Brachioplasty...recovery time and pain meds question.
I'm 5 weeks post op.
?1 - they gave me tylenol3 (w/ codine) but it made me sicker than a dog (but yes, got rid of the pain). So my PCP gave me Vicodin - and all was good in the world :-) - WEEEEEeeee!!!!!!!!!! Insider tip - TAKE 2 BENADRYL EVERY NIGHT BEFORE BED! Why you ask? You itch like a mo-fo when the incisions are healing, this keeps you from itching your skin to the bone (and thus causing infections :-)
?2 - No. I had surgery on a thursday. Moved from "observation" to my private hotel room/recovery suite friday morning. I was more than ready to go home when I went home - over 3 hrs away - on Friday morning. My fiance took me to the big Post Exchange that was located 1/2 between the hospital and home (we don't have crap for a PX, so this was a treat) and I was able to walk slowly, not carry ANYTHING and browsed for about an hour (but did stop for a rest and lunch 1/2 way through). Stopping 1/2 way to stretch was nice though.
?3 I didn't drive for 2.5 weeks - ok, I rarely drive anyhow. I just took it totally easy and let him spoil me (told him it was his job since he got new "scenery" haha...My arm mobility wasn't the best at 2.5 weeks though. I started back to work (at least 1/2 time) at 3 weeks but probably could have done full time at 3 weeks. My fiance always drives me to and from work, so that wasn't an issue.. (he works in the next building - LOL). Don't plan on going anywhere by yourself the first couple weeks though.
Cass
?1 - they gave me tylenol3 (w/ codine) but it made me sicker than a dog (but yes, got rid of the pain). So my PCP gave me Vicodin - and all was good in the world :-) - WEEEEEeeee!!!!!!!!!! Insider tip - TAKE 2 BENADRYL EVERY NIGHT BEFORE BED! Why you ask? You itch like a mo-fo when the incisions are healing, this keeps you from itching your skin to the bone (and thus causing infections :-)
?2 - No. I had surgery on a thursday. Moved from "observation" to my private hotel room/recovery suite friday morning. I was more than ready to go home when I went home - over 3 hrs away - on Friday morning. My fiance took me to the big Post Exchange that was located 1/2 between the hospital and home (we don't have crap for a PX, so this was a treat) and I was able to walk slowly, not carry ANYTHING and browsed for about an hour (but did stop for a rest and lunch 1/2 way through). Stopping 1/2 way to stretch was nice though.
?3 I didn't drive for 2.5 weeks - ok, I rarely drive anyhow. I just took it totally easy and let him spoil me (told him it was his job since he got new "scenery" haha...My arm mobility wasn't the best at 2.5 weeks though. I started back to work (at least 1/2 time) at 3 weeks but probably could have done full time at 3 weeks. My fiance always drives me to and from work, so that wasn't an issue.. (he works in the next building - LOL). Don't plan on going anywhere by yourself the first couple weeks though.
Cass
Cass,
Thanks for the heads up on the Benedryl. I've got some on hand and I will put it on the counter (as another poster said to have everything "reachable"). Honestly, there is so much that I have learned from you guys!
It's all a bit scary to me right now, but it is nice knowing I have a "go to" group for questions!
Brooke
Thanks for the heads up on the Benedryl. I've got some on hand and I will put it on the counter (as another poster said to have everything "reachable"). Honestly, there is so much that I have learned from you guys!
It's all a bit scary to me right now, but it is nice knowing I have a "go to" group for questions!
Brooke
I am 5'4" tall
The rest of my surgeries were intensely painful-- the arms not so much. I took Tylenol 3. Could have worked if it was just arms in 2 weeks, although that's about when the enrves work up and there were a few painful days at that time. I would have been fine at the store-- but keep this in mind-- if someone accidentally bumps you-- and everyone will-- you are gonna be very very sorry about that!
"Oh sweet and sour Jesus, that is GOOD!" - Stephen Colbert Lap RNY 7/07-- Lap Gallbladder 5/08--
Emergency Bowel Repair 6/08 -Dr. Meilahn, Temple U. Upper and Lower Bleph/Lower Face Lift 12/08
Fraxel Repair 2/09-- Lower Bleph Re-Do 5/09 -Dr. Pontell, Media PA Mastopexy/Massive
Brachioplasty/ Extended Abdominoplasty (plus Mons Lift and Upper Leg lift) / Hernia Repair
6/24/09 ---Butt Lift and Lateral Thighplasty Scheduled 7/6/10 - Dr. Ivor Kaplan VA Beach
Total Cost: $33,500 Start wt: 368 RNY wt: 300 Goal wt: 150 Current wt: 148.2 BMI: 24.7
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