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11 Weeks today
So glad to be this far along!
On the down side, I traveled for work two weeks ago and gained 5 lbs in 4 days. How is that possible? It hasn't come off either, and I've been a bit down, so since coming back I've been eating a lot. I know I'll get back on track, so enough of that.
I've started doing some more intense, but short work outs. Body is tolerating it fine except sit ups. I can do crunches, but not a full sit up, not even a chance. Body says, "HELLL no". :)
Still cant lie fully on my stomach comfortably. I can go there, but only for a minute or two and it is not comfy.
Other than that I'm doing great! Hope the same for the fellow TT'ers!
On the down side, I traveled for work two weeks ago and gained 5 lbs in 4 days. How is that possible? It hasn't come off either, and I've been a bit down, so since coming back I've been eating a lot. I know I'll get back on track, so enough of that.
I've started doing some more intense, but short work outs. Body is tolerating it fine except sit ups. I can do crunches, but not a full sit up, not even a chance. Body says, "HELLL no". :)
Still cant lie fully on my stomach comfortably. I can go there, but only for a minute or two and it is not comfy.
Other than that I'm doing great! Hope the same for the fellow TT'ers!
Seven Weeks!
Overall I'm thrilled with the surgery. I can't believe how well I healed, how little pain I had and how flat I am. I especially can't believe how flat she got me under the bra area as she did NO lipo! Where did the rolls go? So weird.
Finally, the time is going faster. So slow in the beginning! I really meant to post more, but here is a summary:
Time off from work: I took exactly 20 days off, day 21 worked 6 hours. The first week back I worked three days, each about 6 hours, the next week was 4th of July, so I only worked three days that week too, but more hours. After that, wham, back to 12 hour days. Energy is great and I feel fine.
Standing: I took a LONG time to stand straight. My doctor says its because she pulled me so tight. But it was five weeks before I could sort of stand straight and at seven weeks I still slump slightly at the end of the day. I was really starting to feel like would never be straight again! Most women here seem straight by week three! I blame my OBGYN. It is a long story, but my OBGYN and my PS do these surgeries (well not necessarily the bladder, but the other two) together a dozen times a year. And apparently they are a little competitive with each other! So the day of surgery, I told my PS that she didn't need to pull me that tight, that I knew I'd still have stretch marks post surgery (my stretch marks were THREE inches ABOVE my belly button). But the PS said she thought she could get them all. And then my OBGYN told the PS that she'd never get all those stretch marks...and well - she did. They were texting each other photos of me during surgery. LOL! Incredible, I can wear a bikini for the first time in 23 years, but kinda convinced that I may never be able to do yoga again! It is hard to explain the slumping to others who see me at work. Most people only know about the hysterectomy, which obviously would not explain it seven weeks later! People also notice that I look skinny. I think some of them are putting two and two together. Oh, well.
Swelling: I've never had terrible swelling. This could be because I had no lipo. Between weeks 2-5 I'd sometimes not be able to button my pants at the end of the day and my stomach would feel really tight! But all in all not bad. I fit in my pre-surgery clothes five days post op and now I'm back in all my clothes that were too tight as I'd really put on a few pound the last few years! Pre-surgery I was pushing a size 10, now I'm an 8, many times a 6! I'd say for the last week, that I don't notice that tight feeling anymore. I should note, I've restricted salt since the surgery, and plan to keep that up for a while.
Pain: I was never in intense pain. Sure, it hurt like hell to cough (OMG!!!), or even breathe deep, but as long as I was still, zero pain, just discomfort. I never took prescription pain pills after leaving the hospital. I felt as long as I had breaks from the pain, I could stand it when I was moving. I think this prevented all the constipation discomfort so many get here. Never had that issue. I only took the occasional Advil. As of week 7, I can now sneeze with almost no discomfort. I occasionally go three or four hours without thinking about the surgery! WOOT!
Sleeping: Along the same lines as standing - had to sleep in the recliner (thank GOD for the lift recliner) for FIVE weeks. At week seven, I can sleep on my side, but no way the stomach.
Weight: I lost 6 lbs. after the surgery, the PS took off 4 lbs. and who knows how much a uterus and cervix weighs! LOL. The rest I think came from eating carefully.
What really saved me: Power lift recliner, raised toilet seat, hand held shower with one/off switch and the shower seat!!! Could not have done it without these items (some of that could be due to the other two surgeries as well). SPANX. I switched to high waisted super control spanx about week three. PAINFUL to get on, but once on, was much more comfortable than the binder or the other compression garment (especially with the allergic reaction irritation, will cover that later).
