Mommy Makeover - What Do I Need?

When I was prepping for surgery, I thought it was so overwhelming what I needed and what I didn’t. My surgeon basically said I needed nothing. I joined several facebook groups where people gave a ton of amazing suggestions, but I found I was spending forever searching through posts. In an effort to hopefully save someone else the same agony, I’ve compiled everything I used into this list with links and my thoughts. Hope it’s helpful for someone! I had an ETT, breast reduction and lipo to the flanks. I’m no expert, this is just my experience.

LIFT CHAIR – I went back and forth on this. I looked into renting, but the price wasn’t much less and I wasn’t sure how long I would need the chair to sleep in.  Some people say they sleep in them for 6-8 weeks.  I also didn’t really want to introduce someone else’s germs into my house. I ended up purchasing.  A twin sheet worked perfectly (flannel so I didn't slide all over).  I didn't have any fluid leaking issues, but it would be easy enough to put down an absorbent pad / wipe up any messages. There is absolutely no way I could have gotten in and out of my bed for at least a week or so. I slept in this for about 2 weeks and then went back and forth on nights that I couldn't sleep for a few more weeks. It’s super comfy and I liked the warming feature. The “massage” is really just more of a vibration. I had planned to sell it, but it's so comfy that I'm keeping it. My only complaint is that I wish the legs went up a tad higher, that's why I got the knee pillow below. https://amzn.to/2J26Y7I

WALKER – I couldn’t have functioned for the first 3-4 days without it. My back hurt so bad when standing (for weeks) and I liked having the seat to sit on at the sink, or when I needed to stop and rest.  I even took little granny walks around the neighborhood with it. My surgeon wrote me a prescription and my insurance covered it from a medical supply store so be sure to check on that first. Mine was very similar to this one for reference. https://amzn.to/3lYJH5w

KNEE PILLOW - I put this pillow under my knees in the chair. When I slept, I put another pillow on top of it. I could adjust it as needed for comfort. https://amzn.to/3friFkO

SHOWER CHAIR – I love mine and am still using it 6 wpo because I still get pretty tired sometimes. I am thankful I had a back on mine. I could shower right away so that might make a difference if you need/want one. https://amzn.to/3fqoyym

TOILET SEAT RISER – I was beyond thankful this for the first week. I would have really struggled without it. No need for handles, but I was glad I didn’t have to get all the way down and all the way up. https://amzn.to/3383kAK

DRAIN POUCHES – I debated about these and ultimately was glad I did it. My surgeon sent me home with a lanyard, but I had 4 drains, so it was bulky with them all together. I cut holes in the pockets of my night gowns for my TT drains and used this for the breast ones. It made them easy to sort out when I emptied, and they never really bugged me. https://amzn.to/2HoLl12

NECK PILLOW – A must have for sleeping in a chair. I got this at the last second and thank goodness I did. https://amzn.to/3pRjGY6

BRAS – Grabbed these for post op. I didn’t need compression. https://amzn.to/372m5Xl

NIGHTGOWN - I wore this with a robe and slippers on surgery day. I also lived in nightgowns for a couple weeks. I recommend button down with pockets. I had one with long sleeves I liked a little better but it’s not on amazon anymore. https://amzn.to/3fnQliZ

ARNICA – I went through two bottles of this. 4 tablets, 4 times a day. https://amzn.to/2Hvzcrm

JUVEN – This is expensive. I debated it but went ahead. I ended up in wound care a couple of weeks in when my body rejected the stitches and wound care recommended I start this and were surprised and happy I had been taking it all along. I only tried the unflavored. It’s best mixed with a citrus juice like pineapple juice or with crystal light. https://amzn.to/2KmfL59

BROMELAIN – https://amzn.to/2KrhB4J

LOOFAH ON A STICK – reach your legs and back. Nice to have - not a must have https://amzn.to/335T4bY

GRABBER – I dropped a million things and no way I was able to pick them up. https://amzn.to/2UR09Ja

SQUATTY POTTY – Never had one of these until I tried to poop post surgery. Horrific doesn’t describe it. Do yourself a favor and grab one. I now think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. https://amzn.to/3nQJxh5

I also made a meds chart to track what I was taking and when for the first week. It was super helpful since I had several things that all had to be taken at different intervals.

 

My Mommy Makeover Begins

I never thought I would be the type of woman to undergo plastic surgery.  I've never had a problem with people who do, I just have always been comfortable in my own skin.  Then I gained a bunch of weight.  Then I had two babies which included gaining about 60lbs with the first one.  After babies, I committed to getting back into shape.  With encouragement and support from Fit4Mom Stroller Strides and Body Back programs (now Body Well), I lost 50 lbs with good eating habits and exercise.  I was still unhappy.  I still had a long way to go to get to my goals and my progress was hindered.  My breasts have always been huge.  My knickname was S**** DD.....in the FIFTH grade!  I've endured years of back pain.  Pregnancy made my breasts even larger and losing weight did nothing to make them shrink.  At the time of my surgery, I was a 38H!  I've also always had "the family pooch."  My grandma still had it in her 90's and I have joked for years that after kids I was having that sucker removed.  Pregnancy made it a giant apron and no amount of exercise would ever fix that damaged skin and tissue.  

First I decided to have a breast reduction.  I was certain I could get my insurance to cover it.  Since I was having a consultation anyway, I figured I would ask about a tummy tuck as well.  Ultimately, I decided if I was ever going to do it, now would be the time.  One surgery, one recovery.  I also decided to have liposuction on my flanks at the last minute to make sure I was happy with the final look.  I never felt pressured by my plastic surgeon to add more, and in fact, I had to ask about the lipo.

Surgery day came and went.  I'm in the throws of recovery now, just six weeks post op.  My body has rejected some of the stitches and I have open wounds on my stomach.  I'll heal just fine with help from my surgeon and wound care, it's just taking extra time.  I'm starting to feel human again, day by day, I feel better and better.  

I had two c-sections.  I never thought they were a big deal.  I didn't need narcotics during recovery and I was up and walking the same day after both.  The mommy makeover is no joke.  I needed a TON of help.  I needed more help than I have ever needed for anything.  I needed more help than I was comfortable asking for or accepting.  I'm in awe of women who do this completely alone.  I had my mom and cousins help me for the first few weeks and I couldn't have done it without them.