Plastic Surgery Pre-Op Questions for the ladies - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

BlondeCAgirl · 11-14-2007, 10:20 AM

I have my final pre-op exam with my surgeon in 2 weeks and my surgery is scheduled for December 11th. I'll be having a full body lift, breast lift and augment. I'm sure the dr. can help me with most of these questions, but I'm curious to hear what my stapler peeps have to say based on your experiences. I'll be having my surgery all done at once. It'll start early Tuesday morning and won't be over for about 6-8 hours. I'll be transferred to an after care facility for that night, the next day and night. So that means as long as there are no complications (crossing fingers), I'll be home on Thursday, December 13th. These questions are all a little déjà vu for me, as they seem to be the same as pre WLS. But, none the less, I'm still gonna ask.

What do you pack to bring to the Operating Room or after care?
Clothes, Robe, toothbrush, pillow, toiletries..Etc.... What else?
How did you feel Post Op?
What did you wear post op around the house? (I'm worried about the incision, even though it's wrapped in a garment).
What can I expect with the drains?
What were your limitations on activities and daily chores? (I'm hosting X-Mas-pot luck dinner this year)
Did you sleep in a separate bed from your spouse (comfort level)?
Could you go up and down stairs? (I have a 2-story home).
How did you determine what size breasts would be right for you?
What thing or thing(s) would you do different or did you have any MUST HAVES?

Thank you in advance. I'm even more nervous about this than the WLS.

SueRN · 11-14-2007, 02:20 PM

had a TT and thigh lift at same time. was in hospital for 4 days. just wear a loose compfortable outfit. i wore a velor track suit with slip on shoes. just wore hospital gown while inpatient.
What do you pack to bring to the Operating Room or after care? as little as possible
Clothes, Robe, toothbrush, pillow, toiletries..Etc.... What else? i would bring toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush. just go home in the clothes you wore there

How did you feel Post Op? like crap for the first week, but got better

What did you wear post op around the house? (I'm worried about the incision, even though it's wrapped in a garment). i just wore loose fitting pajamas and velor track suits
What can I expect with the drains? i had 2 drains, they were both in my crotch...easier to hide the scars...they were in for 12 days. they kinda sucked but the were doable

What were your limitations on activities and daily chores? (I'm hosting X-Mas-pot luck dinner this year) if you are having your stomach muscles tightened, you will not be able to lift more that 5 lbs for about 8 weeks. But i think you may be overdoing hosting a party 2 weeks post op. if you don't want to cancel...get lots of help

Did you sleep in a separate bed from your spouse (comfort level)? did inthe begining because I have 6 dogs that like to snuggle with meat night. I slept in the other room for my own safety

Could you go up and down stairs? (I have a 2-story home).stairs no problem

How did you determine what size breasts would be right for you? still have my national geographic tube sock looking boobs so i can't help you with this one

What thing or thing(s) would you do different or did you have any MUST HAVES? I do recommend getting a 12 in wedge pillow to sleep on at night. it was a godsend. GOOD LUCK

MiladyB · 11-14-2007, 02:48 PM

I had a full abdominoplasty and breast lift/reduction 7 weeks ago so my experience was probably a bit like what yours will be. I was in surgery for 6 hours and in the hospital 3 nights but would have gone home after 2 nights if my DH hadn't been sick with a gastric flu. My dr didn't want me home with him sick. Anyway I'll do my best to answer your questions.

What do you pack to bring to the Operating Room or after care?
Clothes, Robe, toothbrush, pillow, toiletries..Etc.... What else?

You pretty much have it all. I packed a small pillow to help support me when I coughed plus could tuck it under my side when I would lay on my side. It was a great help. Other than what you already mentioned I had my cell phone, a book and that was about it.

How did you feel Post Op?

I personally felt like shit for a good 4 weeks BUT I also lost ALOT of blood during surgery. I had a really big drop in my hemoglobin so I was exhausted for quite some time. I don't do well with general anesthesia so I had dry heaves for the first 12 hours at least and also had my menses thrown into the mix. Pain was really bad for about 48 hours but after that I could control it with 1 Vicodan about every 4 hours. I did and still do experience a lot of muscle spasms. The PS did a major tightening of the muscles in my abdomen. He ordered me Valium which helped a lot. Expect to be very numb in your abdomen. Its a strange feeling that still is there for me. I also retained a lot of fluid. They had to give me 7 liters of IV fluids during surgery so I came out pretty puffy.

