Well, my surgeon had me come in with all the redness and draining. The area surrounding my sutures near my hip bone, was red and very swollen. He drained the area and put me on antibiotics as a precaution. He said that extra fluid just found its way out of my body better to get it all out, then to have it accumulating under the skin, and causing an infection or worse. The area was so full and tight, that I could barely walk. The area continued to drain after he drained it, but now I am able to walk with no more pain, and the redness is starting to go away.
On another note, I had cramps that almost made me pass out. In researching it, I found out that this is rather common in post op body lift/ tummy tuck patients. This was the worst pain that I have ever experienced, in my LIFE! I have had two (rather large) babies, with no pain meds, not even Tylenol, and this far surpassed that pain! I was sweating, felt like I was going to pass out, and throw up, all at the same time. after about 1/2 hour, the pain was finally subsiding. It literally knocked me on my ass. I slept for over an hour. I am not looking forward the the next few months. I think it is important to bring this up, simply because I had no idea about this... maybe I could have been prepared for it. I have no use for birth control, but I would get on some form if I thought it may help.
I am still fatigued, and going back to work is going to be a challenge, but I have no choice. I know that it will take time to fully get my full strength back, but I am happy. for the first time since I was maybe 18 my stomach is smaller than my boobs! it feels so strange to look in the mirror still. I feel like it is someone else's body that I am looking at.
I hope that you continue following my journey.
Peace and Love.
Friday, April 11, 2014
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Post Op: Week five ... TOTAL FRUSTRATION!
It is week 5...FIVE, and I have done well with taking showers and being independent. THEN, I had what I feel is the ultimate betrayal from my body. One day, while taking a shower, a scab that I had over my right hip area,fell off, which was fine, but then the area started draining a clear fluid. I started getting these low grade fevers. then the area turned red, the same area that was red after surgery. I contacted my Dr. right away who started me on Antibiotics, but I am really stressed. Today, it looks like the incision line will just open at any moment and the area is red in a larger area than yesterday! I have been airing the area out, but I am so frustrated. I could just CRY! I thought that I was in the home stretch! I am so scared that I will have distortion of the skin or have to have the area packed, and worse have a staph infection! So many worries, and nothing that I can do but sit and wait for something to happen... for the better I hope! The area is very tender, and I can not move as well on that side. This is very upsetting. I can't help that feeling of defeat. I keep praying, and praying. trying not to cry. My husband has calmed me down, and my doctor has called me, and assured me that everything should be fine. I will be keeping in touch with him.
I was supposed to start a job next week, I am not sure what will happen now...
So Frustrated right now.
Peace and love.
I was supposed to start a job next week, I am not sure what will happen now...
So Frustrated right now.
Peace and love.
Post Op: 3 & 4 weeks
So now I am at 3 weeks post op I am feeling better with each passing day. I have been walking at the mall (it gives me the chance to sit down if I get tired). I have been resting as well. Walking has done wonders for my mobility. It seems as though over night I was able to start getting myself up from a laying position, and bending down to pick things up. This is the first steps to my full independence.
3 weeks Post Op I saw my surgeon, and all is well. He took out the last drainage tube and the remaining stitches, and that feels so much better. The discomfort of feeling the tube under the skin is unreal. The area where the vertical and horizontal incisions meet still has a small hole, but it is closing slowly. I am able to do more, but there are still things that I have yet to be able to do... like putting on socks or shoes.
Since getting the last stubborn drain out, I am now able to take a shower. Up until now, I have been getting bird baths, and going to the salon to get my hair washed. I was so nervous. I didn't want to have anything go wrong. But everything was fine.
Week 4: I have so much better of an outlook, I can see the swelling going down, I can see the results. I am ready to move on to my fully functioning, THINNER life... I wont say skinny.... I don't see myself as skinny... but a thinner version of myself.
Each day, I have better range of motion, and am more active. I tried on a pair of pants that I was able to wear before my surgery, but I realized that as much swelling that has gone down, I still have a lot in my thighs. I could barely get the pants up past my knees. It was a very deflating feeling, but I just have to remember that I have a ways to go with the swelling, so for now it is sun dresses and yoga pants.
I am able to get my self dressed so that I a good thing. My husband has been great if I need him, but I am trying to be independent because I know that it is only a short time before he goes back to work.
I know that I have a ways to go... keep following my story!
Peace and love!
3 weeks Post Op I saw my surgeon, and all is well. He took out the last drainage tube and the remaining stitches, and that feels so much better. The discomfort of feeling the tube under the skin is unreal. The area where the vertical and horizontal incisions meet still has a small hole, but it is closing slowly. I am able to do more, but there are still things that I have yet to be able to do... like putting on socks or shoes.
