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Last doctors visit and returning to the real world .....
On this visit, the tape that was put on my incisions after my surgery dressings were removed came off. Thankfully all scars are healing well, although I have to admit, seeing them really freaked me out. I have a really weak stomach when it comes to that sort of stuff and I knew that other than my sleep deprivation, this would be my next hurdle.
Dr Milovic wants my scars to breathe and be lightly massaged with a neutral moisturiser (I am using the Cetaphil Moisturising Cream) on a daily basis for about 10 days. I will then start using the silicone tape on the scars, so other than wearing my compression garment, I am 'unprotected'. I will be honest, I left the office and burst into tears, I was so scared that I was going to 'split in half'!!! Totally irrational and a bit dramatic but I couldn't control my thoughts on this.
The next morning I had a complete panic attack at the thought of having a shower, I was hysterical, I couldn't control my head space and still thought that if I got my scars wet I would split in half. My husband talked me through it and I got me in the shower - I calmed down after a minute or so, I love my showers.
Unsurprisingly, I didn't split in half, and yes, I did feel like a complete nutbag.
I am so surprised at how much I can cry (I could stand outside and irrigate my garden!) and how irrational that I can be, this is not my personality but at the moment, I think this journey is trying to teach me something. Hopefully I work it out soon or I will have to get a job on Days of Our Lives as the moody, cry-on-demand freak that everyone wants to smack in the back of the head.
I am really happy with my surgeries.....Dr Vlad has done a beautiful job and the rest of the shaping will be up to me when I can start exercising 'properly' again. I walk 6 kms most days, in split sessions, as requested by Dr Vlad. But I am dying to exercise on my terms again, that is a major cause of my moodiness and emotional craziness.
I spent a lot of time prior to my surgery preparing for THE surgery. I set up my recovery suite but I didn't really give too much consideration to much else post-surgery. Retrospectively, the surgery for me was the easiest part, I had a brilliant, best in his field anaesthetist and a truly skilled and professional surgeon. I was also lucky to be at a well-equipped, boutique private hospital for 7 days to recover from the worst of the operation.
Stop there........
The first week post-op, other than a couple of hurdles (getting out of bed for the first time, not being able to shower, nausea from certain pain meds), was the easiest part of this journey as far as I am concerned.
The second week post-op, I was OK with as well.
Week 3 and 4 have been crazy. I didn't expect the depression, the hysterical crying, the feeling of helplessness and the sadness of watching life go on as usual for everyone else while I was in struggle-town.
I still cannot move around easily, everything takes a lot of thought and energy to do: sitting down, lying down, getting up, moving around, going to the toilet etc. I cannot remember being able to do simple things easily or having a full, uninterrupted nights sleep (which I am yearning for!!).
All your nerves are on end, every part of you is hyper-sensitive and driving in a car is actually uncomfortable and at times painful - you feel every little bump in the road and speed humps are your enemy!!!
My boobs kind of burn (again, nerve pain), they look so beautiful yet they hurt so much - this is completely normal by the way.
I know this should start calming down in the next few weeks, and I am not one to EVER wish any part of my life away but I look forward to the next few weeks trotting along quickly.
Everyone contemplating surgery, and especially, multiple surgeries needs to prepare themselves for after the operation. Prepare for the worst case scenarios because if it is not that bad then you will be elated and pleasantly surprised.
Would I do it again?
YES!!!! In a heartbeat........
I freakin' love my new body, in its beginning stages - it will only get better over the next 12 months and I am so excited for that journey. It will all be worth it in the end.
I am so grateful to have been afforded the opportunity to have these life changing surgeries, I cannot thank my husband enough for supporting and encouraging me to do this for ME - for nobody else but me. I am also thankful to my daughter, my Mum and my special urban family (my gorgeous, loving and supportive friends), who have loved me no matter what along this rocky road, I feel so blessed.
I return back to work on Monday, I am lucky to have an amazing employer and understanding work peers that know that I am not 'match-fit' for my job at the moment. My memory is awful and that worries me a little but I know once I walk through the doors, it will all start coming good. They know that sometimes I will not be able to work a full day in the first week or so but I also feel that returning back to the 'real' world will help my recovery 100% because I feel I have started to internalise too much and that is never a good thing.
Please do not think that this instalment was about me being whingey and whiny - it is about hopefully helping someone else be a little more prepared mentally/emotionally for this life changing journey than I was. I do laugh a lot too........
I will be taking some photos of how my scars are progressing and how my body is settling at post 4 weeks. I still am holding a bit of fluid and swelling (mainly tummy and thighs) but I am so much better than I was for the first 3 weeks....
Thanks for reading/listening.....sometimes you just need to get it out in writing, it is very therapeutic.
Take care of you x
A boob selfie - I couldn't help myself
Photos taken at 2 weeks post-op on Monday, 26 October
Provider Review
Dr Vlad Milovic and his wonderful team have made this life changing surgery very easy and stress-free for me, the patient. The team members that I have had the pleasure of dealing with are Sonja, the practice Business Manager and Tran, the Front Office Manager are very professional but they also have a wonderful balance by also being friendly, non-pretentious, supportive and accommodating to your needs as an individual, not just 'another patient'. From the moment you walk into the modern practice in Deakin ACT, it feels comfortable and non-confrontational - the lack of framed pictures of oiled up young models with massive boobs everywhere made me realise I was dealing with a Doctor who is a serious professional, he is not about 'glamourising' his profession as a Plastic Surgeon, takes his job seriously and works with women and men from all demographics. Dr Vlad has very good 'gut instinct'. From the moment he meets you, the few questions he asks you and he then knows exactly what you want. He explains to you in great detail about your surgery and keeps your expectations real - this is so very important and was one of the main reasons for choosing him as my surgeon. Dr Vlad knew after a 10 minute conversation with him that I would not be happy with the end result of having a tummy tuck and a bit of liposuction and I am so glad he discussed the option of the Lower Body Lift because I am ecstatic with the results because the changes are consistent all round my lower body! Dr Vlad knows his business well (he has been perfecting his craft for 22 years), he assisted me with my final decision for my augmentation and I could not have dreamed for a better end result. Even when I had a moment of doubt, Dr Vlad stayed strong and assured me that the decision for the size, profile and placement was perfect for what I wanted - and he was SO RIGHT!! Dr Vlad has taken amazing care of me, he has been very empathetic, supportive and he has a wicked sense of humour - my perfect doctor! He is an artist, he has an amazing eye for the new design of the body he is working with and his knife skills are precise and fine - again, so important. My scars at 2 weeks were already so fine and healing so well. I am proud to be Dr Vlad Milovic's patient (loyal to him, through and through) and would highly recommend him. He is quite the Genius and his team (especially Sonja and Tran) are the most gorgeous humans and have made this journey very special for me. Thank you to everyone!