21 Years Young, 1 Lovely Little Man in the Making, Unsure of my Own Body. Gainesville, FL

so yesterday and today have been real turning points for me. I haven't been posting because I was working through some of the hardest pain and I had started to have doubts about if I had made the right choice with this surgery. Today I showered by myself and yesterday I made a meal on my own. Nothing fancy but still. These past couple days I have gotten up and down from furniture throughout my home. I also was able to climb in and out of my car on my own. Slowly but surely I also did some walking around and a small errand with my finance. I no longer have any tubes hanging out of me because my fiancé pulled out the catheter and I haven't taken any pain meds in 2 days . Things are not perfect but defiantly looking up. I do have some odd bumps that appeared on my neck and chest when I woke up yesterday though and I was wandering if I should be concerned? they aren't red or itchy they almost resemble heat bumps from like sweat but I'm not sure if anyone else has had this. I've also included my first post op photos from today after my shower. I was a little upset that my vertical scar was longer then had been expected but my PS told me that my skin above my belly button was very tight and difficult to move so he had to make the decision in surgery to make the vertical scar that he had discussed as a possibility previously a little longer. Today I took some pictures and my underwear does cover most of that scar so hopefully once it heals well it won't be too noticeable.

So I was very excited to get out of the house today but I think I may have overdone it. I had a mild anxiety attack once back home. I went with my mom to take my son to school and thence went home for a bit then off to my doctors appointment. I got to see the scare and they replaced my gauze and put a strap on me over my chest which is very uncomfortable and leaving marks under my arms. They also told me I could shower so when I went home I felt like I was on a roll so I decided to go ahead and clean up. This was more challenging then I had imagined and once frustrated I gave up with mostly clean. My mother then proceeded to try and help me get into my compression garnet that they said to put on once I was home. I still have a pain pump attached to my leg so this proved to be another very difficult task that it is very tight. I tried it on pre surgery but post surgery it doesn't seem to be an easy task. After some significant struggle we both gave up and just put my very bulky and rigid brace back on for now. Then I thought well I can at least get into some decent clothes to try and feel normal. I changed twice because I was uncomfortable with everything I put on and then finally settled on pjs. By the time I'd settled back down on my couch I was beyond exhausted and a little dizzy. I realized I had not eaten much all day and had not taken and pain meds since the morning. I started to panic and had to take some time to calm down. Has anyone else experienced days like this where the exhaustion came on from very small daily activities? I'm so frustrated I just want to be able to move around and sleep well one night! Help me!

I am in so much pain! I do not have drains so I am lucky there but holy hell I can barley walk and need helping going to the bathroom. I am uncomfortable sitting in the sam spot since yesterday I can't sleep for extended periods with out waking up. The pain medicine helps but makes me feel loopy which I hate. ughh and I haven't even seen my ladies or my tt yet because they have me wrapped very tight. Luckily I'm very excited to go to my first post op appt. tomorrow where my doctor will change my tape and i'll get my first peek, not to mention I'll get out of the house because I am going stir crazy in here already! As for the actual operation the staff was fantastic. They helped me through all of my questions and nerves especially my surgeon. My loved ones told me that after words the doctor took the time to sit with them and answer all of their questions on how to best help me recover. We were all very happy with the bedside manor of the surgeon and the entire staff at the hospital. I will update you tommrow on how it looks and hopefully they will let me sneak a couple photos before they wrap me back up to share. In the mean time anyone have any suggestions on how to stay/ sleep comfortably I'm exhausted and so is my fiancé since he has been sleeping in the living room with me. :-(.