Two weeks from Plastics - progress so far

[CowgirlJane 14,260]

I don't know how much longer on the last drain... it is the big one draining the area of the front part of the lift. The output is still about 70 and they don't get removed until they drop to 40 a day. I am guessing it might be as long as another week... but good heavens i hope not!

I have 4 more weeks of the torture garments and 4 more weeks of very limited activity. After that I can start activity/exercise slowly... I am cleared for everything once I hit 8 weeks out (6 weeks from now) but I have talked to alot of people with plastics and know that I am in a risky time for "overdoing it". Risks of issues like seronomas etc are obviously higher when you have multiple procedures done at once and the key is to just take it easy and wear those tight garments.

Sassy, i think your results are amazing. For some reason I can't access the photos right now, but i saw them before. One of the reasons I went for the "so much at once" was that I just can't take extended periods off from work over and over again. Plastics are about tradeoffs...

[azjanie 43]

You look great and give me hope when I get to the point I will have to do my plastics all at once or wait a year In between so I can you my summer for recouping (I am a teacher)

[sanks51 214]

Wow Jane, your results are amazing. Thank you for sharing the pictures with us. It hardly looks like you have any swelling.. Absolutely fantastic!

[jgirl75 156]

You look amazing! This summer you will definitely be rocking the short shorts and bikini!

[indecision 863]

Jane you look amazing! Congrats to you!

[Globetrotter 1,340]

Can we see a picture of you in the garments from hades? I hear so much about them that I am curious ...

At first I thought, "oh I don't really see a difference before and after" Then I looked at the before pics!!!!! WOAH!! Your arms make me want to weep with hope, all I want is to be able to wear something sleeveless with dignity and to wear pants without the humiliating front butt.

[HoosierGirl 780]

Thank you for all the photos and details. I am not sure if "transformation" is a strong enough word to capture your breathtaking changes! Simply stunning! Hope your recovery continues to go well. You have me motivated to get my plastics scheduled!

[sarsar 824]

Thanks so much for sharing these pics! Absolutely amazing! You look so good! So happy for you!

[loseitsoon 157]

You look great! Thanks so much for posting, you are making me feel better about getting my TT next summer!

[CowgirlJane 14,260]

Thanks everyone. I slipped on a close fitting "going out" dress after my shower (ie no compression garment) that I normally would only wear with Spanx level support... you have no idea how happy I was to not see that shadow of a belly that hung over my thighs not showing through. I was delighted with my body before plastics and now feel even better. It is a confidence boost but more then that, it feels like this is how it should be... this is the real me.

However, recovery is not a barrel of laughs. It isn't pain, it is the tired, and the inactivity... and the garments from Hades.

***GRAPHIC PHOTO WARNING - DON'T LOOK IF YOU ARE SQUEAMISH

So Globe, are you jealous of my sexy underwear? Do you like how I have accessorized with the lanyard holding the drain? It's pretty freakish really, but quite temporary.... 4 weeks to go...not like I am counting...

Okay, the "bra" is like a matador jacket. Tight. The "bottoms" are lovely just above the knee length and give the butt a most unappealing shape. There is a convenient opening that i have covered with undies for photographic purposes only. It is unreal tight, especially the waist and upper waist. It overlaps with the "Bra" right at the bottom of the ribcage to create a situation that at times is unbearable and I have to unhook the top 2 notches if I have swollen at all.

[No game 14,437]

Lol! I like the lanyard idea much better than the fanny pack one Those garments are straight out of hell you are right! That looks so uncomfortable how long again do you have to weera those? I bet they are so hard to put on...

Edited October 31, 2013 by laura-ven

[Fixerupper 335]

Amazing! Thank you for sharing!

[gamergirl 4,610]

Thanks everyone. I slipped on a close fitting "going out" dress after my shower (ie no compression garment) that I normally would only wear with Spanx level support... you have no idea how happy I was to not see that shadow of a belly that hung over my thighs not showing through. I was delighted with my body before plastics and now feel even better. It is a confidence boost but more then that' date=' it feels like this is how it should be... this is the real me. However, recovery is not a barrel of laughs. It isn't pain, it is the tired, and the inactivity... and the garments from Hades. ***GRAPHIC PHOTO WARNING - DON'T LOOK IF YOU ARE SQUEAMISH So Globe, are you jealous of my sexy underwear? Do you like how I have accessorized with the lanyard holding the drain? It's pretty freakish really, but quite temporary.... 4 weeks to go...not like I am counting... Okay, the "bra" is like a matador jacket. Tight. The "bottoms" are lovely just above the knee length and give the butt a most unappealing shape. There is a convenient opening that i have covered with undies for photographic purposes only. It is unreal tight, especially the waist and upper waist. It overlaps with the "Bra" right at the bottom of the ribcage to create a situation that at times is unbearable and I have to unhook the top 2 notches if I have swollen at all. [/quote']

How the heck do you get all this on by yourself??

[Sweet Pee 349]

You look amazing!! Yahoo to plastic surgery!!!

[CowgirlJane 14,260]

Well, the garments have hooks, zippers etc, but it definately requires an assistant. i hear that at some point I will be able to do it myself, but I cannot visualize that yet. It was much harder when I had the arm drains in - took 2-3 people then so that was part of the excellent care at the clinic...it was really hard to do with all the drains and early days after the surgery.

It is the center of my day... the "regarmenting" after the shower.

My thin Irish skin can't take the fabric too well so I wear a thin shirt under it to avoid skin rashes. yeah, it's fun! But, my PCP reminded me yesterday that this is how you get the great results. Follow the instructions, wear the torture garments, don't over do it. Part of the task of the garment is keeping the swelling down, but the big thing it does is stabilize everything while the skin and fascia and everything reattach - the internal healing. I kinda like that hourglass figure I seem to have going on so I am fully compliant with wearing the dang thing except for about an hour a day in hopes that I end up with excellent results.

BTW, I was going to have my PCP remove my stitches but we judged it to be a 1-2 hour job and I felt I would be more comfortable doing it over multiple sessions. She sent me home with a loaner set of sterile instruments - and my support person is doing it - what a great PCP is THAT? We will go back if we have any problems but basically plan to start working on them this weekend.