Complications: Well, overall I'm blessed, but three things - I have fought with Restless Leg Syndrome for years, but about three years ago got it under control when I finally got my iron level up. Well, it came back with a vengeance. You have to have RLS to know just how crazy-making it is. I read online that anesthesia can trigger a bout of RLS and plus, I had to lose some blood, so maybe my iron dropped. But it took 5-6 weeks for it to go away. Oh, it was one of the worst parts of the whole thing, as RLS makes you jump and twitch and not be able to sleep, so when you hurt to move... just miserable.
Second, I developed an allergy to the steri strips. I called my PS twice, but they didn't schedule me to come in for a week. I have sensitive skin and chronic hives and once those histamines kicked in, the rash was spreading inches a day. I finally called my dermatologist and got a script for steroids. I'm still scarred from the rash, but I know my stupid skin, that will go away in a couple of months. Still, frustrating.
Third, I woke up from surgery with a numb left arm. To the point I could not hold anything with it. It's a somewhat rare, but not unheard of complication from the surgery. Apparently the position my arm was in for the five hours of surgery irritated a nerve and caused it to bruise and swell. It took five weeks for full function and feeling to come back. What a relief when it became apparent it was getting better!
Oh, one last thing. I deal battle terrible nausea post surgery. For eight hours after I couldn't even open my eyes without feeling like I was going to throw up, then I felt great for eight hours (see post, feeling great) then I got sick again for 24 hours! Miserable. And they gave me all the anti-nausea drugs. GRRR. No idea why I react that badly. yuck. I got sick twice, and OMG the pain. :'(
Scar - my incision is great. low, smooth, not that red. I promise, I will load photos someday! I did "spit" seven stitches week three and a couple since. No big deal, first round went to the doctor and had them cut off, now I gently tug with tweezers and I think because they are dissolving they just break free. I'm confident I could NOT have pulled them week three, definitely needed the doctor for that!
Numbness: I have a numbness from one inch above my belly button to about two inches on either side and all the way down. It's better than in the beginning when my entire stomach was numb. When I had my first post op visit, and the nurse touched my stomach I HATED it. The sensation was so strange and it felt tight and almost --- well plastic. It is better now, hope someday to have sensation back. I do giggle at the women that pierce their belly button during this time - I can see why, no way it would hurt so if you are so inclined, go for it when the doctor gives you the green light!
Drains: One drain was in six days, one for thirteen. I was really surprised that as long as I got them to lay flat against my body, and didn't twist them around they really didn't hurt while they were in. I've also learned there are different kinds of drains and some are wider than the tube for the part that is under your skin. I think there are two reasons why some people have pain when the drains come out and some don't. I think some are more numb than others, and some drains that I've seen are wide and flat (again, that is the part you can't see inside of you). Can't lie - mine hurt like hell coming out and hurt for 5-10 minutes after. Nasty burning sensation. Still, not the end of the world...but very unpleasant.
Exercising: I bought a new treadmill (I was due for one) and put it in my recovery room, with the thought that I could lean on it and walk a tiny bit each day. Well --- that didn't happen for four weeks. I just didn't feel up to it more than about three times. And I mean a tiny bit - 3-7 minutes. Now I'm back up to walking a couple miles at a clip. Even ran a little, but with all three surgeries, I'm taking it light and easy. I'm content with waling a couple of miles a day for now.
Showering: I was not allowed to get the drain sites wet until 24 hours after the last drain came out. I started washing my hair in the kitchen sink with the spray hose on around day 4. Since leaning forward is one of the few things you can do, this worked well for me. I'd lean heavily on the counter. Did that for two weeks. Then would sit on my shower stool and use the hand held and wash careful to avoid the drains and wound. Even after the green light to shower, I used the shower stool as no way my back could handle standing that long. Finally showered "normal" week 4.
Help: I was medically required due to hysterectomy to spend one night in the hospital. That was a good thing. I came home on a Thursday night. My husband goes to work at 5 a.m. so he checked on me in the morning and helped me a little. My daughter goes to work at 10, so she helped me mid-morning and then my husband came home and checked on me at noon. Then I was on my own until 5. Luckily I was kinda a zombie at that point. Then they were home with me for a three day weekend. By the end of that I was okay being alone. Wasn't great - if I dropped the remote I was in trouble, but was able to do small things for myself - again due to the lift chair, the toilet riser, etc.
