worried day 5 post-op

Hi There! I got a mini TT on July 11th with lipo contouring and my dr also stitched up my stomach muscles. I have to admit, the recovery has been tough for me and I have burst into tears several times. Dr says I am healing fine but I have had a lot of recurrent pain and am still having trouble walking and can't stand for more than a minute or two at a time. Is this normal? A lot of my problem has been the compression garment. I wore it from the Tuesday I had my surgery until the Saturday morning following my appt when the doc said I can shower. After the first dr appt, for some reason it swelled to be unbearably tight and after I showered the next day, I couldn't even get it back on! This caused me to cry and hyperventilate for about 20 minutes. I had my hubby go buy me some spanx but my thighs and pubic area are swollen too so I couldn't get that on either, I felt so claustrophobic. When I saw the dr Monday afternoon, I asked for a binder instead, thinking that would be more comfortable. I am short though and the binder kept rising up to my breasts and then I found it had left large lesions on both sides of my hips where it was cutting in. I am also especially sore in the hip area as well. I don't know what to do and am beginning to freak out again. Sorry for the novel!

I talked to my friend who had a full tummy tuck ,she works in a office full time. She was off 10 days and went back on the 11 th day ( she was not a small lady ) she also said that the pain was not as bad as she thought and on day 3 went off the pain drug but did take something from the over the counter drug . She had drain out on day 6 I guess some people do better than others. I get my surgery on Oct. 12 and I'm so looking forward to that date. I did have a deep lip peel over 4 months ago it hurt very bad for over 8 weeks and yet is red and I cover but it gets better every day I also had a neck left and it was fine after 4 days I did take pain meds for 2 weeks but the peel hurt much worse and a lot longer.

I took 2 full weeks off, but it wasn't enough. I only work 11 - 5, but sitting made my tummy swollen and sore. I wore loose skirts or pants, but the waistband still bothered me, if I didn't wear my binder.

I wore my binder for a whole month. It was such a comfort, and I just wore loose clothing.

I think I got my drain out on day 9 or 12, so it's not a given.

Don't rush anything, because you'll regret the delays it causes.

Hello all, I am 17 days post op from a full tummy tuck w/ muscle repair, lipo on flanks,and in the arms. I feel fine but I'm still walking like a little a old lady.. Lol.. I'm happy with one side of my body but concerned because the other side seems much larger and is healing much slower. I hope this is not a permanent issue.

I am at 2 weeks and one day, and I still can't work. I went to the farmers market this morning and I came home and was exhausted and sore. I can't imagine being at work all day. I plan on trying to work at week 3. even then, we'll see. I may work from home and just go into work for a day or 2 here and there. I luckily have that luxury. but I can't do much still.

and I'm not just being lazy, I want to do stuff more then anything. I'm getting stir crazy. it's enough to make a girl go mad.

10 days, no way

Hi, I just scheduled my tt for October 7 and am excited and scared. Mostly, I'm concerned about returning to work after surgery. My doc says ten days at home is enough and thats exactly what I have planned. Is that realistc? I sit at a desk. Will sitting up for a long period be okay? Ugh, so many dumb questions. I'm glad I found you.

Ok, so I am 5 days post op from a breat reduction and full Tummy Tuck...firts few days were HELL..got my drains out on day 3 post op..Day 4 post op was AWESOME! I could take on the world, almost standing and walking straight, up and down stairs...no problems. Day 5, holy shiznit! I feel like I am going to implode, my stomach is so swollen it looks and feels like it is going to burst! Need to cough desperatly, but I can't because of the anticipated pain and fear of exploding....Please tell me it gets better soon! My stomach looks as big as it did before surgery, when will I see the results of all of this agony? How do I get the swelling to go away?

ha ha

Well, it will get better, that I can tell you.

I was very cold for a couple of weeks. Just keep a hot water bottle handy for your feet, and that will help.

Hi Prissy, I feel allllllll of your pain. I am 5 days post opt & I felt great this morning... Went out just for some fresh air & run some errands. I feel worst now then I did day 1. I am super swollen, my back feels like it's broke & the shower gave me the chills. I started doing more research glad I found you guys I burst out crying cause I don't know how to describe my pain. I am on my way to vicodin heaven as I type..

So today is 17 days post op...if it weren't for the swelling and bloating I'd feel pretty good!

I think this is the last weekend I'm wearing the binder...doc said 6 weeks but all the research I've done I don't think I need it after 2 weeks...I'll continue with spanx @ work because of the afternoon swelling.

Trying not to feel guilty that I haven't left my bed today but going back to work was a doozey!

Prissy,
Trust me it gets better. The swelling is very normal- for me it was worse after being on my feet all day. I used arinca cream on my tummy. Relax and take time for yourself. You will see this will all be so worth it. Hang in there.

Today was the worst ever dealing with "swell hell" I am getting ready to leave the office, but I feel pregnant and my incision area is sore. So glad tomorrow is Friday, I am putting my feet up the entire weekend!

I dont think I drank hardly enough water yesterday and today which is probably the issue.

How long did it take for you all's belly buttons to look somewhat normal? mine looks like a black hole. I've been putting peroxide followed by neosporin on it daily. maybe I should just let it dry out naturally?

Hi Trish-

I kept gauze over my belly botton but nothing over my tt incision...only issue is the "spanx" cami kept riding up since I wore a dress. It doesn't feel irritated but I came home and put peroxide then neosporin on it. I'm paranoid!

I wore gauze for about 2weeks at the incsion site if I went anywhere. At night I stuffed socks in between my binder and undies while healing. I went back to work after being homw for 11 days so I know what its like. You'll do great!

So today is 11 days post-op and I'm happy to say I'm feeling pretty good, although by mid-day I'm pretty exhaused.

I've only left the house 3 times...one for dr appt and 2 others for running errands and returned home zapped of all energy.

I had my drain removed Friday which didn't hurt, although I took a vicodin b4 my appt! The sweeling @ my appt wasn't too bad and I could finally start to appreciate my new belly. There is a bit of puckering of the skin above my incision line but my ps promises it will smooth out over time, anyone else have this? He also told me to wear the binder for 6 weeks but I'm free to wear spanx to work.

I start a new job tomorrow and am worried what the heck to wear to accommodate afternoon "swell hell". Although I'm 40 I look and feel under 30 so my wardrobe reflects that...I have no elastic waist anything!!! Currently in panic mode.

Question- at what point do you stop wearing pads on top of your incision? I feel like it needs to breathe but scared it will be irritated if I don't wear a barrier. Any suggestions would be apprciated.

Lastly, since I'm no longer on antibiotics I had a glass of wine last night..can we say heaven? Of course I was asleep in 2.5 seconds lol!

Sorry this post is so long guys!!