How To Prepare Pre-op and Post-op for Abdominoplasty/Hernia---NO SURPRISES - Scottsdale, AZ

I really did not want to do this! However, when the hernia became worrisome, I gave in. I could have just done the hernia, but I am too vain to have allowed the abdomen to retain the bulge caused by the hernia. While repairing that muscle....well....might as well plicate the rest all the way down. Now i am envisioning the result and anxious to see it and run my hands down the flatness,, the smoothness, and look blatantly at myself in each mirror I pass to adore and admire myself!
I am trying on my oldest dearest favorite bikini and hoping.......
I have had the good fortune to have connected with a woman on this site who had this surgery last january.We correspond and talk via phone and she has guided me well!
In addition, I am a planner and organizer and i would really like to give everyone the benefit of the combination of her input and mine to help people prepare both pre and post-op.
I will post an itemized list of items to get before,depending on your situation, and why they are necessary or helpful.
One thing I am planning to do for PAIN is very exciting to me!
I work with a hypnotist who has agreed to help me greatly lower pain levels without medication. It is important to note that one must not completely eliminate pain, for if we did, we might forget and make a move very detrimental to ourselves.
I urge patients to learn to meditate. It facilitates the process.
Also,meditation daily lowers blood pressure, keeping you more peaceful and resulting in decreased dosage of anesthesia during surgery. There are surgical meditation tapes pre made (even Mayo clinic sells one) and if you google it, you will find tapes or even custom and over the phone meditations designed for your own needs.
i intend to list EXPECTATIONS. I have read some reviews here in which people are freaked out over certain events - such as swelling. I am going to go over this with you.
I will be going over the preparation of your body BEFORE surgery and that is not just losing weight - it involves your health and your intestinal tract.
I am in a medical field that fortunately enables me to have some experience that I am hoping will be beneficial to many. So stay posted - I will add to this bit by bit,and then after surgery i will post more on my own use of these items.I really want to help women and men prepare properly and have a calm and easier journey. To hear my personal story would be just another story, so i decided to share and give back in this manner.
Talk to you soon!

I imagine you all want to know why I did not want to do this at first. I have a nice enough body, but do have lower abdomen pouch when sitting. I did not feel the money, the recovery, and the scar was worth it. I was not grossly overweight. When i saw women do it who were actually smaller than me, looking gorgeous afterward,and when the hernia situation came up, I decided to do it - it fit in the same surgery. And of course the image of my abdomen when on top during sex! :)

1--leg wedge for those not using a recliner. Note it is easier to get in and out of a bed than a recliner.You cannot get out yourself anyhow first 3-4 days,. Wedge of 10 inches is minimal and hard to find. As per my RS friend Lourdes76, Amazon has it at about 40.00 at

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NMBADG/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I just ordered it, after comparing to many.
Do not bother with the upper torso wedge, they are too hard at an inexpensive price and pillows can do better.i saw one very pricey upper body wedge with down filling.

2--FOOD: low sodium soups and other foods to keep down swelling. Health valley organic soups at Sprouts market has low sodium that tastes DELICIOUS when you add oregano or basil to minestrone , and add basil to potato leek. There are others.Stock up and place at easy reaching level in the kitchen. Use electric can opener.You cannot squeeze your hand because it works abdominals.

3--Reduced sugar foods. Sure, get something to munch on for fun, but keep it down generally, because reducing sugar of all types also reduces bloating.Generally, if the sugar is listed 5th or more down the ingredients list, it is ok to have it.

4--Meds: Include zofran and/or phenergan for anti-nausea. Zofran is non drowsy and Phenergan makes you sleepy. Muscle relaxers are a must and make you sleepy. Antibiotics ....and whatever else your PS prescribes for pain.
as you know, stop all blood thinners, even omega3s 2 weeks prior to surgery.

5_ a heating pad for your back or behind knees and feet is nice. But heat inflames so be careful where you put it.

5--GERD: for those who tend to have acid reflux or acid tendency, note that this often results in a dry cough similar to seasonal allergies. It will be so painful to cough! To prevent this, just as precaution, you can start taking something like 20 mg prilosec about two weeks
pre op, either via prescription (generic omeprazole) or over counter, take it half hour before breakfast daily, or can take before bed instead.It will not prevent dry allergy cough that tears your abdomen with pain, but at least the acid part is gone.Allergies can always use allegra 180 mg daytime and zyrtec 10 mg nights with flonase nasal spray.

4--Intestinal info pre and post op will be separate on next update.


Note - PHOTOS will be posted from the caregivers house with my progress. Since I walk the halls in a clinic and sit off and on typing notes at my desk, i should be able to go back in 2 weeks,