Tummy Tuck with Dr. Cisco Sanchez-Navarro

I am a 47 year old mother of 4. I had been overweight the majority of my adult life and was unhealthy and unhappy. I have lost the majority of the weight and now it is time to take care of the excessive skin and stubborn fat. I researched tummy tucks for probably the last 5 years or so and after a year or disappointing surgeon visits, I finally found a surgeon who was willing to sculpt my body into the body I know it should be. I am considered high risk because I have a history of blood clots and an autoimmune disease. Dr. Cisco, as he prefers to be called, spoke to me at length about my health history and even required some additional things from me and I was all too happy to do it! The office is very nice, tastefully decorated and the office staff are incredibly nice. I was instantly at ease. My initial evaluation was great and the doctor answered all of my questions. He is a very kind and has a great personality. I had my tummy tuck and VASER liposuction of the thighs on Nov. 18, 2020. I entered the surgical suite at 0730am and surgery started approximately 0830am. From the best of my recollection, I was headed back home by 2pm.  Day - 1 Slept in a recliner, not too much pain, no appetite Day - 2 I was much more swollen and in a lot more pain because the anesthesia and nerve block had worn off. I had my first post op appt and it was rough. It didn't help that I live 45 min each way. I have 2 drains that will stay in until later next week. Still no real appetite but I have been drinking Gatorade and protein shakes. I am using a walker for a little walking around. I am wiped out completely and sleeping a lot still. Day 3 - I am feeling much better. I have a little more energy. I am hungry but because of the swelling and how tight my abs are now, I can only manage little amounts of food at a time. I am more independent with my daily tasks and no real pain, just a very full, tight feeling and mostly discomfort. My fitness tracker has me doing about 1/2 mile of walking. The only medication for pain now is Tylenol. I took a shower for the first time and although it felt amazing, it left me completely exhausted. Day 4 - I have a significant increase in energy but I am still taking it easy. I am even more swollen than the previous day, however, I also am not wearing any type of compression garment per my surgeons request. I am able to stand upright considerably more than yesterday and that has alleviated some of the back pain. The drains are still draining and it is more of a serous fluid now. The fitness tracker had me at 2 miles for today and I went up and down the stairs 3 times. I will see the surgeon in a couple of days and hopefully have one or both drains out.  Here are some MUST HAVES for post op: Recliner Walker (you will be very hunched over) Female Urinal (LIFE SAVER) Extra gauze pads and tape Lidocaine Patches (for back pain) Hospital type of chucks or even doggie pee pee pads (you will leak) Protein shakes, water and Gatorade Neck pillow Baby wipes Hand Wipes Small pillow for splinting coughs and sneezes Something to prop knees and feet with (I used a pillow I rolled and taped) There are many more things I used that made it easier on me and I will update as I remember