56 Y.O. Momma of 6, TT, BLR, Lipo bra line, back, Flanks, Thighs, Ready to Rumble!

All the glue and tape off. Scars are better than I expected! Still some swelling in the afternoons but continually shrinking down and better day by day. I still have a LOT of numbness and zingers t random locations so I know things are healing!

Swelling has been going down every day. Had trouble with the Marena girdle that was supplied to me by my PS. It was way too small and knew within an hour that I would have to get next size up! I ended up special ordering a Capri bodysuit with suspenders because I figured I could wear it under my big shirts and it looks like I have regular capris on! It arrived today! It has zippers and hook and eyes on both sides so it is quite easy to pull on and doesn't hurt my TT incision as much as the tight pull on style. I am having trouble with my left breast. There is some intense pain underneath it when I take off my support vest. It pulls down to the left and hurts unless I hold it up! My other breast feels fine. I mentioned it at first post op appt but he didn't say much about it. It is not any better so we will revisit it. I go back this Tuesday but he won't be there, so guess I will have to wait to discuss at my one month check when here remove the glue and tape from my incisions. Otherwise I am extremely happy.

Feeling much better. Practically took a shower and dressed all wounds myself! Felt well enough to go downstairs first time since surgery. Had no problems, just went slow . Don't think I mentioned yesterday that I had a BM which was NOT easy even though I have been on stool softeners/laxatives since before surgery! I have also been eating a low fat, high fiber diet. I have added some fats...ate 1/2 an avocado yesterday. Anyway...felt good to get that out of the way! Today was much better in terms of pain level and emotions. I have felt a low level of stress overall but my partner/caretaker's need to be extremely rigid was adding to my stress so we had to talk! Things are better now! How much medicine, when to eat, etc. those have to be the patient's decisions ultimately. Caretakers need to understand that! Care taking is not for the squeamish or weak-minded so I highly recommend you consider that carefully as you plan your surgery recovery. My doctor does not use drains which is sooo much better for patient and caretaker! I have had very little drainage and none from my TT or breast incisions. All drainage have been from a few lipo sites on my backside. I think today will likely be the last day of having to wear pads on some of those sites. I want to add, for those of you worrying over having the right bandages/pads...you will come home with enough for several days and then you will see as things change, you may need smaller or different shapes or textures so don't run out the first day and buy duplicates of what you come home with. Buy as you go because needs change every few days. On the first day at home I was very agitated because of the gauze against my skin around my torso. It itched me a lot! When the nurse came I asked if I could wear a large white soft t shirt and then place pads over that and binder on top. That was only for the front side that wasn't draining and didn't need absorbent padding. She said that was fine and it has totally solved my itching problem. A clean tee shirt is just part of each days bandage change, on my backside the shirt goes on the outside of my absorbent pads. Excuse it is still draining a little. So I'll close for now and say that as of this moment I feel very happy that I chose to do this and I'm looking forward to seeing the end result!