52 Yo Tummy Tuck and Breast Augmentation. 5'6" 145 Lbs - Atlanta, GA

All in all, I can't complain. It has been an interesting adventure so far, and luckily, not as bad as I had expected. When I first started thinking about a Tummy Tuck, I didn't know anyone who had undergone the procedure but it seemed everyone has had breast augmentation. I relied on information found on the web and a recommendation from my obgyn (whom I would trust with my life). This is my motivation to journaling my experience. A lot of what I have read on line has been that this is a crazy painful roller coaster ride of meds, sleepless nights, and tortuous compression garments. I have not found it to be so! I'm guessing in part that I have chosen an awesome surgeon, Dr Diane Alexander in Atlanta , and, at 52 years old, I made a promise to myself to be in the best shape possible before I undertook this invasive surgery! (My first goal was backpacking the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim with a 40 lb pack - yup! Did it!) from there I started running, became a vegitarian, lost 35 lbs (keeping my weight at 140-145 for a year prior - thanks weight watchers!) and started working with a trainer between runs.

January 23rd I showed up at the surgery center with the expectation that for the next few weeks I would be miserable! I cleaned the house, all the laundry, planned meals , and my husband took a week off from work just to help me. Now for a quick recap:
1/23 surgery day: arrived at 6:00 and was taken to the pre-op room fairly quickly. Had to repeat my name, DOB, and procedure no less than 50 times to nurses as they administered meds, IV's, and anti bacterial wash. Dr. Alexander acme in to mark me up and handed me 4 boxes with implants in them (apparently the utter look is in!) she said she'd see me in the OR and then tomorrow AM! That was it - kiss hubby - off I go!
Surgery was 3 hours (TT and BA) woke up with burning pain and shivering. Was immediately given pain meds and warm blankets. Dr. Came in, said everything went tremendously well! See ya tomorrow AM! Was rolled off to my own room - worse part was transferring to my bed - I thought I was going to split open hip -to -hip! Pain level 9.
Hubby came in, saw that I was alive and well. I promptly threw him out to go home so that he could beat Atl rush hour traffic! By midnight the nurse had me walking the hallway dragging my IV and catheter on a pole. I had also drunk about 2 gallons of water, apple juice and cranberry juice, and a pound of graham crackers and salteens! For dinner earlier they brought me a meatloaf dinner.... Um vegitarian here! Ate the mashed potatoes and carrots... Nothing wrong with my appetite!
1/24: Dr came in early checked all incisions, took protective gauze off (left everything covered with surgical tape only) except for the padding over my new belly button. Said "I'll see you next week unless any issues come up - call anytime!
Hubby picked me up and I began the 45 minute trip home at about 11:00.
1/25: taking all of my meds like clockwork. Pain level is about a 3-4, jumps to a 5-6 when I have to get out of the recliner - hubby has to help with this! Started taking stool softeners immediately when I got home along with Mirilax. Stopped taking the Hydrocodon at midnight - it was giving me a nasty headache /migraine. Continued to take Tylenol , muscle relaxer, antibiotic.
1/26-27: did nothing other than sleep, pee, eat, take meds drink tons of water, eat light - oyster crackers, soup, oatmeal, eggs, etc.... Pain was constant 3-4' most bothersome was right armpit and under right breast. Who knew - new boobs hurt more than TT! Took my first shower in the afternoon on Sunday. Took of the surgical bra and CG and hooked my 2 drains to a cloth tie around my neck. Looked in the mirror and almost cried! In a good way .... What I saw was hard to believe was me!! Boobs - although a bit top heavy - are beautiful! Tummy - almost no bruises (one blister from tape allergy ) smooth, flat, lovely! Was exhausted after the rinse off - couldn't really wash, arms are still sore. Slept the rest of the day.1/27,
1/28-29: slept, ate, took meds, showered, drained drains, walked around the house hunched over, mirilax and stool softeners did their job by Monday (thank you!!) watched the snow come down and then turn to ice. This is a big deal for 2 reasons (1) I'm in Atlanta - this only happens every few years and it's always a mess! If you watched any news, you saw what a disaster it really was. (2) my follow up appt is Thursday and I'm worried that the road won't be cleared for me to get there!!
1/30: Made it to my FU appt. one of the Docs in the practice (not mine) made it to the office for anyone that could make it in! No staff, no nurses, just one marvelous doctor! I made it in, she pulled one drain - fairly painless I might say.... Stung just a little, changed my dressings, and I got to see my new belly button for the first time! Cute!!!! Out we went after that and hit Cracker Barrel for lunch - 1 week PO! Done!
1/31: nothing exciting - just rest and my first day alone in the house. Had to figure out how to get out of the recliner by myself in a hurry;)
2/1: pain is limited to a slight burning under my boobs and along my breast bone. Tylenol and muscle relaxers handle it just fine. My friend picked me up and we went to a movie! August:Osage County (good movie - but DARK). Then we went to Starbucks. Came home and napped - big day!
2/2: feeling great! Hubby and I went to the mall to walk around a bit. Beautiful day - no jacket required! BTW as of yesterday I managed to put a pair of jeans on - not my size 8's but larger ones I saved after weight loss. Needed the extra room for the drain bulb. Went home, watched part of the Super Bowl... Tried to sleep in my bed last night with the aid of a wedge pillow and a lot of regular pillow. Going back to the recliner tonight, still more comfortable and easy to manage.
2/3: helped with laundry (putting clothes in and out of washer & dryer only. My assistant from work stopped by in the afternoon so that I could review and sign some papers. After she left I chopped veggies for a stir-fry for dinner. Pain level started going up. By dinner I was very uncomfortable along my tummy and upper abdomen. Finally took some Tylenol and napped. When I got ready for bed (still in the r liner) I loosened my CG a bit and it helped immensely!!
2/4: feel. Uh better this morning! Looking forward to a long shower! Have another follow up appt tomorrow with PS. Drain is only putting out about 12cc per day so I'm hoping to say goodbye to this nasty friend! Big plans for today is to wash the surgical bra and CG, which translates to NAKEDNESS!!! Wooohooo! Looking forward to and hour in a soft robe only!!!

