Ok.... so of course I am starting to get VERY nervous about the whole thing. I have done my homework and I am sure I am prepared for what is going to happen.

Any last minute advice on things you might have not felt prepared for??? Before?? During??? After surgery???

Thanks in advance for taking your time to post!!:w00t:

I'll be 6 weeks out tomorrow. I wasn't prepared for just how big of a deal this really is. I'd done my reading and whatnot but I could pretty much do NOTHING but sit for weeks and the whole "why did I do this to myself" was pretty intense for quite some time. I'd say just in the last 10 days or so have I felt myself coming out of that. My emotions have really been up and down but mostly down. I'm now happy I did this but just the feelings of utter uselessness and helplessness for the first several weeks were more than I was anticipating. Also ..the swelling ...I am still dealing with that..majorly. Of course I knew there would be swelling but I had no idea how bad it could be. Also, be prepared to feel like your belly button has been sewn to the back of whatever chair you are sitting in! LOL Took me a while to get used to that. Only other thing I can warn about ..back pain! I didn't expect my back to hurt so much from walking funny but it REALLY did, and still does if I don't wear my second skin (my compression garmet).

Overall ...remember this is MAJOR. Give yourself time and know the emotions that come with this surgery can be pretty overwhelming. But it gets better ...slowly at first. At 6 weeks now I am still moving slowly, tire easily, and swell ALOT ...but I'm starting to see how great I'll look. They took 11 pounds from me during surgery. Oh ...guess I should tell you to be prepared for not fitting into your clothes either. I've only been wearing jeans again for a couple weeks and I can only wear them for a few hours at a time or I'm hurting. I also went up a size for a while too ...but I have now dropped one size from before surgery and think I'll probably drop one more before all is said and done.

It was much harder than I was prepared for ...but in the end I know it'll have been worth it. So, good luck to you ...take it slowly. Can't wait to hear how things go for you.

Susan

=n=n=n=n=n=

Mom To:

Hannah, Logan

Lance,

Hayden,

and the TWINkies

Mason & Morgan

=n=n=n=n=n=

I appreciate your time greatly!!! Thanks for all your words of advice!!!

I agree this surgery kicked my butt!!! so take it easy, your body needs time to recover. Limit your salt to help with swelling, and up your Protein to promote healing.

My back pain was worse then the TT pain in my opinion, I wasn't prepared for that either. I had the back pain for 4 weeks. I had to get muscle relaxers for the back pain, when I was able to use tylenol for the TT after a week.

Your going to love your new tummy, after having a huge belly for years I am still amazed weveryday that this is really me now. Flat belly Kelly!! hehehehe

I was a size 14 because of my big belly, Now I can wear a 10 in most pants. Dresses an 8 or 10.

Your going to be so excited. Best of luck to you!!!

I have followed both of your posts. Thanks for sharing. It is so helpful to hear from other people in the same boat!!!!

I loved my Wedge pillow. And since I was bedridden for almost 5 weeks it became my best friend. :-)

Protein shots (42 grams)helped me get my protein in, as I had no appetite for a few weeks.

What are protein shots???? Where do i get them???

I am 4 days out from a LBL and my gosh does my back hurt. I am so tense that I can feel the muscles contracting. I also had lipo of the inner thighs that was the worse part. Over all I am happy with the new me but I still am real swollen and in pain. I will keep all of you posted.

What are Protein shots???? Where do i get them???

You can get them at GNC, they are called "New-Whey liquid Protein. They have 42 grams of protein and no sugar. they come in a plastic test tube like container.

Or you can order them cheaper from Discounted Bodybuilding, Weightlifting,and Sports Nutrition supplements at Cheap Prices

Kelly

Quenee...Wow... thanks for taking the time to post so early in your recovery!!! Good luck with everything!!! Happy Healing!

Thanks Kelly... I am gonna got some of those shots right now!!

2005....I had a tummy tuck and breast lift at the same time....approx 8 hours of surgery. Removed 16 lbs of skin and fat. My arms were sore, but not my back. I hated the drainage bags, but they are necessary. Just be careful with your movements, ck your incision, and it will be a big one, from side to side. But, so worth it! I was off the pain meds in 3=4 days, I can honestly say I was not in too much discomfort. I drove myself to my next day follow-up appt. Be prepared not to be upright for a bit x 3-4 days!! good luck to you, I felt so much better about myself, and my husband, my honey, was so happy for me too!!:redface: 2007 I had my last child, Caroline....gained advg # of lbs, probably stretched some muscles that they had tighten, but I will soon find out. I have just done the lap-band 21st of this month, wondering how my tummy will look after 30-40 lbs lost. I will wait and see, maybe need a tune -up on the tummy tuck. All my best to you, and congrts to you all your weight loss, deserving of a tummy tuck....cool:tongue2:

Hi Shalee hope your doing better. About the protien shots, I saw them at the East Hill Mall but I hesitated to purchase them because the protein level is so high . . but now that I know someone out there has tried them, how's the taste and which flavor would you recommend.

I am interested in knowing which flavor you liked as well!!:redface:

Did any of you gals buy your own compression garments??? My doc hasn't mentioned this to me... He said I would be wearing one... I am assuming they provide it.

I was thinking about you last nite, remembering about how I slept after the tummy tuck......I was in the recliner, that most comfortable and got most rest. I could not lay flat in bed, and the wedge did not help, especially when you need to get out of bed. Becareful, in and out of bed. recliner was best bet for rest and getting your feet up, circulation.:thumbup:

Thanks again. I plan on spending a good deal of my recovery time in the living room. Luckily, we have a downstairs bathroom as well! :thumbup: