Dreams Can Come True - TT/MR/Hernia - Ohio

I can't believe the day is finally almost here! I am 38 years old with 4 children and a wonderful husband. I am 5'4" and weigh 133 pounds.

I had a lot of loose skin after baby number 3, but after baby #4 I had pretty bad muscle separation. I can actually stick my fingers in between the muscles (or lack of)! In fact, my stomach sticks out so much from the separation that I look like I am pregnant all the time even though my friends say they can't even see it. Yeah right! I also have had an umbilical hernia since baby #3 (9 years old).

I have been dreaming of a TT since I had the stretched out skin and didn't think I would really do it, but here I am...going tomorrow to get my new, flat belly! Woohoo! I am so excited!

I can't believe I am actually going to show pictures. :( I'm so embarrassed.

I did it! My surgery was Friday morning. Fell right to sleep and next thing I know, I'm in recovery.

I felt really good on Friday and Saturday. Sunday was a different story and I pretty much felt pain the whole day. I kept feeling this stinging/burning feeling on my right side. PS says it is the nerves reattaching.

Until today I wasn't able to eat more than a few bites of anything before I felt full. Today, I was able to eat a whole piece of fruit! Hooray!

I had an appointment with my PS this morning to change dressings, etc so I got to see my belly. Oh my! It looks incredible! Bikini body, here I come! My husband said he couldn't believe how awesome it looked already!

So I guess it has been a few days since I have posted. The last few days weren't that great for me.

On Tuesday, (4 days post)I felt a little better and missed my family, so I spent some time downstairs, ate dinner down there, watched kids playing in the backyard, etc. It was only a few hours and all I really did was sit! I had felt chills all day and attributed it to the cool temperatures (upper 70s instead of mid 90s we've had lately). Turns out I had a low fever. Took some Tylenol and went to bed.

Yesterday, I felt kind of depressed. I think I am missing the hustle and bustle of my regular life. I am not one to stay home and lay around all the time so this has taken a toll on me. It did help to talk to some of my friends yesterday on the phone, so I recommend that highly!

I did get to finally take a shower! Oh my gosh, it felt incredible. I wanted to stay in there all day! Truly amazing and the best part of my day!

I continued to have the fever yesterday, so I called my ps and he had me come in. They ended up pulling out one of my drains which didn't hurt at all even though I thought I was going to pass out from being so nervous about it! Ha! They also took the stitches out of my belly button. The other drain will come out on Monday.

I had to start wearing my "pantie girdle" last night. I swear, that thing is SO tight! Anyway, until Monday, I am supposed to wear the pantie girdle (kind of like a spanx but supposedly "hospital grade") and then wear my binder over top of that! I swear, I feel so claustrophobic! I was practically crying trying to put it all on last night and falling asleep was a whole different story! I swear, these compression garments are going to be the death of me!

Today is Thursday so 6 days post op. I need to get a picture of my belly to show you guys. I can't believe how flat it is despite the swelling. I can't even get on my pre-op shorts that were too big for me before. I don't really look that swollen, but apparently I am.

Anyway, may try to get some pics today so I can update. I know people love seeing the pictures!