Finally Decided I Am Worth This! TT/BL/BA in Only 3 Weeks!! - Chicago, IL

Had my follow up appt. with Dr. Steinwald today. He changed all my steri-strips and removed the 2 anchor stitches. My belly button improved a little, but still not as much as he had hoped. He says if it doesn't improve, I may need to have a little work done on it. There's a little area where it's not healing as well. Of course, that freaked me out a wee bit and the thought of doing anything else to my belly button just makes me queasy :-( He switched me to a prescription cream to put on it twice a day for the next week to see if there is any improvement. I'm doing my best to think positively and will follow his orders to a 't' (and yes, say my prayers) that it starts to heal properly.

Other than that my boobs are looking amazing and my tummy hasn't been this flat since before I was pregnant! I'm very pleased with the results so far. My tummy/abs/hips/tops of thighs are very numb, strange feeling to have. Every once in a while I get 'zingers' in my boobs or tummy, those are signals that my nerves are regenerating and healing. I am still swollen, but that is to be expected. My pubic area is swollen too, a little more than I think he'd like it to be, but not awful. He suggested wearing a spandex type short to have some compression in that area as long as it doesn't bind into me in the stomach/ab area.

I'm up and about a little more now, been walking 'laps' in my house....lol. I had a realization today that I have not had any soda to drink since my surgery! AND I have not had any cravings to smoke cigarettes anymore!! This surgery has been good for me in more ways than one. I'll update again next Friday after my appointment with Dr. Steinwald and I'll take some new photos to show progress in my healing.

It seems as though the last 6 days have gone by so slowly, yet it's hard to believe it's been almost 1 week since my surgery. Here's what's been happening...
Day of surgery - surgery was anticipated to take 5 -6 hours, it actually took 7-8 hours. doctor said there was some difficulty with my right nipple centering and when suturing tummy, came across a few areas that took extra time and care to ensure proper healing. I am so grateful that he cared enough to take the time to do it right. I spent the night and the next day in the hospital. It was very painful to get out/in bed the first couple of times to go pee, even with the morphine I was getting. The tightening of the ab muscles that was done made it hard to breathe like I used to. I couldn't inhale as deeply. I had one drain on my left side. Staying overnight was optional, I would've definitely had more rest if I went home, but for the piece of mind of being close to my dr for the first 24 hours 'just in case' was worth it.
Days 2 & 3 - not going to sugar coat this one ladies, it was rough. My friend stayed with me, and there is NO WAY I could've made it without her help. Buying the lift recliner was SO worth the cost of not having to get in and out of bed. Can't express the importance of setting an alarm on your cell phone to remind you to take meds....I fell behind once, was 30 min. late and yes, I could feel the difference. Have also been taking Arnica Montana and Bromelain for swelling/bruising. There were several times I had to clear my throat, that had to be the worst part, the pain was excruciating, but temporary. The drain doesn't hurt, more of an inconvenience than anything (and a little gross for me). Took a shower on day 3. Almost 2 hours from undressing/removing tape and gauze/showering/drying off/new gauze and tape/dressing, but felt great afterwards. Had been sticking with soft foods and dreading to have the first BM, taking a stool softener just in case.
Days 4 and 5 - something amazing happened on day 4, I was feeling wonderful, had more energy, pain was less, getting up and walking around the house more often. I was truly surprised to feel so much better so soon. Had a follow up appt with doctor on Day 5, he said everything was healing very well, except my belly button is a little 'angry'....lol I need to start putting Neosporin on each day. The great news is that my drainage had slowed down enough, he took out the drain!!!!! Wasn't expecting that so soon either...bonus! I'll see him again in 4 more days to remove the anchor stitches on my new boobs. Had a few visitors today, was able to get out and get some fresh air, it was a good day :-)
Day 6 - today. Updating RS is my goal for today and to upload pics I took. I'm feeling good, having some 'sensations' in the nipple areas (nerves regenerating I think) but no discomfort. I'm so looking forward to healing more and trying on some clothes. Haven't done that yet, just hanging out in sports bra, compression garment, granny panties and my robe....lol and that's okay, this time is for me to relax and let my body do what it needs to get better and heal, that's my focus right now.

Oh my, I can't believe my surgery is THIS WEEK. It seems like I've been thinking about it, researching it, thinking about it some more for sooooo long, almost seems like it's not really happening just yet. On the other hand I've been shopping, cleaning, preparing for my recovery and I keep thinking 'what am I forgetting?? time is running out! only 3 days left! lol So much anxiety!