What did you wear post op around the house? (I'm worried about the incision, even though it's wrapped in a garment).

I wore sweat pants. I found that to be the most comfortable. Anything tighter fitting would give me muscle spasms. For the top I wore sports bras.

What can I expect with the drains?

I had a total of 4 drains. One in each breast and one on each side. The breast drains came out 6 days post-op and the ones on my side came out 13 days post-op. Basicly my dr wanted to see less then 30 ml of fluid in a 24 hour period. I had to empty them at home about every 12 hours. I did develop a seroma in my abdomen that had to be drained twice.

What were your limitations on activities and daily chores? (I'm hosting X-Mas-pot luck dinner this year)

I was on medical leave for 6 weeks. Like I mentioned I was really tired for a good 4 weeks. I had lifting restrictions for 6 weeks and couldn't drive as long as I was taking pain meds, which was about 2 weeks.

Did you sleep in a separate bed from your spouse (comfort level)?

I slept in a recliner for the first week. With having the abdominal muscles tightend it was kind of difficult to lay out flat.

Could you go up and down stairs? (I have a 2-story home).

I didn't have any problem with stairs. I too live in a 2 story.

How did you determine what size breasts would be right for you?

No augmentation here, just the lift.

What thing or thing(s) would you do different or did you have any MUST HAVES?

I had a body pillow to use in bed and it was a God send!! I also didn't have much of an appetite for a couple weeks so I depended a lot on protein supplements. You will want to try to get a lot of protein in to help with the healing. I was trying to get in at least 100 grams/day.

I do have a photo journal I can direct you to if you are interested. I have pictures from 3 days post-op and then every week to 2 weeks for awhile. PM me if you want to see them. I'll give you the addy and password.

BlondeCAgirl · 11-14-2007, 09:01 PM

All good info. I am a little worried about hosting the X-Mas dinner. But I made it a pot-luck style and have tasked the BF parents to do the Prime Rib & Ham. Other family members will brig side dishes and desserts. I shouldn't have to lift a finger post op. I'll be decorating and X-Mas shopping from now until the first week of December. I'm a little worried about having the drains still in if company will be here. That's just gross. But it's close family (with the exceptioin...I'll be meeting my BF brother and his GF for the first time). But it's all been explained to them. There's only 10 people that will be here.

MiladyB · 11-14-2007, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlondeCAgirl

All good info. I am a little worried about hosting the X-Mas dinner. But I made it a pot-luck style and have tasked the BF parents to do the Prime Rib & Ham. Other family members will brig side dishes and desserts. I shouldn't have to lift a finger post op. I'll be decorating and X-Mas shopping from now until the first week of December. I'm a little worried about having the drains still in if company will be here. That's just gross. But it's close family (with the exceptioin...I'll be meeting my BF brother and his GF for the first time). But it's all been explained to them. There's only 10 people that will be here.

The drains are a nuisance but what I did was to tuck them in my clothes or in the pockets of my pants. It worked. Most people didn't even notice that I had the abdominal ones in. The ones in the breasts were a little harder to figure out where to go with them but they were out just 4 days after I got home. Hopefully yours won't be in long.

fitbefore40 · 11-16-2007, 10:19 AM

What do you pack to bring to the Operating Room or after care? I just took toiletries and loose athletic clothes. My DR didn't allow me out of bed for 24 hours, so I had a cathiter and those pumping leg things so that I didn't clot. I was henched over when I did get up - pain was about a 5 - but I had an OnQ pain ball which kept be drugged for about a week.

Clothes, Robe, toothbrush, pillow, toiletries..Etc.... What else? NOthing really . .. I pack light.

How did you feel Post Op? First 4 days was rough - I was cut all the way around (a full lift - so I had to sleep on sutures - but in a week, I was fine)
What did you wear post op around the house? (I'm worried about the incision, even though it's wrapped in a garment). I wore workout clothes - and by day seven, jeans - so much fat was gone from my waist - the jeans felt good!

