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12 DAYS POST OP - new faja, hard tummy, lumpiness - fibrosis?
Have been feeling so much better physically and was able to return to work normally (I'm a waitress). The first couple days of work were pretty painful in the hips (days 6-8 post op), but once I obtained another prescription for pain meds I was fine. I was having anxiety about moving around "too" much since I am constantly walking at work, but upon research I came to the conclusion it is better for me to be up and moving around. I could have used a few more days of rest, though.
As for the condition of my body... it was time to switch into a new compression garment. The one given to me by the hospital was getting loose, and not providing enough "squeeze" as it's a pretty thin and stretchy piece of material. I had ordered two new fajas from Amazon from links that my patient coordinator provided to me. One of them has a zipper and the other clasps that can be altered for varying levels of tightness. I originally ordered XS (I am 5'4 120 lbs) but it was WAY too small, so I re-ordered the zipper in a S and the clasp in a M (the garment given to me by the surgery center was a M).
When I got the new fajas, I tried on the S, and it BARELY fit... I kept it on for a few hours until it became unbearable, it was so tight and was squeezing the life out of me. Tried on the M and it was almost as tight. I felt disheartened and freaked out a little because I thought I was getting bigger ("maybe I kept the thin garment on for too long and now my tummy is too big"). I know I won't see full results in months, but at this point I was having extreme anxiety. None the less, I squeezed on the M and after a day or two, it fit more comfortably, and I was able to clasp it together with ease. The swelling had probably gone down from wearing it.
At 12 days, I switched into the S garment to wash the M, and took a look at my body (this is where I took the photos above). I am MUCH smaller, especially at the top of my "abs". If I suck in, you can see abs at the top.
As for my lower belly.... the skin is super hard there, it almost feels like there is something hard under the skin, especially where my incision holes are. When I turn to the side you can see a big round "belly" which is all hardened skin. It feels lumpy to the touch. I assumed it could be from the fluid I didn't get removed at my first post-op appointment. Google told me it could be "fibrosis" which is a normal side effect, and the lumps will eventually dissipate and return to normal.
Trying my best to trust the process!!
A little disappointed in the appearance of my butt. My hip dips look good, but there isn't much projection on the sides of my butt anymore... I didn't have much fat to begin with, so I should just be more happy that my belly is gone.
As for the condition of my body... it was time to switch into a new compression garment. The one given to me by the hospital was getting loose, and not providing enough "squeeze" as it's a pretty thin and stretchy piece of material. I had ordered two new fajas from Amazon from links that my patient coordinator provided to me. One of them has a zipper and the other clasps that can be altered for varying levels of tightness. I originally ordered XS (I am 5'4 120 lbs) but it was WAY too small, so I re-ordered the zipper in a S and the clasp in a M (the garment given to me by the surgery center was a M).
When I got the new fajas, I tried on the S, and it BARELY fit... I kept it on for a few hours until it became unbearable, it was so tight and was squeezing the life out of me. Tried on the M and it was almost as tight. I felt disheartened and freaked out a little because I thought I was getting bigger ("maybe I kept the thin garment on for too long and now my tummy is too big"). I know I won't see full results in months, but at this point I was having extreme anxiety. None the less, I squeezed on the M and after a day or two, it fit more comfortably, and I was able to clasp it together with ease. The swelling had probably gone down from wearing it.
At 12 days, I switched into the S garment to wash the M, and took a look at my body (this is where I took the photos above). I am MUCH smaller, especially at the top of my "abs". If I suck in, you can see abs at the top.
As for my lower belly.... the skin is super hard there, it almost feels like there is something hard under the skin, especially where my incision holes are. When I turn to the side you can see a big round "belly" which is all hardened skin. It feels lumpy to the touch. I assumed it could be from the fluid I didn't get removed at my first post-op appointment. Google told me it could be "fibrosis" which is a normal side effect, and the lumps will eventually dissipate and return to normal.
Trying my best to trust the process!!
A little disappointed in the appearance of my butt. My hip dips look good, but there isn't much projection on the sides of my butt anymore... I didn't have much fat to begin with, so I should just be more happy that my belly is gone.
