I Did It!! - Fort Lauderdale, FL

Good news: I have finished all the meds, my upper back, tummy, arms and inner thighs are coming along just fine. I hardly have any soreness, light bruising and very little discomfort. Only time I have to be careful is getting in and out of my caror plopping down on a chair... That's a no no.

Bad news: seems like all the pain I don't have everywhere else has move to my flanks. Holy crap. I mean really. H O L Y C R A P. and you know when the pain decides to flare up the most? At night of course. I've tried everything! If i sleep on my tummy, my arms swell.... if i sleep on my side im not comfortable long enough as my flanks start flaring up. It's so hopeless! Whats more is that they are also numb in this weird way! Another horrible thing: the garments SUCK. The zippers are irritating, the straps hurt, everything sucks about the garment... Not to mention that I live in Miami and that its literally 91 degrees outside and feeling hotter than that! My arm garment from the doctor was really bad and it hurt so much I went and bought the white one in the picture... This one has better support but its itchy and the compression can irritate my forearm and its not like its that super tight. I just hate this whole itchy garment thing. Ugh! Otherwise...I'm starting to see little differences here and there and I'm keeping the good things in mind every night my flanks don't let me sleep. Also, I started arnica p gel and pellets and bromelain... It might be too late but I want to try anything to make the swelling and flank pain to go away!

So, the next day after surgery I decided the garment was too loose on my arms. It just felt like there was nothing holding my skin in place. It was a weird feeling. I went to a store that specializes in garments and bought a much better one. It was all great until time for bed came around... I couldn't breath properly. My mattress curves a bit so it wasn't helping me lay flat and balanced. So I slept in the living room and all was good. Last night however was a different story. I went to the movies and my arms began swelling and tingling from the pain. I tried switching the garment loosening it etc... nothing helped so I just switched to the post op soft loose garment. and finally was able to sleep and the swelling in my hands and forearms went down. I did call my doctor at 11 yet he called me back in three minutes. He wasn't too concerned but said he wanted to see me the next morning just make sure everything was good. Today I saw him and he is very pleased with my progress. He says I'm healing wonderfully and chose to take the stitches out. I must say that although I don't feel that tight feeling the new garment gave me, that for now i think ill keep the flimsy zipper garment on. sigh.... I like the other one better... maybe Ill try again in a week.