Almost two month update : ) - Mount Pleasant, SC

Hi Bella- For some reason I could not read the full ? Or reply in regards to pain. I also read through your blog and other questions you had. We are the same age. I am a bit taller 5'10.5. I weighed around 200 lbs before surgery and had been only working out again about a month before surgery. If I encourage you to try and exercise now in addition the eating right (something I was not very good at) I would readily try to get some simple cardio in and really try some simple strength training. Push ups. Sit ups. Dips for tri ceps Squats. Lunges. Reason being this will be what will help you change your metabolism and what you really benefit from is assistance in your recovery. I am 5 weeks PO and if I didn't have some strength in arms and legs it would have made it much harder these past weeks. You will use your arms to help push yourself up from a laying diwn position (think of rolling a bit and I put one arm behind me to push my body to a sitting position. You will not be able to use your core so this helps. Also you will need use your legs to squat to bend over (4 weeks plus) to do light housework pick something up and to get off the toilet instead of bending at waist. The items I really used ordered off Walmart.com- Toilet Riser if your toilet is low like mine, the reacher, grabber for picking up small items those first couple of weeks and I did rent a power lift recliner. For some reason mine was expensive compared to others. With delivery it was $200 dollars for 2 weeks. So worth it though. I would not have been able to sleep in my bed. It is high, plush and I did not have

Sorry hit reply by accident. I think I'm writing you a book! I had a hard time getting up at 2 weeks from bed until I learned to use my arms to push myself up which I could not have done in weeks 1-2. So it really helped. You will also be going to the bathroom during the night from iv fluids and all the liquids. By night two I could do this without my husband (sleeping in guest room because power lift chair is loud! :-) helping me. Bought coconut water and "pure protein" shakes and Bottled smoothies from costco That first week I did not feel like eating much those helped a lot. I swear by Coconut water. My swelling really stayed down. I also had Saltines the first few days. I know the sodium is bad but I craved the mini ones and that is how I was able to take pain meds. I also wanted BL and lipo on back and flanks. My surgeon could not do everything at once nor could I afford it. I also worried about recovery and I am so glad I didn't now. I could not lose weight prior to surgery. I think gaining muscle from doing a boot camp workout and not reducing my portions contributed to that. Since surgery I have lost 13 lbs and I lost 3 lbs during surgery. I swear your appetite will decrease once your muscles are sewn back and skin pulled. You may lose more weight after surgery. This could change your breasts as well. I can already tell mine have shrunk a bit So until I reach my ideal weight and lose another 15-20 and see what they look like I am not going to worry about it. Bras are so good at lifting these days and my hubby likes them as is so not too worried about it. As for lipo some of those pics scare me with bruising etc. I really don't think I needed it now post surgery. If anything waist up is looking good. Now I'm looking at my thighs and butt thinking ok now I know where I am going to need to focus my efforts when I can get back to working out. If you think about it the tummy really is where it is impossible to fix on your own with no muscles to engage core and the excess skin is impossible to get rid of. Unless you have a lot of excess skin from weight loss everywhere else, the rest of the body can bounce back with diet and exercise. You will feel more motivated then ever PO! My PS even said once you recover and muscles are back where they should be in tummy, you will find that the sides and back will engage more when working out and the problem areas you think you need lipo for, will be able to finally get some help because your core will be helping out again. As for pain and the first couple of days here is what my experience was. First if you get nauseous at all PO in past, ask surgeon and anesthesiaologist to give you the triple cocktail. It is a motion sickness patch behind ear and two additional drugs in IV. I get very get ill PO and was not because of this protocol. I threw up for 24 hrs after c-section with twins and that was the worst! So this was fantastic. Also my Dr prescribed Visteral to take with pain meds. This helps with nausea and itching. No issues at all. Also had Valium to take inbetween times. This helps with the lower back pain you will have and helps you get rest. As far as the surgery, whatever emotion you go under with will help you when you wake up. Try and take deep breaths, relax and think positive thoughts. I had such a great exp. with staff before hand I went under fine. When I woke up I was so tired. I remember thinking I only have 2 hrs in recovery before I start paying more $ lol! I got dressed with nurses help. Barely remember. I was really hunched over (wear big sweats, and ask them for an extra pair of the post surgical undies, lived in those! I wore a bra, cami and zipper sweatshirt. Left everything but sweatshirt on for next 24 hrs. I wore ugg boots. They will give you socks with tread and you will wear the compression socks for few days as well. I saw my husband. Sat in a recliner in recovery. I was scared to eat because of possible nausea so I drank water slowly and nibbled on toast ( I had first surgery of the day at 7:00 am which I highly recommend!). Got to car. Came home walked up a flight of stairs to my room where recliner was. I had a flannel sheet over pleather rental recliner (which i knew had bern cleaned but i still took claning wipes and anti bac and had gone to town on the remote etc I had a pillow and a light down cozy blanket Had my entire arsenal of supplies to my right and to my left I had a tray with drinks and pills and crackers. You will want someone there those first few days. I would not have been able to remember pain meds at what time etc. I also did not venture back downstairs except the following AM to go to Dr. The drains are also nice to have done by someone at least the first 1-2 days. After that you will get into routine in the bathroom. Keep the cup and paper to record output there. Because of pain meds the first days aren't bad. Really just focus on the here and now and try to rest. I took OxyContin the first 4-5 days I think and then went to vicadin as prescribed by Dr. About day four Is when you might have thoughts of ouch (mostly the back I swear). You will have some emotions which are expected. Now a month later the first weeks are a blur. You will feel so much better 3 weeks plus. Just get through those first days and weeks. The more help the better. We had meals the first week from neighbors. I could not eat much but helped out kids and hubby. I did not do laundry first 2 weeks. I really tried to just rest. I think when I started to feel better I probably overdid it but that is my nature. I'm pretty much back to my normal routine as far as daily life minus working out, some housework etc. I booked surgery, after deciding on Dr. one month after consult. If I had more time to wait I would have probably had more nerves etc. It is totally understandable that you are anxious because you have had all this time to think about everything on a daily basis. You are getting so close. You will be well prepared. Try and enjoy the holidays and think of what a year 2013 will be for you! Change is a great thing. Should you have any other questions please feel free to contact me.

OMG! This was so helpful! I'm a thinker so I'm gonna read this a million times just to put my mind at ease : ) thank you. Now if i could just lose 41lbs before February...lol.

Hope you dont mind me cutting in. Just read your reply. What a thoroughly, inspiring and thought provoking reply. Its given me some ideas too..... best wishes for continued happy healing. Suzi

Wasn't it Suzi?! Wilbur2012 really put me at ease.

got my final consult with CS tonight before the op. Got a list of questions as long as my arm... he will take one look at me coming through the door with my notepad and think "oh no... here we go..." lol I really must work out how to post my own review ... got some photos done. they are truely hideous - I could cry. In fact, when my hubby downloaded them for me I almost did but I held em back.... you wait til its all done - I'm going on a bare belly march around the block (only jkoking of course)..... speak laters. Take care you. Suzi

Bella- FYI I replied to your post at 3:00 in the morning on my iPhone. Sorry for all the typos! 5 weeks post op today. A few hiccups in healing here and there minor infection and two stitches popped through but totally manageable. If you ever have any questions I'm here! I'm exciting for you and Suzi!

thank you wilbur2012. excited but scared as hell..... wishing you continued happy healing.... Suzi

I'm more worried about the weight loss than the surgery. I just don't want to have a FAT flat stomach.