Recovering from Reduction and Tummy Tuck

I've had both a reduction and a myomectomy but prior to kids. The breast reduction was easy and I was definitely up and about w/i two weeks feeling good. With the myo (which) is like having a C-section) I was out of work for 6 weeks and it was a long, hard recovery. Definitely could not lift anyone that entire time. Hope this helps.

C.-
If you're wanting to try one more thing before you go through major surgery of a tummy tuck- email me.
I'm a wellness coach - mom of almost 7yo twins- who carried around what I called a kangaroo pouch.
I'm nearly 48 and now wear a bikini- no surgery.
Anyway- if you do decide to have it- most likely it will be like a c-section or hysterectomy- major abd. surgery. Ask your physician you've consulted with and they will tell you for sure. I'm also a med. prof and work in the OR.
Best of luck whatever you choose.
B. J
____@____.com

Congratulations! I had a breast lift and tummy tuck about 5 years ago--it was one of the best decisions of my life. Your body changes so much while pregnant and as you age, it's nice to have a few procedures to help you feel a little better about yourself once you're all done having children.

First off, I recommend taking arnica montana. It's an herb (I think) that you can get at quality health food stores. I think I even saw it at Lunds or Byerly's, but it will be much more expensive there. It helps your body deal with trauma and helps with the swelling.

Also, do you have someone to help you take care of your kids? If you can, I'd have someone help with the kids for a week. For the first couple of days, you're pretty much in bed. Also, you are slumped over a little bit because of the tummy tuck. I didn't feel the recovery was that bad. You just have to realize that it's major surgery and follow dr's orders. The drainage tubes are no big deal either. You can do it! Just keep in mind the end result! You're going to feel so much better about your body and wear some different types of clothes. How about a two-piece swim suit?!

I'm assuming you've had at least one consultation with a plastic surgeon. If you haven't, get one scheduled. Also, is your weight where you want it to be? So if you have those 2 things done, think about when you want the surgery and get it scheduled so you can do it when you are ready and not have to wait for 3 months or whatever.

I'd be happy to stay in contact with you to answer questions and just chat if you like. I'm very excited for you.

Best wishes,

GP

The drain tubes are a little freaky but if you have meds, you won't even care. I would say a good 7-10 days for help with the kids. Make some casseroles/take out. I think I was back at work in 10 days or so. Honestly, my daughter was 7 at the time so I didn't need much help. If I were you I would wait a year or two before you do the procedure. You will not be able to lift for a very long time. I just had another child - 5 years from surgery and I still don't have full core strength for certain exercises. Feel free to ask more questions.

Hi C.,

I haven't done the tuck, so I can't speak to that, but I did have the reduction. Ask your doctor about the recovery period...and remember that you won't be able to hug your kids for that period of time or longer, much less pick them up.

The drain tubes are the worst of it, but aren't in very long. Their removal hurts more than anything else.

My surgery was 15 years ago (before kids) and lasted 4 hours. I stayed in the hospital for 3 days and had 6 weeks off of work.

If you have any other questions, just let me know.

I too have had a reduction and tummy tuck. I woke up with no pain at all. Groggy but no pain. You sleep a lot that first day and they drain the tubes and then I went home the next day. When you say reduction I'm assuming that you meant a breast reduction. If so you want to ask for more tube tops before you leave. You can't find them anywhere else. They take out the tubes for the upper before you leave. For the tummy tuck they leave that drain in for the two weeks. I tried to have it taken out sooner but they wouldn't let me. I had mine done when I had small twins that could climb on me and that was definatly not good. You can't lift anything for quite a while and you don't want anyone to get close to that area. The tummy tuck was a breeze. For the reduction I didn't wear a regular bra for months. Of course it goes right where the scars are. That's why you need the extra tube tops. They are fabulous. Some of the plain colors are better because they don't show under clothes. With small children I would have help for at least a week. It depends on how you feel. It was the best thing that I have ever done.

Hey C.!
I went through a reduction but not a tummy tuck so all of my advice is on the reduction.
I didn't have to have the drin tubes when I had mine done. I think the surgery is a lot more advanced to where most of the time you don't need them anymore. For the first day you are on so much pain medication you don't feel the pain you pretty much sleep all day. For the first couple of weeks they tell you not to lift over 20 pounds because you could hurt the incisions. I would say that you would need to have someone be able to help you for the first couple of weeks because you are going to want to stay on the pain medication to manage the pain and that stuff makes you sleep. It is painful don't get me wrong but it is so worth it in the long run.
If you have any more questions feel free to ask me. Hope you have a great experience. Where are you going to get the surgery done if I may ask.
S.

I had a tummy tuck and liposuction about 7 or 8 months ago. I didn't have any trouble with the pain from the tummy tuck, the liposuction was another matter. I was bruised from one end of my abd to the other end. Looked like I had been in a fight! LOL. The pain was just like you would have from a large bruise. Maybe like being in a car wreck. As for how long you will need help with the girls, I can't say, I don't have kids at home. I had my 5 year old grandson come over about 2 weeks after I had surgery, but he is a couch potatoe.
I would do it again in a heart beat. So the pain must not have been that bad. Maybe it is like childbirth, you kind of forget? Not really, it is just that the end results are so worth it. Best of luck and if you have anymore question, write me.

I had just a tummy tuck and the pain wasn't too bad. After the third day I stopped taking the pain medication. I wasn't really hurting and the meds just kept putting me to sleep. I only had help for about 3 days and then was on my own again. A week would have been nice. You also shouldn't pick up any of the kids for I think a month, but there's not much you can do about that especially with a one year old.
It was a year ago that I had a tummy tuck so I'm trying to remember, but I think when I woke up from the surgery I was more tired than in pain. It really wasn't bad and recovery was very quick.

C.,
I cannot speak to the tummy tuck, but the breast reduction. I had one when I was 19 (nearly 23 years ago). The best advice I got about the idea of "pain" was from one of the prep nurses:

Basically what she imparted to me was the idea that I had elected to have this type of surgery (as opposed to someone that had to have an emergency procedure...), therefore I am already approaching it with a reason and feeling of elevating my self-confidence, so my recovery would be that much quicker because of my attitude and circumstances for deciding to have the surgery.

I would think there are tremendous advancements in the procedure since when I had the surgery, but it sounds rather similiar.

I had to stay overnight in the hospital one night, and I did recall not liking going over any bumps on the road while driving home... but within a few days, I was feeling fine, and I don't recall taking too much medication (if at all), since I am not much of a pill taker...

Go with very baggy shirts(nothing that you have to pull over your head (unless very stretchy) and showers (washing my hair specifically) was a bit of a challenge for a few days too..

Good luck