6 weeks post op update with pics....

Okay so today i'm 6 weeks post op and i guess it's time for more picture comparisons and an update...
i went back to the YMCA last night for my first "real" workout. i did 3 miles on the elliptical in just under 28 mins and then took renee's spin class i used to take every thurs night....it felt amazing to push myself and not have any pain or worry of pain...it felt even better to see a 3000+ calorie burn on my BMF readout too :)

i would say that i am 90% healed with no more swelling. i've stopped wearing the compression garments including the spanx and am back to wearing just my regular underwear under my clothes...it feels weird with the fabric on my skin since i dont have all my feeling back in my midsection (it may never come back completely)....my scar is completely healed and flat....i asked about using the scarguard cream the dr recommends prior to the surgery and he said it's not necessary as my scar more than likely wont look any better than it does right now (meaning it looks pretty damn good and flat)....my bottoms fit but not "right"....my butt and thighs gained while i was not working out the last 6 wks so things feel tight there but are loose around my waist making things not feel quite right yet...i'm holding off on buying any new clothes until i feel like everything i have now doesnt fit right anymore cause they are too loose everywhere.....

this morning i put 5 workouts on my weekly calendar with 2 short runs, 1 long run, 2 cross training days with either spin class, zumba and/or lifting weights and 2 rest days......i'm going to "officially" start a 12wk training program for the 2013 disney princess 1/2 marathon on dec 2nd but until then i'm pretty much following the workout schedule, just doing 4 miles on my "long run" days with no build up so when i hit 12/2 and i have to do a 4 mile long run i will be able to and then build from there.....my friend kara has decided to join me in the princess race and i'm very excited to train and plan on running the entire event with her versus doing run/walk intervals like my past 2 races....

pre-op compared to 3 weeks compared to 6 weeks

Update after 3rd aspiration (3wks 4days post op)

More fluid aspirated today but less than the two times last week. This is promising. We are hoping just one more time on friday and then I should be done with this nonsense. It's not painful but pretty uncomfortable. This pocket was higher than the last two so maybe I'm healing down in the lower area where most of the work was done???

I have a small "pull" feeling in the muscles on my left lower abdominal side area. He said it's normal due to the repair he did and it should fade but other pulls may pop up as I heal.

Incision is looking awesome, all scabbing is gone and I'm pretty much all healed up on the outside anyway. Just need to be patient with the inside stuff I guess.

Hoping to start back walking next week a few days and then the following week start a month of slow building up of my running do I can hit the ground running - hehe pun intended ;-) November 26th with a 12 wk training program for the Princess 1/2 marathon on February 24, 2013.
I miss Zumba and spin classes as well as weight lifting so those will be added back in slowly over the coming weeks.

I promise I will not overdo it.

2wks post op pic with clothes....

so i still haven't taken 2wk post op pics undressed but i did have mike take one last night in a new body hugging dress i grabbed from kohl's thurs night....i was a bit self conscious when i left the house but let it go by the time i got to to work....i dont have the horrible lower belly roll or the under my boobs bump anymore and i'm wearing a compression garment and i also had on spanx to make my hips smooth BUT i felt pretty...i even mussed up my hair, added eyeliner, lipstick and perfume for the day....2 more weeks with compression garment and of light walking and then 4wks post op i'm back to working out.....i CAN NOT go longer than a month without working out....it's just not in me anymore.....so i'll start light walking this week for the next 2 and then back to my regularly scheduled program, well within reason, no core work what so ever....gonna have to do some research to figure out which lifting movements will not "hurt" my core....anyway, i'll take "nekkid" pics later today and post comparisons from pre, 3days, 7days and 14day i promise....

13 days post-op

Wooohoooo. I'm 13 days post-op today and was able to have the drain removed. I have to keep an eye on my abdominal area to make sure I'm not building up fluid since the drain is out now.

I have to wear the compression garment another 2 weeks to help with the healing process. Dr. said I can start light exercise now including lighter lifting with more reps if I want BUT nothing with my core - no crunches, no squats or lunges, no deadlifts. I can do walking and/or elliptical/stair master too. He even said I could have sex tonight, just not more than two times.
;-)

I don't go back for another month unless there is a problem with the fluid or my incisions and at that point I'll be 6wks post-op. Scheduled next appt for 11/1 (9yr wedding anniversary).