Overall, thanks to this site, I felt well prepared for surgery. I was really scared about doing all three at once, but very glad now that I did. I gave myself three weeks of pure rest and did NOTHING but read, TV, and only had visitors three times. I didn't drive until day 19 (ha ha it was time for a mani/pedi!). After day 21 I gently started to push myself. I'm glad I did it and REALLY glad I'm at week 7! :) Best wishes to all of you considering this, and hope this helps someone, especially the rare person that will combine a medical surgery with the elective.
Finally, the time is going faster. So slow in the beginning! I really meant to post more, but here is a summary:
Time off from work: I took exactly 20 days off, day 21 worked 6 hours. The first week back I worked three days, each about 6 hours, the next week was 4th of July, so I only worked three days that week too, but more hours. After that, wham, back to 12 hour days. Energy is great and I feel fine.
Standing: I took a LONG time to stand straight. My doctor says its because she pulled me so tight. But it was five weeks before I could sort of stand straight and at seven weeks I still slump slightly at the end of the day. I was really starting to feel like would never be straight again! Most women here seem straight by week three! I blame my OBGYN. It is a long story, but my OBGYN and my PS do these surgeries (well not necessarily the bladder, but the other two) together a dozen times a year. And apparently they are a little competitive with each other! So the day of surgery, I told my PS that she didn't need to pull me that tight, that I knew I'd still have stretch marks post surgery (my stretch marks were THREE inches ABOVE my belly button). But the PS said she thought she could get them all. And then my OBGYN told the PS that she'd never get all those stretch marks...and well - she did. They were texting each other photos of me during surgery. LOL! Incredible, I can wear a bikini for the first time in 23 years, but kinda convinced that I may never be able to do yoga again! It is hard to explain the slumping to others who see me at work. Most people only know about the hysterectomy, which obviously would not explain it seven weeks later! People also notice that I look skinny. I think some of them are putting two and two together. Oh, well.
Swelling: I've never had terrible swelling. This could be because I had no lipo. Between weeks 2-5 I'd sometimes not be able to button my pants at the end of the day and my stomach would feel really tight! But all in all not bad. I fit in my pre-surgery clothes five days post op and now I'm back in all my clothes that were too tight as I'd really put on a few pound the last few years! Pre-surgery I was pushing a size 10, now I'm an 8, many times a 6! I'd say for the last week, that I don't notice that tight feeling anymore. I should note, I've restricted salt since the surgery, and plan to keep that up for a while.
Pain: I was never in intense pain. Sure, it hurt like hell to cough (OMG!!!), or even breathe deep, but as long as I was still, zero pain, just discomfort. I never took prescription pain pills after leaving the hospital. I felt as long as I had breaks from the pain, I could stand it when I was moving. I think this prevented all the constipation discomfort so many get here. Never had that issue. I only took the occasional Advil. As of week 7, I can now sneeze with almost no discomfort. I occasionally go three or four hours without thinking about the surgery! WOOT!
Sleeping: Along the same lines as standing - had to sleep in the recliner (thank GOD for the lift recliner) for FIVE weeks. At week seven, I can sleep on my side, but no way the stomach.
Weight: I lost 6 lbs. after the surgery, the PS took off 4 lbs. and who knows how much a uterus and cervix weighs! LOL. The rest I think came from eating carefully.
What really saved me: Power lift recliner, raised toilet seat, hand held shower with one/off switch and the shower seat!!! Could not have done it without these items (some of that could be due to the other two surgeries as well). SPANX. I switched to high waisted super control spanx about week three. PAINFUL to get on, but once on, was much more comfortable than the binder or the other compression garment (especially with the allergic reaction irritation, will cover that later).
Complications: Well, overall I'm blessed, but three things - I have fought with Restless Leg Syndrome for years, but about three years ago got it under control when I finally got my iron level up. Well, it came back with a vengeance. You have to have RLS to know just how crazy-making it is. I read online that anesthesia can trigger a bout of RLS and plus, I had to lose some blood, so maybe my iron dropped. But it took 5-6 weeks for it to go away. Oh, it was one of the worst parts of the whole thing, as RLS makes you jump and twitch and not be able to sleep, so when you hurt to move... just miserable.
