POSTED UNDER Mommy Makeover Reviews
Positive Experience!
ORIGINAL POST
Tomorrow I complete my 3rd week of recovery from...
WORTH IT$18,600
Tomorrow I complete my 3rd week of recovery from BR, TT, and FL.
First, I have to say my hubby is amazing and I absolutely could not have made it through this surgery without him. He has been wonderful and supportive, including: managing medication, laundry, meals, cleaning, and most importantly being emotional support.
Week One:
My surgery was early in the morning, so I was home by 3pm. Dr. Bodgen is amazing and extremely thoughtful with the medications. I was never nauseous or had any problems managing the pain. First evening is a blur, with only memories of bits and pieces. Doctor called personally to check on me. Up and down to the bathroom is tough the first night...that I remember! Day Two began with trip to doctor to change dressing and review progress. 45 minute car trip was not pleasant, bring a pillow! I only took the RX pain meds for the first 2 full days following surgery and started the process Dr. Bodgen outlines in his surgery packet to wean away from the RX and onto Tylenol/Motrin. Sore with sharp pains is the best way to describe what I felt the first week. I was weak and tired. Worst parts? I am a side sleeper, so sleeping on my back with about 20 pillows surrounding me was difficult. But, hands downs, the drains are the worst part. When you can shower, a lanyard is the only way to handle the drains. Tips for week one that make things easier: Make sure you have a potty lift seat. Plan your meals ahead of time and have everything for high protein light meals ready to go once you are off the clear liquids. Drink your water plus some more! The first week by far went the fastest for me.
Week Two:
Monday was Doctor appointment. Once he reviewed my drain output log and looked me over, the drains came out. Now, entire week one I was terrified I was going to accidentally pull one of the drains out, so I laughed at myself when I saw the two foot of tubing he removed!!! I still can't believe that was all inside me. He removed a few stitches and steri strips and replaced some with other surgical tape. By the time I got home, I was on fire itching and had a horrible rash. Called the doctor and he gave instructions to remove surgical tape and take Benedryl. Turns out I was allergic to the tape, but I was better after a few hours once removed. Here where the fun starts! I can't sleep, I mean even for an hour. I did some research and seem that this is a common problem after surgery and that is should go away....I am waiting. I am so tired and I just want a full night of sleep. I lay there, ready to fall asleep, but between the uncomfortable compression garments, sleeping on my back, and having to pee once an hour from all the water, forget it. I mean I am lucky if I fall asleep for 10 minutes at a time. I am awake, so can stay ahead of the pain with OTC pain meds around the clock. I make a few trips out for an hour or two at a time at the end of the second week. One to work to pick up some paperwork I needed to work from home and the second to work again to pick up the paperwork I forgot the first trip. Tips for second week: The compression garments are not comfortable and you have to just accept it. Take things slower than you think you should and do not try to stand up all the way yet. Worst parts? The weird numbness from the lipo and the itching that has started everywhere! I bought the Neosporin with itch relief and it saved me from clawing myself.
Week Three:
Monday is Doctor again. He looks over and is pleased with healing and swelling. I discuss how much I hate the compression garments, and he explains why I must wear them. Side note: I am NOT going to mess up the surgery because I am not comfortable in the compression garments, so I am wearing them except while showering. I hate them, but I am doing it! He then reviews the scar therapy options and tells me it is time to begin the process, and gives me very detailed instructions. This info was also in his surgery packet, so I have pre-ordered the supplies and I am ready to go! I am sleeping a little this week, probably 4 hours a night so I completely forget to discuss with him at appointment. Worst part of week? I have spent about $500 ordering compression garments trying to find something that I can live with and the doctor approves. At the office visit, he approved the bras and advices Spanx. I am very short waisted and the Spanx make me feel like my ribs are going to crack. Let me just add that I am a medium on the Spanx size chart, and I owned several mediums before surgery. I purchased the Large for post op, for the swelling, can't even get them on!!! I am wearing the XL, and by the end of the day, I am a stuffed sausage. I am drinking water and have eliminated all sodium. I am just a sweller, and it makes getting comfortable hard. I finally found a Spanx asset at Target that is about an inch shorter in the waist, downside is no pre-cut crotch, so bathroom is not easy. Bras, well I tried on a few sports bras and cried, the swelling is too much to even think about wearing anything but what the doctor suggests. Hoping the sleeping and swelling continue to get better as I head into week 4.
