Losin It!!!

I am just a few days from being 4 wks post op from TT/Lipo. My PS had me continue to wear the CG with foam and had to start SSD cream at 2 wks to my incisions on my entire left side because they started getting red. The incisions look good but there are two spots that continue to ooze. At my last post op exam (2 1/2 wks) I feel like I looked less swollen than I do today. I was still stooped then and am pretty much upright now but my stomach is much harder and more swollen higher now than then. I am guessing that this may be from increasing my activity at work since I was very limited in my movements the first week back to work.

At this point I am starting to be frustrated. I am just going to vent a minute...I am tired of this foam and binder, I am worried about the increased swelling, I feel like my left side incision didn't pull the skin tight enough because it dissects the "love handle" and actually makes it worse looking (the right looks smooth), and to top it all off I got my first bill and it was higher than I was told my monthly payment would be! Ugh, did I do the right thing? Ok, I have been pretty upbeat until this week but I am tired from work and worrying about the results and if they are worth the debt I know have. On a side note--I moved both of my kids into their college dorms last weekend so I am empty nesting and possibly just a little overwhelmed (2 tuitions plus this, what was I thinking???)...

Ok, enough of that! On the bright side, I have not needed pain meds for weeks now, just tylenol. I do occasionally take a muscle relaxer to sleep if I am really swollen or achy before bed. I am moving pretty well and mostly upright even with swelling. I am just not sure it will be worth all of the expense....seems like things aren't really that different. I definitely don't see any improvement on my legs at this point and questioning if lipo really changed anything to my silhouette. I go back to PS next week and I am really hoping to see improvements by then!

So today was my first post op since surgery. I woke up in a little more pain at my incisions but less soreness overall. I was able to go all morning and still have not taken a pain pill. At my visit, they took off all the padding for the first time and I got a look. Overall I am very excited. My belly roll is gone and no muffin top that I can see. My belly button is kinda ugly right now but they said it would heal nicely. Getting the pads off and rearranging them made all of the difference in the world. I feel tons better! I am resting for a bit (and watching last weeks episode of True Blood) and then I plan on getting my first shower. Still praying for all my RS friends to have happy healing! If you are just starting to consider this, let me reassure you that it isn't that bad. I think anyone who has had a c-section will find this about the same. I am really bruised and sore on my hips from the lipo but that is to be expected. I was hoping to upload some pics but so far that won't load. Will try later.

Today I shed my spare tire and started on the journey to a flat stomach! I absolutely have the best support in the world. My two kids (ages 18 and 21) keep my spirits high and have done an excellent job of helping me today. My bf surprised me with a shower seat and hand-held shower head as well as my favorite soft sugar cookies--which I should not eat but they are oh so good. My PS, nurse, and anesthesiologist were so amazing. I highly recommend them to anyone in the Nashville area! I feel like I had a little pain, more aching and twinging from my sides from the lipo. My PS doesn't push a lot of pain meds so I felt the ache but it was tolerable. The ride home was ok, I even dozed off for a bit. Getting comfortable has been the hardest part of the whole thing but it is much better than I was expecting. I am able to get up and down on my own which is better than expected. I am alternating tylenol and pain meds so that I hopefully don't get constipated. Speaking of which, I took a pain pill to get ready for the night and it is kicking in so I will update tomorrow when I am more alert....Nite RS friends!!