Recovery Seems So LONG! - Clearwater, FL

Update: I know its been a long time but my laptop crashed :) - I am now in wk 8 of recovery. I had my left drain in for 23 days !! that was the absolute worst part. I went to the thirft store and bought some pull on skirts and things that would hide it, since i went back to work after 2 wks. I felt like i had testicles!! I am still numb all around my belly button. My scar looks great! I'm finally able to sleep on my sides, although not for long. I've been very swollen, to the point of my scar strechting and i feel very bloated. I'm trying to cut down on sodium and doing weight watchers to stay healthy. After my 6 wk ckup i was advised to do anything, exercise wise. I've been walking, doing situps and now zumba. I guess my only complaint is the buldge - i feel like i still have one in my lower tummy. From everything i've ready it can take months to go down. I wore a bathing suit for first time and can definitly tell teh difference, my belly button is round now! not oblong :) attached are b4 and after pics. the after are 6 wks post........

Day 10 - went to doc and had 1 drain removed, getting there! I thought it was going to hurt, but it just felt wierd. she said if i slow down on left side, come in monday , if not i have to wait til friday. yuck!!! i just feel so limited w/ the drains in. She also said not to think i gained wieght, that i'm still swollen. feeling good otherwise, no major issues. I think after drain and stitches out next friday, things will be uphill from there!

I had my full tummy tuck on 1/17, so i am 8 days postop. I am 5'5, 44, always been chunky, but after 2 kids, now 18 and 20, i was stretch marks from above my bellybutton to my pubic area. I lost 40lbs in 2007, which then made my pouch worse. On one hand i feel like things are going better than expected but on the other, i feel alot of anxiety and a little depression. I am not one to sit around, and its killing me to rest. I've had 2 followup appts and i'm still draining too much to remove the drains. i will say that is the biggest pain now. i loved my doc but this is the one area i feel they were vague, they said drains for a few days. now that i'm reading your blogs, i see it can be way longer. I am sleeping at night for the most part in bed, but that is when i take my pain meds, makes me sleep easier. besides that not taking anything during day, not in pain, just uncomfortable. I did shower day 5 w/ my bf assistance, and it felt great, but seeing myself freaked me out a bit, w/ the drains, brusining and stitches. i can see the difference tho, my belly bulge is gone! and i like my new bely button. I know this will be worth it in the end, just wish i could fast forward time. I am running out of clothes to wear, sticking mostly to pull on/elastic waist skirt or swim cover up. Trying to read, and i do move around the house as much as i can. Next appt friday, will post again then. Willupload photos later as well.