10 days post op
Feeling so much better! Definitely feeling like I am making sense of everything including how to stay comfortable, the best time to take a shower, when I have more energy... I am still happy with the direction this experience is going. Don't get me wrong, I had moments (usually moments of pain) where I questioned doing this. I realize I say things I don't mean when I'm in pain. So stay on top of you pain medicine. This time frame is also a time when I started feeling ready to venture out. I'm ready to get out of the house, but I know I would only last an hour or so. I ride along with my daughter to the store, but don't go in yet. I'm going to give that a try around day 12 and see how it goes. Healing is going as planned and I only have four more days that I'm supposed to be bent at the waist. Trying to come up with a plan to start stretching/strengthening the appropriate muscles for me to walk upright. Walking/standing upright seems to be the most inconsistent self comparison. I see others on RS that are upright after three days or those who have returned to work at 8-10 days. We all really do heal differently and at different speeds. I believe it can all depend on your exact procedure or combination of procedures and maybe the surgeons approach or technique that can make someone more/less sore.
5 days post op.
I'm exhausted 100%. I thought I was tough, but I am a complete wimp. These last few days have been very uncomfortable and at times nauseatingly painful. I struggle with sitting still in general & I would say these procedures combined, have been very hard for me. My advise is to maintain your pain management to the tee & seriously rest. I was very relaxed the the first few days & I regret being too proud to say I was hurting. I'm finally settling down and so is my body. Learning to recognize what relax feels like and not to rush the healing process. Be prepared to ask for help. I thought I'd only need help for the first 1-2 days after surgery.... I was wrong! I still need lots of help and will continue to need help for several more days/weeks. On a positive note, I am starting to see changes that make me very happy with my future body. My breast are starting to settle into place and every day I feel a little closer to being able to stand up straight for a minute at a time. A walker is definitely something I'd suggest. I bought mine at a Goodwill for $5 and wiped it down with bleach & water a few days prior to my surgery. Also, a yoga ball is helpful when sitting in the shower (fits perfect between the walls of a tub), or just to take pressure off tailbone & hips from sitting in same positions.
Finally I'm Heading in the Right Direction Towards a Body That I'm Ashamed of
I am only 2 days post op., but I am already beyond impressed with my results. Dr. Shadid did an exceptional job. I had a drainlesss tummy tuck with quilted tension sutures with all sutures being on the inside. He was able to remove 5 lbs $ 13 inches of skin from my abdominal apron, 1.7 liters of lipoed fat and repaired a total of 5 inches of separated abdominal muscle. After a lollipop breast lift he added 300cc silicon implants. They look perfect already. He listened to my requests of what my expectations were. I exciting we my body transform over the next few weeks. I am wearing compress bands, doing dressing changes once a day. I will post more pictures as I make progress.
