Tummy tuck recovery time/hiding soreness from co-workers, etc.....?

Question:

Im doing it Nov 9 (a Thur) and I return to work on Mon, Nov 20. T-giving is Thur, Nov 23. Thats exactly 2 weeks after the surgery. A friend of mine had the tuck done, and she had two drains. One came out on the second day, the other on her 5th day. Im curious about the hunched over thing-how long that lasts. And Im curious about the drains thing. Do they just yank those things out when they are ready to come out? Will I be ok for Thanksgiving if I dont tell family members? Do you get swollen after the surgery or can you wear your regular clothes again right away? I understand there is an immediate result w/ the tummy being cut out and all, but will there be a significant noticable difference by the 2 week point? Im asking my m.d. this all on Friday when I see her, but I thought I would check in with you all and see what your results were.
PS-I do NOT need any of you ppl that are "against" plastic surgery letting me know your narrow minded opinions, nor do I need surgery in India info

Answers:
I work in a womens hospital as a nurse practioner. We perform many of these surgeries. Your firend told you pretty much what you need to know. The surgery itself takes anywhere from 30 mintues to 2 hours. You skin is pulled so tight that you will be folded over for several days, about 2 to 5 days. The first few days after surgery are going to be painful and you will see an ugly scar from one side of your hip clear across to the other and your tummy will not be flat, it will be swollen. If there are no complications, you will go home with one or two drains. The first one usually comes out in 1 to 5 days, the second one stays in for about 5 days to 2 weeks, depending on the draining. And yes, they yank them out. No drugs are given to you. The doctor just lays you down and tells you to take a deep breath, then it is yanked out. and yes that hurts. (I am not trying to scare you, just tell you the truth).

In about 1 week, your tummy will be tight and flat, you're going to love your new tummy but your going to hate the ugly scar. I wouls like to also recommend that you talk to your doctor about elephant ears, this is very common during tummy tucks.

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Tummy tuck recovery time/hiding soreness from co-workers, etc.....?

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