Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Hello All,

I’m on Day 5 post-op of an abdominoplasty (minus the muscle tightening).

I have a few questions for anyone who has done this and can maybe help?

1) My compression feels like I’m stuffing 2 pounds of sausage in a 1 pound casing. Should it BE that tight? Hubby says yes, that he made a point of asking the surgeon and then watching them do it while I was in recovery. My sides feel like they BURN (no incision, just like the skin is being rubbed raw!). I put an old cotton shirt under the compression garment, but it doesn’t feel like it’s helping. Could it be something under the skin that feels like it’s irritated or burning? Anyone feel this before?

2) How long did you feel so sore that you couldn’t sleep? The compression garment doesn’t help. It digs and digs - into my ribs, under my breasts, etc... I feel like I want to claw it into a million pieces!

3) I have drains that need to come out - hopefully Wednesday. I am actually terrified of this. Does it hurt? What is the process like? My surgeon only said, “it takes like 4 seconds and doesn’t hurt.” But I’m reading other people say it does and now I don’t know what the heck to believe.

It’s like the easiest part of this is the actual incision area! That barely hurts. But where the swelling is, where the skin is stretched so tight, where the garment rubs and digs, THAT is what hurts! I’m trying to avoid pain meds, haven’t taken them in a few days, but I’m slowly feeling like I *need* them - just to sleep. And I’m afraid of that feeling. Like I’m dependent.

I’m going on 2 days with like 2 or 3 hours of total sleep. And I feel crazy.

Thanks!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The compression garment is supposed to be tight, and you neeeeeed to wear it. I stopped wearing mine too soon, and had complications that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. It sounds like yours is much tighter than mine, though - it was like a tight girdle or Spanx, but not so intrusive that I couldn’t sleep or that was actually painful. I’d talk to the surgeon’s team about that one. As for the drains, there really is nothing to worry about. It’s a small tugging sensation that lasts a couple of seconds at most, with absolutely no pain.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you! I see the surgeon on Wed, and I’ll be sure to ask him how tightly he wants me bound. There’s got to be a happy middle ground between being stupid and taking it off and this agony. Lololol

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yes, the compression is essential to reduce swelling and avoid a seroma - tight is what you want. I had a compression garment and then also an abdominal binder and still developed a seroma near the "T" in my tummy tuck/FDL.

Honestly, my breast lift/aug was more painful than the Tummy Tuck (I pretty much had total reconstruction - my surgeon said mine were in the worst shape he's seen in 22 years and that I have unusually thick/strong pec muscles which made things even harder). Just keep on that pain medication and make sure you are taking a stool softener/laxative. My first BM post-op literally ripped me apart.

It gets easier and easier! At 5.5 weeks PO I'm feeling about 90%, just wake up sore. It'll absolutely be worth it! 😃

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Mine was tight. Really tight. Swelling will go down. I hated my PS after each surgery. Who said keep eyes on the prize?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@CarmenP The compression should be tight enough that you feel well supported, but not so tight that it is making you so miserable. Certainly not so tight it rubs you raw! Is it a wrap-around abdominal binder that can be adjusted? If not, are you much more swollen than right after surgery? That would be worth mentioning to your dr.

One thought, are you allergic to latex? There is probably latex in the compression garment.

Drains: #1 I AM A WIMP!! Drains being removed were not bad at all, kinda weird feeling, as there was more tube inside than I thought, lol! She just clipped the suture holding it & pulled it out.

As far as sleeping, sounds like it's the compression that's keeping you up, not surgery pain. I hope you are able to adjust the garment you have or get something else so you can get some needed healing sleep.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had a full body compression garment and yes it was insanely tight. I had drains in my neck before and it didn't hurt at all when they pulled them. Not sure about stomach, but if the neck didn't hurt...

Sent from my SM-G930R4 using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I hopeyou get relief from the pain soon, take the meds so you can at least sleep. Keep us posted.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello All,

I’m on Day 5 post-op of an Abdominoplasty (minus the muscle tightening).

I have a few questions for anyone who has done this and can maybe help?

1) My compression feels like I’m stuffing 2 pounds of sausage in a 1 pound casing. Should it BE that tight? Hubby says yes, that he made a point of asking the surgeon and then watching them do it while I was in recovery. My sides feel like they BURN (no incision, just like the skin is being rubbed raw!). I put an old cotton shirt under the compression garment, but it doesn’t feel like it’s helping. Could it be something under the skin that feels like it’s irritated or burning? Anyone feel this before?

2) How long did you feel so sore that you couldn’t sleep? The compression garment doesn’t help. It digs and digs - into my ribs, under my breasts, etc... I feel like I want to claw it into a million pieces!

3) I have drains that need to come out - hopefully Wednesday. I am actually terrified of this. Does it hurt? What is the process like? My surgeon only said, “it takes like 4 seconds and doesn’t hurt.” But I’m reading other people say it does and now I don’t know what the heck to believe.

It’s like the easiest part of this is the actual incision area! That barely hurts. But where the swelling is, where the skin is stretched so tight, where the garment rubs and digs, THAT is what hurts! I’m trying to avoid pain meds, haven’t taken them in a few days, but I’m slowly feeling like I *need* them - just to sleep. And I’m afraid of that feeling. Like I’m dependent.

I’m going on 2 days with like 2 or 3 hours of total sleep. And I feel crazy.

Thanks!
How are you now?

Sent from my SM-A505F using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×