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Sorry this is lengthy but I want to give you the...
Sorry this is lengthy but I want to give you the entire story of the emotional roller coaster I went through before I did my surgery. So I am a military wife and a mom of 3 wonderful girls. My oldest just started college and my middle one is in highschool and youngest in 4th grade. I devoted 14 years to being a stay at home mother because I firmly believed that my kids needed a full time parent especially during deployments. So I did what I had to do and tried to keep myself in shape at the same time. For the most part I did but like life I had my highs and lows. Once my youngest started school I decided I am going to start focusing on me so,I went back to school and got my degree. I now have a full-time job and work 12 hour shifts in an ER. I am the heaviest I have ever been and gained 30lbs just since starting work and I got up to 190lbs. Fortunately for me my husband busts his butt and we make enough to where really I don't have to work but do just because its nice to have the extra money and feel needed again (that it the mom in me). I decided 3 months ago that I have always talked about getting a tummy tuck and breast lift, but that was it only talk because I could not justify getting it done when I could spend the money on my kids. Now tho I am in a position to where I can actually do it. So I went to see the doctor and booked the date and put in for 3 weeks vacation. About 3 weeks before surgery I got into a huge fight with my husband and didn't know if we would be getting separated or what so I cancelled my surgery. I battled myself on if I should still get it done bc it was the one thing strictly for me. I had always put everyone else first. Well things worked out between me and my husband and I called to see if I could still have the date. Luckily they were able to get me in..YAY..So now the nerves kicked in. Excitement with a little bit of fear and anxiety. I had been on this site and reading everyone elses journey and so I think I mentally prepared myself.
So I went and did my pre-op on the Friday before, picked up my pain meds (which I was given Demerol bc of a high tolerance to pain meds) and worked all weekend so time flew.
Day of Surgery- Got to the hospital around 8am my surgery was scheduled for 10:30am. Great I get to sit around and be nervous the whole time I thought. The nurses came in did all the blah blah blah inserted IV and said doc will be in soon. The Doctor didn't come in until 11:30am. He marked me where he had to and asked if I had any questions, I just restated what he was going to do and made sure he knew what I wanted. The anethesoligist came in a few minutes later and all I remember is kissing my hubby and them rolling me out to the hallway. I was out after that.
When I woke up in recovery I am not even gonna lie the pain was beyond horrible. All I remember is the pain and I was crying. I heard the nurse ask if I needed pain medicine and I could only cry and nod. They dosed me up a couple of times. Now it might have been just because of my tolerance for pain meds why I felt so much pain but I will never forget that. I don't even know how long I was in recovery and I heard something about low oxygen levels or something idk. When they brought me back to my room my hubby was waiting for me and I was just in and out of it. They brought me more pain meds and then let me go home around 7pm I think. Getting in my SUV really sucked.
I got home and going up my stairs was a process luckily I have a wide staircase and my hubby was basically able to carry most of my weight. I went into my room and got in my recliner (Highly recommend a recliner I couldnt sleep in the bed for days) took more pain meds and slept.
Day 2 PO- Hurting pretty bad but the meds are doing there job. I slept and when I was up I was using the bathroom. Getting up from a seated position really sucked. My husband basically had to lift me up. Slept great I highly recommend a neck pillow too, it supported my neck so I didn't get stiffness.
Day 3 PO- Was not in pain really, just sore I could tell that they tightened my muscles for sure, my tummy is pretty much numb thank goodness. I felt gross wanted to shower so bad but hubby wouldn't let me. I tried to get up by myself out of recliner and OUCH...I felt a burning sensation in my tummy...I grabbed the tall laundry basket and used that as a walker lol. My hubby came in and was upset that I didn't call him to help. Sweet thing. I told him I didn't want to bother him. He just rolled his eyes.
Day 4 PO- Woke up feeling pretty good and to my surprise there is a walker in front of me. My hubby went out and bought me a walker so I wouldn't hurt myself and so that I could get up and walk to avoid blood clots. Let me tell you, if you are going to have this done a walker is a MUST...I only had to use it for a few days but it took all the pressure off of my tummy area.
