A Gift to Myself: New Tummy! - Hickory, NC

Hello everyone. Today I am 18 days post op. Here's a few pics of my belly so far. So far I have barely any swelling. So glad! I usually have a lil bit of swelling in the evenings right along my belly button if I over-exert during the day.

I'm still wearing paper tape along my incision and old vertical scar because as it heals its sensitive so it just feels a bit better. My PS had to make tiny little incision along my old vertical scar to help it stretch when he redraped the skin. I chose not to revised that scar til a later date. Let me know what you guys think! :D

I am now 5 days post op and I'm feeling great. I went into this expecting a rough and painful recovery from all the research I've done and by reading the reviews on here. However I have to say that so far...I've been doing great. The first two days were the worst. It was difficult getting in and out of bed and I just couldn't get comfortable. I slept most the time but got up and moved around quite a bit so I won't get stiff. My back was sore from hunching over but I'm already standing up straight. All those deadlifts at the gym really paid off! Actually all the weight training I do has helped me bounce back. I am down to taking pain meds once in the morning and good ol' ibuprofen so its not the meds that's keeping me going. I even drove today and got some light grocery shopping done! I'm still being cautious moving around but besides that I feel pretty normal.

My abdomin is really itchy and tingling. Trying not to scratch is so hard! My biggest complaint are the drains! I despise them. The drain holes are tender and just wiggling them hurts. Can't wait to get them out.

Finally! Whew...I feel great despite the bit of pain I have. Its tender at the drain site and I am very annoyed it :)

I'm 3-4 hr post-op and will see my ps tomorrow. So my pain level is 6. Pain meds are helpful so I am making sure I'm taking it. I will post of pics soon.