I had my tummy tuck as a separate procedure (about 15 months after arms/breast lift).

I had rented a remote control recliner that reclined all the way back and a bit past 'forward' to help me get up.

I had out-patient surgery -- and was home by late afternoon.  I napped in the chair for a few hours and then had my husband's help in getting up and walking to the bathroom.  I had a pain pump attached to me -- no drains.

It was easier to squat in the bathroom than I expected it to be -- there was so much anesthetic in my incision that I did not feel any pain in the abdominal area.

The next day, I got up and went to the bathroom by myself -- husband was home and was available, but I was walking on my own.  I used my 'walking stick' to help balance myself when I first stood up.

I went back to the doctor that day and had my dressings changed --- and saw my flat stomach for the first time -- it was very emotional.

I did not drive myself for about a week --- I was still using my pain meds to sleep for the whole first week, and wanted to be off them for 24 hours before I drove.  I didn't really have anywhere to go.

Overall, my recovery was good -- my tummy tuck was on a Thursday -- Friday was my first follow -up --- I took the next week off from work (so 7 work days total) -- I went back to the surgeon that next Monday and we cleared to return to work full time.

Even after I stopped the compression full time, I found that by mid afternoon I felt 'heavy' and the binder helped me feel better

I wore spanx or control top hose or binder at least a few hours a day for several months.

As part of my tummy tuck, I got a brand new belly button.

I thought that if you were only getting a panniculectomy it was common to lose the belly button, but with a fully tuck, you should have one reconstructed if you need it.

Personally, I would insist on a belly button or see another surgeon for a second or third opinion.

I had to 

pay the surgeon a week before surgery and I had to pay the surgical center the day of surgery BEFORE the procedure.

They

 Would not bill me.

I put it on a card so if pull get the reward points.

I lowered my pain meds by taking Benadryl with them ...it helped me sleep and extended the 

life of the pain med.

It was suggested by my surgeon and worked very well for me.

I was upright from the day after surgery.

The nurses commented on it at my post op appointment.  I didn't know any better or I would have hunched over...LOL

i bought some men's tank style t shirts that are really long and wore them under my binder and then sweat pants and t-shirts over that.

i work from home, so it is just me and the dog ..... She doesn't care what I look like as long as I have treats!!!

I agree with strengthening your core as much as possible.

A few months before my tummy tuck I got a 'ball chair' at Target -- it is a large exercise ball that sits into a frame (about 79.00) and when I had my surgery, my surgeon told me that I had the tightest ab muscles he has seen in 25 years of cutting.  He had to do very little reconstructive work.

He is also a big proponent of fresh pineapple in the 2 days before surgery ---- says that it has an enzyme in it that helps with swelling and bruising.

I took a Benadryl with my pain meds and it helped me sleep for several hours .... When I woke up it was long enough to take more if I needed it.

I would also add that those pain meds tend to make me a bit itchy (mild reaction) -- so my surgeon suggested a benadryl right before I take them --- it helps me sleep and extends the 'life' of the pain meds

So -- I was prescribed 1 - 2 Percocet every 4 - 6 hours and with the benadryl, I was able to take 1 Percocet every 6 hours and stay ahead of the pain and nap throughout the day ---- at least at the beginning.

Later on, when I wanted to be more alert, I would take extra strength Tylenol during the day and then the benadryl/pain med at night just to sleep.

Congrats on having a surgery date!!!!

Tummy tuck with muscle tightening and mons lift on a Thursday.  I took 7 work days and returned the second Monday after my procedure.

i do Project Management from home, so was able to take a short nap at lunch time each day when I needed to.

To be honest, they bill surgical suites and anesthesia by the minute, by the procedure.

so, you might get a discount for having 2 procedures consecutively, there would have been additions for the extra procedures.

my doc offers about 10% discount to combine procedures.

I did not have rashes --- when I had my tummy tuck (not just panniculectomy), and the surgeon lifted the mons, it did make a change in the appearance of my very upper thighs ----

I hope your insurance will help -- I was self pay for my WLS and both of my Plastics --- well worth it, but I understand that not everyone is able to self-pay for reconstructive surgery.