LBL questions

Hello,

I had a LBL with inner thigh lipo on June 5.  Here's my experience so far:

• How long after LBL did you comfortably wear pants? - Almost right away and I was able to wear both drawstring sweats and button up jeans, but wearing a nightgown while in the house and a sundress to go out was easier.  Especially in the house.  Think "easier to go to the bathroom" if you don't have to worry about getting pants down. 

• What about skirts (elastic waist) would they be comfortable or would the waist irritate me all day? - I didn't have any irritation.  If your doc uses a binder, you won't even feel it against your skin. 

• For hanging out around while recovering, will I want some sweats or pj pants in a size or two larger than I am now, just for comfort?- I was able to wear existing pants.  Keep in mind the binder/compression garments will help with swelling a bit, even if you do swell some.  Swelling experience varies but I had minimal and never had a problem fitting into pants (in fact they were too big)

• When you do swell, are you larger than you were pre-surgery? - I wasn't

• Any other post-surgical clothing thoughts or suggestions? - Consider going "commando" under your nightgown the first few days of recovery.  May sound scandalous (eeek!!) but you are a little numb down there and sometimes the need to pee doesn't present itself until you REALLY have to pee.  Then getting to the bathroom is slow going and even bending to sit on the commode was causing me to lose control of my bladder. After peeing thru about a 1/2 dozen undies, I went commando.  And even times, I resorted to straddling the commode and peeing standing up.  (Sorry if that is TMI but if it happens to you, know that you aren't alone)

I actually had what I would consider to be a very easy recovery.  Minimal swelling, almost no pain.  My mobility was very limited the first week and it was difficult to get up and down off of the couch and even the commode.  It was almost like I lost control of my lower half for a while. I wanted to make my abs contract to get up off the chair, but they just wouldn't cooperate.   I used my arms and legs alot.  (Who would have thought that all those squats I did with my trainer would come in so handy!)   So dress accordingly.  Know you aren't going to be in the mood to go out in public for the firs week.  After you get at least some of your drains out (for me that was at my 1 week follow up) you will begin to feel more human.  That first week though, nightgowns/long t shirts/sundresses are the way to go.  Oh and slip on shoes. 

Good luck to you!