“Nov 17, 2011 - 18 day post op pictures up”

I am a 27 year old mother of 2 beautiful children, ages 9 and 4. I have never been happy with my stomach since i had my daughter at age 18. I am tired of wearing spanx everyday ( especially since I live in Florida)lol......I am scheduled for Nov 17th and I think my anxiety raises higher everyday. I dont think my doctor uses a pain pump and I see a lot of people saying they did???? Worried the pain is going to be unbearable. I am also worried about the drain and having it pulled out.Hoping to get some comforting support here. Thanks

Updated on 4 Nov 2011:
13 more days......I am extremely nervous and anxious and at the same time wish it was tomorrow......please keep me in your prayers

Updated on 5 Nov 2011:
12 days but who is counting

Updated on 6 Nov 2011:
Pre op is tomorrow morning.....i guess that means it is only getting closer

Updated on 7 Nov 2011:
Had my pre op this am. Oh the dreaded pictures lol...my favorite (ok bend over so your stomach is pooching out and hanging...) yuck. I am kinda surprised from reading everybodies post but i only have to go get blood work and thats all the prep i need. If anybody has any suggestions of things i should get this week that will make it easy for me please let me know.
10 days left

Updated on 8 Nov 2011:
Ok I did my best and took some before pictures. Hopefully no one is to grossed out by them :)

Updated on 9 Nov 2011:
Okay 8 days left......I wish these butterflies would go away.I am consumed with this all day. I am going away this weekend for my best friends bach party so hopefully that will keep me busy.

Updated on 9 Nov 2011:
So my PS said it just depends on what happens in surgery and the Anest MD but that I might have to have a ET (tube) down my throat....that just raised my anxiety a few levels. DId anybody have a tube? How did you do? DId you even know? Also if anybody has any ideas or tips that i should go get this weekend please let me know...I plan on going shopping this weekend for everything.

Updated on 10 Nov 2011:
Ok I have hit my 1 week mark till surgery....Very anxious and nervous at the same time. I have off tomorrow to spend the day with the kids and then out of town this weekend for my best friends bachelorette party, so hopefully everything will keep me busy and help the rest of this week pass by. Everytime I sit still and have time to relax my stomach gets into knots.....please say an extra prayer for me.

Updated on 11 Nov 2011:
Ok its under a week now......6 days until the big day :)

Updated on 13 Nov 2011:
Well I had a great weekend away and it helped to keep my mind busy for a couple days. But as soon as I got back home I was right back on here :)

Well I now have 4 days till the big day.

Updated on 14 Nov 2011:
3days and I'm very sick to my stomach but excited

Updated on 14 Nov 2011:
I have to vent for a second.......sorry..... I didnt want to tell anybody about my TT because I didnt want to listen to all the negativity. However some people had to know (like work) and I keep getting these: are you sure you want to? well i heard this nightmare about tt..and is it worth yet? general anesthesia is so dangerous and you can get this and you can get that ( take in to consideration I work with a bunch of nurses)... argggggg....So i am glad i have everybody on here for the support and positive outcomes, makes it a little bit easier.
THank you to everyone and please say an extra prayer for me this week.

Updated on 15 Nov 2011:
2days, I can't believe how quick it is coming up. Please keep me in your prayers

Updated on 15 Nov 2011:
I never asked and just know thought about it, so if anybody has answers ...please????
Did anyone have a catheter? do you normaly have one? Do they do it once you are already under? and take it out after? Just one more thing to add to my anxiety list.

I can't believe tomorrow is surgery eve :)

Updated on 16 Nov 2011:
Got the call today, and I have to be at the surgery center at 9:00am. As if my anxiety wasent already high , that phone call just made it way worse. Please keep me in your prayers tonight and tomorrow. Thank you all for your help.

Updated on 17 Nov 2011:
I guess i am addicted to this website, 1st thing surgery morning and i am on here. Getting ready to head out the door, just wanted to do one final goodmorning and please keep m ein your prayers today. Thank you everyone for all your support.

Updated on 17 Nov 2011:
Just a little update and I will elaborate when I'm not so tired. I made it out of surgery, the dr told my mom I did great and looks very good. I can't wait to see. I have one drain already emptied it once, so glad my mom is a nurse and knows what she is doing. I hate a couple chicken nuggets and now snacking on some crackers. I have a
I have a little bit of stinging and cramping feeling right now so going to take another nap. Thank you for everybody on here and their support.

