Put a small pillow between my lap and the belt. Mom pushed me around a dept. store in a wheelchair. Fun.

week 2- standing in the shower. Post op. She changed the tape. Keflex for 1 more week (for nipple). Nurse cleared me to pick up my 18 pound baby. Carefully of course. Using the stairs more.

day 15- Alone with 6 month old and 2 year old for 3 hours. Picked up the kids from school. Did too much. Body hurts!

day 19- light vacuuming, Took Fluconazole for yeast infection.

week 3- carry baby upstairs once a day for nap, alone with kids all day, dishes, laundry, still sleeping in recliner, swelling

1 month- post op appt. Removed tape. Estitician scraped off all scabs and dead skin. Using Emu oil for scar massage. Carry baby 2 x\'s a day up and down the stairs. Put him in car seat first time. Hunched over at night, sometimes in the day. I finally sleep in my bed. Feeling the most swollen since surgery. Stopped using binder in shower.

week 5- I carry the baby around now. Picked up my 28 pounder a few times, standing straight 24/7

week 6- I run up and down the stairs, carry the kids around, sleep on my sides and stomach comfortably.

week 7- went to the pool, scrubbed our decks for 3-4 hours on my hands and knees, played softball, got period for the 3rd time.

2 months- started sleeping w/o compession garment, using Emu oil and Vit. A cream on my scar.

week 11- post-op appt. need revision for my other nipple. No more compression garment.

3 months- Energy comes and goes, still feels tight, started using scarguard. Scar looks the worst since surgery. Ran 5 miles.

4 months- Scar is fading a bit. Looking better, for sure! Still using scarguard. Swimming a lot. Although it hurts to stretch my abs. Still feels sore. Size 3-5/down to 111 lbs. Lost 5 pounds.---

I understand your fear, I had the soame surgery as you and it is major surgery, I have the luxury of not having small children at home for recovery.  My husband stayed home for 4 days and by then I could get myself out of bed (day 2 I think) the hardest part at having both at once is the being able to get yourself up because you can not use your arms. So lifting a small child will be out of the question and remember you have6 weeks with the TT too before you are supposed to lift anything.  Depending on what your responsabilities are with the car pooling that could be a possibility, I was driving as soon as my drains were out, only because of comfort for me, I felt as though I could drive but hated the drains.  Good luck to you and if you could arrange a little more help for at least 3 weeks that would be good.  Good luck to you, and you will not regret getting it done I am 42 and my only regret is not doing it years ago!---

Hi Tennismom,
Going in for major surgery is not a normal experience...so it\'s normal to be scared.  I was scared too.  I put it in the Lord\'s hands though, and made it through.  So many of us have such different recovery adventures.

I never knew how much I used my tummy muscles until I couldn\'t use them...I was so scared of pulling or ripping something, so I just take it very easy and try not to overdo it.

Definitely don\'t forget about getting yourself ready! mentally, physically, emotionally. ---

Thanks for the sweet words.  So sorry your child got sick.  It seems that
mine do that too.  I hope he is feeling better soon.  It is encourging to hear of others who had a speedy recovery.  I just think that I was not as
"prepared" until I found this website.  It has opened my eyes to what I am about to experience.  I guess like childbirth we all had different experiences but would do it all over again.  Maybe this is the same way.
Thanks again for the kind words.
Tennismom---

THanks theresrm,
I appreciate the kind words.  So glad to hear from others
who have experienced the same thing.  
tennismom