Can't Wait to Be Pain Free! - Chattanooga, TN

I haven't updated in a bit, so I'm going to try to think back. I saw my PS 10/31 (6 days post op) to have my drains removed. I was so nervous, but it didn't hurt at all. It felt weird because you could feel it coming out, but no pain. However, they took all my surgical tape off, wiped me down with alchol, and put new tape on and that did not feel good. It wasn't too bad, but it was a little painful. While I was under for my BR I also had a mole removed from my forehead. I've had it since birth which makes it more likely to become melenoma, so he wanted to go ahead and remove it. All of my BR stiches are disolvable, but the ones in my forehead he had to remove at that appointment and that hurt! On my right breast where the vertical and horizontal stiches meet wasn't healing as well as he would like, so he kept the tape off that area. I was told to change the dressings and keep aquaphor on it to keep it moist. He wanted to see me back in one week. I was doing it 3 times a day until I returned to work, now I'm doing it morning and evening.

I returned to work 10 days post op. I had a desk job, so my PS okayed it. The first few days back were hard because I was sooo tired. I have never been that tired in my life. But, each day got a little better and by Friday I made it the whole day without being exahusted. I went back to the PS Wednesday. He said the area wasn't looking any worse which was good. He said to continue doing what I was doing. He thinks it will heal up fine on it's own, it's just taking a little longer. He said he took more out of that side and that might be why. He took 680 from the right and 550 from the left ( I think that's what he said).

My husband is an EMT and he works late/long hours. We have a 4 year old and an 9 month old. I couldn't have made it this far without my amazing family. I still can't lift my 9 month old, so anytime my husband is gone to work after my work hours, I have to have someone with me. My mom and sister have been with me a lot and I'm very thankful. My sister has spent the night with us a lot too. On the weekends the kids have been spending the night with my In-laws. It's hard because I miss them, but it's only for a few weeks and I feel like I can be such a better mom after this recovery is over. I can run around the yard with them and snuggle them closer!

Right now my energy level is back to normal. I'm having to remind myself to take it easy and not do as much as normal. I'm a pretty active person who doesn't like to sit when I'm home, so I'm having to watch it. I have overdone it a few times and then I get some pain. Otherwise, I'm usually pain free. This whole recovery has been pretty much pain free. If anything there have been moments of very mild pain, but nothing like I imagined. Sometimes I get a feeling like my stitches are pulling and it's a little uncomfortable, but not painful.

I don't have to go back to the PS for 2 more weeks. He said to keep the surgical tape on until it falls off. It has started pulling off in places and I keep it trimmed back. Everything underneath is looking very good so far. He told me when the stitches are exposed to just put regular lotion on them. I'm looking forward to be able to lift my baby and trying to run. I've tried running before, but it didn't work out well with the big ole boobies. I'm so excited to try it now- that will probably be a bit though.

Of course I'm no where near fully recovered but I'm shocked at how easy is been so far. Pain hasn't been too bad. I stay on top of my pain meds. The day before surgery my sinuses started acting up and they have been a bigger pain than the surgery. I was supposed to shower yesterday but I got dizzy every time I stood up so we put it off. We did take off my dressings and put the surgical bra back on. I was nervous but it didn't hurt at all. Still have drains in but they aren't as bad as I expected. I'm not draining much either. I have such a great family who had been bringing meals and helping with the kids. My parents even rented me a recliner for the month to help me sleep. So much better than trying to prop up in bed.

Surgery went great. It felt like I had just fell asleep and I was already waking up in recovery. I've had some mild burning or pressure but nothing too bad. Staying on top of my pain meds. I arrived at the hospital at 11am and we were home by 6. I slept from the time I got home until around 10 this morning other than taking medicine and going to the bathroom. I've napped off and on today too. I was dreading drains but they aren't so bad. I took some before pics but no after yet.