First, I have to say my hubby is amazing and I absolutely could not have made it through this surgery without him. He has been wonderful and supportive, including: managing medication, laundry, meals, cleaning, and most importantly being emotional support.
Week One:
My surgery was early in the morning, so I was home by 3pm. Dr. Bodgen is amazing and extremely thoughtful with the medications. I was never nauseous or had any problems managing the pain. First evening is a blur, with only memories of bits and pieces. Doctor called personally to check on me. Up and down to the bathroom is tough the first night...that I remember! Day Two began with trip to doctor to change dressing and review progress. 45 minute car trip was not pleasant, bring a pillow! I only took the RX pain meds for the first 2 full days following surgery and started the process Dr. Bodgen outlines in his surgery packet to wean away from the RX and onto Tylenol/Motrin. Sore with sharp pains is the best way to describe what I felt the first week. I was weak and tired. Worst parts? I am a side sleeper, so sleeping on my back with about 20 pillows surrounding me was difficult. But, hands downs, the drains are the worst part. When you can shower, a lanyard is the only way to handle the drains. Tips for week one that make things easier: Make sure you have a potty lift seat. Plan your meals ahead of time and have everything for high protein light meals ready to go once you are off the clear liquids. Drink your water plus some more! The first week by far went the fastest for me.
Week Two:
Monday was Doctor appointment. Once he reviewed my drain output log and looked me over, the drains came out. Now, entire week one I was terrified I was going to accidentally pull one of the drains out, so I laughed at myself when I saw the two foot of tubing he removed!!! I still can't believe that was all inside me. He removed a few stitches and steri strips and replaced some with other surgical tape. By the time I got home, I was on fire itching and had a horrible rash. Called the doctor and he gave instructions to remove surgical tape and take Benedryl. Turns out I was allergic to the tape, but I was better after a few hours once removed. Here where the fun starts! I can't sleep, I mean even for an hour. I did some research and seem that this is a common problem after surgery and that is should go away....I am waiting. I am so tired and I just want a full night of sleep. I lay there, ready to fall asleep, but between the uncomfortable compression garments, sleeping on my back, and having to pee once an hour from all the water, forget it. I mean I am lucky if I fall asleep for 10 minutes at a time. I am awake, so can stay ahead of the pain with OTC pain meds around the clock. I make a few trips out for an hour or two at a time at the end of the second week. One to work to pick up some paperwork I needed to work from home and the second to work again to pick up the paperwork I forgot the first trip. Tips for second week: The compression garments are not comfortable and you have to just accept it. Take things slower than you think you should and do not try to stand up all the way yet. Worst parts? The weird numbness from the lipo and the itching that has started everywhere! I bought the Neosporin with itch relief and it saved me from clawing myself.
Week Three:
Monday is Doctor again. He looks over and is pleased with healing and swelling. I discuss how much I hate the compression garments, and he explains why I must wear them. Side note: I am NOT going to mess up the surgery because I am not comfortable in the compression garments, so I am wearing them except while showering. I hate them, but I am doing it! He then reviews the scar therapy options and tells me it is time to begin the process, and gives me very detailed instructions. This info was also in his surgery packet, so I have pre-ordered the supplies and I am ready to go! I am sleeping a little this week, probably 4 hours a night so I completely forget to discuss with him at appointment. Worst part of week? I have spent about $500 ordering compression garments trying to find something that I can live with and the doctor approves. At the office visit, he approved the bras and advices Spanx. I am very short waisted and the Spanx make me feel like my ribs are going to crack. Let me just add that I am a medium on the Spanx size chart, and I owned several mediums before surgery. I purchased the Large for post op, for the swelling, can't even get them on!!! I am wearing the XL, and by the end of the day, I am a stuffed sausage. I am drinking water and have eliminated all sodium. I am just a sweller, and it makes getting comfortable hard. I finally found a Spanx asset at Target that is about an inch shorter in the waist, downside is no pre-cut crotch, so bathroom is not easy. Bras, well I tried on a few sports bras and cried, the swelling is too much to even think about wearing anything but what the doctor suggests. Hoping the sleeping and swelling continue to get better as I head into week 4.
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