Tummy Tuck on Tuesday!

[yellowwhiteblack]

Hi everyone,

I'm booked in for a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) and a breast lift with implants on Tuesday 😱

I'm excited but also a bit scared. I've got to go for a PCR tomorrow and providing it's negative then it will go ahead as planned. Currently I'm more worried about the pcr being negative as I've had this booked since September last year and I'm SO ready for it, got everything planned and sorted, so for it to be cancelled would just be devastating. Thinking positive though.

Just wondered if anyone who has been through similar has any advice/info on post op care, or things they wish they'd have known while recovering

Hi!
I had a tummy tuck last July and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done! (Apart from having my DC obviously) I’d lost nearly 8 stone but was still hiding in my pre weight loss clothes because of all the excess skin around my tummy.

The procedure wasn’t nearly as uncomfortable as I’d expected. I’d had my gallbladder out a few years before and that was worse imo.

Make sure you rest…really, really rest! I’m not used to sitting with my feet up so I’d spot something that needed doing and then end up exhausted and sore…so make use of any offers of help!
Wear your special ‘corset’ type thing all the time. It’ll feel weird when you first take it off but you’ll soon get used to it.
I went back 4/5 times for check ups after but in between I changed my own dressings and that was easy enough after the first go.

The first 2 nights I was home (I stayed in hospital for 2 nights) I slept downstairs, going up and downstairs seemed too much effort at first! Luckily we have a downstairs toilet so that wasn’t a problem!

Once you’re healed enough, use bio oil or something on your scar, it really helps!

Good luck and focus on the results!

Oh and the drains they put either side of my tummy were a bit annoying…made going to the toilet a bit awkward! When my nurse removed them she said to take a deep breath and blow out as she pulls the drain - I think that helped. It was a very odd sensation, not painful but strange!

I'm a couple of months post op from exactly the same thing. It's very much a journey! Join a Facebook group, I've found them very helpful.

Thanks both. We have a downstairs loo too so maybe sleeping downstairs would be better for me. I'll definitely consider this. Was going up/down stairs very difficult at first?

Also a bit worried about constipation, my nurse told me the other day at my pre op that under no circumstances can I get constipated and now I'm panicking a bit about it! She did say that they prescribe laxatives, I guess I'm just worried that I'll end up constipated and then taking loads to try and clear the backlog!

For me it was virtually impossible for the first few days. Everyone is different though.

Get some lactulose in. It softens the stools.

Good luck.

A lot of people have issues with constipation. I was worried too but it wasn't an issue in the end. Btw, I don't know if this is relevant but a lot of people get their period straight after, I don't know why! But I did, about 10 days early!

Wow that's interesting and good to know @Notever - just what you need 🙄 I finished my period yesterday so hopefully I avoid that treat!

Got butterflies most of the time now, just want to get it done! It's so exciting but so nervous at same time

How exciting. I'm sure it'll all go fine.
I had back surgery and it was important not to get constipated because of the pressure it would put on my spine fusion. They put me on lactulose so everything slid out easier but wasn't watery. 😳 Sorry. Maybe TMI. I never had any problems.
Let us know how your surgery goes, and if you're happy with the results.

Going up and down the stairs wasn’t painful but it was hard work and my consultant did say it’s better to sleep downstairs if possible for the first few nights you’re home. Obviously that depends on where you’d be able to get comfortable downstairs. I was lucky as we have a sofa bed in the DC front room so I just slept there for a couple of nights.
I went to a Nuffield Health hospital for mine and sometimes, when it’s particularly frantic at home I wish I could go back for a couple of nights stay! They were brilliant…it was like staying in a luxury hotel! Minus the cocktails unfortunately!

I am also staying 2 nights minimum, longer if required depending on recovery etc.

I've got two young DC too, though DH has taken time off work to be around and help with the kids. I've already been warned by the nurse that I can't lift the kids up for four weeks post op, which will be... interesting. Will see how things go

Don’t let your pain meds wear off for the first few/five or so days.
Don’t overdo it.
Don’t judge your results straight away as you will have swelling which can last for a while.

Yes, the nurse the other day said to try not to panic when I see my boobs because they will look larger due to the swelling and they will probably change a lot at first until they settle down

Really starting to feel excited now! Not only for the change but also the hospital stay as I'm hoping it will be lovely and quiet for a few days before return home to the children

I had one in October. The pain was actually much less than I expected but I really struggled with not being able to sit up for so long - and coughing or sneezing was excruciating. It was tough recovering with 2 small kids but overall recovery was easier than I’d anticipated. For the first few days I did wonder what the hell I’d done due to the drains /bruises/ dressings/ inability to sit up so be prepared for that 😆

Results are amazing - but as my skin quality is poor (loads of stretch marks/ poor elasticity) I do now have a small amount of laxity as the skin has relaxed / retracted - so a small bit of gathered loose skin above the scar which is a bit irritating after all that money and the procedure - but not totally unexpected. Surgeon said only way to prevent or address that would be a fleur-de-lis procedure which leaves an additional vertical scar. He said he could do this as an additional procedure but to think carefully about weighing up a small amount of looseness vs the extensive scarring which impacts wearing a bikini etc.

Overall my stomach is light years better than it was but be prepared that the result may ultimately not be totally ‘perfect’

Good luck!

@Notever how bizarre, I got mine a couple of days after op (really early)! At least I was out of hospital by then, trying to navigate that while hooked up to the drain etc wouldn’t have been good…

@bumblenbean

You just reminded me! Sneezing….ouch!

OP I hope you don’t suffer with hayfever! Sneezing was definitely…..interesting!!

I had to change how I sneezed. Before I used to sort of catch it and sneeze inwards. I had to earn how to let the pressure go by sneezing outwards.

Plenty of cushions pillows when you come out the wedge ones are good. I slept upstairs when I came home. Best thing I ever did. Good luck x

Thanks all for the tips I am a bit apprehensive about the recovery, but these responses are quite heartening. How long did people wait to drive etc post op?

@GoodnightJude1 thankfully no hayfever here.

I drove on day 13.

How was it @NeedleNoodle3 ? Comfortable enough or did you think it was too early?

I’m curious for those who had it done- what year and how much did it cost?