Tummy Tuck and Breast Reduction: Liitle suggestions to ease your recovery

In your particular situation judging from this limited picture, it may be wise to stage the procedures. It is not uncommon to perform combined procedures but as you can judge from the other physician's comments here, yours is a little more complex.

You would likely benefit from an extended tummy tuck rather than a traditional tummy tuck. In and of itself, this means it would take longer than usual.

Much of the same ":stuff " that made your back surgery easier will make your tummy surgery eaiser.

The basic necessities are important and relate to what we refer to activities of daily living. Here are a few items that are overlooked that you should attend to prior to surgery. This is by no means an exhaustive list. You should consider contacting your physican to discuss whether he/she approves.

1. Intake & nutrition: take plenty of oral fluids and electrolytes postop to remain hydrated. Protein supplements are also beneficial
2. Bowel & bladder: ensure that you are close to a bathroom to make it easy to transfer back and forth in the early recovery period. You may wnat to begin stool softeners early to limit constipation.
3. Pain and medications: Ensure easy access to your medications and have a schedule prepared to help others assist you in administration of meds. YOu may want to set these out ahead of time.
4. Use an incline bed early in the postop period to ease the strain on your abdomen
5. Ambulate frequently to decrease the potential for clotting. You may want to rent a walker for this purpose.
6. Arrange adequate transportation for yourself for doctor visits.
7. Hygiene: Prepare to have adequate hygiene supplies such as bath cleansing wipes (available at your local drugstore).
8. Consider the use of Arnica (oral pills or topical creams) to ease bruising and discomfort. This is somewhat controversial among practitioner.

Hope this helps!

These are two big surgeries and one thing to discuss with your surgeon is to whether staging them would be not only safer but also would make your recovery easier as well. Two shorter procedures are alwasy safer than one long one. That is the first tip for making your recovery easier. Also the risk of blood clots in your leg that can go to your lung goes up the longer your surgical time is. Although rare, that is a very serious risk and discuss with your surgeon what steps are being taken to reduce your risk - compression devices immediately before, during and after surgery as well as use of blood thinners after surgery when you are not as mobile as you should be - specially with two major surgeries. Are you staying overnight in the hospital or not? After two major surgeries the first night you will be best cared for by professionals at a hospital. Going home could increase your risk of postop complications. So another tip for easier recovery would be to stay overnight at a hospital. Also, getting out of bed can be difficult after a full tummy tuck, so getting an electric recliner for your house is very helpful - you can rent them from a local medical equipment/supply store. Your surgeon should be able to direct you to a place that has them. Also make sure you have plenty of help at home for the first week to ten days. You will for sure need someone to help you around the clock for the first few days. Good luck and make sure you consider staging the surgries rather than doing everything all at once.