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Day 8 post-op............Still no pics because my...
Day 8 post-op............Still no pics because my before pics were on my ipad which is being repaired. Dont want to post any pics til I can post them in order starting with Before. Doctor visit went very well today. He pulled the left drain (surprisingly, it was COMPLETELY painless). He said incision looked remarkably well for only 8 days. I'm walking completely upright with no walker since day 3 or 4. No pain.........just soreness from the muscle repair. I go back next Wednesday.......hopefully he will pull the other drain on Wednesday. Still VERY, VERY swollen. Wondering what I can do speed along the process of reducing the swelling besides eating low-sodium foods, drinking plenty of fluids, taking bromelain capsules and resting. My surgeon promised that I would be happy in due time. Happy healing to all and to everyone getting ready, best of luck! I'll let you in on a little secret...........take your pain meds exactly as directed. DO NOT skip a dose or wait too long. If the pain "gets ahead of you", its hard to get it back under control. I took mine exactly on time and slept through the first 3 days, which are the hardest.
My first post-op appointment went well. She took...
My first post-op appointment went well. She took off the binder and bandages and cleaned my belly button and let me take a look at things. I was VERY swollen. So much that I look as big, if not bigger, than before surgery. She assured me that was normal and that it takes time. She rewrapped me with the binder and I go back on Friday. Drains are still in and may not even come out by Friday. They're annoying but I would rather have the drains that a seroma. Pain is minimal. Walking upright without walker. Can someone please reassure me that the swelling will go away and I will see some results soon? Very depressed already. I will post pics tomorrow. Thanks ladies!
Tummy Tuck Blog My story begins 8 years ago....
Tummy Tuck Blog
My story begins 8 years ago. I gave birth to my son, and knew at the time that I had diastasis (muscle separation) from the stretched muscles during pregnancy. I just didn't know how badly my muscles were stretched until now. All of these years, I have walked around looking like I was about 5-6 months pregnant. Not to mention a little extra weight that I could not get off, and the result was a complete lack of self-confidence. When my son was 2 I started exhibiting symptoms that took 5 years to diagnose as Parkinson's disease. Needless to say, my attention turned from my from my protruding abdomen to my disease. The Parkinson's disease is able to be controlled well with medicine right now. Once I got that under control, attention turned back the one thing that inhibited me from everything I wanted to do. I was once an active, outgoing social butterfly. Because of my insecurities about my appearance , I became a recluse. I spent a large portion of my time staring in the mirror, worrying and obsessing about how I looked. I started reading the blogs on this website years ago and even went for a consultation in 2008, but felt guilty about spending the money on myself. Finally, at age 39 (I will be 40 in June) I decided I was going to do this for myself. I might not can change anything about the Parkinson's disease, but I can change this. And so – Here I am. I had my consultation with my doctor on January 23rd. Having had a consultation before and done research all these years, I knew that I was ready for the surgery so I actually booked it that day. My surgery date was set for February 28, 2013.
From January 23 through February 28, I read hundreds of blogs on this sight trying to prepare myself mentally as well as have all the things I would need to make my recovery easier. Some of the things I purchased are: 2 zip-front robes/housecoats (the kind like your grandmother would wear) at Walmart, several pairs of yoga pants, and a sports bra that fastens in the front. I also borrowed a walker, raised toilet seat, shower seat, and rented a lift recliner from Rent-A-Center. I cannot imagine not having any of these items, especially the lift recliner. I set the recliner in the sitting area of my master bedroom along with a Table-Mate tray and covered the recliner in a very pretty coral-colored sheet with a zebra-print blanket to make it cheery and attractive.
February 28, 2013
Today is the big day. I'm a strong believer in prayer, and asked all of my family and friends to pray that my nerves would be settled. The morning of surgery, I was just cool, calm and collected.... No nervousness at all. I woke up from the surgery with a bit of discomfort, but no major pain. The nurse got me up and helped me to the bathroom and help me get dressed. I recommend wearing a zip front jacket and elastic pants, like a jogging suit. Something easy that you don't have to pull over your head. Once I arrived at home, my husband and my mother helped me get settled in my recliner and started my pain medicine. One word of advice – stay on a schedule with your pain medication. Even if that means waking up in the middle of the night because if you let the pain get ahead of you, you will never catch up. My husband helped me to the restroom with my walker, and emptied the drains. The drains were one of my biggest worries. I was afraid I would tug or pull them out. But that is not the case. They have been secured and clipped to your binder to make sure they stay put.
The pain on a scale from 1 to 10 on the first day was about a 6 or 7. Not unbearable, just pretty bad.
