Its a Dress!!!!!!

Well its 3 weeks since I had the op now, and finally I am really feeling back to normal, I can go to the shops again now and not feel like I am going to collapse... hence why Im in a dress!!!!!!!!! haha, I bought this dress a year ago cause I just loved it, got it home and when I put it on I couldnt get it over my stomach... but I couldnt bring myself to take it back.... so today is a very exciting day for me... Im wearing dress and thats something I havent done in a VERY long time.......

2 Weeks Post Op

Well its been 2 weeks today since I had my op, amazing how fast that time has gone. Im at the point of feeling frustrated at the moment. Im still having to sit in this reclined position which makes doing anything really difficult, not suppose to be driving until my bandages are off (which I have snuck out a few times..) and am still having to sponge bath.....Oh what I would give for a long hot shower!!!

Friday I have an appointment with the Surgeon to have these bandages off get my stitches out of my belly button and should get the ok for showering and driving and sitting - whoo hoo.

Apparently the sitting thing has something to do with the flap (as they call it) I think that is the piece of skin they have pulled down and stitched. They said I must sit this way as to prevent the flap from dying???? so Im not sure but it sounded yukky so Im doing as Im told....

Anyway just thought I'd post a pic, not much has changed since the week one photo...

Must have's for Tummy Tuck

Since going through this process there are a few things that I either had taken with me which made life so much easier or things that I wished I had taken, so I thought Id share them with you so when you too go through this you'll know up front what would make life easier:

Hipster undies

- now even if you would never consider wearing them now, they are perfect for after the op as they sit under your scar and believe me after the op this is all you'll want to wear.

Roll down elastic waisted stretch cotton pants

- I just bought the yoga style 3/4 length ones from Katies which were perfect as you really wont be able to have anything firm

Singlet tops with built in shelf bra

- with all the tightness and the gurdle you have to wear a bra felt like it was taking my breath away so if your happy to go bra-less then do, but for those of us who like a little support these singlet tops are the way to go

Neck Pillow

- you know those squashy little ones that are for travelling, I found that being restricted to lying on my back and elevated and being someone that likes to sleep on their side, I really needed something to support my neck when I slept.

Cream and Lip Balm

-with the aircon my skin and lips was sooo dry, even to the point my lips were splitting.

Since being at home and wanting to sleep in my bed I have bought a bed wedge from "hospital at home" which is just like a triangle firm pillow that allows you to sleep elevated. This has been the most comfortable thing I could find that kept me in the same position as I had in hospital

Weightloss

I forgot to mention...... My doctor said he removed 5kgs of skin and fat from my stomach and 500cc's of fat from each flank (hip)......

Day 8

Im sitting here this morning and cant believe its been a week since my surgery, everyday everything is getting easier, like this morning when I did my sponge bath and I didnt need to sit down half way through....I had a much better nights sleep too and manged to sleep till 6am instead of 4am!!!

My Dr came in this afternoon and we agreed that since Im going stir crazy I can go home, I still have one drain left in though and this will have to stay in and I will need to come back in tomorrow and have it taken out. So I jump with joy and he agree's to do the big reveal and let me have a shower before he redresses the wound....

Im so excited when I see my tummy without the corset... cant believe what a difference its made...nurse takes some pics for me before they bandage me all up for another week.

So home I go... have to go back to Dr's in a week for stitches in my belly button to come out and to have the dressings taken off but he tells me that I dont need to keep the corset on... Whoo Hoo....

What a week.... So that never ending search to reveal the one within is feeling closer than ever....

Day 7

This morning I woke with a burning sensation on the scar when I moved to get out of bed, I had however had the best nights sleep during the night with almost no breaks in sleep, so I had stayed still all night.. It did hurt getting out of bed, but by the time I made it to the toilet all was good and I'd loosened everything up.

Dr called this morning and said another 2 drains can come out today, feeling a little dissapointed as I would have liked them all out so I could go home, as lovely as the break from reality has been I am missing my family and am bored out of my brain.....

Day 6

Last night I woke twice through the night with aching in my torso almost flu like, nothing that panadol wouldnt take away though. Then woke again at 5am with a real pulling feeling to my incision - not painful but really weird and tingly. Asked nurse about it and he said that when you start to heal your scar starts to shrink and thats why its feels like its pulling... so all is good..

Decided to get up and have a wonder around, my beautiful nurse brings me a cup of tea and everything feels better LOL.

After a sponge bath again and freshening myself up I am feeling on top of the world... today I am aiming to walk a lap of the ward every hour and manage to, every day I notice such a difference in how much easier things are getting.

getting funny fluttery feelings under my skin today - almost like when you first feel your baby and its like butterflies....feels really funny!