No Drains, No Narcotics (1 Month PO - sharing new pics too)

Currently, I am 3 days post-op for BA and abdominoplasty. So far recovery seems to be as expected.

I am 5'9" and weigh 155 lbs. My activities vary from triathlon to water sports to good old weight training. This past spring/summer, with the help of my nutritionist, I went from 24% body fat to a little under 18%. But guess what remained? Yep...my flabby stretch-marked stomach. And guess what shrunk away? Breast tissue just dissolved.

Although I've been wanting to do this procedure for years, I've never had surgery. More importantly, my body is so strong and healthy that I was afraid to compromise it in any way. Also, did I really want to trade one set of scars (stretch marks) for another one? But I just disliked how that flabby lower abdomen pushed up over my pants and I ended up with an inner tube around my belly, no matter what! Plus I wanted to "reinflate" my breasts back to a full C.

My PS and anesthesiologist have a great philosophy regarding pain control. First of all, my PS does not use drains. He uses quite a few sutures so as not to leave any pockets where a seroma might collect. I think the fear of having painful drains also held me back, so I was delighted to learn about his technique. Also the AS explained the IV sedation cocktail ( ketamine, propofol, and ?versed) and she uses no narcotics in the mix, which greatly reduces nausea.

Prior to surgery is where the magic happens, as far as preventative pain control, decreased bruising, and minimal swelling. At first I was skeptical about taking all these meds, since I don't take any at all. But I followed all of their advice and I'm happy to report that my discomfort has, at worst, been a 5/10. I also did not consume certain foods/beverages that can thin the blood (berries, tomatoes, cucumbers, wine, onions, green tea, etc) for 2 weeks prior to surgery.

Further, pain control lies in decreasing the inflammatory response and controlling muscle spasm. So I've been taking my Celebrex, Valium, norflex, sin-ecch and Tylenol, along with the ice packs. The Percocet is handy but I haven't touched one yet. Sleep has been great. In my own bed since we don't have a recliner. And my husband just pops up to help me to the bathroom.
And I have to say that the showers have been divine! I was able to shower 1day PO and it felt so great on my swollen breasts. My husband was right there with me, washing me.

Speaking of my husband, he's been wonderful....he arranged all my meds, set timers, made me the absolute best grilled cheese ever, was packing frozen pea bags all over me. Unfortunately, he had to go back to work on POD 2&3 so I was on my own. But I was pretty ok and peaceful.

I have been quite surprised that my abdomen has been relatively pain free, except for minor incisional pain. Oh and the one time I coughed. And minimal swelling, although there definitely is some. But no drains! I do realize if I develop a seroma he will have to evacuate it...with a needle.

I guess I'm more concerned at how swollen and ginormous my breasts are! We decided on 370cc textured shaped silicone implants. He likes placement mainly sub glandular but we decided that morning of surgery to go partial sub muscular. I imagine this is why my chest feels like I had the most intense chest workout of my life.

So these thing will drop, huh? I hope so because they're just so...jutting. My bra size has been a padded C, with minor ptosis that actually did NOT need a lift. What I wanted was a full C but right now they are huge! Oh and although it's a little boring to just lie around, I have to say all my over-use injuries from my training are disappearing. Yet another benefit!

Today is POD 4. And the first day I ventured out of the house. Walking slowly through the supermarket was pretty refreshing. But at the same time time I had those thoughts creep in of " look how effortlessly that woman is moving" and " what the heck did I do to myself?". I will say I've been more upright. Oh! And my back was sooooo sore for the past couple of days...probably from hunching over.
Discomfort has been pretty minimal; the worst probably from my giant swollen breasts. I've finished up the Celebrex, sin-ecch, norflex, and have one more Valium if needed. The Vicodin remains untouched, partly because I don't feel the pain warrants it and partly because I've read some of your stories of nausea and constipation. So I'm sticking with the Tylenol and ice packs.
Husband continues to be super supportive...when he's home. I think he understands that for me to heal I need to be left alone. Did I mention he's part Border Collie? He has a strong herding instinct (doesnt nag, mind you) and for once I'm embracing that part of him.
So I've been reading about the different CG that people have been using. I've kept the same one on that my PS put on me and I think it's pretty comfortable. I did not, however, get a breast garment. I've been wearing my sport bras. I've have no drainage and swelling is there but not alarming, in both chest and belly areas.
Hope this helps you ladies who are up for surgery....to know that talking to your PS and AS about preventative pain control is key.

Oh and by the way, I have a belly button! No longer a starfish pucker but a genuine smooth round belly button! Will post pics once I figure out if I can upload from iPad. And does it matter if one pic shows my hoo-ha?