Experience with Tummy-Tuck anyone?

[limewave]

Update #2: 1 Week Pre-Op

Yesterday I had my pre-op appointment with the surgeon. For some reason this appt. has been causing me a ton of stress and anxiety which I processed in the form of an impromptu, completely unpremeditated, kitchen remodel. Sunday night my husband asked me something about the surgery which sent my conscious running into the deep maze of my brain. A moment later I returned to myself and said to DH "What if we were to take down this wall and add a pantry here?" That is how I deal with stress: avoidance and redirect.

With DH yielding a wrench and I a sledgehammer, we made a rainstorm of plaster and wood splinters in our dining room. All while the kids slept peacefully in the rooms next door.

Onto the appointment: A nurse took me first thing to a room for "before" photos. There were some nurses-in-training shadowing her that day which meant I had an audience. This was embarrassing and humiliating. I knew this would be part of the process so I sucked it up, but I was taken-aback by how ashamed I felt

After that DH and I met with the surgeon. She did a great job of alleviating my concerns and I am now feeling much better about the process. Tomorrow I will need to go in for some blood work. Otherwise there is very little surgery-prep. The only thing of note was to stop taking my vitamins and supplements a week prior (today) and no food or drink after midnight before the surgery.

Post-surgery I will need to sleep in a sitting position and walk bent over for a week. After that I should be able to start walking upright. I can't drive while I am on the prescription pain medication. The doctor indicated that it can be anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks--depends on the individual. It looks like it will be 6-8 weeks before I can start running and exercising regularly--easing back into it. I'm thinking that it may be possible to start spinning easy after 2-3 weeks, depending on how recovery goes.

The brachioplasty--arm surgery--sounds like it is a "walk-in-the-park" comparatively. I should regain full-use of my arms after just 2 days.

That is all for now! Meanwhile I am up to my ears in a kitchen-remodel and trying to get everything at work wrapped up nicely before my 3-weeks off.

[Crankin]

Good luck, Limewave. I will be interested to hear about your progress.

[emily_in_nc]

Good luck, Limewave. I will be interested to hear about your progress.

Ditto. I have a good friend who had a tummy tuck and has been nothing but pleased with her results. It was a slow recovery, but she looks and feels amazing now!

[OakLeaf]

Nothing like reducing your stress level before the surgery! Good luck.

[limewave]

I should have taken before pictures of the kitchen. Then I would have simultaneous before and after photos of myself and our remodel! Alas, the kitchen remodel was so spontaneous that it never occurred to me to take before photos. I'm kind of bummed I didn't think to do that.

[limewave]

. . . . . tomrrow

kitchen update: I think I am going to go with concrete countertops!

[tulip]

. . . . . tomrrow

kitchen update: I think I am going to go with concrete countertops!

I have concrete countertops. They are great. If you do them yourself (not you, in your condition, of course)...if your husband and a buddy do them themselves, then the cost is lowered considerably.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[OakLeaf]

I'll be thinking of you. Hope everything goes smoothly!

[Crankin]

Good luck, Limewave!

[Wahine]

Good luck Limewave. I'm looking forward to hearing how it goes.

[TrekDianna]

Good Luck Limewave. I can't wait to hear about it and see how it goes.

[Owlie]

Fingers crossed for you!

[zoom-zoom]

. . . . . tomrrow

kitchen update: I think I am going to go with concrete countertops!

Best of luck to you through surgery and recovery -- may it be speedy!!

If/when we redo our countertops concrete tops our list.

[Pax]

Here's hoping the surgery is quick and easy.

[limewave]

Home from the hospital. Surgery went well but I was very nauseated afterwards. My stomach feels like I did a million crunches. I haven't looked at my belly yet--I'm so nervous! Thank you for all the get-well wishes!