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Enterprise01's Brachioplasty with Liposuction

enterprise01

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JulieNYC    4

JulieNYC
Posted

I called my mom right away and she's flying in from Atlanta on Nov 26 and will stay with me for about 10 days. Julie, if you are reading this, do you think 10 days is enough or should I ask my mom to stay longer? Also, do you have any advice on things to beware, things you didn't expect, or things you wish you had thought of before the surgery? I bought a pillow for under my knees because I figure I'll have to sleep on my back for at least 2 weeks. I'm a side sleeper, so that will be tough for me. Should I buy some shirts that button up the front or will I be able to pull shirts over my head without any problem? How did you do with the drains? Dr. Heller said that the drains could be in for 2 days or 2 weeks. Will I be able to hide the drains sufficiently with a cardigan sweater? Any advice would be appreciated.

10 days will be more than plenty. I'm only 10 days out now and I've been fully functional for 4 days, even with the leg surgery at the same time. I seriously think 4 days would be plenty, so you'll have a good visit wiht your Mom.

I'm a side sleeper too. I slept on my side for the first time last night. I had to sleep on my back until last night when I could finally make it work.

I wore a zip up sweatshirt home from the hospital. Once I was home I was comfortable stretching in and out of a sleeveless men's t-shirt (what I would call a "wife beater" -- I don't know what the real term for them is!).

I had pinrose drains that stayed in 2 days (or maybe it was 3). They were easily covered by a sweater -- they're under the bandages. If you have full drains (Jackson Pratt) -- which I don't think is done, but I'm not absolutely sure -- the wouldn't be covered in a sweater, you'd just have to wear something loose and deal with it until they're gone. They would have fit in a sweatshirt but not a sweater. I feel sure you'll have pinrose drains that will fit in a sweater and are no big deal at all.

The arms really don't hurt, in my experience. They sting if I stretch them in the wrong way, but they really don't hurt. As for the size, even with the bandages, they're smaller than they were with the skin, so all my clothes fit. Even my size 4P Ann Taylor jackets fit, bandages and all :) Nothing to worry about.

I predict it will go much easier than you fear. Are you having heavy sedation or full-blown general anesthesia? Dad does it under sedation if all he's doing is arms. That would make it an even easier recovery, if you're a candidate to avoid general!

Best of luck.

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enterprise01    0

enterprise01
Posted

10 days will be more than plenty. I'm only 10 days out now and I've been fully functional for 4 days, even with the leg surgery at the same time. I seriously think 4 days would be plenty, so you'll have a good visit with your Mom.

Good, maybe we can get some shopping done while she's here. I don't get to see her often, so I'm hoping we'll have plenty of quality time.

I'm a side sleeper too. I slept on my side for the first time last night. I had to sleep on my back until last night when I could finally make it work.

This is going to be tough for me. sleeping on my back is also uncomfortable because it seems to invite my 4 cats to sleep on top of me. And the 20 lb cat almost crushes me when she sits on my chest. I need to get some Ambien.

....As for the size, even with the bandages, they're smaller than they were with the skin, so all my clothes fit. Even my size 4P Ann Taylor jackets fit, bandages and all :) Nothing to worry about.

That's what I was hoping. I'll have to go into the office within a couple of days and don't want everyone to notice.

I predict it will go much easier than you fear. Are you having heavy sedation or full-blown general anesthesia? Dad does it under sedation if all he's doing is arms. That would make it an even easier recovery, if you're a candidate to avoid general!

Best of luck.

I think they are planning on general anesthesia, but I'm going to ask about heavy sedation. I had Lipo on my thighs and surgery on both feet done under a local without sedation and handled both of those procedures just fine. I think docs prefer the general because they're afraid patients will freak out if they hear what's going on.

I pre-registered at the hospital today and it took 5 hours! Five hours to register for a 2 hour procedure! Well, I won't complain since it's a free surgery. I still don't have a firm date and time and am starting to get anxious about it. Let's hope I hear something soon.

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enterprise01    0

enterprise01
Posted

It's only 8 hours until my brachioplasty. I'm absolutely panicked trying to get caught up on work. I have to get up at 4:30 a.m. and I usually go to bed around 2 or 3 a.m., so that's going to be rough for me. At least I can go back to sleep really soon after that. :D

I'll try to post on Thursday to give you all an update and hopefully some pictures, too. Thanks to everyone for the support. I feel very lucky to have so many friends wishing me well.

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Tulip    0

Tulip
Posted

It's only 8 hours until my brachioplasty. I'm absolutely panicked trying to get caught up on work. I have to get up at 4:30 a.m. and I usually go to bed around 2 or 3 a.m., so that's going to be rough for me. At least I can go back to sleep really soon after that. :D

I'll try to post on Thursday to give you all an update and hopefully some pictures, too. Thanks to everyone for the support. I feel very lucky to have so many friends wishing me well.

Enterprise, didn't know your surgery was this soon! I'll be thinking of you and looking for news from you. Try your best to get some sleep, and let us know how you are doing.

The outcome will be well worth it!

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TheGh0st    9

TheGh0st
Posted

I hope you are in bed by now and trying to get at least a couple hours sleep before your surgery. I'll be saying a prayer for you. Bring us updates as soon as your up to it.

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JulieNYC    4

JulieNYC
Posted

I can't wait to hear all about it, Enterprise! Feel better soon and I'm so glad "mom" is coming to take care of you....

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Go To Topic Listing Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

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