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Countdown to Phase 2 - Nip & Tuck
May 30, 2011
5 1/2 weeks ago I had a breast lift and tummy tuck as Phase 1 of my nip & tuck journey and had planned to have Phase 2 around about now - however since I had a large amount of bleeding during my surgery resulting in reduced iron levels - I postponed Phase 2 for a couple of weeks to allow myself a bit more time to recovery.This morning I got confirmation that my blood levels are fine for Phase 2 surgery and so on 12th June I have an inner thigh lift and arm lift planned. My pre-op is next Thursday - mainly to sign the consents and also to discuss again with the surgeon that I want radical work and am prepared to cope with scars v's excess fat & skin. I think he's fine with that - it's just that I think he wants to make sure that I am fully prepared to accept the extent of scars that I'm facing. I've done lots of research, seen lots of pictures of before's and afters - and know what I am facing in terms of scars (I've even watched video's on UTube so know what to expect in terms of the actual surgery!). I want to get rid of the excess fat and skin and can more than deal with the scars as a fair trade off. In particular I'm hoping that both surgeries will mean that I feel more comfortable when I am running and doing exercise as well as fitting into my clothes without excess skin flapping around as a constant reminder of my heavy past.
In terms of the recovery, I'm not completely sure what to expect - there are so many different views out there regarding levels of pain and recovery - some say no big deal for the arms (except the first few days) - others that the thighs are the worse thing ever (my surgeon says it will be ok and no worse than phase 1 - but although he does the surgeries - he's never had it done himself to fully comment !). I am expecting not to be able to do much for the first week (which i hate) and then it should improve. I'm thinking it will be a slightly harder recovery than my breasts and tummy because of the length and positions of the scars and just in terms of general mobility. I'm guessing the wounds might take a bit longer to heal because of the position of them and the fact that it will be easy to put the scars under tension - particularly as all of our furniture tends to be quite low down including my bed and recliner. No doubt I'll blog about it and let you know !
Phase 1 Update :
Yesterday was the first day that I went without my compression garment during the day-time. My surgeon has you stay in it for 24/7 for the first month and then 12 hours a day afterwards. I've always felt a bit vulnerable without it - but yesterday I didn't wear it around the house for the whole day and felt ok. I did swell up and feel uncomfortable but not too badly. I think my new routine will be to put my compression garment and silicon tape on at about 8pm and then wear it overnight for 12 hours and then go without with either a binder on or no support depending on what I am doing during the daytime. Anyway, that's all short-term as my surgeon uses compression garments my phase 2 surgerie so I will be back in a compression top/sleeves and tummy/thighs again soon so will enjoy my time not wearing my compression garment whilst I can.
My scars are all healed up now (finally), so i'm working in earnest with the silicon tape and also a scar reducing cream during the daytime plus arnica on my tummy and hips as I still have a tiny bit of visible bruising and since I'm completely hard under the skin must have a lot of bruising/swelling etc underneath - it seems to follow the line of where he did the muscle repair so that makes sense. Not sure if arnica works/doesn't work - but hey - it's got to be worth a try.
I was also cleared for driving this weekend which is good as I have my freedom back (well until the 12th then it all stops again !). I think it came at just about the right time as I was beginning to get a bit stir crazy - there's only so much reading and watching the TV you can do before you go a bit mad - or become completely addicted to trash TV !
I have a conservative surgeon who says no driving for a month whom I trust explicitly - so I stuck it out and followed his plan to the letter - I can't see the point of having surgery and then not following his plan (after all he does this day in/day out) - plus I'm quite a compliant follower of rules !
Foodwise I'm doing ok with eating some more carbs - the scales jumped up 8lbs overnight a few days ago !! - I'm guessing that has got to be mainly water - so am not worrying too much. It's weird - clothes fits me better even though the inches are not really any different than before my nip & tuck - but I expect them to drop as the swelling goes down. I still can't get over how small I'm going to be in terms of my final dress size - I'll be wearing clothese sizes that I've never worn before as an adult - even my gym kit which was quite fitted is now flapping on me (not that I should be wearing it as I'm not cleared for exercise & I am SO MISSING IT !)
Am still working on my protein - trying to get 150g's per day - it's doable but challenging sometimes as it feels like I'm constantly eating/snacking ! - but if it helps my recover then it's all good - thank heavens for Isopure which gives 40g's in one drink (it's not the nicest of drinks but it's completely doable).
Have finally stopped taking my iron pills which is good as I didn't like taking them at all - but needs must !
Anyway, enough of my rambling - off to watch some more daytime TV !