Day5 & 6- So sneezing and coughing OMG!!! Word of advice grab a pillow and hold it tightly to your stomach. I was asking myself why did I do this is it really worth it? Here is where the roller coaster of emotions start.
Day 7- Slept in my own bed finally. I had to sleep on my side with pillows in front of me. I woke up laying on my back. Getting out of bed I felt that burning sensation again ( a few times actually) and my belly button pulling from the inside. I had to kinda roll over [RS bleep] to get out of bed. I have stopped all pain meds, and dont need walker anymore.
Day 8- I had follow up appointment I actually drove myself. Doctor said everything looks good, I have some redness around my incisions. He asked if I was using neosporin I said yes and he said stop using it that an ingredient in it makes it all red. He put me on some more antibiotics too just in case. Drains have to stay in a little longer. I hate these drains.
Day 9- I was moving around very well no longer need walker,however I tripped over my cat and ouch. Luckily the wall somewhat caught me. I am starting to pick out the flaws now. My incision looks different on the right side then from the left. It looks as tho 2 different docs did each side. My right is flat and low and no stretch marks, whereas my left side the incision is higher up and I think could have been pulled tighter and I still have some stretch marks there.
Day 10 - The drains were really starting to burn were painful so I went in to see my PS he took the drains out bc they weren't really producing anything anymore anyways. I also had a stitch come out from my nipple he said no big deal...yeah to him!!!
Day 11- Feeling great just some tightness around the incision its hard to bend. I actually was productive did some laundry and cleaned carpets. Slipped going from wet carpet to hardwood floor DUH...that ended my productiveness for the day.
Day 12- Did nothing all day gets very boring...I have to keep reminding myself I have to heal from the inside out...My nipples are a little painful, kinda a burning sensation.
Day 13- Outing with my girls to get costumes. Wore my jeans for the first time and although still swollen some and the fact I have on compression garment I am looking and feeling great. Incisions are itching and I keep forgetting to take off my seat belt..lol
Day 14- Today I decided to tell everyone my journey so far. I should have started it before but I didn't wish I would have. So far I am ok with how everything looks I am still picking out flaws tho. I have to remind myself this is a process and there will be ups and downs. My scale seems to love me the last few days I have lost 7lbs so that gets me excited. We will have to just wait and see.
So I went and did my pre-op on the Friday before, picked up my pain meds (which I was given Demerol bc of a high tolerance to pain meds) and worked all weekend so time flew.
Day of Surgery- Got to the hospital around 8am my surgery was scheduled for 10:30am. Great I get to sit around and be nervous the whole time I thought. The nurses came in did all the blah blah blah inserted IV and said doc will be in soon. The Doctor didn't come in until 11:30am. He marked me where he had to and asked if I had any questions, I just restated what he was going to do and made sure he knew what I wanted. The anethesoligist came in a few minutes later and all I remember is kissing my hubby and them rolling me out to the hallway. I was out after that.
When I woke up in recovery I am not even gonna lie the pain was beyond horrible. All I remember is the pain and I was crying. I heard the nurse ask if I needed pain medicine and I could only cry and nod. They dosed me up a couple of times. Now it might have been just because of my tolerance for pain meds why I felt so much pain but I will never forget that. I don't even know how long I was in recovery and I heard something about low oxygen levels or something idk. When they brought me back to my room my hubby was waiting for me and I was just in and out of it. They brought me more pain meds and then let me go home around 7pm I think. Getting in my SUV really sucked.
I got home and going up my stairs was a process luckily I have a wide staircase and my hubby was basically able to carry most of my weight. I went into my room and got in my recliner (Highly recommend a recliner I couldnt sleep in the bed for days) took more pain meds and slept.
Day 2 PO- Hurting pretty bad but the meds are doing there job. I slept and when I was up I was using the bathroom. Getting up from a seated position really sucked. My husband basically had to lift me up. Slept great I highly recommend a neck pillow too, it supported my neck so I didn't get stiffness.
