Wife and Mother Taking Control of my Body

The truest thing I've heard from all of the reviews I've read and videos I've seen is that each day things get better and easier. I'm standing up a bit straighter. I not 100% straight, but straighter. My back isn't hurting as badly. I'm able to walk up and down the stairs...slowly. I made it to the nail shop yesterday and got my hands and feet back together. I've been able to get back in the kitchen and cook a few meals...slowly. While I'm out driving, I place a pillow behind my back for support. I'm still sleeping in my recliner because I'm afraid to lay all the way flat. The recliner just feels safer right now. I'm able to pull my binder a bit tighter now. I've been making marks on my bond to keep track of the progression. I'm able to shower and groom standing up now. The only bandage I'm wearing in on my belly button. My incision is somewhat scabby. It doesn't hurt at all. I do have swelling, but it is getting better. I still get tired very quickly after doing things around the house so I'm still just taking it easy. I have another week and a half before I have to go back to work, so I'm just trying to make sure I'm prepared to handle that. I go back to Dr. Cochran tomorrow for my 2nd post op appointment. I'll update again soon. I've attached pics.

Wow! What a difference a few days have made. So much has happened...I'm going to write this post in the form of a list.

1. Pain and Medication:
Ok. There has been pain and discomfort, but not intense pain. Most of the pain over the past few days has come from my aching back. My back is compensating for for what my abs can't do. Walking bent over has beat up my back. My incision does not hurt at all. By day 4 post op, I was done with the pain medication. Tylenol has taken care of the minor aches and pains I've had since then.

2. Abdominal Tightening:
I feel tightening in my abs every night and every morning. It feels like my insides are balling up in a fist. It doesn't last long, but I definitely feel it. I have just learned to let it happen and pass.

3. Standing Up:
At my first post op appointment, Dr. Cochran told me that I dint have to walk bent over anymore. So I've been working on standing up straighter. It is definitely difficult and uncomfortable. It feels like pulling in the incision area as I try to stand up straight. It is a work in progress.

4. Drains:
With the permission of Dr. Cochran, my husband and I pulled my drains on day 8 post op. When I saw Dr. Cochran, my drain collection was below 24 ccs for three consecutive days. He was ready to pull the drains at the appointment. I asked if I could wait a few more days just to be sure. He told me to pull the drains from home when I was ready. So I waited another day, then pulled the drain. It didn't hurt at all. Everything has been great since pulling the drain. I can move around a bit easier. I'm sleeping straighter at night. I'm more comfortable in my clothes.

5. Extra thoughts:

I've been getting out of the house since my first post op appointment. I'm back driving now. And I'm doing more for myself at home. I'm showering normally and I've even been able to cook a few meals. I'm just learning to listen to my body and take it easy when I get tired. I'm not back at work yet. I still have two more weeks off for recovery. I go back to Dr. Cochran this week to get the stitches removed from my belly button.

Overall, I am extremely excited and pleased with my results. I now that things will only get better from here.

The first three days have been an adventure. I've been on my pain medication around the clock. Still...the pain hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. I experience pain when getting up from a seated position or sitting back down. The first two nights were really hard trying to get comfortable to sleep. Once I'm in a good position, I'm ok. Walking has been challenging. Dr. Cochran positioned the incision really low, which is awesome. There are steri strips over the incision that almost forces me to stay in a bent over position. My back is definitely taking a beating. I've been forcing myself to get up a walk at least every hour. Some of my other challenges include trapped gas...it just doesn't want to come out. I have not had a bowel movement yet. I've taken a stool softener, but still no movement. I plan on drinking more water and letting nature take its course. I'm also struggling to figure out how much food I can eat at each meal. The first time I ate a meal, I felt sooooo stuffed. It felt miserable. Now I know I can't eat as much as I used to. So now I'm just working to figure out what I can actually handle. The most important advice I can give to some that is preparing for this procedure is to have a good support team around you. There will be so many things that you can not do on your own. Things you won't even think about will slow you down. Like bending down to pick something up. Lie standing at the sink and brushing your teeth and washing your face. I needed help using the restroom the first two days. It is a real situation. But it is definitely worth it.