Updated on 18 Nov 2011:
Well everyone I made it. I was extremely nervous yesterday but I took a Valium before my appt I woke up at 1am and tossed and turned till 3 then woke back up at 6 and then got up vacuumed
My car ,took a shower and headed to my appt. I got there about 20 minutes early and they called me right back. I had to get into a gown and they asked a few more questions. Then started my IV, the doctor came in and asked Asked more questions then colored me oh so pretty :). Next the anesthesiologist came in asked More questions did a quick assessment of me. Then they did a Time Out to make sure it was me and what I wanted. Then I said by to my mom and walked with the nurse to the OR. I climbed on the table she put some betadineprep on my back and I layed down and I remember them talking about how young my mom looked and how I have great genes and then I was waking up in recovery. Nt sure how I got there but hey said I walked to recovery and 40mintues later I was waking up and I remember being very shaky not. COld but shaky and I had a burning sensation, they gave me a Vicodin and put me in the car and when I got home my mom gave me a Valium and off I went to sleep on and off all day. The worst part was the bumps on e road on the way home. And once I got home (like everyone said the worst part was getting up and down to of pee). Each time gets a little bit harder because I get more sore as the day and times goes. Another thing is I have to pee in little amounts each time so I just sit on the toilet for about 5 minutes trying to relax all my muscles so I can finish. My mom said that's common when they tighten your muscles and your body is not use to it. Also my legs and arms feel like they have fallen asleep like a tingling feeling but the doctor said this was normal apost anesthesia . Sorry to have such a long post but wanted to be as detailed as I could so future TT's see my experience. Pain is bearable with Vicodin and Valium I am drinking a lot and even though not hungry making my self eat some protein. I have my first pre op appt in the am at 830. Hopefully I will be able to gt some pictures uploaded tomorrow. Thanks again for everyone's support

Updated on 18 Nov 2011:
WELL I JUST HAD MY FIRST POST OP APPT THIS AM. THEY JUST CLEANED THE INCISION AND RECOVERED IT I HAD AN AWFUL STINGING PAIN WHEN THEY CLEANED IT AND A COUPLE SPASMS THAT DIDNT FEEL SO WELL BUT IT ONLY LASTED ABOUT 5 MINUTES. The doc said everything looked well. I got only one picture of me sitting at the doctors but i will post it for everyone and when i feel a little bit better i will try to get a couple more

Updated on 19 Nov 2011:
Well my mom ended up staying an extra night with me, and thank goodness she did. She sets her alarm and wakes me up everytime so i dont skip a dosage :) MOMMY'S ARE WONDERFUL!
I am sleeping pretty well at night. I sleep the whole time except when the alarm goes off and i get up to go to the bathroom and take my medicine then no problem going right back to sleep. Pain is very tolerable. My back hurts when i get up and walk around. I m going to try and get some more pictures up today when my mom and i try to change the bandages. Thanks again for all the support on here it means the world.

Updated on 19 Nov 2011:
Sorry i didnt get any more pictures up today, i was extremely tired and couldnt stay awake longer than about 10 mintues at a time. I am having so cramps and back pain today but thats about it. Hopefully i will be able to take some pictures tomorrow. thank you and happy healing everyone.

Updated on 20 Nov 2011:
HERE ARE SOME POST OP DAY 2 PICTURES I ATTEMPTED TO TAKE LAST NIGHT

Updated on 20 Nov 2011:
Besides my back killing me , recovery has been pretty good. My husband has been gone for the most part but between my mom and friends, i have been way more than taken care of. My mom stayed the night with me the day of surgery and post op night 1 (thur and fri) then my friend stayed the night sat night and gave me special treatment :) She washed my hair ( which seems like not alot but boy let me tell you ) it made a world of difference, then everytime i went to the bathroom she rubbed my back bevause it was so stiff and painful , then she gave me a neck and head massage. Next like she hadnt done enough already she gave a ne leg and foot massage. I think i owe her big. (TMI--- i still havent had a Bm yet but am taking stool softeners and passing gas so hopefully by tomorrow i will.) I have my 2ndpost op appt tmorrow , and i think the drain may be coming out it has only put out about 20 cc all together over the past few days... I apologize now if if my spelling and writing is horrible but i can barely keep my eyes open to write thid. Good night everyone and happy healing.

Updated on 21 Nov 2011:
HAD MY 2ND POST OP APPT TODAY , EVERYTHING WENT WELL. THEY REMOVED THE DRAIN ( I WAS TERIFIED) BUT THEY ACTUALLY NUMBED ME IST THEN PULLED OUT. I COULD BARELY FEEL THE NUMBING MEDICINE BECAUSE MY STOMACH WAS STILL A LITTLE NUMB ITSELF. hE SAID EVERYTHING LOOKED GOOD AND I STILL HAD A LOT OF SWELLING. SO IF I AM HAPPY WITH MY TUMMY NOW AND I WILL REALLY BE HAPPY WHEN ALL THE SWELLING GOES DOWN. i AM SO HAPPY i DID THIS FOR MYSELF AND i AM ALREADY LOOKING IN THE VICTORIA SECRET CATALOGS :)

Updated on 22 Nov 2011:
5 days post op. I am starting to go a little crazy sitting here in the house ready to get out. TMI= but i still havent had a BM , i think it will happen today i had som extra MOM and 2 stool softeners this am.SO fingers crossed. I have only been taking tylenol XS today and i am doing well with just that. Today is the first day i can take a shower finally a little nervous on that but my husband is going to try and help me. Still extremely happy that I did this. I am pretty swollen still but not much bruising. I will try to get pictures up today after i tke my shower.