Second, I developed an allergy to the steri strips. I called my PS twice, but they didn't schedule me to come in for a week. I have sensitive skin and chronic hives and once those histamines kicked in, the rash was spreading inches a day. I finally called my dermatologist and got a script for steroids. I'm still scarred from the rash, but I know my stupid skin, that will go away in a couple of months. Still, frustrating.
Third, I woke up from surgery with a numb left arm. To the point I could not hold anything with it. It's a somewhat rare, but not unheard of complication from the surgery. Apparently the position my arm was in for the five hours of surgery irritated a nerve and caused it to bruise and swell. It took five weeks for full function and feeling to come back. What a relief when it became apparent it was getting better!
Oh, one last thing. I deal battle terrible nausea post surgery. For eight hours after I couldn't even open my eyes without feeling like I was going to throw up, then I felt great for eight hours (see post, feeling great) then I got sick again for 24 hours! Miserable. And they gave me all the anti-nausea drugs. GRRR. No idea why I react that badly. yuck. I got sick twice, and OMG the pain. :'(
Scar - my incision is great. low, smooth, not that red. I promise, I will load photos someday! I did "spit" seven stitches week three and a couple since. No big deal, first round went to the doctor and had them cut off, now I gently tug with tweezers and I think because they are dissolving they just break free. I'm confident I could NOT have pulled them week three, definitely needed the doctor for that!
Numbness: I have a numbness from one inch above my belly button to about two inches on either side and all the way down. It's better than in the beginning when my entire stomach was numb. When I had my first post op visit, and the nurse touched my stomach I HATED it. The sensation was so strange and it felt tight and almost --- well plastic. It is better now, hope someday to have sensation back. I do giggle at the women that pierce their belly button during this time - I can see why, no way it would hurt so if you are so inclined, go for it when the doctor gives you the green light!
Drains: One drain was in six days, one for thirteen. I was really surprised that as long as I got them to lay flat against my body, and didn't twist them around they really didn't hurt while they were in. I've also learned there are different kinds of drains and some are wider than the tube for the part that is under your skin. I think there are two reasons why some people have pain when the drains come out and some don't. I think some are more numb than others, and some drains that I've seen are wide and flat (again, that is the part you can't see inside of you). Can't lie - mine hurt like hell coming out and hurt for 5-10 minutes after. Nasty burning sensation. Still, not the end of the world...but very unpleasant.
Exercising: I bought a new treadmill (I was due for one) and put it in my recovery room, with the thought that I could lean on it and walk a tiny bit each day. Well --- that didn't happen for four weeks. I just didn't feel up to it more than about three times. And I mean a tiny bit - 3-7 minutes. Now I'm back up to walking a couple miles at a clip. Even ran a little, but with all three surgeries, I'm taking it light and easy. I'm content with waling a couple of miles a day for now.
Showering: I was not allowed to get the drain sites wet until 24 hours after the last drain came out. I started washing my hair in the kitchen sink with the spray hose on around day 4. Since leaning forward is one of the few things you can do, this worked well for me. I'd lean heavily on the counter. Did that for two weeks. Then would sit on my shower stool and use the hand held and wash careful to avoid the drains and wound. Even after the green light to shower, I used the shower stool as no way my back could handle standing that long. Finally showered "normal" week 4.
Help: I was medically required due to hysterectomy to spend one night in the hospital. That was a good thing. I came home on a Thursday night. My husband goes to work at 5 a.m. so he checked on me in the morning and helped me a little. My daughter goes to work at 10, so she helped me mid-morning and then my husband came home and checked on me at noon. Then I was on my own until 5. Luckily I was kinda a zombie at that point. Then they were home with me for a three day weekend. By the end of that I was okay being alone. Wasn't great - if I dropped the remote I was in trouble, but was able to do small things for myself - again due to the lift chair, the toilet riser, etc.
Overall, thanks to this site, I felt well prepared for surgery. I was really scared about doing all three at once, but very glad now that I did. I gave myself three weeks of pure rest and did NOTHING but read, TV, and only had visitors three times. I didn't drive until day 19 (ha ha it was time for a mani/pedi!). After day 21 I gently started to push myself. I'm glad I did it and REALLY glad I'm at week 7! :) Best wishes to all of you considering this, and hope this helps someone, especially the rare person that will combine a medical surgery with the elective.
feeling great...how is this possible?
On The Flat Side! AfterDealingWith IntenseSick To My Stomach...NowFeeling Great. I Haven't Looked ButThe Nurses Say I Look Good! More Soon When I Can Get To A Real Keyboard.
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