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Day 28
I go for another follow up tomorrow. I went last week and learned that I'm still so bloated because I have a lot of old blood that didn't drain. My dr. ended up draining about 6 of those little cups used to empty the drains in. Made me a little sick to see so much come out. But I felt much better afterward and my stomach was much flatter. She said she may have to do it several times. So, I'm going tomorrow and thinking she will drain more because it looks like its bloated again. I'm still glad to have the drains out. She says they would have had to come out anyway because they weren't draining any more. She said that's not uncommon. I'll tell you - I'm just ready to feel normal again. My belly button is healing but very, very slowly. She gave me a new script for a different ointment to apply. I am happy I only have to change the dressing for my bb now and not everything else. Only 2 more weeks before I can exercise again. I was a little bummed that I could not squeeze into my new CG. I ordered a size smaller since I've been on the 3 row of the one I have now and it feels a little loose. I guess I'll just continue to use it for now. I returned my recliner today. So, I will be sleeping in my bed from here on out. It's time. I was getting a little attached to that chair. I will try to post some pics soon. I'm still pleased with my decision, despite these little extras. My result isn't as curvy as I'd like - yet - but I don't have that big flap anymore and that makes me very happy.
Happy healing everyone:)
Happy healing everyone:)
Had a full day yesterday
Dr gave me the ok to go to work for yesterday only- a half day. I did pretty good. I was up early, had coffee for the it's time since the TT and was out the door by 7 am. I was a bit concerned about the walk from the parking lot to the building and the stairs but I did fine. I stayed about 3 hours and made my way back home by 10:30 am. I checked my incision and I was leaking a bit on the right so I changed. I think I'm healing fine but I'm a little concerned about my bb. I think it leaks a lot and is healing much slower than my incision. I also had pain in my right leg twice. It's weird but both times the pain went away when I bled from my right drainage site. Dr told me to go to ER to rule out DVT. I did and I'm fine - but out of $250 for my ER co pay. Ugh!!! I'm using a new insurance for the first time and sure felt that one! Anyway I can sleep better knowing I'm fine. Speaking of sleeping, I'll be returning my rented recliner on Monday. I have to say I've really had some good nights sleep on it. I tried sleeping in my bed around day 8. It was fine until I tried to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. I swear it took me a good 10 min to get up and reach the bathroom. I got my stuff and went back to the recliner, where I've been ever since. I'm feeling better now though and less pain so I'm sure I'll be fine. Anyway, I'm encouraged by my day yesterday to start walking on my treadmill a bit. I think I'll try doing about 10 min. A few times throughout the day. I can't wait to start running again. I hope to do the Shamrock 5k race in March. Im attaching some pics- not the best but I think I'm getting better????.
My journey so far (Long)
I know I haven't been good about documenting my journey here. I hope to redeem myself by providing as much detail as I can remember today.
Day 1 - I was so excited and nervous. Dr. Hardaway told me to expect my surgery to be about 8 hours long. This seemed like a really long time to be under to me and to be honest I was very concerned about the team becoming fatigued. During my prep (took 3 tries to get that darn IV in!) I asked both the nurse and anesthesiologist about the length of time and questioned if they took breaks and when do they go to lunch, lol. The anesthesiologist explained that 8 hours is not a long time for them and they often do 12 hour procedures - wow. Anyway, everyone kind of chuckled about my concern about their lunch. The next thing I remember the nurse was waking wheeling me toward the door and telling me it was time to go home. It really did take 8 hours (TT, muscle repair, lipo to flanks, back and inner thighs). I was shaking uncontrollably. The staff explained that would subside as the anesthesia wore off.
