My Dream Body 6 weeks post op

Well I am going on 6 weeks post op and am sort of starting to feel normalish. I have been using my ab muscles more to do regular things (I was bracing my abdomen with my hand before) -- my abs always feel as if I had worked out really hard the day before (trust me I haven't been running any marathons).
I feel like my recovery is taking longer than most if I was in hell for 6 weeks?

Anyway I found out my thyroid is low and started on medications. I have an IUD and haven't had a period in like a year but a couple of weeks after starting thyroid medications I sm having one. I have never been one to have menstrual pain but omg ithurts. I am sure that it is not helping the swelling which I have am excess of.

My hair texture has suddenly changed. All the hair growth from the last month or so (my hair grows fast so probably at least an inch) has grown in as corkscrew curls. I had a lot of waves before but never actual curls.

Anyway since I look the same I will wait to post photos until next week.

Well guys I feel like I look worse than I did. I don't get hungry or full so I am worried that maybe I am drinking too many liquids at once and stretching out my tummy. I have been so thirsty lately. I wonder if it is possible to stretch it out that way?

I am still sleeping in the "beach chair" position on my couch. Even though my skin itself doesn't feel tight anymore (it is when you touch it, just not that feeling inside), my incision pulls and sometimes the muscles in my groin spasm.

There is an open area on my incision that is really bothering me. It doesn't hurt but it has a reddened border, drains a lot (though it is clear), and just isn't getting any smaller after all these weeks. My PS told me that it will go away on its own. He also said that the dissolvable stitch runs the entire length of my scar so not to start pulling at stuff (though I don't see any thread but maybe that is what is keeping it open?).

The scars where my drains were, in the crotch area, are really annoying because they itch a lot.

Anyway, I haven't felt fat since my procedure. But the last 2-3 days, I have. I don't think it is swelling either. Maybe my abdominal contents have a lot of fat and are pushing out my repair :(

I added some new photos, but it is hard to tell.

So this past Saturday and Sunday were my first days back at work.

I have to say that the first day was not bad at all. I am a nurse on a busy unit with a lot of heavy lifting/pushing/pulling. I was very lucky to have enough staff to help me out. I didn't get to eat or drink for most of the day, and only peed once. I am thinking it went to the swelling in my belly because I had a big pot belly by the end of the day. Thank goodness for compression garments.

Sunday was hell. About 4 hours in, my left hip incision and muscles started killing me. I asked to go home early, but another nurse got to go home since she had more seniority. I was limping around all day, I though to bring two litres of Gatorade with me this time so I did have liquids but not much to eat. I didn't feel hungry but my energy was zip. When I got home my entire body was sore head to toe and I didn't pee until this morning. When I finally did pee, it has been gallons and gallons. Sunday night I was so swollen that the swelling was around my feet and ankles as well. I need to buy compression hose.

Since I had not eaten for 2 days I binged on a pint of Ben&Jerrys. I feel so guilty because I have gone through all of this, and I am having nightmares of my giant belly returning overnight. I know that is not realistic but if I continue to eat unhealthy due to stress I know it will come right back. I wish my before pictures hadnt dissapeared! The only ones I will have are the comparison pics I will get from my PS at 3 months, so I will show you all at that time.

Also, I found my old belly button scar. If you look at the close up pictures of my incision, in the center right above the scar line, you will see a tiny hole. That is the top of my piercing! My PS had said in the consultation that my belly button piercing would probably end up there, what an accurate estimate! I think it is quite funny actually.

I am not sure if I will get my new BB pierced. I will have to see how it looks in a year or so. I am thinking of taking out my nostril stud, I feel like I am getting a bit old for it. I always think it doesnt look as good on older women. I also am thinking of tattoo ideas to cover my TT scar as I know a lot of us do. I have an entire Pintrest page devoted to it :)