45 Year Old Mom of 3///Tummy Tuck W/muscle Repair and Liposuction of Flanks - Corona, CA

Wow! I was wondering if I would ever feel well enough to post! About 2 days ago, (10 days post op), I had my first really good day and left the house. It's been a little longer recovery for me than a lot of you out there. So applause to those of you that find it in themselves to post on day 1 or 3 or even in the first week. I found I was groggy and in a tremendous amount of pain mostly due to lipo. I had some blistering in the lower part of my incision on day 3 that looked like the beginning of an infection. I was very afraid that it was. It wasn't, but needed lots of special care and additional antibiotics to be safe. It's now healing nicely but due to the fact that I haven't been able to wear a compression garment since day 3, I'm draining slow. I still have my drains on day 12. I will see my Dr tomorrow and hopefully the last one will come out. All is well and I have nothing more to post until I heal a bit more.

Finally! My plastic surgery journey has begun! Since my first pregnancy with my first son in 1994 when I was 25, (90 pound weight gain), I have desperately wanted a tummy tuck. I am now 45 and have had 2 more kids since then. My stomach was destroyed on the first pregnancy. Its been such a burden to carry that ugly belly around all these years and I just can't believe that it is finally possible for me to get the surgery! It doesn't even seem real yet, but I am sure as the date gets closer, (about 5 1/2 weeks), it will start to sink in. I have been researching plastic surgeons for years. So when my husband finally gave me the green light to start the process to get the surgery, I already had some names in mind.
After re-reseaching the names on my list and many more, I have chosen Dr. Christopher Chung of Corona, CA. I feel that I am in great hands and hope that all goes well. As I near my surgery date, I am starting to get nervous although I know it is absolutely the right decision for me. I just really hope that all goes well. When I imagine myself post op, I mostly am dreading the drains. I am not concerned as much with the pain because I have had a C-section before and had no trouble managing the pain then or getting around. This time, however, I will have the drains and some oozing, i am told, from the lipo incisions. I will want to shower daily and I am told it will be awkward with the drains. My plastic surgeon says that showering WILL be allowed and will pose no problem with the drains or the incision since it is covered but the drains are hard to manage alone while trying to shower. Well, I will definitely be figuring that one out since not showering is NOT an option. Yuck!
I will also be renting a lift recliner in the next couple of weeks, to arrive the week of surgery. I am told it will be difficult if not impossible to lay flat after surgery so the chair will keep me in the most comfortable position that is possible for someone who is hunched over. At least I won't have to struggle getting in my bed which is kind of tall. I will hopefully post again as the date gets closer. if not, wish me luck!