6 DAYS POST OP - sore hips, swelling, first post-op / 2nd massage
It's now 6 days in and I am feeling so much better! The first few days, the biggest source of pain for me was the burning sensation in my torso. The doctor warned me that the pain would feel like "1000 crunches"; and I made the mistake of assuming he meant the soreness that comes after... but what he really meant was that burning sensation you get in your abdomen AS you're doing crunches. That is real.
Now, I don't feel as much burning in my tummy... but the pain has now migrated to my back, and my hips. I can't use my arms too much because it strains the muscles in my upper back and shoulderblades (for example: opening and closing doors, pushing anything, throwing anything over or under arm). My whole back just feels sore.
The most painful thing to deal with right now is in my hips. My butt is rock solid and I can feel pouches of fat on either side where the fat was deposited. It feels like there's a rock in my hip; or that I'm very sore from working out my glutes. If I stand normally, it feels like I'm clenching my glutes together even when I'm relaxed.
My bruising has gone down SIGNIFICANTLY! It could be due to the Arnica tablets I've been taking three times a day, as recommended by my coordinator. They help with swelling, inflammation, and bruising.
I had my first post-op appointment today at the surgery center, with my second massage scheduled immediately after. The patient coordinator saw me and removed the 7 stitches from my back (it didn't hurt, just felt like a sting). She noticed some liquid in my abdomen, right below my belly button and above my pubic area. She showed me that you can tell if there's still fluid underneath if you touch it lightly and it creates a ripple effect. She was going to inject a needle into the area to drain the fluid, but I got very light headed, and asked if we could hold off... I'm terrified of needles and punctures. She told me that I might still be numb there and it shouldn't hurt, but we agreed to leave it for now; and if the fluid doesn't get absorbed by my body by the end of the week, I could come in next week and have them remove it with the needle.
My second lymphatic massage wasn't as painful as the first. It is just an extremely uncomfortable feeling.
I had to get more pain medicine since I ran out of my first batch.
I will say that I am trying very hard not to look at myself in the mirror... I look very "large" all around... my tummy is flat, but I just feel wide if that makes sense? I got to speak with my surgeon today also and he assured me that I am swollen, that it would take a few months to see normal results, and that the way I look now ISN'T the final product.
Fingers crossed.
Now, I don't feel as much burning in my tummy... but the pain has now migrated to my back, and my hips. I can't use my arms too much because it strains the muscles in my upper back and shoulderblades (for example: opening and closing doors, pushing anything, throwing anything over or under arm). My whole back just feels sore.
The most painful thing to deal with right now is in my hips. My butt is rock solid and I can feel pouches of fat on either side where the fat was deposited. It feels like there's a rock in my hip; or that I'm very sore from working out my glutes. If I stand normally, it feels like I'm clenching my glutes together even when I'm relaxed.
My bruising has gone down SIGNIFICANTLY! It could be due to the Arnica tablets I've been taking three times a day, as recommended by my coordinator. They help with swelling, inflammation, and bruising.
I had my first post-op appointment today at the surgery center, with my second massage scheduled immediately after. The patient coordinator saw me and removed the 7 stitches from my back (it didn't hurt, just felt like a sting). She noticed some liquid in my abdomen, right below my belly button and above my pubic area. She showed me that you can tell if there's still fluid underneath if you touch it lightly and it creates a ripple effect. She was going to inject a needle into the area to drain the fluid, but I got very light headed, and asked if we could hold off... I'm terrified of needles and punctures. She told me that I might still be numb there and it shouldn't hurt, but we agreed to leave it for now; and if the fluid doesn't get absorbed by my body by the end of the week, I could come in next week and have them remove it with the needle.
My second lymphatic massage wasn't as painful as the first. It is just an extremely uncomfortable feeling.
I had to get more pain medicine since I ran out of my first batch.
I will say that I am trying very hard not to look at myself in the mirror... I look very "large" all around... my tummy is flat, but I just feel wide if that makes sense? I got to speak with my surgeon today also and he assured me that I am swollen, that it would take a few months to see normal results, and that the way I look now ISN'T the final product.
Fingers crossed.
3 DAYS POST OP - taking the garment off! faja burns? + first Lymphatic Massage
3 days post fell on Friday - the same day I scheduled my first Lymphatic Massage. I was told it might be a good idea to schedule 2-3 massages per week for about 4 weeks after surgery. The purpose of the massages are to drain any excess fluid or fat in the body, decrease discomfort, and reduce swelling. I was dreading this appointment because many people (the surgeon included) warned me that it may be the most painful part of the whole experience.