I know this was long, but I wanted to shear that having a TT can be a less than agonizing experience! Maybe all my stars were aligned but I don't regret a day! My best advice to make this work would be to get into your best shape prior to your surgery. Not just 6 weeks prior - but make it the norm not just prep. Drink lots of water, and just take it easy after surgery!!
Next update will be after FU appt with Dr Alexander tomorrow - hopefully I'll be drainless!

Tomorrow is one week! I couldn't be happier with my progress and can't wait for my follow up appointment ! I have NO abdominal pain except around my belly button WHEN I SNEEZE!! Which I've done 4 times and totally sucks!! Worse part is lower back pain when I stand for any length of time. Needless to say, I have a kitchen chair in the bathroom and sit when I brush my teeth, empty my drains, dry my hair after my shower, get dressed!
I am still sleeping in the recliner , mostly because of the drains and the fact that my 60 lb lab sleeps in my bed = not wanting her to step on the drain tubes-yikes!
Breast augmentation is still achy - under muscle. None of the incisions bother me and I have great range of motion! I have long hair and was worried about towel drying and doing the flip it up in the towel thing.... A little clumsy but doable!
Have been off RX pain meds since PO day 2, Tylenol and muscle relaxers only. May be TMI (but everyone does it) had a BM 3 days PO - soooo important to use ducolax and Miralax!!! All in all I'm doing much better than expected and all my gratitude to Dr. Alexander and team, and my PT, Sorrell, for making sure I was in excellent physical shape prior to surgery!!!

Picked up a wedge pillow over the weekend - I've read that they are really helpful when sleeping. I've scheduled my preop phone interview for the hospital. This is scheduled for 3 days prior, to confirm and update medical history. All of my prescriptions are ready to pick up! I guess all I have left is to "nest", clean the house, make sure laundry is done, and cook a few items for the freezer (just to help hubby out a bit). The next week of waiting will be torture!!