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My experience so far - 5 days post op
By MicheleinJersey on 24 Oct 2010
Hi everyone, I had my surgery on Wed. anf here it is Sunday alreaday and i feel pretty good! If they offer you a spinal w/sedation vs genereral anesthesia, go for it - no nausea waking up and way less pain. Pain is relative - to me this hasn't been as bad as I thought but for others it might.
Talia,
Here is a link to some questions and answers on swelling. Each person is different and there are several factors to consider but swelling generally lasts from 2-6 months.
http://www.realself.com/question/how-long-swelling-after-tummy-tuck
Is the new job an active one, with lots of standing or carrying, or anything? Even sitting all day seems like too much, after only 12 days.
Best of luck to you.
I had my tt surgery yesterday and will be starting a new job Jan 31st. I'm terrified I won't have enough time to heal. I'm also worried about how to hide this compression garment under work clothes!
Besides making sure I move around my apt everyday I am going to try and sleep as much as I possibly can.
Thanks Kimmers for the scar routine, I bought some palmers and have it waiting, I plan on doing mederma as well.
You are going to love the oil!! Smells like heaven :)
Ok I will share my little OCD Scar treatment routine...
For two months, 2 times a day I massaged with the Palmer's Oil.
I then changed to the Mederma 3 times a day for three months.
Then moved onto Bio Oil 2 times a day for two months.
I am now back to the Palmer's Oil. I use the Palmer's Oil every day on my entire body after every shower and my skin has greatly improved.
They all work well and it is just a matter of preference. I have to say though that my scar looks pretty amazing. The key is to be consistent with whatever you are using.
If you have started with the Mederma Cream just stick with it and complete the 3 month recommended treatment.
Today was my first day back to work -after 2 weeks off.
it was rough but I made it!
Sitting in the car is uncomfortable but luckily it's only a 25 minute ride - I got up and walked around a few times and left early and took Percoset as soon as I got home which has made me feel so much better
I could feel my body swelling as the day went on, and getting stiff from sitting so still. The dr gave me Ultram, a non-narcotic pain killer to take during the day, but it really doesn't do anything. I'm going to ask if I can start taking Motrin next week.
i only have to wear the binder till next week - I'm not sure if he's going to give me something else to wear after that but I'll be very happy to get rid of this thing!
I don't know if anyone else is having major constipation issues - I've been taking Colace at night which is not enough - I've started drinking Prune juice which seems to work much better - all you need is half a cup - it's bad enough having all of the stomach pain without that on top of it!
I also started using Mederma - wow, it's kind of stinky but if it works it works. I'm wondering if it comes in any bigger sizes than the little tube I got at Walgreens since it seems like I'm going to be needing a lot of it.
All in all I'm moving a lot better and faster - I probably shouldn't be carrying my laptop around. I'm so glad I went back to work for only 2 days this week and then have the weekend to recover!
Oh yes it really hurts to go back to work. The first two weeks will be hard but just go slow. Oh I remember the swelling so well.
What worked best for me for the constipation was the Milk of Magnesia. Worked like a charm and kept me going...Take it as soon as you get home from work so that you are not up all night in the bathroom.
The Mederma only comes in the cute little size..bummer. At least I never found it in a larger quantity. Did you try the Palmer's Vitamin E Skin Therapy Oil at all. That also works like magic on the scar. It smells like chocolate too.
My swelling was consistent for the first four months. Then from months 4-6 is was better but did bother me by mid afternoons. It will get better but takes quite some time.
I was totally off work for about 3 1/2 weeks and even going back at that point was rough. The first two weeks back were awful. By noon I was in agony and swelling horribly. What helped me is wearing Spanx the first couple of weeks at work. It was just enough pressure but not so much that it was uncomfortable.
It was a total hoot trying to find some that fit me though. I am short and everything went from my boobs to my knees. It was like something from the 40's. They definitely don't make them for vertically challenged women. If you can kick your feet up at work during lunch that will help a bit.
do you massage your whole belly?
Keep those pain meds on board! You will heal much faster if you have pain control and comfort. I know the swelling is miserable but know that it will end. It is just when you are in the middle of this process it feels as though it will never end.
Rest as much as you are able and take it totally easy. Are you drinking enough water and eating good lean protein? That also helps greatly. Light massage on the tummy also helps the healing.
Yep this is a tough procedure and takes quite some time to heal. I remember being exhausted and totally wiped out my first week back to work. Ugh...but it does get better by the week so hang on. Have you hit the "Swell Hell" point yet? If and when you do just make sure to rest every 2-3 hours as needed. Listen to your body..
Swell Hell is when you are so swollen and tight you feel like you are going to bust open. You also look like you have a tire around your middle. Hurts really bad. So when you get to that point just kick your feet up and relax. This can last for weeks.