Tummy Tuck/Lipo - West Orange, NJ

hi Kimmers25, I wanted to ask you for your opinion. I'm 11 days po and I'm in such horrible discomfort that i can barely sleep at night. The doc had me take only 800mg motrin 3xday and i find it's not enough for the pain/discomfort. Last night was so hard to sleep because i feel the garment is too tight due to swelling in my belly so i went for the Lorcet (narc). That helped me sleep, probably because it knocks you out too. I even had to take off my binder. I have one that's made our of polyester/nylon and it itches like crazy! I wonder where I can get a better one to go over my compression garment. I'm worried that not wearing it is setting me back in terms of swelling. Also, i find that the discomfort (itching!! numbness, etc) from lipo on my back is the WORST EVER! Do you know if this is all normal? Please write back. Your thoughts/comments are appreciated. I'm feeling quite desperate and it's getting me depressed. Doesn't feel like it's getting better now at 11 days PO. It was easier at the beginning when I was taking the percocets and sleeping most of the day. Help!

Hi Miami,

I am sorry you are having such a horrible time :(    Don't get depressed because this is all temporary and will pass.  You are now on that "Roller Coaster" phase I talked about. 

You are still very early in the healing process so all of these things are pretty normal.  Everything is tightening up and healing on the inside so you will start to feel strange pulls and twinges.   Now while the binder needs to be snug it should not be so tight that it hurts.  What helps is wearing an all cotton tank top under the binder.  That will give you a little barrier between your skin and the god awful polyester/nylon.   Who invented these things anyway???  Obviously someone who has never had to wear one!!

If the Lorcet works and helps you sleep then go for it!   I took my heavy pain meds at night which helped a ton.  You need proper rest so that you can heal nicely.

The lipo areas can be extremely sensitive and painful.  They are numb but at the same time hurt like a really bad sunburn.  Frustrating but it will ease up soon.  At about 3-4 weeks you are going to feel like you turned a corner.  You will seriously wake up one morning and realize that you finally feel better.

Go slow and really pamper yourself right now.  What your body needs more than anything is rest right now. 

Keep in touch with me and let me know how you are doing each week.

You always know where you can find me.

Hugs :)

 

Kimmers25,
I went to PS today and he said due to swelling he recommends that I start asap, either manual lymphatic massages or massages done with endermologie machine. Have you had any experience with any of these and/or what have you heard? He says he prefers the one done by hand (but it's a lot more $$) but that I can choose either one. I made an appt for tmrw for endermologie but I have NO idea which is a better option. Please let me know your thoughts!

thanks!

Hi Miami,

The lymphatic massage is wonderful!   That will greatly help with the swelling and you will notice a difference.   I had one massage a week back when I was healing and it really helped me through.  I still to this day have one massage a month.

It just keeps everything in balance and feeling good.  I wish I could do it weekly but that is not an option in my budget.  However it was necessary back during my healing process. 

Give it a try and you will love it:) 

That's great to hear! wAS the endermologie or done by hand? Thanks!

Good deal - you are on the right path:)

hi applebottom, i had the same procedures done on mar 30. how are you feeling? I think the worst part is the lipo. bbl is not really a big deal..they put 500cc(i believe thats what PS said) on each cheek but he said i might end up keeping about 300. the lipo is horrible with numbness/swelling and the tt swelling/hardness on lower belly plus muscle spasms are not pleasant at all either. Let me know how you are doing? we are close in surgery dates.

Hi Miami7648...I'm doin better each day..couldn't sleep on my sides so I'm on my bck..the worst part 4 me is the drain sites..they are sore and stings..hopefully they will come out on thurs..I'm extremely swollen and itchy..and the pain meds r starting 2 mke me sick so I'm tryin 2 ween myself 2 tylenol..do u like yr results..I'm 2 scared 2 open the binder until i go see my PS..so far the lipo hasn't gven me major problems

Hi Applebottom, glad to hear you're getting better each day. I've learned this surgery progresses in baby steps, but it does get better each day. I have a bit of trouble sleeping on my sides too. I kind of start out that way but soon enough, find myself propped up in like a sitting position on my bed, which is the most comfortable (if you can call it that lol). I can imagine the drain sites being so painful. My PS took them out the day after surgery and boy was I glad. You'll see, you will feel like a different woman! I'm itchy too and that's all normal. My PS told me to get Caladryl (clear lotion) at local pharmacy. It does help with the itchiness. But I got to tell ya, he also recommended that I start (i'm 2 weeks po tmrw) asap the lymphatic massages. I just came back from my first session and it was WONDERFUL! The lady (lic theraphist)was gentle and massaged me in the areas where he lipo'd which were very sore and also in the hard/swollen areas below the belly. I was terrified for her to touch me there at first but she was gentle and used a lotion combined with Arnica/chamomille and it was GREAT!!She stimulates the lymphatic system and I'm not kidding you, as soon as she was done (1 1/2 hrs) I pee'd :) like crazy and felt a lot softer in that area. Ask your PS about that. I'm taking 800mg motrin 2 or 3x a day for pain/discomfort and at night I take half a Lorcet (not as strong as Percocet), however, my PS gave me anti-nauseau suppository to take before pain meds and they didn't make me sick at all. Ask about that too. I'm very happy w/my results although because of the swellling, I know our "real" results won't be evident for a while. But we're going to look awesome...I'm sure :) Take a peek when you go to your PS..I'm sure you'll be pleased!!

Please let me know if you need to talk. It's comforting to know others out there are going through the same thing, especially since I think sometimes we feel isolated because we're confined to home/resting for a while..it's a nice way to connect! Praying for your quick recovery and that those darn drains come out on Thursday. Keep me posted!