Since getting the last stubborn drain out, I am now able to take a shower. Up until now, I have been getting bird baths, and going to the salon to get my hair washed. I was so nervous. I didn't want to have anything go wrong. But everything was fine.
Week 4: I have so much better of an outlook, I can see the swelling going down, I can see the results. I am ready to move on to my fully functioning, THINNER life... I wont say skinny.... I don't see myself as skinny... but a thinner version of myself.
Each day, I have better range of motion, and am more active. I tried on a pair of pants that I was able to wear before my surgery, but I realized that as much swelling that has gone down, I still have a lot in my thighs. I could barely get the pants up past my knees. It was a very deflating feeling, but I just have to remember that I have a ways to go with the swelling, so for now it is sun dresses and yoga pants.
I am able to get my self dressed so that I a good thing. My husband has been great if I need him, but I am trying to be independent because I know that it is only a short time before he goes back to work.
I know that I have a ways to go... keep following my story!
Peace and love!
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Days 10-14
Days 10-14:
These days are more of the same. Healing every day. I had a long drive home. It is just under 2 hours from TJ to my home. I took pain killers for the ride. I pretty much slept the whole way home. When I got home, I was tired and pretty much slept for the first 2 days home. I still had the feeling like my guts were going to fall out without my band on. I was monitoring how much drainage was coming from my tubes. Getting up out of my bed is difficult. I don't have an electric hospital bed, but my husband has been wonderful with helping my get in and out of bed (both naps and in the middle of the night) I have been walking around my home, and I even ventured out to the hair salon to get my hair washed. On Sunday, I went to church with my family. Another day, I accompanied my husband to the Market. These little outings really knocked me on my butt. I would come home and be exhausted! Each day I felt stronger though. Getting up from sitting, or laying down too long, I feel like I was 80. I had to take a few steps before I was able to get going. It is really hard laying on your back, and not really being able to turn, or sleep really comfortably.
I feel much better being at home. I feel like I am more relaxed. I am able to see my kids and husband, and that was calming for me. My kids are older and don't need me for the day-to-day stuff, but they still like to come talk to me about stuff going on in their lives. That gives me comfort as well as encouragement to get well quickly.
Some things that I quickly realized;
1) I would not have been able to do this without the help of a VERY supportive husband and family.
2) I would not have been able to have all this done if I had small children.
3) I would have made a bunch of pre-made meals for the freezer for the time that I was away. Even
though I have taught my family how to make things, they seemed helpless without me there. Once I was home, I was able to be mommy-from-the-sidelines. I was able to guide them, and not let them give up and eat out.
4) I wish I would have gotten a grasper-thingy. Those "arm-extenders" to pick things up off the floor so that I would not have to rely on someone to pick up my chapstick, or sock, etc.
well, that is pretty much it right now. I am still getting better and stronger daily. Excited to see the results, but right now I still am in disbelief and still pretty swollen.
Continue to follow me on my journey!
These days are more of the same. Healing every day. I had a long drive home. It is just under 2 hours from TJ to my home. I took pain killers for the ride. I pretty much slept the whole way home. When I got home, I was tired and pretty much slept for the first 2 days home. I still had the feeling like my guts were going to fall out without my band on. I was monitoring how much drainage was coming from my tubes. Getting up out of my bed is difficult. I don't have an electric hospital bed, but my husband has been wonderful with helping my get in and out of bed (both naps and in the middle of the night) I have been walking around my home, and I even ventured out to the hair salon to get my hair washed. On Sunday, I went to church with my family. Another day, I accompanied my husband to the Market. These little outings really knocked me on my butt. I would come home and be exhausted! Each day I felt stronger though. Getting up from sitting, or laying down too long, I feel like I was 80. I had to take a few steps before I was able to get going. It is really hard laying on your back, and not really being able to turn, or sleep really comfortably.
I feel much better being at home. I feel like I am more relaxed. I am able to see my kids and husband, and that was calming for me. My kids are older and don't need me for the day-to-day stuff, but they still like to come talk to me about stuff going on in their lives. That gives me comfort as well as encouragement to get well quickly.
Some things that I quickly realized;
1) I would not have been able to do this without the help of a VERY supportive husband and family.
2) I would not have been able to have all this done if I had small children.
3) I would have made a bunch of pre-made meals for the freezer for the time that I was away. Even
though I have taught my family how to make things, they seemed helpless without me there. Once I was home, I was able to be mommy-from-the-sidelines. I was able to guide them, and not let them give up and eat out.
4) I wish I would have gotten a grasper-thingy. Those "arm-extenders" to pick things up off the floor so that I would not have to rely on someone to pick up my chapstick, or sock, etc.
well, that is pretty much it right now. I am still getting better and stronger daily. Excited to see the results, but right now I still am in disbelief and still pretty swollen.
Continue to follow me on my journey!
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