3 days out and miserable,

Like everyone else has said, PROTEIN, and take those pain meds , like Jody said, I also used my alarm clock to take my meds, and I would take them an hour sooner before they could wear off toooo quickly.

It really does get better, the first 3 -4 days seems to be the worst time frame, but honestly it will improve, just allow yourself time to heal. I didn't have a bad time with it, just with the itchies. I am a preschool teacher, and I go back to work tomorrow (it'll put me at 5 weeks post op), and I increased my stamina little by little each week. This past Friday I did 1 hr. on the thread mill, and saturday & sunday I walked 4 miles. I know tomorrow will be a different activity level, so I plan to take a nap after I get home from work.

When the time comes to lay down on your side use a pillow to do it on, it will help support your hip area immensly! I couldn't do that until the end of week 3.

How many drains did they send you home with?
Carmen

I also set an alarm at night to take pain meds.  I had a walker to help me stroll around with, although that didn't happen til about day 4.  Day 5 I could walk a LITTLE bit, hubby wanted to stop @ a store on the way home from Houston so we did, I needed to move around some anyway.  I made it, slowly, to the back of the store & sat in a lawnchair they had out w/the tents while he looked back there.  then I waddled back up front.  I don't know what all you had done, I had hernia repair, butt aug, LBL & thigh lift.  The thighs were the sorest along w/the stomach muscles.

Eating was none.  I just had NO appetite at all!  I would eat 1/2 a yogurt w/my pain meds.  On day 4 I actually finally nursed on a can of chicken noodle soup all day, which the sodium probably wasn't good.  I would munch on some crackers occasionally.  I would wake up in the night in dyer pain from gas pains tho!  It was horrible.  I lost 20 lbs roughly throughout the not eating & the skin removal (8 lbs from tummy).  I never really swelled too much.

I went back to work @ 2 weeks but I have a desk job.  The girls I work with were VERY excited for me & very helpful.  3 weeks, I have to admit, would have been great.....but I survived.  Just give yourself some time to heal & DON'T rush things!  Each day from day 4 & on got alot better.  I couldn't bend over & get stuff off the floor for several weeks

Wow, all great comments and responses. I'm def gonna try the alarm clock. I had asked for the whole month of August off. Dr. told me I can go 4 weeks without my duty gear but 5 would be better. So I'm going back to work Sept 1st but this will be 2 and half weeks of desk duty so I'll be off for a total of 5 weeks before I go back full duty. If I need more I'm sure I can get more days off.
Thanks for all the responses. I know right now its really hard right now, so I'm gonna take at easy and relax for the next few days.

Yeah, I had muscle repair done and I think that's the main reason I'm hurting so bad. Hopefully the pain will get better within the next few days. I didn't realize how much we actually use our stomach muscles until now.

By day 4 I was able to get down on the floor and change my toddler pampers, since I could not pick her up, I had to get to her level. I'm only 12 days out, and have to say I'm still sore, but can almost stand perfectly straight up. Right after surgery I was standing up really well, but a couple of days later kinda looked like a big ol sloth! lol

Take care

Wow, 12 days out. I'm not too far from that, so I have something to look forward to. I'm on my 4th day out today and noticed the pain has been a little less than what it was yesterday. Thanks for the response.

I hope you feel better.  Mine's tomorrow (TT & LBL) and I'm freaking out! (I haven't had childen either lol...  just WLS)  I'm a total wimp when it comes to pain and it's really helpful to hear about other people's experience. There seems to be no rhyme or reason - everyone's totally different.  Great picture BTW!

Thanks. I really was not nervous or scared going in. When they were prepping me on the table I knew any second I was going under. I felt a burning sensation in my arm and knew I only had a few seconds left before going under. I remember them talking to me about my job and then waking up in the recovery, it was over just like that!

You will do great. I think metally and physically the roughest so far for me have been days 2-3. But I woke up today feeling better, there was less pain then yesterday and I was able to get up by myself and move around a little better and a little longer. It's true everyone is different, but for the most part it seems to be similar across the board. Good luck and keep us posted.

Hey there,

It does get better each day, BUT while you are focused on your pain right now......start taking your laxative/stool softeners now each and every time you take your pain meds.  Trust me, if you think those stomach muscles hurt now, you DO NOT want to have any issues when you do start to eat.  It was the best advice I got. 

While I didn't have too much pain with the TT and muscle tightening, coughing or straining would have made it so much worse.  So start those "helping pills" now.

Goodluck, it's SOOO gonna be worth it.

Thanks, I will def keep that in mind. I have actually been thinking about that. I have not really been hungry, ut I know I have to eat, so I am going back to the basics. Jell-o, yogurt, mashed potatoes, just sticking to the soft foods. Thanks for the reply.

There is one thing that constantly plays in my mind and its tattoo'ed on me"NO PAIN IS FOREVER". I promise it will get better..slow and steady wins the race. No rush to do anything(coming from a person that cant stay still). Like everyone has said..rest, pain meds,eat right and thats about all you should do. Another tattoo of mines say "NO REGRETS" you deserve this physical change, enbrace it and just get ready for all the good thats about to come your way. It will get better PROMISE!!! Remember PURPOSE over PROCESS!
Be Blessed and I wish you a speedy recovery!!

K.Free