My best friend stayed with me and helped me to my recliner and immediately started her care giver tasks - trying to get me to eat crackers, drink fluids, etc. I went to the bathroom immediately - no problems urinating but it felt very weird with the CG on. I eventually got over that. I continued to relax and took a pain med (Xartemis XR) around 6:00pm. There was some pain but not unbearable. Still, I wanted to avoid any break through pain. I had to use the bathroom again. I was still shaking a lot, so I used my walker. It was more difficult getting to the bathroom this time. I started feeling nauseous, dizzy, weak, hot, swetting. My friend came in to check on me and realized I was not doing as well as I kept saying. I remember her saying she was calling EMS and me telling her I didn't think I needed that. The next thing I remember they were there and taking me to the hospital. I later learned that my BP had dropped to an extremely low level. I don't remember the exact amount but I remember the hospital feeling like it had greatly improved when it was like 112/37. I later learned from my friend that while in the bathroom I blacked out twice. She said I slumped over after telling her not to call EMS and my eyes rolled to the back of my head - wow! I'm so glad she was there and didn't listen to me! Anyway, the hospital staff were great and got me feeling better with plenty of fluids, antibiotics and pain meds. It was nice to not have to worry about changing my bandages and drains for a couple of days. My mom and my daughter were there when I arrived and stayed with me the whole time. Dr. Hardaway came both days and changed my dressings and taught my daughter to do so. The pain was tolerable - except for the coughing). I had a low grade fever on Wednesday, so I stayed until the end of the day on Thursday (Thanksgiving). The hospital had Thanksgiving dinner for everyone and it was really nice to be there with my mom and my daughter and to be able to share the holiday meal with them. Actually, I didn't have much of an appetite but managed to get down a little turkey and green beans.
The drive home was a little uncomfortable but we made it. I had care around the clock with my daughter, mom and 3 good friends. It was actually fun - like a pajama party. We laughed and watched movies and talked to the wee hours of the night. They actually slept in my family room with me! I am so blessed! Anyway- I had no appetite but did my best. Not much pain but I took my pain meds as prescribed. Dr. Hardaway had instructed me to wait 2 days to change my dressing after she last did it. So, on Saturday which was actually my day 4, I ventured to do so. Of course again, I was thinking I could do it on my own. That was a mistake. Midway through, I started feeling like I did when I went to the hospital. My mom and friend came to my aid and helped me back to the recliner and completed the task and also washed my CG for me. It was kind of nice to spend an hour without it. I took it easy after that. Dr. Hardaway explained that what I had been experiencing was something called Vasavegal (sp?). It is basically fainting, brought on by some trigger. Anyway, I have been very careful to pay attention to my body since that time and I sit my butt down when I feel the least bit tired. Oh, I forgot to mention, I had been walking as much as I could tolerate - about every 1-2 hours - for about 5 min. I also stopped taking the prescribed pain meds on the 4th day. I swear they were giving me a headache. I think I tolerate pain pretty well and I have always done well with Motrin. So about 12 hours after taking my last Percocet or Toradol I took 1 over the counter Motrin. I continued to take 1 about every 6-12 hours and eventually stopped by day 7. I had my follow up appt. on day 7 as well and go my drains and stitches out. The drains burn briefly coming out but bearable. I was cleared to have a bit more activity (some driving, grocery store, stairs, etc.) - Yeayy:). My mom and friend left on day 8 and my daughter was with me. It was fun having them over but it was nice to have my house back too. I took my first shower yesterday. I have to admit I was a little afraid, but it felt great. My incision is healing well but I still don't like getting it wet. Anyway, it went well. Today is day 10. I'm feeling stronger and hope to get more done. I swear I thought I would have been up and about a lot sooner. I had grand plans of things I would do during this "time off". Trust me ladies - take this seriously - this is NOT a vacation. This is coming from someone who has had several surgeries, including abdominal surgeries. I will no longer use terms such as plastic surgery or "a little nip and tuck". While it is elective, it is real surgery with real risks.
Day 1 - I was so excited and nervous. Dr. Hardaway told me to expect my surgery to be about 8 hours long. This seemed like a really long time to be under to me and to be honest I was very concerned about the team becoming fatigued. During my prep (took 3 tries to get that darn IV in!) I asked both the nurse and anesthesiologist about the length of time and questioned if they took breaks and when do they go to lunch, lol. The anesthesiologist explained that 8 hours is not a long time for them and they often do 12 hour procedures - wow. Anyway, everyone kind of chuckled about my concern about their lunch. The next thing I remember the nurse was waking wheeling me toward the door and telling me it was time to go home. It really did take 8 hours (TT, muscle repair, lipo to flanks, back and inner thighs). I was shaking uncontrollably. The staff explained that would subside as the anesthesia wore off.
