Get Ready - Date Set - Go! - Bellevue, WA

I'm PO 24 days and I'm trying to figure out where the last week went! I spent the first 2 thinking time was dragging...you get back into a normal routine and even though you're moving slow, time starts to fly! I will be at 4 weeks PO on Wed and am feeling good. Not 100% but very thankful to get around as well as I do. I have been working a little from home this past week and tomorrow I return to the office, for sure; I extended my time off by a few days. I'm hoping t make it most of the day but think I'll still work a bit from home. I've not been sleeping very well. I've been in my bed since surgery. We have an adjustable base so that's been very helpful. Sometimes I can sleep on my left side but most nights I'm still sleeping on my back with extra pillows but when I wake, my legs are so sore and I'm not sure how normal that is. I just know it doesn't feel good.

So far I'm pretty pleased with my results. It's hard to fully enjoy it with the swelling I get outside of my CG. But there's no more lumps under the yoga pants or under form fitting shirts so no complaints. My scar seems to be healing well. I've always been super sensitive so bruising is still an issue along the scar - especially on the hips. My right side contour seems to be healing better than my left side contour over my hip. I'm hoping it's just the swelling and not the need for a small revision. My PS advised that I could start massaging my abdomen & scar so I've got the Palmer's oil and will start that this week. I have a couple small scabs on my scar but they're thin and super small so I'll avoid those for now. A big positive - I'm now at 120lbs - down 12lbs from surgery day. That is totally exciting! I still fluctuate a couple pounds depending on the day but I eat healthy, still trying to drink more water but iced tea with lemon seems to be the easiest way to do that for me. Dodging sodium is still a struggle.....still miss pickles. Jeans fit great but it's been so nice here that I think it's maxi's between now & the end of summer. Let's face it, it's Seattle, summer doesn't last that long. New pics coming shortly!

Yesterday was a turning point for me at PO Day 11; took down my bedside supply set up. I am feeling more & more like myself so the new issue is trying not to do too much! Today was my return to the grocery store. tried to stick to my list to avoid extra isles, took my 12 yr old for help & we let the bag asst load everything. With everything put away, it was enough for a nap! My incision seems to be healing nicely. Steri strips were taken off at an appt last week and there's been very little to clean. Just maintaining keeping it covered in bacitracin ointment. Swelling seems to come and go but I've yet to have any major swell hell. And have been completely off meds since week 1. My compression garment is still on 24/7 outside of when its being washed during shower-hour. That may be why I havent noticed much swelling yet. The zippers that run up the side seem to irritate me more than anything else. Looking forward to wearing it part time come Wed and thinking of switching to a straight spanx top. The low sodium has been hardest of all for me. I'm not a sweets person so salty has always been my vice. It's been a good opportunity to kick that habit ( oh how I miss pickles!!!!). Last, my recovery couldn't be nearly as successful this far without my family; especially my husband who has been a robot! From dinner to kiddos to comforting me, he's been my strength. Super glad to be back to somewhat normal to help again!

So update to PO day 6 --- last night I had a temperature that hit 102.4. I talked with my nurse and set an appt to come in to see Dr. Gottlieb today. No other symptoms, appetite, activity and pain levels were all normal. My drain holes are healing nicely, no drainage or bleeding so I'm please with that. Only strange thing is that my swelling looks a little lop-sided? Is that normal? My guess is we'll come back with an antibiotic. :)