Amazing Full Tummy Tuck w/ Lipo

So I finally took the plunge and decided to get a tummy tuck after about 8 years of debating. I have two beautiful kids that left my body in rough shape, at 5'1" I gained a TON of weight (50-70lb) and lost only about 20 lbs. in the following years I neglected myself and ballooned to almost 190lbs o.O A divorce, second degree, new career and of course playing mom took up most of my time and I focused on everything and everyone but me.
A few years back I decided to go see some highly rated surgeons in VA and fell in love with their work, I did tons of research and visited several facilities but financially I just couldn't justify it. Fast forward 5 years and the kids aren't so small anymore, I made a move up a new state so they could see their dad every day and I have a new career I love that let's me work from home. Finally I quit making excuses started to change my eating and exercise habits and lost 40lbs!!
So I figured if I was gonna make life changes maybe this could now be one. In planning my move I also started researching recommended plastic surgeons on this site for PA. After visiting several I came across Dr. Subbio. He's not local but within commuting distance and the minute I met him I knew I found my doctor. He's a true artist and his reviews speak for themselves. I scheduled my surgery for the weekend of Columbus Day so I'd have a long weekend, recruited my best friend to take care of me and set in place a support network to help with the kids.
Due to my paranoia of pain and having never had surgery before I opted to stay one night in the hospital. I sit here writing this about 9 hours post op and I can say the extra cost is worth every penny. I can't really review the tummy tuck yet because I can't see it but I can say that the experience up until now with the Dr, his staff and the hospital has been wonderful.

So today I was released, Dr Subbio came to visit bright and early at the hospital. I had a friend pick me up and drive me the hour home. I can say the ride wasn't bad, the worst part is getting in or out of a car or getting in/out of bed. The spots where lipo was done hurt the most and my actual incision doesn't bother me. Its uncomfortable to walk since my stomach feels so tight but I make the effort every few hours for the bathroom. Shout out to the nurses of Bryn Mawr who were beyond awesome. I'll say it again if you can swing it just pay for the overnight in the hospital.
Also I've learned to stay on top of my pain med schedule- i missed an hour in the middle of the night and woke up in pain. Right now I wish I would've gotten a hospital bed but I'm making do with a recliner and a walker. On a scale of 1-10 I would rate it at a 5-6 for most of day 2.

So here I am 6 days post op. This has been both harder and easier than i thought. The pain has been tolerable, I'm not pain free but with meds and the Exparel (OMG must have if it's offered) I have been able to manage. I'll be honest I was hoping to be only on ibuprofens by now but I can't do it. At night I take 1 oxy and it lets me sleep through the night, the ibuprofens I need every 4-6 hours depending on how active I am. I trying to rest as much as possible (it's killing me) but I am making myself get up every hour even if it's just to go to the bathroom. I came home from the hospital with a breathing machine that you inhale and exhale into - they gave me breathing excercises which I think are really helping. First few days I could only make it up to 500 and now i'm at 1500 so I know that I'm progressing. Walking is still really really hard. I'm so tight that I'm hunched over and it's killing my back. i've discovered ice packs help a lot. I also bought this leg massager on Amazon - it's like the machine they put on me in the hospital to prevent blood clots. It feels soooo good. I can charge it for a few hours and use it on and off during the day. Worth the $50 I paid. Lets see what else......so I recommend ice packs that have gel in them and are sort of flexible they work really well. Arnica tablets I believe have really helped. Pillows--- lots of firm ones (throw pillows have been my lifesavers). I'm able to go to the bathroom and take a shower alone finally. For the shower I would recommend just a plastic lawn chair and I installed one of those shower heads you can detach hold in your hand. They made taking a shower so much easier. Oh and I've discovered I love house coats or night shirts about 2 sizes too big is a must have. The drains are a pain in the rear and I quickly decided pants suck. They hurt whenever they hit the drains so I'm actually wearing an old night shirt that comes down to my legs. And the best underwear so far has been a plan cotton panty that I bought on Amazon, black 5 pack for $8. Last but not least - invest in a squatty potty. I had one prior to this, and what everyone says is true - you will probably get constipated and even if you don't it's a bit uncomfortable to pass a bowel movement. The squatty potty made things a lot more comfortable and easier - so well worth the $15 - 20 they cost.