I am finally close to having my surgery. I am getting nervous. I was ready when I first went in, but was sidelined by the need for a hysterectomy first. Then the cosmetic surgeon wanted to wait at least 4 months after that for me to heal. So now, here I am! I can get photos soon and post later.
Updated on 5 May 2014:
I am getting in surgery mode now. I'm glad I had the hysterectomy last Dec. I had never had surgery before except for tonsillectomy in 1976) so that helped me know a bit of what to expect. I'm still too shy about taking my own pictures and posting them. Not shy about getting them on the site, but shy about having them stored in my computer. I have only discussed this with my husband and no one else is aware. I just don't need the comments and questions. (and negativity from some) I see how I can keep anonymity for the site but not in my personal computer.
So I post as if this were a "mommy makeover" but my kids are adults. At my consultation the Dr. had me relax my abdominal muscles ( I looked 9 months pg) and told me my muscles were stretched probably 2 1/2 - 3 inches. I am constantly holding them in and it's really hard to relax them for very long. I can't wait to get that cinched up!
Now I am getting concerned about my chubby thighs. Will they look out of proportion to the rest of me after the surgery? And what about my facial skin? It is getting saggy too. And my eyelids could use a little lift. Then I have sagging upper arm skin. (I'd lost about 100 pounds over the last 3 years) Well, this is a start, I'll see if I can work on the rest of me over time.
Updated on 7 May 2014:
I go in tomorrow for my TT, BL with muscle repair. My husband took two weeks off of work and he is more nervous than I am. He'll take good care of me. I went to the store and bought protein shakes, jello, peanut butter and eggs. I also have soup and crackers. Filled my RX's and good to go.
Updated on 9 May 2014:
I can't believe I actually did it! I went in for the app. I was having high blood pressure. I've never had BP problems before, they had to give a med to lower it. I was very nervous!
Closed my eyes at 10 am and woke up at 2 pm. was very nauseous. They gave me jello. I really just wanted to get home and sleep.
I have been walking around and hunching over to walk.
I had my post op this morning and the Dr. said everything looks great. I was worried about the pain when I cough or strain my ab muscles. (worried I might rip a stitch) Dr. said not to worry.
The moment I woke from surgery I immediately noticed the flatness in my belly. I could not believe it!
My husband is taking excellent care of me and the cats since I can't take care of them right now. He does dishes, laundry and vacuums.
I hope time flies and I can get this drain tube out and stop wearing the garment. I'm ready to start living life in my new, improved body!
Updated on 9 May 2014:
Updated on 10 May 2014:
Today I mostly slept and ate. I feel great except that moment when I stand. After I get upright (as best I can) I feel better. I switched from narcotics and muscle relaxers to Advil, it seemed to help the pain better. I can walk around and use the bathroom on my own. I'll have my shower tonight. Dr. said shower is ok, but not too long and not too hot. I'll have my husband help me wash my hair at the sink. It'll be the first time I see myself without the pressure garment and gauze on. So I'm in for a shock. Might take time to take some photos.
Updated on 13 May 2014:
Today I woke with a screaming headache. I do get migraines so I hope that's not the case. I took three advil and will sit back and see if that helps.
I have been having some leakage in my right breast wound area. A call to the PS office and the nurse told me as long as it's clear it is perfectly normal. If it gets opaque, yellow or white then to call back. Also, I'm not running a fever and the area isn't swollen so it's all fine.
I usually try to stay in a positive mood but when I got my first look at myself after surgery the first thing I thought was how ugly it all was. The bruising all black and blue and purple and greeinish yellow. The skin looking all plastic like a mannequin's. The incision areas all thick with scabbing. The drain tube hanging out. I know this is temporary. I just thought I'd mention it. Don't get the idea that feeling great is meaning that everything looks great from the get go.
I am able to stand more straight up but not all the way yet. I have more energy daily but still get tired. I decided to continue taking the Tylenol 3 at night so I can sleep well. Then just take advil during the day. ICAN NOT WAIT to get the drain tube out!
Every time I eat a meal I worry that all my fatness will return. I feel like when the pressure garment is removed for good my two spare tires are going to come pouring out over my lap as before. I've had those spare tires for so long it's very difficult to imagine they are gone for good.
The day of my surgery my Dr. marked up the areas and made his drawings on me and sat back and said "say good bye to all this." I looked down and thought "I will not miss you!" Now it's just too hard to believe it's really gone for good. I am amazed. I will be more amazed when healing is done and I won't have the muffin top!
Updated on 15 May 2014:
One week ago today I had my surgery. I am so sick of that drain tube! I am getting really bored.
I did a 1/4 mile on the treadmill at the lowest speed. It took me about 15 minutes. I felt like I could keep going but decided I didn't want to get too worn out. Up till now I have been just wearing a night gown over my garment. Today after my shower I put regular clothes on. It seems to make everything more stiff and tighter. Difficult to sit down normally.
I hope I'm not doing any damage by wearing pants.
I did get a little down on myself today. Seeing myself in the mirror before my shower and seeing all the bruising and swelling. I started saying to myself, "be careful what you wish for..." I hope another week of healing will show improvements and getting that darn tube out on Monday will be a huge relief.
