What can I expect?

Tomorrow I go for my tummy tuck, and I think I am more nervous for this than I was for the RNY.  That is wierd.   But for those who have had a tummy tuck, what can I expect in terms of when I will be moving around good again.  How long before I can anticipate feeling good enough to kickbox again, or other strenuous type things.   I know that I cannot do them for 4-6 week per the doctor, but how long before I would feel well enough to do them?  How long before I can be up cooking and just the day to day kind of stuff?   On a scale from 1-10, what can I expect the pain to be, and for how long?   Any insight you might have as to the recovery period, I would appreciate.   Thank you.   Carol

Hi Carol A lot depends on what kind of incision you will have. I have an anchor (breastbone to pubic bone & hip to hip) I'm just over 4 weeks from mine (Dr. DiNick/Barix-Ypsi) and this last week is the first that I really feel good.   Weeks 1-2 of course are by far the hardest. For me the cough from my allergies just about did me in.. YIKES!!  But in general just moving around and geting used to doing your daily hygiene emptying drains etc is daunting work! (Needed pain meds in the afternoon and at bedtime)  Week 3 I noticed if I was up doing too much or lifting (oops hard not to pick up my grand baby boys) I'd pay for it. You'll just know wher your limits are...nobody has to tell you****ep telling my family that!!)    The only thing I notice today (at 4 ½ wks

 

), my endurance is still not there yet. By the end of the day I'm beat. (wearing this compression garment 24/7 in this heat doesn't help I guess...But I'm not complaining. Every day gets better.  The past few nights I actually slept on my side !! I've made sure to up my protein for better healing, and my incision today is a pencil thin line. Good thoughts to you Denise

Are you sure you want to know this?  I don't know about kickboxing, but it was a good 2 months before I felt anything resembling "normal".  I had a drain in for 5 weeks.  As for pain, I would put it at about a 9 for the first few weeks.  However, I don't have a very good pain tolerance.  My best advice is to take the pain medicine they give you and expect to be totally out of commission from day to day activities for at least 2 weeks. Jon

Thanks to you both Jon and Denise.  I find your descriptions very helpful, I will take it day by day, I definitely appreciate your honesty.   Thank you.    Carol

Thanks, this will help me get my brain ready for my TT when the doctor says it's time.  He wants me to wait 6 more months, I don't know if I can.  I will be doing the facelift though, in the next month.

I was back to farting in three hours. It took me 18 hours to pee and beating my kids was about 28 hours later. I took a lot of medication for three weeks and lots of stool softeners. I wore my binder for three weeks all the time and on an off for two more. I went back to Judo in 4 weeks limited. and fixed my door on my car at three weeks. I yelled at my neighbor about her yapping piece of crap dogs the second day and I chopped up said dogs on third. I was cooking and cleaning on the second day cause Terri was mean to me. Take your dope. You know not to chase the pain. You're a nurse so none of this is new just applied to you now. kp

Now I am worried about eating the meat at your supper club Kevin.   That poor dog.  LOL   And I definately cannot imagine Terri being mean to you for NO GOOD REASON.   I will take you advice on the dope, even though that is hard for me to do, even though that is ALWAYS the advice I give to my patients.  Thanks to everybody for the feedback.  It helps more coming from this board, because you have all been on this journey.    Carol

Carol---i had my arms done at the same time.........and they were worse painwise than my tummy.......one thing that ehlped me is renting one of those lift chairs.....so i wasnt struggling so to get up and down from the chair......you are darned sore....much sorer than the rny........i needed pain meds but more for the arms than the tummy.  the drains were uncomfortable and a blessing when they were pulled.........you just have to listen to your body like everyone said and take it easy so that you can heal!  good luck, rae