My best friend stayed with me and helped me to my recliner and immediately started her care giver tasks - trying to get me to eat crackers, drink fluids, etc. I went to the bathroom immediately - no problems urinating but it felt very weird with the CG on. I eventually got over that. I continued to relax and took a pain med (Xartemis XR) around 6:00pm. There was some pain but not unbearable. Still, I wanted to avoid any break through pain. I had to use the bathroom again. I was still shaking a lot, so I used my walker. It was more difficult getting to the bathroom this time. I started feeling nauseous, dizzy, weak, hot, swetting. My friend came in to check on me and realized I was not doing as well as I kept saying. I remember her saying she was calling EMS and me telling her I didn't think I needed that. The next thing I remember they were there and taking me to the hospital. I later learned that my BP had dropped to an extremely low level. I don't remember the exact amount but I remember the hospital feeling like it had greatly improved when it was like 112/37. I later learned from my friend that while in the bathroom I blacked out twice. She said I slumped over after telling her not to call EMS and my eyes rolled to the back of my head - wow! I'm so glad she was there and didn't listen to me! Anyway, the hospital staff were great and got me feeling better with plenty of fluids, antibiotics and pain meds. It was nice to not have to worry about changing my bandages and drains for a couple of days. My mom and my daughter were there when I arrived and stayed with me the whole time. Dr. Hardaway came both days and changed my dressings and taught my daughter to do so. The pain was tolerable - except for the coughing). I had a low grade fever on Wednesday, so I stayed until the end of the day on Thursday (Thanksgiving). The hospital had Thanksgiving dinner for everyone and it was really nice to be there with my mom and my daughter and to be able to share the holiday meal with them. Actually, I didn't have much of an appetite but managed to get down a little turkey and green beans.
The drive home was a little uncomfortable but we made it. I had care around the clock with my daughter, mom and 3 good friends. It was actually fun - like a pajama party. We laughed and watched movies and talked to the wee hours of the night. They actually slept in my family room with me! I am so blessed! Anyway- I had no appetite but did my best. Not much pain but I took my pain meds as prescribed. Dr. Hardaway had instructed me to wait 2 days to change my dressing after she last did it. So, on Saturday which was actually my day 4, I ventured to do so. Of course again, I was thinking I could do it on my own. That was a mistake. Midway through, I started feeling like I did when I went to the hospital. My mom and friend came to my aid and helped me back to the recliner and completed the task and also washed my CG for me. It was kind of nice to spend an hour without it. I took it easy after that. Dr. Hardaway explained that what I had been experiencing was something called Vasavegal (sp?). It is basically fainting, brought on by some trigger. Anyway, I have been very careful to pay attention to my body since that time and I sit my butt down when I feel the least bit tired. Oh, I forgot to mention, I had been walking as much as I could tolerate - about every 1-2 hours - for about 5 min. I also stopped taking the prescribed pain meds on the 4th day. I swear they were giving me a headache. I think I tolerate pain pretty well and I have always done well with Motrin. So about 12 hours after taking my last Percocet or Toradol I took 1 over the counter Motrin. I continued to take 1 about every 6-12 hours and eventually stopped by day 7. I had my follow up appt. on day 7 as well and go my drains and stitches out. The drains burn briefly coming out but bearable. I was cleared to have a bit more activity (some driving, grocery store, stairs, etc.) - Yeayy:). My mom and friend left on day 8 and my daughter was with me. It was fun having them over but it was nice to have my house back too. I took my first shower yesterday. I have to admit I was a little afraid, but it felt great. My incision is healing well but I still don't like getting it wet. Anyway, it went well. Today is day 10. I'm feeling stronger and hope to get more done. I swear I thought I would have been up and about a lot sooner. I had grand plans of things I would do during this "time off". Trust me ladies - take this seriously - this is NOT a vacation. This is coming from someone who has had several surgeries, including abdominal surgeries. I will no longer use terms such as plastic surgery or "a little nip and tuck". While it is elective, it is real surgery with real risks.
Provider Review
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
27920 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills, Michigan