Over 55, Just Can't Get Rid of the Belly on my Own - Waterloo, IA

Things have been going very well. Still cannot believe it has been 10 days! Got the drains out Thursday. Very quick and easy. Have been sleeping in the bed since then. Have been able to take a shower and wash my hair every day. I could not be happier with the way everything has gone! Here are some of the things that I wish I would not have concerned myself with: I thought I would not be able to reach my arms up. Happened with my TAH but not this surgery. I thought it would hurt a lot to get the drains out. Not at all and he pulled them both at the same time! (I even took a pain pill, but did not need it.) Pooing is not a problem with a stool softener. The drains are not as inconvenient as I thought they would be. Sleeping on my back is not uncomfortable. Pain is minimal, the worst part is walking bent over and the mircle suit! My husband is a slightly better nurse than I thought he would be! Hang in there. It really does go so quickly once it starts. XO

Sorry that I have not gotten back to you sooner. Everything has been wonderful! I decided to set-up my recovery nest downstairs and the comuter is all the way to the top. Things have been going sooo well that I did not want to risk the steps. I have now had 3 showers and 4 poos. Had so little pain that I did not want to take the pain meds, but husband and doc wanted me to. I will tell you that my recovery has been so much easier due to the shower chair and the toilet riser. It can be done without them, but I am a bit older than most of you, so it really helps (acually thinking about keeping the toilet riser on!) Doc sent me home with great photos that I must figure out how to get on this site. Also my wonerful PS just came to my house so that I did not have to go in and see him on the office the day after surgery. And it was a Saturday! Hope to get the drains out Thursday. Down to approx. 25 ml/day. My belly is flat! I know this will change several times before healing is complete, but right now it feel wonderful to not have that belly resting on my legs while I type! I am so thankful for this entire experience. More later. XO

OK, today is the day. We have to be at the hospital at 6 AM and the surgery is at 8. Here are my morning stats: height 5'5'', weight 168.0 lbs, right across the nipples 39.5 in, just under the breast 35.0 in, belly button 39.0 in, hips 41.0 in. Slept well from 9-11:30, woke up just in time to slug some water. Could not get back to sleep so got up and did some yoga to get me loose for the surgery. Here we go! Please send me your loving, healing, don't let her throw-up thoughts! XO