more silly questions!

[femina]

How long does the swelling last? Is it bloating like we all get sometimes? does it affect the clothes you can wear?
Does the swelling make you as bulgy as before the op?
How long before you can wear jeans/trousers after the op?
And is your waist actually smaller, IE will I need to buy smaller clothes?
Oh, and what should I wear to leave the hospital, a dress, elesticated skirt, big knickers, little knickers..?

[miss]

Right, the swelling is a bit of a wierd one because I think it's kind of two fold, on the one hand you have the immediate swelling that goes up and down depending on activity levels and stage of recovery. For example I swelled up like a balloon by the end of the day for about three weeks, my clothes would get tight as the day went on and by the evening I was leaping into my baggy pj bottoms, however at 8 weeks now I don't notice this swelling much.
The other swelling is much less obvious and has not fluctuated much at all, it is slowly going down (very slowly) but has affected my hips and thighs (I know it doesn't make any sense at all but it's true). Also you should know about kendoll which can be quite alarming, this is when your pubic area swells up and looks like action mans pants, if you get me, it does go away though. This answers your third question, which is WAIT before you buy anything new.
I went into the op a snug size 12 and am now a comfy size 14, it's sooooo frustrating I cant tell you, I havent gained any weight and have lost an inch around my waist but as I said before my hips and thighs are bigger. I'm told this goes down but it can take a while so hang on before you spend any money on new clothes. I was wearing jeans two weeks after the op, but size 14 and had to take them off by early evening because of the swelling. Of course everyone heals very differently and you may not experience the same things I did but it's helpful to have a frame of reference isn't it? Flower Smiley
Leaving the hospital I would advise you wear something loose, I wore a wrap over dress which was great because it was easy to put on, I didn't have to bend over or lift my arms or legs, everything will feel a bit tender at first. But whatever you choose make sure it's loose fitting and wont rub your inscision area.

[nihal]

Right, the swelling is a bit of a wierd one because I think it's kind of two fold, on the one hand you have the immediate swelling that goes up and down depending on activity levels and stage of recovery. For example I swelled up like a balloon by the end of the day for about three weeks, my clothes would get tight as the day went on and by the evening I was leaping into my baggy pj bottoms, however at 8 weeks now I don't notice this swelling much.
The other swelling is much less obvious and has not fluctuated much at all, it is slowly going down (very slowly) but has affected my hips and thighs (I know it doesn't make any sense at all but it's true). Also you should know about kendoll which can be quite alarming, this is when your pubic area swells up and looks like action mans pants, if you get me, it does go away though. This answers your third question, which is WAIT before you buy anything new.
I went into the op a snug size 12 and am now a comfy size 14, it's sooooo frustrating I cant tell you, I havent gained any weight and have lost an inch around my waist but as I said before my hips and thighs are bigger. I'm told this goes down but it can take a while so hang on before you spend any money on new clothes. I was wearing jeans two weeks after the op, but size 14 and had to take them off by early evening because of the swelling. Of course everyone heals very differently and you may not experience the same things I did but it's helpful to have a frame of reference isn't it? Flower Smiley
Leaving the hospital I would advise you wear something loose, I wore a wrap over dress which was great because it was easy to put on, I didn't have to bend over or lift my arms or legs, everything will feel a bit tender at first. But whatever you choose make sure it's loose fitting and wont rub your inscision area.

[femina]

you've gone from a 12 to a 14, you've got fatter hips and thighs and action mans pubes???
Is it gonna go down or is that it and how long? Are you pleased though? Do you look a better shape (actually I think you do cos I've seen your photos!!)
Does it still hurt?

[miss]

Well when you put it like that........I think I'll ask for my money back!!!!
Only kidding, I think I'm a much better shape and look better in my clothes no matter what size they are. I am told that I look slimmer, I don't know if its people being kind or some sort of optical illusion, you know like the two lines that look different lengths but are the same?
I'm told the swelling takes months to completely go down so I just take each day as it comes. I think I heard that TT's have the longest recovery time in that respect than most cosmetic ops, but I guess it's because it's such a large area that is dealt with.
I'm laying it on a bit because I was so dissapointed with my results at first because I thought I was going to be all thin and prancing about in a bikini straight away and when I wasn't even close I just got really down. It's a big operation and it takes quite a while to see the full results.
The Kendoll swelling goes quickly! Nothing really hurts now, I'm exercising and rushing around like usual, sometimes by the end of the day my upper abs are a little sore from the MR but thats it.
You will love your new shape it just may take a while to see the full results, but in the meantime I think I still look a damn site better than I did before, size 14 or not! :wow:

[nihal]

I think your pictures look great!! I just hope mine turns out as good as yours - jeans without any bulging, flabby overhang must be wonderful!!
How do you put photos on. is it straight forward? I'd really love to have a photo diary for others and indeed myself to look at

[femina]

For the pictures I use picturetrail.com just go to the website and join. You can upload your pics from your computer, it takes a while if you do a few at once, and put them in albums. It's fairly straightforward and free for a basic package. There are several places I think that you can do a similar thing as long as you have a digital camera, just find one that is easy for you to use.
Going to the loo is a bit of a drama to begin with. Did you ever have a c-section? It's a bit like after that, kind of scary and complicated but once you've been its easy. They will make sure you pee in the hospital because there can sometimes be a problem getting the bladder to work again (unusual apparently but can happen). The anaesthetic can make you constipated so it's a good idea to take something to help a couple of days after the op, but don't overdo it like I did (I spent a horrible night FULL of wind, very uncomfortable).
It may be a few days before you can have a shower, it seems to depend on PS's. You will probably have to wait until you have your drains taken out, and just sponge bath for a few days. Make sure you ask your PS about that.
I had my first bath at about 5 weeks post op, I love my baths, showers just dont do it for me so it was like heaven. Glass of wine, copy of heat and a looooooong soak, lovely! Get a few in now while you can, have your hair done, do a few face masks, do your nails and pamper yourself as much as possible because you will feel pretty grotty for a while after the op.

[nihal]

I remember the feeling, scared to death but totally excited, constant butterflies.
I think if you have a helpfull partener you will be fine. Do you have plenty of pillows? For under your legs and behind your head in bed, you wont be able to stretch out for a week or so. Lots of dvd's, books, magazines to keep you occupied, you really wont be up and about much for a little while.
Arnica tablets, laxitives, ibuprofen for when the pain killers run out. I stopped taking the pain killers after about 4 days because the codiene was making me feel awful and I foud Ibuprofen were fine after that. Make sure your bedroom is ready for you to spend lots of time in it with all the things you need close by. I guess I'm stating the obvious but I think us Mums tend to make sure everyone else is sorted out and has everything they need but forget to allow for all our needs.
Back ache can be a problem for a while as you wont be able to stand straight, they do some heat pads in Boots that are very good, or a hot wter bottle will do. Gosh I'm wracking my brains trying to think, I'll post if I've forgotten anything important.
My posts always seem to go on forever don't they? Sorry if I waffle a bit. I just wish I'd had someone to tell me what to expect when I was pre op!

[katiecat]

The swelling can make you bigger. You really won't have anything that fits reliable for a while. The more you can rest and not go anywhere, the better.