Day 3 PO- Was not in pain really, just sore I could tell that they tightened my muscles for sure, my tummy is pretty much numb thank goodness. I felt gross wanted to shower so bad but hubby wouldn't let me. I tried to get up by myself out of recliner and OUCH...I felt a burning sensation in my tummy...I grabbed the tall laundry basket and used that as a walker lol. My hubby came in and was upset that I didn't call him to help. Sweet thing. I told him I didn't want to bother him. He just rolled his eyes.
Day 4 PO- Woke up feeling pretty good and to my surprise there is a walker in front of me. My hubby went out and bought me a walker so I wouldn't hurt myself and so that I could get up and walk to avoid blood clots. Let me tell you, if you are going to have this done a walker is a MUST...I only had to use it for a few days but it took all the pressure off of my tummy area.
Day5 & 6- So sneezing and coughing OMG!!! Word of advice grab a pillow and hold it tightly to your stomach. I was asking myself why did I do this is it really worth it? Here is where the roller coaster of emotions start.
Day 7- Slept in my own bed finally. I had to sleep on my side with pillows in front of me. I woke up laying on my back. Getting out of bed I felt that burning sensation again ( a few times actually) and my belly button pulling from the inside. I had to kinda roll over [RS bleep] to get out of bed. I have stopped all pain meds, and dont need walker anymore.
Day 8- I had follow up appointment I actually drove myself. Doctor said everything looks good, I have some redness around my incisions. He asked if I was using neosporin I said yes and he said stop using it that an ingredient in it makes it all red. He put me on some more antibiotics too just in case. Drains have to stay in a little longer. I hate these drains.
Day 9- I was moving around very well no longer need walker,however I tripped over my cat and ouch. Luckily the wall somewhat caught me. I am starting to pick out the flaws now. My incision looks different on the right side then from the left. It looks as tho 2 different docs did each side. My right is flat and low and no stretch marks, whereas my left side the incision is higher up and I think could have been pulled tighter and I still have some stretch marks there.
Day 10 - The drains were really starting to burn were painful so I went in to see my PS he took the drains out bc they weren't really producing anything anymore anyways. I also had a stitch come out from my nipple he said no big deal...yeah to him!!!
Day 11- Feeling great just some tightness around the incision its hard to bend. I actually was productive did some laundry and cleaned carpets. Slipped going from wet carpet to hardwood floor DUH...that ended my productiveness for the day.
Day 12- Did nothing all day gets very boring...I have to keep reminding myself I have to heal from the inside out...My nipples are a little painful, kinda a burning sensation.
Day 13- Outing with my girls to get costumes. Wore my jeans for the first time and although still swollen some and the fact I have on compression garment I am looking and feeling great. Incisions are itching and I keep forgetting to take off my seat belt..lol
Day 14- Today I decided to tell everyone my journey so far. I should have started it before but I didn't wish I would have. So far I am ok with how everything looks I am still picking out flaws tho. I have to remind myself this is a process and there will be ups and downs. My scale seems to love me the last few days I have lost 7lbs so that gets me excited. We will have to just wait and see.
4 wks PO
So I am back at work now working 12 hour shifts in an ER. I am going through what I think might be swell hell bc I am pretty bloated. My incisions are still healing and I have some necrosis at the T on my breasts. Also my breasts are so sore if I wear a bra. I guess because they are higher up my arms rub against them more now. LOL It also feels like when I breast fed how they would get really tender and sore. I am have issues with the adhesive tearing my skin everytime I change my dressings which sucks. One side I have a stitch showing and the other side is a hole. They are greenish discharge when I change them but are slowly getting smaller. It just looks gross but I know it is just tissue repairing itself. I originally thought they had to dry out to heal but it is completely opposite, you have to keep them covered and a moist so that the tissue can regenerate. Just FYI for y'all. I am moving around great my abs still are sore if I reach up high to get something and I still can really push or pull anything yet and bending over or getting up and down alot gets my incision sore. Well that is all for now.
Provider Review
He was good for the most part. I felt rushed in my appointments.