49Yr Old Mom ofUpcoming Senior. Want to Feelbetter AboutWhat I See in the Mirror & Lucky to HaveSupportive Husb. Beavercreek, OH

As I had posted earlier, wasn't REALLY satisfied with how my back turned out (or didn't), so talked with my doctor last month about doing more and adding in my upper abs and arms. SO, we did that this morning! I was super nervous bc I got soooo sick post op last time and threw up several times. But this time was a breeze! It took a couple hours to stop shaking and teeth chattering in the recovery room, buy the nurses were wonderful and kept bringing me warm blankets! And of course my sweet husband who even went to the car and brought me in a stocking hat to wear! But zero nausea this time. So major kudos to anesthesia dept! Have been home in bed for about 5 hours now. Have tried to sleep but it hasn't happened. Not entirely uncomfortable, thank you Vicodin, but not comfortable either. Go see Dr E on Monday to change/remove bandages and packing and no shower this weekend.... Yuck! So no peeking, other than these before shots. He seemed very pleased with what he did, so we'll see!!

3 weeks later and I'm feeling better! My stitches are out and healing. The one that got infected is still really hard, but am hoping that goes away. The insides of my thighs are still VERY tender to the touch and very knotty. Does that go away? I'm using the Arnica but not sure how much it's helping? My doctor said I can now just where the completionl compression garment 12 hours a day now, but I'm worried about that. Still lots of swelling in my knees, thighs, feet and ankles. Sometimes it's very painful. Even so, I'm 2lbs lighter than pre surgery! So that is exciting. My clothes still feel the same, but my husband said he can definitely tell that my hips are slimmer!

Well, a week at the beach was definitely what the doctor ordered! Feel I've made quite a bit of progress. Most of the bruising is gone and I get my stitches out tomorrow. They are very itchy and the one just to the side of my right butt cheek is infected, so my husband is washing it with peroxide and using Neosporin on it. It's very swollen and inflamed and hurts like he##. All the flying has left me with a ton of swelling in my ankles and feet and they are aching, as well....which sucks bc some of it had resolved while I was lying on the beach and playing in the waves. I think the salt water really helped. Am super tired of the monkey sit, i.e., compression garment....it's hot and itchy and takes strategic outfit choices, for sure. I did wear it every night, but took off days in the sun and dinner with the family. All in all, I've been a compliant patient. I'm down to me pre-op weight, but still swollen everywhere. I'm excited to see what my surgeon says tomorrow. I'll post more pix after. My husband says he definitely sees changes, despite the swelling! No one else has noticed yet, but I'm o.k.with that. Would rather it be a gradual change.