3 Days to Go, but Who is Counting? Lol (UK)

I am a 49 year old mum with two grown up children and decided that it was now time to do something for myself.
I had a breast reduction some 9/10 years ago on the NHS (England) and over the years following that have lost further weight and got myself fitter. Losing weight and toning muscles (if you are able) is all well and good but you can't get rid of the loose skin and in my case even thinking back to child hood I carried fat on my ribs and stomach (I wasn't a fat child either) maybe it is a genetic thing (?)

Seven weeks ago I had a consult with a PS who I instantly felt comfortable with and decided not to look any further. I had my pre-op last Friday and as with another lady here, have been given an anti bacterial(type thing) skin wash (never had that when I had a BR) and had to do a swab for MRSA (it appears to be a new thing!) Had blood taken, blood pressure checked and the whole battery of other tests performed.
Now we are down to the final few pre-op days, sleep isn't coming easy, I will be glad when that needle goes in!
The house is clean, massive food shop has been done, bag is semi packed, book to read, plenty of dvds to watch etc etc.
Only two people know what I am having done (dh and oldest child), it is going to be fun hearing about them trying to fend off queries as to where I am. Youngest hasn't been told(yet) As they are in final few weeks at Uni and taking exams etc)
Stats 5'9 waist 30.5", hips 34" weight 138/139lb (an increase of approx. 5lb since my consult :0 )
Cost £6706 (GBP) all included
Will post before and afters, after my surgery

Went into the hospital at 12.30, got settled into my room.
The anaesthetist came in to have a chat about my expectations and needs. He was super super nice, could not have asked for better.
Another Dr came in and took some blood (massive bruise left from that) and then my PS came in.
His marking up was very simple compared to a lot of photos I have seen-one straight horizontal
line and one vertical line, he then took me into the ensuite. stood behind me and lifted up the excess tissue he was going to remove and showed me where the scar line would be and if I would be happy with that. He said he could go lower but that it may also involve a vertical incision. I told him to do as he saw fit when I was in theatre. Then came those dam
photos :( Now don't get me wrong it is not so much the photos being taken but the pants I had to wear. I have seen the smaller pouch type before, and I have seen the large paper bloomer type ones but these were in a class of their own. They were in a trunk style and in a material similar to that of stockings/mesh. They were supposed to preserve modesty but failed miserably, my husband laughed so much I sent him home!!

After all the necessary bits had been done I paced my room until finally at 14.40 I got taken down and was greeted by the anaesthetist who put me onto 100% oxygen and injected the anaesthetic and told me to let him know when I started to feel the affect, I told him when this happened and I got a cheery "Good night" and I was out of it.

I came too at 17.50 hrs in recovery and fully awake in my room at about 18.15 hrs. The anaesthetist came by to see me and ask what my pain level was like, I put it at a three, not really painful just a burning sensation, he prescribed some drugs and the burning went away.
Got to 10pm and I needed a wee, nurse bought me a bed pan and left me to get on with it but although I was busting I couldn't go in bedpan so got up and walked to the toilet.

The next morning my PS came to see me at 9am and was mega surprised to find me up and walking about(wish I had a photo of the expression on his face) Later on that morning I was fitted with(or should I say 'squeezed into' ) my compression/binder garment and I was let out of hospital yesterday morning (so 44 hrs after surgery)

In myself I am feeling fine, hate the binder with a passion but needs must, likewise with sleeping on back. Forgot to say, PS did find a 1" gap in muscle in waist region so stitched that back together.
So in my estimation when the swelling has gone down my waist should be 29", currently 35" yikes!

Where has the time gone!! Trying to remember the past few days ;)
I have to say that I haven't had any major problems. I stopped taking my pain killers on day 4, I thought it was silly to take them if I didn't need them so stopped and have been fine.
Also forgot to mention drains. I had two put in, one each side on the hip area, they were removed two days after the op(painless removal). I am glad they were put in the hip area as opposed to the pubic area where a lot of US women appear to have them. I have been sleeping on my side since night 7, again with no issues.
I went for a check up and dressing removal on Friday(day 7) except for the bb, that had a dressing change and I go back Tuesday for the stitches to be removed(all other stitches are dissolvable). I am still not cleared to shower yet, so still stood at the sink for a strip wash!! Although I am looking forward to showering again I am really surprised at how quick some PS' let their ladies shower (personal opinion coming here) even after 10/14 days when the skin should be technically healed there are still microscopic holes in the skin where an infection could manifest. When I had my BR some 9 years back I didn't shower for about 3 weeks and then when I did I would sprint from the bathroom to bedroom to dry off with a hair dryer rather than risk using a towel.

Have to add here re my price-I also had a revision to my breasts as in I was never 100 % happy the first time around(done on NHS), the smaller breast became the larger one after surgery and a lot of the weight of the breasts were under the nipple and flat above. My PS has removed excess skin below both breasts. When my dressings were removed and I had returned home and taken a look I must confess to having a cry still not being happy with the result, that said today they don't look as bad as I thought they did the other day so will just have to give them some more time to settle. They look more like a pair now (good news) but still relatively flat above the nipples. Must also add here that the PS was not the original one who performed the BR.
Going back to sleeping, I am in no way,shape or form a back sleeper and I had read tips about having pillows under the knees (didn't need in hospital because bed had a remote control and would bend into almost every conceivable position imaginable) but what I found worked at home was to have a pillow on the outer side of knees and to let your knees flop and rest on them (like when you have to go for a smear test) not very dignified but really comfy.
I took another set of photos the day the dressings came off and I will get around to posting them-do I need to resize them and if so to what (or is it done automatically)?
Needless to say, swelling is still on going, waist measurement is currently between a 32/33 inch, hips 35 inch. Weight has remained unchanged despite the swelling.