I Done It! - Halifax, Nova Scotia

Had my pre-op at 11:45 on May 2, 2012. My
surgery followed at 1:00. On the way to the OR
the nurse asked me to empty my bladder. I went
In to the washroom and quickly realized I had
Just started my period. I let the nurse know and
went to my locker to get a tampon. The nurse
said it was no big deal at all and that I would be
surprised on how many ladies do start around
their surgery. I went into the OR where the anesthesiologist
put an IV in and the nurse gave me a gas mask
to breathe into and the next thing I know I was
Waking up and it was done!

Post Op Day 3. I feel great today! Up around and able to make myself a coffee. No pain, just stiffnesss but still taking my meds regularly. I also just had my first BM! Yay! I have been eating super healthy and have been drinking lots of water so I think that may have helped. My spirits are great! I know I still have a long road to recovery but if things don't get any worst....I can totally handle this :)
Hope my other surgery buddies are doing well!
To all the other girls due for surgery this week......you guys can do this! Sending loads of positive energy your way! hugs!

1 week Post Op
Got my drains out today! Feels soooo good to be rid of those freakin' things! Can't believe I was able to conceal them from my children for a whole week. Certainly required some creativity! lol. Doc says everything looks good! I feel much better than I ever expected! Even took advantage of being in the city...and got a couple hours of shopping done! The only issue I have right now is that I have developed a cough. Each time I cough it is brutal! I don't even leave a room without a bottle of water and a pack of strepsils in my hand just in case I get that tickle in my throat. I'm really nervous that I may bust my incision. Bending over and applying pressure on the incision during an episode certainly seems to help. Really hoping it goes away soon!

8 days Post Op
Yay! Got to take my first shower since surgery. Feels amazing. Looking forward to walking to the bus stop to pick up my son today. Still have that annoying cough but each episode does seem to be a little less intense!
I was very concerned about keeping this surgery a secret since it was a very personal decision for me and certainly not one I took lightly. I am off work on "vacation" and I am feeling confident that if even now, someone walked into my house they would not suspect that I had any type of surgery. That certainly is a big relief for me! Really don't want to feel I have to justify my decision to anyone.

2 weeks Post Op
Went to the clinic yesterday to have my prineo (skin closure used in place of sutures) removed. The removal was very fast and caused very little discomfort. So now I am free of bandages. My incision looks much better than I expected. The nurse felt that everything was healing wonderful and I could stop wearing my CG after 3 weeks post op. Yay!
I continue to feel great. However, if I do too much I get a lot of tightening ...which is good, since it's a warning sign to slow down. I am very pleased with the results so far and have just posted my 2 weeks post op pics. I go back to see my PS at 8 weeks post op.

3 Weeks Post Op
Back to work this week. Went much better than I expected. Even started getting back into exercising. Nurse said I can remove my CG at three weeks but I have still been using it at night, during exercise and anytime I feel tight and tired. I am able to cough and sneeze now without much pain ....just tightening. Really starting to feel myself again!

4 Weeks Post Op
Each week things continue to improve. I have been so blessed so far in terms of recovery! My belly button is still red though, so I am a little nervous about getting a bath or swimming yet. I am pleased that my stomach is getting some of it's natural curvature back and looks less block like. I can't believe my surgery was a month ago! I am so excited that I went through with it and was able to keep it a secret from everyone (except my husband of course)! Can't wait to hit the beach this summer!