Updated on 23 Nov 2011:
6 days post op and doing pretty well. I am only taking tylenol and finally had a BM today (thank God, I was praying ) However I am still walking hunched over , not as bad but still. I really wish i could take this binder off it is very annoying and uncomfortable. Family does not really know about the surgery and know thanksgiving is tomorrow not quit sure how thats going to play out. I also was wondering how long did everybody sleep in the recliner? I wanted to try to sleep in my bed tonight? I hope everyone is doing well and has a wonderful thanksgiving tomorrow. Happy healing.

Updated on 24 Nov 2011:
7 days post op and Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

Updated on 24 Nov 2011:
Had a great Thanksgiving, however i did have to take a nap in between family dinners. I tried to set my bed up and sleep there tonight but just didnt feel comfortable QUESTION FOR ALL THE POST OP FRIENDS OUT THERE: does your stomach or did it feel slightly hard at times during the day???? maybe swelling??? but it comes all the way up to right under my breast? and FYI holy cow does it hurt when you have to cough or get food down the wrong way.....i was in tears and swore my stomach was wide open......

Updated on 26 Nov 2011:
9 DAYS POST OP AND STILL VERY SWOLLEN AND HUNCHED OVER. I CAN'T WAIT TO STAND UP STRAIGHT AND SLEEP ON MY SIDE AGAIN OR EVEN IN MY BED WOULD BE NICE. I START WORK AGAIN MONDAY I HOPE I SURVIVE.HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GREAT WEEKEND.

Updated on 26 Nov 2011:
9 DAYS POST OP PICTURES UP

Updated on 27 Nov 2011:
Well it is now post op day 10 and i am still sleeping on the recliner. I tried the couch and wasent that great and sleep in bed last night for about 3 1/2 hours and that was all I could stand, so back to the recliner again. To be honest I am not sleeping very well there either. SO at this point I hate to be a cry baby but lack of sleep is starting to get to me. I wish i wasen't a side sleeper. Other than that and still not standing completely up I am still so happy i did this. I guess they say NO PAIN NO GAIN. Sorry to be a downer this am just hope i get to sleeping beteer soon for the whole families sake. :)

Updated on 28 Nov 2011:
Ok so 11 days post op and had an appt today. The PS thought there was too much fluid so I had to get it removed. After I made a cry baby out of myself...yes THE WHOLE OFFICE STAFF was in my room trying to stop me from crying and to help me from being so nervous and holding my hand I found out it really was not that bad at all. I was still numb so i just felt a little weird (maybe uncomfortable) pressure and then it was done. 20 ml and a bandaid later I was fine. I guess he thought he was going to get more. He said that was good and wont have to do it again. SO phewwww!!!!! He said everything looks good and I go back in 1 week. Fingers crossed and praying continues.

Updated on 29 Nov 2011:
12 days post op......Today was day 2 at work and they let me work in the office instead of seeing patients. So I thouhgt I would have a pretty easy day, but right after lunch I was miserable and I have felt swollen from incisionline all the way up to under my breast. I actually put two garments on today after hoping to get the swelling down. I am praying the PS does not want to try to take more fluid again at my next appt. I told him yesterday get it all because I dont want to do it again. I even asked him if we would have to do it again and he said no. I really hope not. I am also extremely tired today and it is 6pm where i am and I can barely keep my eyes open. Well now that I am done complaining I have to say I had one of the best night sleeps last night in MY BED.

Updated on 30 Nov 2011:
13 days post op.....I cant believe tomorrow will be 2 weeks post op. It really does fly bye. Every day gets a little better. I have felt going back to work I feel great in the am and about 2 or 3 I start getting extremely tired,worthless, and swollen. I know i already had fluid drained and it was not that bad but I am still nervous that he is going to want to do it again MOnday when I go back. I am sleeping alot better since I am able to sleep on my side now. Ready for my clothes to fit again and the swelling to go down. Patience is an essence I KNOW I KNOW....

Updated on 5 Dec 2011:
18 days post op.......sleeping alot better thanks GOD....I do have sweeling still and can't fit into my pre op jeans yet :( a little sad on that part.... I am back to work so I know my body has to get use to it but by 3:00 I am very tight and swollen. I have another check up this afternoon and dreading the PS draining more fluid but I am sure it's going to happen. Even with all the complaining I would do it over again tomorrow.

Updated on 5 Dec 2011:
ok went to the Ps today....and he said everything looks great. He did not have to drain any more fluid phewwww thank you....he said it still had a lot of swelling and usually week 2 and 3 are the worse because you are up moving around alot more which i am back to work and seeing patients. He also said I didnt have to wear my binder unless I was uncomfortable. That was exciting so I left it off but about an hour later I put it back on , i think late in the afternoon after working all day is not the time to leave it off.So good news no GREAT news today and happy healing.