Updated on 19 May 2014:
First off, my ps office is very strict about the drain staying in place for 10 days, no less! They made that clear from the start. So today I was anxiously waiting for my 10:30 appointment and hoping today would be the day. But, I knew chances were slim. I had a very rough weekend. Ran a fever up and down and the drain tube started secreting white pieces. (sorry if that sounds gross, but I can't think of a better word) Dr. looked at all the incisions and said just to look at it he would never think there was infection because everything looked good. But the looks of the output in the tube did not look good. So the fever was under control by today but the drainage and a couple of red swollen areas were enough for the Dr. to RX antibiotic for 5 days and leave tube in for that time also. Darn it! Oh well, I'd rather be healthy when this is over. So I'll deal with this now.
Interestingly, he told me the tube inserts (for me) on my left hip area and goes all the way over to the right hip area. I asked if he has nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or will put me out when the time comes to take it out. (Jokingly) he said he had never had to do that. It will be a moment of pain and then over. His assistant said, it's like ripping off the band aid. I will have to grit and bear it! 5 more days with this though.
Updated on 21 May 2014:
I'm the type that seems to suffer in pain because I have a high tolerance for it. After being on antibiotics for only 3 days I am feeling so good I didn't realize just how bad I was feeling before.
I will hopefully get the drain out Friday morning. Maybe even Thursday if I call the Dr. office and tell them how much better I feel. I would feel much better about getting out and about without this thing bulking out and making me self conscious.
Updated on 23 May 2014:
I cannot say how good and freeing it is to have that out! It didn't hurt as I expected it to. A little stinging at the opening and that was it. I have been afraid of getting that site wet in the shower and asked my Dr. about it. He said "absolutely" wash it in the shower, scrub it even. I always thought stitches and open wounds were to stay dry. Maybe that's old school.......
Still walking a little slow and slightly hunched over. I'm stretching out in my recliner as exercise and making sure my shoulders are back and relaxed when I walk.
I'm starting to get concerned about my belly button not being centered. I will keep an eye on that, it could be swelling causing it to look out of place for now. I will definitely mention that at my 6 week follow up in June. I'm on my own till then.
Thankful to God for getting the drain out and thankful to be feeling better.
Updated on 24 May 2014:
The bruising is starting to fade, still not standing completely straight up. I think the lop sidedness is more from me not standing straight and trying to get a good angle with the lighting.
Updated on 26 May 2014:
That seems to be the healing process for me. I feel really good one day and then not so good the next. But the not so good is still better than a couple days before. So that is progress.
My left breast swelled up the day after surgery and Dr. said to leave alone. I guess my body will decide when to let fluid go. So far, I doubt it's seroma. He would know. But it's bigger than my right side and annoys me. We women like symmetry don't we?
The last two days I have been more energetic, but around 2 p.m. I get very tired. Not just a little tired. The kind where I say "I'm just going to rest my eyes for a couple of minutes" and the wake up three hours later feeling like a lead brick kind of tired. It reminds me of PMS symptoms I used to have before my hysterectomy. I am on a daily iron supplement. So I figure this is part of the healing process and my body knows it needs rest. I am mentally ready to get back to my old routine but physically some things are too strenuous. Like putting dishes away if the cupboard is too high. Or opening a window because it's just a bit out of my reach and I don't want to risk stretching that 1/2 inch extra.
Updated on 30 May 2014:
Only because I had to, but it was about time I gave it a go. I even went out on the freeway. Made it home so I don't think I did bad at all.
Updated on 30 May 2014:
I put my compression garment and bra in the laundry, took a shower, and finished the laundry and got myself dressed all by myself today. It was exhausting! I am now back in my recliner and relaxing. I live in a split level house so it involved going up and down the stairs. My incision area above the pubic area is still very sore. I was planning to do a little shopping tomorrow and look for a transitional compression garment. We'll see if I have the energy for it.
Updated on 1 Jun 2014:
Still bruised on the left breast. Still have a lump under there too. (Dr. is aware) Some of the gluey stuff with marker is starting to peel off a little at a time. My right side hip area had some pus draining out. But I'm not running a fever. I read on RS that it is most likely from the dissolvable stitches. It isn't seeping now so I'll keep an eye on it. The front pubic bone area is so sore and swollen. You can see it is red and inflamed too. Sharp and stinging pain. I told my husband to day I feel like I look like a monster.
Updated on 4 Jun 2014:
Still have swelling and pain at the pubic bone area. Yesterday I had leakage from my right breast incision. A lot of leakage. I have been using panty liners as a pad for the breast incisions (just stick them in the bra) and the right one filled up and leaked onto my clothes over night. My left breast still is bruised, still has the lump and is misshapen. I would like THAT one to leak and get down to match the other one. So today some more of the gluey stuff peeled off my ab incision and I was shocked! Hardly can tell there is a scar there. Dr.s PO instructions say to start vitamin E oil on scars at 6 weeks PO. I will do that but I am amazed the scar is so thin there. I hope all areas turn out like that. The right hip area is still getting a little pus leaking out when I press on the area just above the scab. No fever though. This weekend will be the official 4 weeks milestone and I will start to gradually start to go without the compression garment. Still sleep with it on. Still taking Advil for the painful pubic bone area.