I waited to shower until a few hours before my massage. It was also at this point I realized the additional compression garments I ordered for myself were way too small. (It's a good idea to order more than what your surgeon gives you, so you can stay compressed while washing them - and as your swelling reduces, the one they give you will become loose, and you'll want to slip into a smaller garment that will keep you compressed).
I had my partner help me slip off the garment which was DIFFICULT. I got light headed and had to lay back down for a few minutes. It was really scary to take a look at my body for the first time; since I have body dysmorphia, I almost wanted to wait months to look at it when the final results would be achieved. Considering how much I was draining though, I knew I had to get it off and clean myself.
We finally got the garment off - the hardest part was getting it around my hips and buttocks, which were still rock solid. It was surreal to see my body like that in the mirror. I had bruises on both sides of my tummy from the ends of the lipo foam. and I could see the three incisions on my upper pubic area that were left open for further draining. I had to gasp when I turned around to take a look at my buttocks...they were PURPLE.
My tummy was in fact gone! My body still looked somewhat swollen or large, I tried to remind myself that this isn't the final product ... it was just strange to look at to say the least.
I took a shower, put the garment back on, and we headed to the massage. I booked my first massage at the same location as the surgery. The therapist was so nice and reassured me when I expressed how nervous I was. She had me lie on my stomach first on a table as she massaged my back with some gel and an ultrasound. It wasn't too painful, just a little uncomfortable. She then began to massage normally, applying more pressure. This hurt.
I then flipped over and she did the same with my stomach... my god did that hurt. It was awful! I think it could have been worse, because she told me she didn't apply full pressure since I was in so much pain. I was a little disappointed because I was expecting to feel MUCH better after the massage, and I only felt a tad better.
Went home and continued to lie on my stomach and sleep, taking my two doses of pain relief every 6 hours.
I must also note that during this whole process, I couldn't sleep through the night / kept waking up. The most painful "burning" for me was always right in the morning when I tried to get out of bed. It always hurt to try and straighten my back or bend it, and I would have to do so slowly. I did notice that after some moving around and walking, I would feel much better.
I waited to shower until a few hours before my massage. It was also at this point I realized the additional compression garments I ordered for myself were way too small. (It's a good idea to order more than what your surgeon gives you, so you can stay compressed while washing them - and as your swelling reduces, the one they give you will become loose, and you'll want to slip into a smaller garment that will keep you compressed).
I had my partner help me slip off the garment which was DIFFICULT. I got light headed and had to lay back down for a few minutes. It was really scary to take a look at my body for the first time; since I have body dysmorphia, I almost wanted to wait months to look at it when the final results would be achieved. Considering how much I was draining though, I knew I had to get it off and clean myself.
We finally got the garment off - the hardest part was getting it around my hips and buttocks, which were still rock solid. It was surreal to see my body like that in the mirror. I had bruises on both sides of my tummy from the ends of the lipo foam. and I could see the three incisions on my upper pubic area that were left open for further draining. I had to gasp when I turned around to take a look at my buttocks...they were PURPLE.
My tummy was in fact gone! My body still looked somewhat swollen or large, I tried to remind myself that this isn't the final product ... it was just strange to look at to say the least.
I took a shower, put the garment back on, and we headed to the massage. I booked my first massage at the same location as the surgery. The therapist was so nice and reassured me when I expressed how nervous I was. She had me lie on my stomach first on a table as she massaged my back with some gel and an ultrasound. It wasn't too painful, just a little uncomfortable. She then began to massage normally, applying more pressure. This hurt.
I then flipped over and she did the same with my stomach... my god did that hurt. It was awful! I think it could have been worse, because she told me she didn't apply full pressure since I was in so much pain. I was a little disappointed because I was expecting to feel MUCH better after the massage, and I only felt a tad better.
Went home and continued to lie on my stomach and sleep, taking my two doses of pain relief every 6 hours.
I must also note that during this whole process, I couldn't sleep through the night / kept waking up. The most painful "burning" for me was always right in the morning when I tried to get out of bed. It always hurt to try and straighten my back or bend it, and I would have to do so slowly. I did notice that after some moving around and walking, I would feel much better.