Mom of 5 Gets a New Tummy! - Baltimore, MD

It's now 8 days post-op and I'm definitely feeling better. I've just had my drains remove. Sweet Jesus thank you! For those of you who are squeamish, skip this part of my review. For those of you who would rather know the gritty truth...here goes.

First, let me state that in my ignorance, I didn't research "drain removal" in my usual OCD fashion and I'm sure it's been covered thoroughly here on the site, so this is just my own blind experience. Ok. Here we go. I sat on an elevated examination chair, legs a part. The nurse, kind angel, faced me and smiled. My 2 drains were inserted in my lower groin. Each tube was held in place by a small suture. The nursed clipped each suture and cleaned each area appropriately. She placed a small gauze pad over the first drain, smiled again and asked if I was ready. I thought, "O.k. what's about to go down 'cause that's an odd question." Any way, in complete airheadedness, I smiled back and said, "Sure." She then instructed me to blow (exhale) as hard as I could...which of course isn't too hard at this stage. She then proceed to pull out the drain. &**#@$@^#*!!! She saw the expression on my face, and wise girl, continued smiling and said, "Ready?" By now I'm thinking, "Ready for what? So you can snatch the remainder of my entrails out?" Again, I was instructed to "blow". So I did figuring better to get this crap over rather than prolonging the process.

So now that I've over-dramatized the experience, lol, let me say that it's really not all that bad. Each drain removal takes a split second. What I was surprised at was the length of the internal tube. I figured the amount to be 3/4" - 1" at most. Actually it is a few inches. The discomfort comes from dislodging it from its insertion, but again it was done quickly and on the scale of pain, it's not much, just surprising. In order to have the drains removed, I did have to demonstrate that I was at a minimal level of drainage for three consecutive days. I appreciate there being a definitive mark regarding criteria for removal.

As for the surgical site, progressing well. I have virtually no "pleating" along the scar, which I am VERY PLEASED about. Belly button coming along nicely as well. I am swollen, which I expected, but I'm sure some is my own fault. As a mom, you know our discipline regarding sitting down and resting pretty much sucks. My husband has been the consummate caregiver, but I hate being a burden. He has been insistent that I'm not and fusses at me to rest...so I guess I should. I do love how, even in its bloated state, my tummy is beginning to look.

As for strength, I am feeling better. Less wobbly on my legs and better able to take the stairs and such. I'm finding I need more structured chairs to sit in because though I'm close to standing upright, I'm still not quite there. The bent posture remains to be murder on my back.

As for sleeping, I'm resting well on my sides finally and can manage about 3 hrs of uninterrupted sleep before I feel the need to either turn over or lay on my back.

As for medications, I am done with my antibiotic. I take no pain killers whatsoever. I do take my multi-vitamin with its 100% Vitamin E. I was instructed not to use anything over that daily amount. I do also take one stool softener in the morning. I will continue to do that for about another day or so and see how bowel movements are independent of any medication. I eat a lot of fruit, natural applesauce and drink TONS of water. The goal is to move my bowels daily, which is what I normally do. All in all, I can say with confidence things are going well. And a tremendous thanks to the kind words some of you have left! It has made my day!

These photos are giving me a tough time. One more try uploading. Used a different browser so that must be the trick.

My headache has finally gone away. I had to resort to sleeping on my sides because sleeping on my back made my head POUND! After the first post-op visit I was ecstatic. Little swelling. Well that's not the case today. I got up this morning feeling pretty good so of course that was a single to me to get up and start doing things around the house. I did laundry, washed dishes, walked up and down the stairs. WRONG! So very wrong. My stomach puffed up like a water balloon. Lesson learned? Sit down and rest! My nurse did warn that I may experience some swelling this weekend and not to be surprised, but I obviously just made it worse!

Not sure why the pictures didn't upload the first time, but here they are again.