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worried day 5 post-op
By prissy1 on 24 Jan 2011
My sides look uneven and what happened to my previous hour-glass shape? There is also a round puffiness smack in the center of my belly. Am I being paranoid?
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That looks like Swell Hell to me! You are just beginning the swelling stage. You will wake up in the morning feeling good and looking small; and then by noon you will be a puff ball in the belly. Frustrating....
If you have any areas in the tummy that start to feel like a water bed please call your doctor right away. You will know trust me on that one.
Just give this time because it will all take shape in the weeks and months to come. It could take up to a full year to see the final results.
I hate the binder, but have kept it on, as instructed. i too am short(5 ft), and the binder is so uncomfortable.
England I am sorry to say your are hitting the Swell Hell stage. It comes and goes and makes you nuts! You are a shorty like me and the binder is horrible for us munchkins. It goes from under your boobs and down past your hips. Rubs, rides and makes you nuts. How long do you have to wear your binder?
Try putting a soft cotton tank top under it and that helps with some padding. I only wore mine three days but always had the tank top and boy shorts under it.
Hang in there it will get better. What makes this really hard is that you will feel so awesome one day and then like crap the next. It teases you...
I'm really worried about what I will be able to wear to work next week, my office is business casual so sweats are not an option and I doubt I can get into any slacks or jeans.
Let us pray my doc allows me to switch from this binder to spanx! Speaking of, anyone know where I can buy affordable spanx that look more like lingerie? I only own the spanx brand and a couple of the control bottoms by dr reyes.
Hi Prissy,
I know that darn binder thing again!!! It is torturing all the women on the site. Shitty things...we should have a big reunion and burning party in the end. Instead of burning bras it will be binders.
The clothing for going back to work is hard. Have elastic waist skirts and pants for a while. I bought a few things at Target to get me through the first 6 weeks back to work. Luckily it was May so it was warm and I could wear skirts without hosiery which helped. I bought my spanx at Target for a pretty decent price. I only had to wear them the first two weeks back at work. The swelling continued but I needed to be FREE!!
Hold on tight and try to focus on Spring and a hot body.
I can't believe those binders are one size fits all. Someone needs to come up with smaller sizes!
I found some at target thet are very affordable. My favorite is a tank like one. I had TT and aug 4weeks ago. After 1week I was able to switch from the binder-it dug into my hip bones. I'm still wearing my spanx but will leave it off occasionally. Hang in there!
I had the same issue w/ it digging into my sides leaving ugly indentations. I have spanx and dr reyes shapewear but they are a b*tch to get on and off when I have to pee.
Went to target today and got a tank one w/ a lace bottom. I guess I will sleep in the binder with a tank underneath it.
I've only left the house 3 times...one for dr appt and 2 others for running errands and returned home zapped of all energy.
I had my drain removed Friday which didn't hurt, although I took a vicodin b4 my appt! The sweeling @ my appt wasn't too bad and I could finally start to appreciate my new belly. There is a bit of puckering of the skin above my incision line but my ps promises it will smooth out over time, anyone else have this? He also told me to wear the binder for 6 weeks but I'm free to wear spanx to work.
I start a new job tomorrow and am worried what the heck to wear to accommodate afternoon "swell hell". Although I'm 40 I look and feel under 30 so my wardrobe reflects that...I have no elastic waist anything!!! Currently in panic mode.
Question- at what point do you stop wearing pads on top of your incision? I feel like it needs to breathe but scared it will be irritated if I don't wear a barrier. Any suggestions would be apprciated.
Lastly, since I'm no longer on antibiotics I had a glass of wine last night..can we say heaven? Of course I was asleep in 2.5 seconds lol!
Sorry this post is so long guys!!
I've only left the house 3 times...one for dr appt and 2 others for running errands and returned home zapped of all energy.
I had my drain removed Friday which didn't hurt, although I took a vicodin b4 my appt! The sweeling @ my appt wasn't too bad and I could finally start to appreciate my new belly. There is a bit of puckering of the skin above my incision line but my ps promises it will smooth out over time, anyone else have this? He also told me to wear the binder for 6 weeks but I'm free to wear spanx to work.
I start a new job tomorrow and am worried what the heck to wear to accommodate afternoon "swell hell". Although I'm 40 I look and feel under 30 so my wardrobe reflects that...I have no elastic waist anything!!! Currently in panic mode.
Question- at what point do you stop wearing pads on top of your incision? I feel like it needs to breathe but scared it will be irritated if I don't wear a barrier. Any suggestions would be apprciated.
Lastly, since I'm no longer on antibiotics I had a glass of wine last night..can we say heaven? Of course I was asleep in 2.5 seconds lol!
Sorry this post is so long guys!!
Hey Girl,
I will be thinking about you tomorrow! You are a brave woman to be starting a new job 12 days post OP! I know..a girl has to do what a girl has to do!
Just wear the most comfy thing you have and keep the top button un done if necessary. Do go out and get some elastic waist skirts and pants though. Target has some pretty good things for little money.
Just take it slow tomorrow and go rest in your car at lunch if necessary. Try not to plan anything after work for the first 2-3 weeks back. Just make your focus working in the day and going right home to the bed after work. Your body will thank you :)
I will be anxious to hear how your first day goes...
The issue came when I left work, I took the wrong train home and got lost and had to walk about a mile. Felt like I had a boulder in my belly when I got home, not to mention my hands and toes being frozen.
Sigh..I hope this doesn't set me back. I just showered and took a vicodin and going to bed.
The first two weeks back are really hard. My swelling was awful and I was tired as hell! I can't even imagine trying to learn a new job at 11 days PO...GOD!
I kept gauze over my belly botton but nothing over my tt incision...only issue is the "spanx" cami kept riding up since I wore a dress. It doesn't feel irritated but I came home and put peroxide then neosporin on it. I'm paranoid!
How are you feeling after a night's rest?
Hi Prissy,
Mine took a good month for the big ugly scab to fall out. I would just go ahead and leave it alone now. Just keep it clean and dry and skip the ointment and peroxide.
If it starts to get stinky, red and sore have your doctor check it. I doubt it will though at this point.
I dont think I drank hardly enough water yesterday and today which is probably the issue.
Hi prissy,
I am sorry you are feeling this way. You have had a long week at a new job and not even two weeks post op yet. Eeks!!
Kick your feel up, ice packs, pain meds and drink a bunch of water tonight. One more day girl...you can do it!
My first two weeks back were the worst and then it was up hill starting week three.
Hang tight and baby yourself at night and all weekend.
Trust me it gets better. The swelling is very normal- for me it was worse after being on my feet all day. I used arinca cream on my tummy. Relax and take time for yourself. You will see this will all be so worth it. Hang in there.
I think this is the last weekend I'm wearing the binder...doc said 6 weeks but all the research I've done I don't think I need it after 2 weeks...I'll continue with spanx @ work because of the afternoon swelling.
Trying not to feel guilty that I haven't left my bed today but going back to work was a doozey!
You just stay in that bed all weekend without any guilt. You need the rest :)
I am glad you made it through your first week and it will continue to get better. It just takes a long time to feel normal again.
Keep drinking your fluids, apply cold packs and keep those feet up.