I feel awesome and am so very happy I decided to go ahead with the surgery. I'll be even happier when I'm all back to "normal".

I'll do 2 wk post-op pics tomorrow night when I get home from work or if I run out of time this weekend for sure.

7 days post op update with pics

update from my 7day post op appt. 

Sorry I forgot to post yesterday after my appt. I took pics but was not on computer to do comparison post.

I got sutures and surgical tape removed. 

I did not have my drain removed as I am still putting out to much fluid to it each day. As soon as 

I'm down to 30cc output each day it can come out. Hoping for Monday if I lay low this weekend it should go down. 

I got a new compression garment - like underwear/spanx with a side zipper/hook thingy. Its like wearing the bottom half of a onsie for grownups lol. 

Another dose of the antibiotic since I still have the drain in. 

He is very happy with my progress and so am I. 

So this weekend will be lots of lounging around so I can get this fluid down and heal up on the inside which is what is causing the draining. 

Oh and I slept in my own bed last night. Mike fell asleep watching tv and I snuck up alone to our bed until like 6 when his snoring ass joined me. It was not as comfortable as I have dreamed about over the last week but I know it will be better when I can lay on both sides - with the drain I'm pretty uncomfortable on my right side still.)

Day 5 post op

Had Mike help me adjust my compression garment this am. The swelling has gone down so much more since yesterday and the day before.

I've been off pain meds since midday Monday due to the constipation issue. I really truly haven't needed them. I only have a sharp pull type pain every once in a while at a suture spot. I sneezed for the first time last night and also dropped a wii remote just below my incision where I had a little lipo, both stopped me in my tracks. I could have vomited with the sudden pain. But luckily it passed and no harm was done. Thank goodness all is well in the bathroom again because I think that was what was causing the majority of my swelling and abdominal pain.

Nick is my helper today as there is no school for him (yom kippur?). So far he has filled my water cup with ice, turned off the lights, put a pillow under my feet and get flushable wipes & toilet paper from the upstairs bathroom. He said he is "my friend helper" for today. I could have been home alone but since he has no school it give us a chance to hang out alone some. We don't get time like this usually with Mike and Emma around.

I go back to the dr on fri and hopefully have my drain removed and maybe some stitches too. I'll take more pictures then for a before surgery-3 day-7day comparison and will post on Friday afternoon.

I'm very happy with my results so far. I have not tried on any of my "real" clothes yet - just wearing workout pants & shorts & my hubby's boxer briefs. It'll be so exciting trying on clothes in my closet that have not ever fit yet. I have a bunch of size 10s that were just toooo tight. I'm thinking not anymore. :-)

pics from day 3 post op

Post-op appt update

Few things from my dr's visit:

No eating until I poop.

Stop taking the Percocet pain pills and switch to Tylenol only to help get things flowing right. I can take the muscle relaxers as they don't cause constipation.

Pain ball was removed.

Drain stays in until at least Friday's appt as long as I have less than 30ccs of fluid over 24hr period.

Keep binder on tight until I see him again on Friday @ 12:15.

I can shower as much as I want just no direct hit with the water on stitches.

Doing well and he says all looks good.

Day 3...

I still can't believe I had my surgery just 3 days ago. I feel good overall but I'm pretty tender on my abdomen near my incision.

I still have not had a real BM just a little bit so that is not a good thing. Hoping stool softener will kick in soon so things get moving more easily.

Kids and mike are gone to school and work and my friend Kerri is on her way to hang with me and take me to my first post-op appt.

I think I'm going to shower before we go so the dr can redress a clean body versus going to appt getting redressed and then coming home and ruining it with a shower.

I'll be able to take a quick peak and maybe a picture or two :-) I'm excited to see what's under all this binding.

Bathroom issues...

I have never had a problem with going to the bathroom - not while preggers or post delivery with either kid. I'm probably one of the most regular people I know lol but since my surgery I have not gone yet and I'm not supposed to let it go too long. So now I'm taking stool softener/laxative plus I did a glycerin suppository a little bit ago. Here's hoping I poop soon!!!!