Questions for People who have had Plastic Surgery

AlienBandit · January 24, 2010

So I am thinking that when I am closer to my goal I want plastic surgery. It started with a Tummy Tuck but then the more weight I lost I began to think whether or not to get a tummy tuck, breast lift ( no implants) arm lift and thigh lift.

I already talked to my doctor about this and he talked me through the procedures some what but I am a little concerned about the recovery time and other things so I have a few questions for people who have already had any or all of these procedures

How close were you to your goal when you had ps?

What surgeries did you have? Did you get them all at the same time or at different times?

How long after surgery did you stay at the hospital?

How was your pain level?

Did you have someone to take care of you after you got home from the hospital?

Could you have survived after surgery if you lived alone and had no help?

How long till you went back to work?

I have done this whole journey on my own because I didn't tell anyone about my band. I told my doctor my concerns about how much time off work I would get ( not alot) and questioned whether I could have the surgeries because I live alone and would have no one help me after the surgeries ( ie to take care of my dogs, help around the house etc) but he told me that if I was able to survive after being banded living alone I should be fine after having plastic surgery.

Any thoughts, advice, or stories would be great thanks :cursing:

Mimilou2004 · January 24, 2010

Your doctor is too optimistic, in my opinion, after over a year of following all the PS threads and reading the recovery process of many ppl.

I just had my arms and breasts done at the same time and could not put my compression garments on myself and could not reach for things for several days. I could not have driven myself to the first post op appt.

I am having a TT in 7 weeks and the same friend is going to help me...I, too have dogs and know I will not be able to take care of them for a few days. There will be many things I cannot do for a while. I took 3 wks off for the arms and breasts and really could have used more time. I will take 4 weeks off for the TT and hope that is enough.

Please go back to the thread category and read Shalee04, AllieMorris, SkinnyJeans, KateEryn, and others' whole threads to get a better idea of what ppl go through.

I wish you much luck and hope you can get your PS.

Mimi

AlienBandit · January 25, 2010

Thanks Mimi for your insight. I thought my doctor was a little crazy thinking I could recover quickly after surgery. I have read a few threads a few months ago but I will look again.

I would get 9 days off to recover and could possible get another 3 days ( if I use my sick days but it would be hard to get) but thats it.

I would probably stay at the hospital for awhile. How many days do people usually stay at the hospital after surgery?

I would also take my dogs to a sitter for at least a week as they are small dogs and are used to me carrying them all the time and there is 3 so carrying for them could be difficult.

quennee · January 25, 2010

I had a LBL in Jan of 09 I was out of work for 14 weeks, but thats due to me being in law enforcement. I needed alot of help for the first week and then it soon tapered off. I wished now that I would have had the breast lift with implants the same time but I decided to do that at a later date. I am a 40dd and would like to stay that or a d, my gf had a breast lift and dropped two cup sizes I do not want that. I also was about 15 pds from the goal and I have yet got to my goal weight. I only went down one-two sizes depending on what I wear, but boy does my back hurt less. I am looking at doing an inner thigh lift maybe the same time as my breasts, but I haven't decided due to very few people being overly happy with the inner thgih results. Wish you the best!!!

Shalee04 · January 26, 2010

Alien, everyone heals at different levels, and sometimes complications arise. SOOOOO with that said and depending on "WHAT" you are having done and WHAT your job is, (sitting, or standing, heavy lifting, ect) your time off all depends on all these things.

I unfortunatly had a complication and was in bed for almost 5 weeks because of it. Even if I would have not had issues, I still needed help for the first week with everything, I had an extended Tummy Tuck with the anchor cut, breast lift and implants. little things like going to the bathroom I needed help with. (yeah not fun) and if your having your arms and thighs done, then you are really going to need help.

I was in a recovercy center for 2 days then a hotel near my dr for the rest of the week before I came home. Pain was managable as I had a pain pmp that delivered meds automatically for 3-4 days to my tummy tuck incision.

So I would see if you can get a friend, or maybe a visiting nurse to come and stay and help you. :-)