Starting on a New Journey - Scottsdale, AZ

Fabulous news on my wound! Dr said all along that when wound starts closing it really closes FAST...it is happening! It has gone from being 3/4 size of zenbodygoddess photos to now just a few inches and not deep at all. I am still doing wet dry dressings twice a day with dakins solution. I was never brave enough to take photos of its worst. Now, I can see the end of the tunnel. My main problem remains terrible all the time headache and flu like feeling. I have been to primary dr and had blood work done twice...all normal, no infection now ( I did have infection when if first started opening 4 weeks post op). Dr thinks it is just my body's way of handling the trauma of infection and wound open. I am counting on it going away soon...since it really looks like wound will be totally closed in next few weeks. It is another example of everyone being different. So many have an itching problem on this site...I have never had one! Still can't find anyone with the headache problem I have struggled with. I am so happy to see the end close. This has been such a hard time for me. But, the way I look at it is that we all go through hard times ...at least at the end of this hard time I will have a flat tummy and not that terrible "apron" for the rest of my life! This IS going to pass!

I had my tt on sept 19. Recovery went really well until about week 3-4. I started on a health program with a trainer 2 years ago...so I was I great shape...juicing...protein...worked out at gym 5 days a week. Then after 3 weeks...started noticing that my incision started opening and looking white ish in a couple areas. I had no fever but didn't feel "right". Friends told me it was still soon after major surgery and all was fine. I told myself that maybe adrenalin had gotten me through the first few weeks and now I was coming down to reality that it was a lot to go through and just needed more time to heal. I will admit I was hesitant to go to the dr...I had been aspirated the week before. I just wanted to give my body time to heal without more poking. It was my daughter's college Parent weekend a 2 hour drive away. By Saturday I knew I had a big problem and had to call the dr. I felt fluish and the incision was opening more and more and oozing. PA was very responsive ( as dr white was at a conference out of town) and suggested I dilute peroxide and water and put gauze dipped in solution on wound...and to come in when back in town on Monday. PA again was great and checked in with me on Sunday...things were looking even worse and antibiotics were called in and she explained how to make a dakins solution by boiling water ect sterilizing all.... Monday am I saw dr white and she cut out he "bad" tissue ...they call it debrievement?For me it looked like making a bad situation worse by making it deeper and wider but of course that is not true it needed cleaning and clearing out. I am following closer other brave people on this site that have had problems like zen body goddess and cat who have situations far worse from me with wound vacs etc. You are my inspirations. Here I am 3 weeks later, I have been to the dr 3 times a week for first 2 weeks then 2 times a week....had debrevment every week...had no or low fever but had the worst flu feeling and worst headache for 3 weeks...had complete blood work to make sure I don't have infection internally...urine samples etc. My mom comes to my house twice a day every day to pack my wounds with gauze and dakins solution. Dr haves out ruler anything more serious, so just think I feel so lousy because my body is spending all energy on healing and it has been a major stress on my system. GOOD NEWS: I AM getting better and will get over this. I am still thankful I had the surgery. My flat tummy looks great. I believe I have hit he rock bottom and the worst is behind me. I am thankful for my mom for taking care of me. There are no pictures to show because truly I put a pillow over my head when I am laying in bed and mom does gauze changes. The first day the dr cut away and explained how to do gauze changes I was woozy and again not at all feeling well. That night when my mom came over to help with the gauze change I had pulled myself together and told my mom to just watch me to see if I did it right. When I took out the gauze I felt like that clown in the circus that keeps pulling a scarf out of his sleeve ...endless. I looked down at the wound and couldn't believe how big and deep and OPEN ...looking at my insides!!!! Thought I was going to faint. Never have looked at again. I told you I am not strong like some others. But...somehow I am getting through this. If I could just pack the wound and get on with my day it would be great! My biggest problem is not the wound but this terrible headache and flu feeling. Still very night before I sleep I say my prayers that I am thankful...thankful I am healing...thankful the worst is over...thankful for my flat tummy. I don't know why this happened...I have read a lot of reasons why and don't think they apply...just happens to some. My dr says it happens to less than 5% of people. I have felt depressed that it has happened to me and the others I have read about on this site...and yet....what are we going to do but BUCK UP AND GET OVER IT! I wish you all marvelous healing! Sorry I am not brave enough to post photos cause that would mean I'd have to look at myself!

2 weeks ago tomorrow I had my tummy tuck and lipo. Here are my updated photos. I am soooooo pleased!