Is it normal that I'm winded after standing for an hour after breast lift/aug/full abdomen microbody contour?

Question

I'm 7 day post op and I'm standing cooking dinner and I feel winded, my chest feels tighter and I just want to sit down. Is that normal? I see people going back to work after 3 days and I can't simple stand for 45 min-1 hour without feeling so exhausted and uncomfortable.

Andrew T. Lyos, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank-you for your question. A Mommy Makeover is a truly transformative process. The recovery, though, takes a bit of patience. Most of my patients elect to use Exparel for tummy tucks, body lifts, and breast reduction. The medication is injected at the time of surgery and lasts for 3 days.  It has been particularly helpful for our tummy tuck patients in that it allows them to get up and around more quickly. It is normal to experience pain and stiffness.  At 4 weeks post-operative, it is normal to feel fatigued.  Weight gain early in the healing process is frequently due to fluid retention.  It is normal to have intermittent swelling in the operative sites 4 weeks post-operative. To reduce swelling, I recommend to my patients that they wear the compression garments, limit salt and sodium, and drink plenty of water. If fluid retention persists, a diuretic (water pill) is prescribed. Lymphatic message may help.  However, I would advise that you take plenty of time off to recover. You are investing a great deal of time, effort and money into improving yourself, and you want to protect your investment by giving yourself the appropriate time to heal. Taking a week off may work if everything goes smoothly, but you would be better off taking at least 10 to 14 days of to be sure you will feel up to going back to work. If it is possible to arrange for a flexible schedule once you return allowing you to leave early will give you additional time if necessary. It is better to overestimate the time needed to recover rather than go back too early. It generally takes 6 weeks to get your energy back and feel back to normal.Close follow-up with your Plastic Surgeon and his/her nursing staff is essential for the optimal results. I encourage my patients to follow-up with me regularly and frequently for the best results. Best wishes during your recovery

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

I recommend contacting your surgeon for an evaluation right away.  Being short of breath can sometimes occur as the body recovers, but it can also be a symptom of a more serious condition.  Better to be safe than sorry, so contact your surgeon right away.

Lavinia K. Chong, MD · Answer

Feeling exhausted, 7 days after a BL/BA & body contouring isn't unusual, however being winded to the extent that you can't stand for more than 45 minutes, isn't.  Please get evaluated by your PS to exclude the possibility of a pulmonary embolism, which is rare but not impossible after this combination of procedures.  Once this diagnosis is excluded, you can assume that your recovery will proceed uneventfully.

Is it normal that I'm winded after standing for an hour after breast lift/aug/full abdomen microbody contour?

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Is it normal that I'm winded after standing for an hour after breast lift/aug/full abdomen microbody contour?

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