For those of you have been there . . . how long until you feel normal? (almost 4 weeks post-op) - Colombia, CO

Tomorrow I will be 4 weeks Post-Op! I'm so glad I'm this far along. I've gotten past the drain stage, I got my stiches out, I can shower now, and I'm starting scar therapy. I can sleep in a bed comfortably (well . . . most of the time). I wake up feeling very good and have energy. A few hours later, though, I'm exhausted and by the end of my work day, my body aches, my incision feels sore (I wear a compression garment) and I want to go right to bed. I was wondering - for those of you who have been through this - how long it takes to feel normal again. When do you stop having body aches and pains and when does your energy return to normal?

I am almost 3 weeks Post-Op and I have to say I'm so pleased with my results! I have a defined tummy and a very light scar (it still has tape on it in the pics - but even without the tape, I was surprised how light it is). My surgeon has been amazing - allowing me to call his cell phone any time - 24/7 (and I DID call him at 1:00 a.m. when I suspected a blood clot). A visiting medical reporter from the United States who observed my surgery told me she thinks Freddy is a true artist - even made my belly button without a scar. Here's the article: http://colombiareports.com/services/health-a-beauty/26980-plastic-surgeon-dr-freddy-sanabria.html . The only downer has been the blood clot that developed, but I'm succesfully treating it with warfarin now. I'm looking forward to next summer!

My surgery went very well and I was healing very well. Last friday night, however, I woke up at midnight with some pain behind my right knee (not too bad). The next morning, I had a post-op appointment and mentioned the pain to my doctor. Even though I had no swelling, redness or warmth, the doctor decided to be cautious and have me tested for a blood clot. Sure enough - I had one! I've been in the hospital since Saturday, getting painful anti-coagulant shots twice a day (I have to get them in my arms - which really hurts - but it's safer than getting them in my stomach, where my hernia repair took place. I will be released from the hospital when my blood thins enough, but it's not clear when that will happen (so far, my clotting is still normal - 6 shots later).

My surgeon operated on me with compression socks and used the most up-to-date equipment to keep my circulation going strong for the first 24 hours. Everything was done right by my surgeon. I tried to walk as much as possible the first week after surgery . . . but I sometimes wonder if I walked enough. Everything should turn out well in the long run, but I wanted to share my story so you can all be vigilent and report any blood clot symptoms to your doctor. All surgery patients are at higher risk for clots for several months - so KEEP WALKING!