Updated on 5 Jun 2014:
Today is my 4 weeks PO day. I sat down to re read my written instructions and I made a mistake. I have been posting that at 4 weeks I get to start having the CG off during the day and still wear it at night for two more weeks. Glad I read my info, because I had it backwards. I wear it still during the day and off at night. Bottom line and moral to the story: follow your Dr.s individual instructions, they may differ from what others are being told, and re read your PO instructions often!
Updated on 12 Jun 2014:
Looking back at my posts I realize how much progress there's been. I am over the second infection. I feel good again. The infections not only frustrate me but I feel listless and tired until the antibiotics start working. Now I feel like I am really on the road to recovery. The abdomen is still very numb and feels like a board is sitting there. Very odd sensation. And the swelling, and the bruising on the left breast and the lumps. I finally started sleeping in the bed through the night and even getting to sleep on my side! I wake up in more pain from being stretched out. I really need to get back to walking. All in good time, I guess. I will attempt some photos later, hard to do by myself, but I will see if I end up with some "postable" pics.
Updated on 16 Jun 2014:
It's all healed up now. A little red still. But looking much better than in this picture.
Updated on 20 Jun 2014:
Updated on 25 Jun 2014:
I had my 6 week Po visit and it went pretty well. I don't go back until Oct. for my 6 month PO visit. So I am go for getting back to exercising, which I did today.
They took photos and said they will again at the 6 months visit. Then I get the copies of all. Before, six weeks and six months. Will be interesting to see.
Updated on 1 Jul 2014:
I had my 6 weeks PO a week ago. Some of the comments the Dr. made:
1. Right now the scar skin is as strong as it's going to ever be.
2. The red dots are called "spitting". It's the dis-solvable sutures disolving.
3. If I see a little white string sticking out I can pull it out.
4. I'm allowed to resume all normal activities including using weights during exercise.
5. I can switch to a "spanx" type garment. (which I already had by then)
He didn't mention any scar treatment. I noticed there were advertising flyers in the office waiting room. Maybe he doesn't want to come across as a "pushy salesman" and if I ask he'll recommend what they use. Right now my scars are still bright reddish pink.
I have swelling days and then a real good day of non swelling where I think the worst is finally over. Then I will have a swelling day again. This will take a lot more time than I expected.
I use a CG made my 'flexees' it is really super soft. Hooks at the crotch.
The bruising in the breast has finally faded to very light. But the lump is still there. A little smaller but I can feel it.
The incision on the abdomen still stings a little on the sides. Itches too.
I can't wait to take a final photo of being all healed!
Updated on 5 Aug 2014:
I had that left side lump for so long, this week it started festering. I did (probably a no-no) and poked it with a sterile needle. It was gross. lumps of blood came out. Then it drained for a day. I had to stick pantie liners in my garment and change it twice a day. It was still painful and itchy so I poked it again and all kinds of pus came out. It's starting to feel and look better now.
My scar is still bright red for the most part. However, I am back to exercising as before surgery so that is good news.
Updated on 14 Aug 2014:
Way back when I was obese I wore a DD cup. Then I lost 100 lbs. and was in a C cup. I had my tt and bl and it's been 3 months. My regular bras have been so uncomfortable. So today I went and purchased a D cup bra. It is so much more comfortable! I had the surgery because I wanted to look better in my clothes and not feel so self conscious about my middle section and breasts drooping and pulling the bra down and having to adjust and pull it up all day long. Success! Now I look like I've had implants and I'm wondering if my close friends and family are wondering if I did. Oh well, if they ask I'll be able to say no I have not. I told my husband that it's almost embarrassing to be my age and have such perky breasts. :-)
I will get used to it.
Updated on 25 Aug 2014:
I wrote this on August 11, 2014:
Saw my Dr. today. He said "yep, that's pus." It was due to a 'foreign body' which was more stitch. (called 'spitting') Last week I got a piece out that was about 1/4 inch. Today he took a piece out that was longer than that. And it hurt! He had to open up the area and find the piece and take it out. I also asked about the abdominal pain and he said it's the nerves trying to find their way to reattach themselves again. He said to massage the area and it should help. So I will try to be patient.
So that was two weeks ago. The area is still leaking orangeish clear and sometimes pus looking stuff. I did remove another piece of stitches. I'm still debating on whether to call the Dr. again. It really hurt last time he opened it and got stitches out. It should clear up on it's own sooner or later, right? Should I take anti biotic?
It's very frustrating.
Also, I'm still in abdominal pain. It hurts to cough or sneeze. Even though it's not as bad as right after surgery, I still feel like something is going to tear if I strain too much. Getting out of bed, or just turning over is still painful. I don't want to take IB because I want to monitor what will hurt and how bad it will hurt. As I mentioned before, I look better with my clothes on than I did before surgery, so I'm happy about that. Now I just want to be healed and not in pain. I haven't exercised in a couple of weeks either, that adds to the frustration level.