March 1 and March 2 (days 2/3 PO)
These two days I would say the pain was about 6. I stayed on top of my medications and pretty much slept these two days. I had to walk several times to the bathroom just to make sure I didn't get a blood clot. Overall, pain is very manageable.
March 3 (day 4 PO)
Doing much better today. I have lowered the dosage of my pain medicine and have been able to stand up straight. I'm walking a little quicker. I shampooed my hair in the kitchen sink with the help of my husband and mother. I was even able to fix my son's lunch this morning for his lunch box. I can tell I'm very swollen through the binder but tomorrow is my first post op doctor visit. I finally had a bowel movement thanks to prune juice and stool softener. I know, too much information. But it is day four and I was beginning to think I was never going to go! Tomorrow will be day 5 PO. I will have my first doctors appointment. I know there is going to be a ton of swelling, so I'm not going to get discouraged. I will post again when I get back from the doctor.
My story begins 8 years ago. I gave birth to my son, and knew at the time that I had diastasis (muscle separation) from the stretched muscles during pregnancy. I just didn't know how badly my muscles were stretched until now. All of these years, I have walked around looking like I was about 5-6 months pregnant. Not to mention a little extra weight that I could not get off, and the result was a complete lack of self-confidence. When my son was 2 I started exhibiting symptoms that took 5 years to diagnose as Parkinson's disease. Needless to say, my attention turned from my from my protruding abdomen to my disease. The Parkinson's disease is able to be controlled well with medicine right now. Once I got that under control, attention turned back the one thing that inhibited me from everything I wanted to do. I was once an active, outgoing social butterfly. Because of my insecurities about my appearance , I became a recluse. I spent a large portion of my time staring in the mirror, worrying and obsessing about how I looked. I started reading the blogs on this website years ago and even went for a consultation in 2008, but felt guilty about spending the money on myself. Finally, at age 39 (I will be 40 in June) I decided I was going to do this for myself. I might not can change anything about the Parkinson's disease, but I can change this. And so – Here I am. I had my consultation with my doctor on January 23rd. Having had a consultation before and done research all these years, I knew that I was ready for the surgery so I actually booked it that day. My surgery date was set for February 28, 2013.
From January 23 through February 28, I read hundreds of blogs on this sight trying to prepare myself mentally as well as have all the things I would need to make my recovery easier. Some of the things I purchased are: 2 zip-front robes/housecoats (the kind like your grandmother would wear) at Walmart, several pairs of yoga pants, and a sports bra that fastens in the front. I also borrowed a walker, raised toilet seat, shower seat, and rented a lift recliner from Rent-A-Center. I cannot imagine not having any of these items, especially the lift recliner. I set the recliner in the sitting area of my master bedroom along with a Table-Mate tray and covered the recliner in a very pretty coral-colored sheet with a zebra-print blanket to make it cheery and attractive.
February 28, 2013
Today is the big day. I'm a strong believer in prayer, and asked all of my family and friends to pray that my nerves would be settled. The morning of surgery, I was just cool, calm and collected.... No nervousness at all. I woke up from the surgery with a bit of discomfort, but no major pain. The nurse got me up and helped me to the bathroom and help me get dressed. I recommend wearing a zip front jacket and elastic pants, like a jogging suit. Something easy that you don't have to pull over your head. Once I arrived at home, my husband and my mother helped me get settled in my recliner and started my pain medicine. One word of advice – stay on a schedule with your pain medication. Even if that means waking up in the middle of the night because if you let the pain get ahead of you, you will never catch up. My husband helped me to the restroom with my walker, and emptied the drains. The drains were one of my biggest worries. I was afraid I would tug or pull them out. But that is not the case. They have been secured and clipped to your binder to make sure they stay put.
The pain on a scale from 1 to 10 on the first day was about a 6 or 7. Not unbearable, just pretty bad.
March 1 and March 2 (days 2/3 PO)
These two days I would say the pain was about 6. I stayed on top of my medications and pretty much slept these two days. I had to walk several times to the bathroom just to make sure I didn't get a blood clot. Overall, pain is very manageable.
March 3 (day 4 PO)
Doing much better today. I have lowered the dosage of my pain medicine and have been able to stand up straight. I'm walking a little quicker. I shampooed my hair in the kitchen sink with the help of my husband and mother. I was even able to fix my son's lunch this morning for his lunch box. I can tell I'm very swollen through the binder but tomorrow is my first post op doctor visit. I finally had a bowel movement thanks to prune juice and stool softener. I know, too much information. But it is day four and I was beginning to think I was never going to go! Tomorrow will be day 5 PO. I will have my first doctors appointment. I know there is going to be a ton of swelling, so I'm not going to get discouraged. I will post again when I get back from the doctor.