“Back to work...”

I'm 26 years old with two wonderful children, ages 9 and 2. I've wanted this procedure since the birth of my oldest child, but I'm glad I've waited until my second child came along to officially schedule it. I've been experiencing a variety of emotions during the last week, from excitement to nervousness to feeling like I'm doing something so wrong and selfish. I snap out of the latter pretty quickly, because I deserve this. I have 4 days to go and they're going pretty quickly. Sleeping at night isn't so easy. I wake up multiple times through the night with thoughts of tummy tucks:-)

Updated on 11 Feb 2012:
After today, I have 3 days to go. Ready for the break from work, even though it will be spent recovering from surgery. Trying to get some major cleaning done around the house since I won't be able to do it for a while. Can't wait!!

Updated on 14 Feb 2012:
It's Valentine's Day and my TT Eve!!! This is my gift to myself. Hoping to get through the work day without being overly anxious. Both my babies leave me this evening. My youngest will be away for a whole week. I'm going to miss them so much.

Updated on 16 Feb 2012:
Day 1 post-op: Pain and discomfort is all I can say. Trying to find a comfortable position and unable to. The aches in my muscles are by far the worst of the part of the surgery and the back pain while walking hunched over is a close second. I have plenty of before and afters to post soon. Not quite sure if the percocets or Valium are doing much.... I love the fact that I have no drains, just a pain pump.

Updated on 19 Feb 2012:
Day 4 po: Swell Hell. The back pain from walking hunched over. Omg, when are these things supposed to end?

Updated on 21 Feb 2012:
6 days po: Had a seroma in my lower abdomen drained today. About 60 ml of fluid was removed. Ewe.com. Feeling a lot better. Haven't taken a pain pill in two days. Went to Chili's before my appt today and I think everyone thought I was an alien, the way I was walking. Doc says everything's looking good. Will be posting pics tomorrow hopefully. Happy healing everyone!

Updated on 22 Feb 2012:
Ok, finally able to upload a few pics today. Only one after pic, but will take some more soon. My incision is very low which is definitely what I wanted. My PS said I had a unusually low c-section incision so he had to place it very low to include it. I drove a short distance (about a mile) to my sister's and I think I will need a nap before I drive back lol.

Updated on 24 Feb 2012:
Post op day 9: I'm not in the best of moods today. I awoke to a crusty, puss-emitting belly button. Luckily, I have a follow-up appt today and this definitely needs to be addressed. I'm not a happy girl. As a nurse, I can't help thinking the very worst. Ughhh! 

Updated on 26 Feb 2012:
Post op day 11, I think: Well, I haven't been in the best of spirits the past few days. My belly button is actually looking better, but I haven't been able to wear my CG due to a sharp pain in my lower right abdomen, the site of my new friend (seroma), everytime I bend my torso or right leg which is all the time basically. I see the PS tomorrow so I'm just hoping for some answers...

Updated on 27 Feb 2012:
Ok, I had a visit with my PS today. He told me my belly button is NOT (insert happy dance) infected which was great news. He says I've definitely been over doing it and haven't been wearing my CG enough. I was in tears after he told me everything I've been doing wrong. It's so hard to not do things being a single mother. My two year old came home yesterday and he now has to go for another week so I can rest. This saddens me. I missed him so much when he was away, but I need to heal and my body needs more rest to do that. Having doubts about the worth of all this. My abdomen is soooo swollen. I'll try to post more pics soon. Happy healing everyone.

Updated on 1 Mar 2012:
So today I'm officially 2 weeks PO and I feel so good! My belly button looks a lot better, still going through the healing process. I'm still swollen like a watermelon, but it's going down slowly, but surely. I'm not as hunched over anymore, but not totally straight. I'm still very tired after a couple hours of physical activity, but just feel so much better than the past few days! I've been wearing my abdominal binder religiously since my last PS visit and it does definitely help a lot so I won't be turning my back on it for a while. My PS did say I can start wearing Spanx and my order was delivered this morning!! How exciting! I also ordered Dermatix Ultra silicone scar treatment from Amazon today. I read reviews for it on www.scartreatmentassociation.com and they were great so I'll start that when I get the ok from my PS. Happy healing everyone!!

Updated on 2 Mar 2012:
Had a visit with my PS today. He said everything was looking good and I can start using a scar treatment once all my glue is off. How exciting! The best part of my visit was when he said my lovely seroma didn't need to be drained. I can barely feel any liquid there so I was hoping for that statement from him. Yayyyy to my abdominal bi der and Spanx for doing their job!!! I don't see him again until week after next.

Updated on 4 Mar 2012:
Tried to upload new pics, but they're not appearing in the right position so I'll try again another time.

Updated on 7 Mar 2012:
Well today is my first day back to work! It's bittersweet because I'm emotionally ready because I've been so bored, but not sure if I'm physically ready to be on my feet for 90% of a 8 hour shift. Either way, I'm wrapped up tight in my abdominal binder and I'm going to give it the best I got.

Updated on 10 Mar 2012:
24 days post op and day 4 back on the job. I must say my abdominal binder has become my best friend. It's her and I against the world and we work damn well together. I honestly don't know what I would do without it. My first day back was tough. The my heart was racing, my body was extremely stiff, and I just didn't have the energy. My second day was even worst, then things started looking up on my third day. I'm still extremely tired halfway through my shift, but it's definitely getting better. Everyone at my job wants to have a look at my stomach and everyone wants a tummy tuck now. I find it quite amusing. There are no secrets at my workplace. If you tell one, you've told the hold facility. Any how, happy healing to everyone!