Ok be frank and honest about PAIN

I am having abdominalplasty next Tuesday and want to know about the PAIN, I have had 3 c-sections and open VBG with gall bladder removal, does this compare?
I really want to know what to expect, I will not be staying over night in the hospital I will be coming home afterwards, did you stay in the hospital or go straigt home? Just trying to mentally prepare!
Thanks so much!!

Hi! I had a TT with muscle tightening and lipo suction 7 weeks ago.  I went home the same day. My surgery was at 8, it lasted 3 hours and I was home by 2.  Sleeping in a recliner is a must for a few days.  I'm going to be honest.  It hurt like a ***** day 2 and 3, then I was fine.  I couldn't stand fully upright for about a week because my stomach was so tight.  I thought the drain was a pain in the ass. I ended up with mine for 9 days. I feel fantastic and having a flat stomach is THE BEST feeling on the planet.  I'm having my arms done next week and a revision on both hips. I can't wait to have this behind me as well.  You'll do great, just take your pain pills and rest. I went back to work in 2 weeks.  Best of luck! :D Lou

I had an LBL & Brachio so since my surgery was about 8 hours they did keep me overnight in the hospital. I actually stayed 2 nights because I had an issue w/ nausea and passed out due to the meds for that. Other than that I was very surprised @ how little pain I had. I was up and walking the neighborhood within a few days and almost walking upright at about 10 days out. The worst pain I has was if I had to sneeze or when I threw up in the hospital due to the muscle tightening. Other than when I went to bed I was off pain meds at 4 or 5 days out.

Good luck to you.

Sonya

Sonya, how was the brachio?  Did you have much pain with that.  I've been wondering about sleeping and not laying on my arms.  That incision just looks like its going to hurt.  Also do you think I'll be ok to drag my luggage threw the airport at two weeks out?  Sorry to hijack your thread.... Thanks! Lou

I had very little pain w/ the brachio and was able to pretty much use my arms right away. My fingers were pretty swollen for the first few days but didn't keep me from using the computer. I started to ache just a bit a few days out on my right side but figured out it's because everything was on my right and I was over using my arm. I then evened things out and had not problem. Probably the worst was the incision in my arm pit because the compression garment seam layed right on the incision. Took just a few days to get used to that.

I had no problem sleeping and even used my arms a little to help get into a more seated position (mostly my elbows). You'll just want to make sure you you don't lift too much weight or reach for things too far over your head. My thought on dragging a suitcase may be a little difficult. You don't want it to be too heavy but the arm extension you'll have as you drag it behind you may be a little much.

 

I had a LBL and BL.  I found the LBL hurt way worse then I expected where the BL didnt hurt at all until the nerves started growing back 2 weeks post op.  But the pain from teh LBL faded much quicker then I expected too.  I had complications a little over a week out and that was much more painful, still is.  Before the compliactions I got off the pain meds like at day 5 (I spilled almost half my vicoden syrup so I ran out quickly but didnt find I needed more then tylenol and ibuprofen).  I find wearing compression really helps with the pain.  I was out of it for several days due to drains and my pain got much better once I got in it.  So if they give you compression, wear it!

No idea how to compare, never had an open procedure or a c-section. 

The drains are the worst part.  Once those are out, its alot better.  Someone has to invent a better way to do the drains.  One good tip is for showers or dressing, wear a ribbon or lanyard and clip them to it.  Makes showering or moving around naked ALOT easier then juggling them.

I had a lbl and ba/bl. I had the pain pump in my abdomen while I was in the hospital and it was removed right before I went home. I was on Vicodin a few days and Tylenol a few more days after that.

Honestly, my c-sections were harder for me to recuperate from than the plastics. I was in much better shape, cardio wise, since I'd been exercising so much before my plastics than I was with my c-sections.

I did stay two nights in the hospital which I think made it easier for me when I was discharged. The worst for me was getting all the anesthesia out of my system. I was surprised at how tolerable the pain level was.

 I can honestly say the(lap) gall bladder was much more painful than a lower body lift. I took my pain pills around the clock the first week just to be safe but haven't needed them really since then. It more of an uncomfortable feeling than pain. It kinda burns but not enough to interfere. I stayed one night because I had a three and half hour drive home. The drains are annoying but do not really hurt. It was more of a mental thing with me. Everyone reacts differently but expect to have some pain.

As you can see, pain is extremely subjective. So many different perspectives.

To give you an idea of where I am coming from: I had natural childbirth. I've had my WLS plus two additional abdominal surgeries for  "complications".

My extended TT, lipo, scar revision and breast lift was BY FAR the most painful of all those experiences. Unlike most, the worse time for me was NOT the immediate post op period; as a matter of fact, I took nothing for pain while in the surgery center but did take my pain meds pretty consistently when at home so I wouldn't be afraid to move around.

The worse time for me started at about 2 weeks post op, when MUSCLE SPASMS started. Wish I had thought to ask for a muscle relaxant, but I didn't. So just be aware that these spasms CAN happen; don't be afraid to ask for muscle relaxant if you experience them.

I am still, at 5 months post op, not 100% comfortable. I cannot sleep on my stomach, which is my preferred position for sleeping. I think when I can finally do that I will be "happy". Oh, and when the damn SWELLING stops!

Good luck.

Oh god I had a couple when I was 2 weeks post op.  Those were intense.  I was back in the hospital when I had one and the nurse seemed completely perplexed.  I am glad to hear I am not the only one who had them, but sorry you had them.  Fingers crossed I am done with them.