TraTra1001

Hi NurseJenny, I too searched for helpful hints before my surgery and didn't find a whole lot. I am 4 weeks and 1 day out from LBL without the tummy tuck (had that done in 2003). It truly is a 4 -6 week recovery. Day 10 I had wound breakdown (very common) near the groin, bigger on one side than the other and it is healing really well with Silvadine and daily showering/dressing changes. Still VERY swollen around the buttock/hip region and it's painful. Feels like it's bruised. I am still sleeping in the recliner and will move to the couch for a couple hours. I find the mattress to painful. I am just able to put on my own socks. Did some limited grocery shopping yesterday and it wiped me out and have had to stay pretty sedentary today. Drove an hour each way to the doctor this week and that was very exhausting...needed pillows and to adjust the seat as I drove. Put everything you can within your reach. Meds, drinks, things to eat. I could not reach below my knees until the end of week 3. Fill any medications you may need with a full month's supply and stock up with anything else you need for a month. Walker to use as a brace for getting up and for security in getting around High rise toilet seat - I am STILL using it to this day Reacher - you will drop sooo many things (it's comical now, but not when it happened) Running shorts/compression shorts/leggings in multiples (cheap to wear and keep dressing in place). I only had a couple pair of big sweats and had to wash every day until I could get to the store...you will be swollen so I would buy the size you are and one size bigger. Puppy pads/things to sit on, unless you want to wash towels constantly Sock aid (or someone to put them on for you) I didn't have a lift chair, but think that may have been helpful and possibly prevented the wound separation..maybe Laxatives/stool softeners - you can't sit so it is essential that your body function without your help in this area! Unscented maxipads and pantiliners in varying sizes (work great to cover wounds if you need to) Tape to apply the pads (get the best tape available - your skin will appreciate it) Benadryl...I haven't had this reaction before, but I am itchy this time from the anesthetic....and this is still happening.