One week from today, August 1, I am going in for extended tummy tuck with anchor incision, mons lift, breast lift with implants, arm lift, and lipo on the thighs. I am wondering what I can do now to help with a smoother recovery. I've rented a lift chair/recliner, and will be borrowing a walker, toilet seat extension, and over the chair adjustable table. Ive got my prescriptions for meds and will fill those soon. Any other recommendations?

Heating pad, to help with swelling.

Make sure to have someone available to help you change your binder garments daily. It will be next to impossible to do it by yourself.

A trick I learned- use old t-shirts under the abdominal binder. It keeps it from rubbing and chaffing your skin or getting snagged on the staples. Just make sure they're old and you don't care if you get blood stains on them.

Because it was warm when I had mine, I actually cut the bottom off the shirt and just used that, so nothing extra over my chest/arms. Just around my tummy.

Find out what kind of binders they want you to use (everywhere I assume) and be sure to have at least one extra of each. This way you have something to wear while laundering the other.

I took some extra vitamin C before and after surgery while healing. My wounds healed wonderfully. You may want to get some cotton pajama pants with pockets. It's nice to have pockets to put your drain bulbs into. Good luck!

I took some extra Vitamin C before and after surgery while healing. My wounds healed wonderfully. You may want to get some cotton pajama pants with pockets. It's nice to have pockets to put your drain bulbs into. Good luck!

Sue, thank you for the suggestions. I love the idea of PJs with pockets. I just ordered some. As for Vitamin C, my surgeon told me to stop taking ALL supplements two weeks before surgery. Did your surgeon allow you to take Vitamin C?

Heating pad, to help with swelling.

Make sure to have someone available to help you change your binder garments daily. It will be next to impossible to do it by yourself.

A trick I learned- use old t-shirts under the abdominal binder. It keeps it from rubbing and chaffing your skin or getting snagged on the staples. Just make sure they're old and you don't care if you get blood stains on them.

Because it was warm when I had mine, I actually cut the bottom off the shirt and just used that, so nothing extra over my chest/arms. Just around my tummy.

Find out what kind of binders they want you to use (everywhere I assume) and be sure to have at least one extra of each. This way you have something to wear while laundering the other.

Great suggestions, thank you. I do have a heating pad, I will have to put that near my aftercare station. Ditto for old t-shirts. As for binders, did you buy those ahead of time? I don't have any instructions from my surgeon on this. I guess I will have to ask.

Kathy: My surgeon suggested the extra vitamin C. Worked like a charm.

Great suggestions' date=' thank you. I do have a heating pad, I will have to put that near my aftercare station. Ditto for old t-shirts. As for binders, did you buy those ahead of time? I don't have any instructions from my surgeon on this. I guess I will have to ask.[/quote']

Yes ask your surgeon. In fact, just ask if you can get them in duplicate in the hospital. That's what mine did so I had two.

I had breast lift and arm lift on Friday - The clothes I have been HUGE! I wore a calf length maxi dress strapless to the hospital and that was perfect for coming home. I put a wide scarf around my shoulders and off I went. I have been wearing a zip up robe,cover up when I am home and clipping the drains around the top of my panties, this worked well and was comfortable. Now that drains are out I am back to wearing maxi dresses and they are working great. Pulling up the dress to go pee was easier then pulling down sweatpants or shorts, and nobody had to help me.The ice packs the first couple of days made me feel wonderful also. hope this helped!!