What can I expect with the drains? My 2 drains were in my pubic area - and they were hidden quite easily with the track pants I wore and big shirt. It wasn't a fashion statement, but on day 7 post op, I went to my kids end of the year school party and no one knew that I had surgery until I showed my binder and drains. (the drains pin to the binder)

What were your limitations on activities and daily chores? (I'm hosting X-Mas-pot luck dinner this year) By week 3, I had no issues except for the NO carrying things over 5 pounds. First 2 weeks, I was a princess . . . so I didn't really do anything!

Did you sleep in a separate bed from your spouse (comfort level)? I was fine - but I sleep like a rock.

Could you go up and down stairs? (I have a 2-story home). No issues - jsut the hunched over walk is funny at first - you get used to it fast. I wasn't allowed to stand straight up until day 7, then he wanted me too. That was a bit painful.

How did you determine what size breasts would be right for you? I had a hernia repair, so I didn't get my boobies done - darnit. I did have an 8 hour surgery though, he didn't want me under for more, so the boobs were dropped.

What thing or thing(s) would you do different or did you have any MUST HAVES? I'd have more food at the house for hubby and kids. I went to the grocery store around day 5. Wish I didn't have to.

mssg13marinewife · 11-27-2007, 08:19 PM

Sorry Jenn cant help you out here, but I know you will let me know in 2 weeks. I will take care of you. I told you that. Just call me and Ill be right over.

Dyann · 12-07-2007, 10:51 AM

What do you pack to bring to the Operating Room or after care?I packed a pound of dunkin decaf coffee, cheese sticks, jerkey, soy crisps, and two low carb turkey wraps and two frozen dinners. My PS had recovery suites that were like apartments
Clothes, Robe, toothbrush, pillow, toiletries..Etc.... What else?All I needed was a couple of robes/house coats as the drains leaked. You are pretty much wrapped up otherwise and no clothes were necessary except to go home in. I also brought magazines and sudoku book
How did you feel Post Op?I felt great immediate post op with the pain meds. a few days later until about a month I was exhausted. This took a bigger toll energy wise then the GBP
What did you wear post op around the house? (I'm worried about the incision, even though it's wrapped in a garment).House coat with a spanx type garment and a binder
What can I expect with the drains? I got long string and looped the drains through and wore them like a necklace around the house and in the shower. Out I tucked them in the pants
What were your limitations on activities and daily chores? (I'm hosting X-Mas-pot luck dinner this year)Bow out now!!! You will not be up to it and if you are on your feet that long your abdomen is going to swell. You will not have the energy and you can't bend and lift
Did you sleep in a separate bed from your spouse (comfort level)?Nope
Could you go up and down stairs? (I have a 2-story home).I could have if i had to
How did you determine what size breasts would be right for you?They should give you sizers to wear. I always thought a full C is the largest I would want to be. I didn't get implants and I am a 34 C. I wish I had some more medial fullness and I may get a small implant down the road
What thing or thing(s) would you do different or did you have any MUST HAVES?After GBP we are told to push ourselves to get to exercise etc. I was so afraid of getting out of the rhythm, that I pushed myself in just activities of daily life too fast and had setbacks because of it. I would have given myself more time to recover. Don't buy a bunch of clothes after the drains come out as you will probably end up even a size smaller once all the swelling goes away.

Thank you in advance. I'm even more nervous about this than the WLS.That is understandable as this is a longer surgery and not "medically necessary". For me it was "psychologically necessary" It did more for my esteem then the weight loss. You will be amazed how freeing it is to be able to wear anything or just a little tank top without a bra. Buying holiday dresses this season was so much more fun. Enjoy the new you

hummingbird5953 · 12-11-2007, 10:13 PM

Jenn,
How are you feeling? Update us when you feel up to it.

mssg13marinewife · 12-12-2007, 11:09 AM

Got a call from Jenns mom and boyfriend last night as to her update. She was doing good. Shes such a trooper. She was being transported to "the hideaway" to rest up.... and hang on to your pants folks she was WIDE awake and coherent(sp) during the ride over. Doc said everything went good. I believe she was in surgery for 8 hours but dont quote me. I will have her update on here as soon as shes feeling up to it. Just keep your fingers crossed for a speedy and healthly recovery.