Thanks so much for all of the kind thoughts and comments you have sent my way. I'm here! I've been mostly laid up for 2 weeks but as of this week I'm more mobile and finally starting to feel closer to normal.
Day 1 after my surgery was the worst. That first night I was almost in tears when I had to get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. My belly was super swollen and it felt like it was going to explode. I couldn't suck in or move my belly in or out. It hurt but at the same time it was almost like I couldn't feel it. I was stuck sleeping on my back and I ended up having hubby get extra pillows from the other room so I could prop myself up to a slight incline and put a pillow under my knees. A hospital bed would have been perfect but I had to make due. Laying too flat made me feel like my belly was being pulled and stretched open. I was also very gassy and had pain in my right shoulder. I read that this was probably from the air they used to expand my belly during surgery. I also had pain in my mouth on the right side. It felt really raw and sore. Hubby said it's probably where my mouth was held open with the tube down my throat during the surgery. The idea that something was breathing for me while I was under anesthesia is really weird to think about. Sitting up and walking was painful but doable. I took my pillows and set up camp on the couch to wait for my parents who were on their way. Hubby had basketball that morning so they came to be with me. I'm pretty sure I was hungry on Saturday but I didn't really feel it so much because of the discomfort in my belly. That first day I ate a bowl of soup and some crackers for the whole day. I had 3 big square band aids on and when it was time for a shower I was scared to see what was underneath so hubby had to do it and look first. My belly button bled onto my shirt overnight so I knew it would be the worst. It was basically a bloody hole. There are stitches in there that are supposed to dissolve. The two side incisions stayed covered in steri tape so I didn't have to see what that looked like. I had to keep a band aid on the belly button at night because it was kind of gooey but kept it off during the day so it could dry out. I tried not to look at it.
Day 1 after my surgery was the worst. That first night I was almost in tears when I had to get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. My belly was super swollen and it felt like it was going to explode. I couldn't suck in or move my belly in or out. It hurt but at the same time it was almost like I couldn't feel it. I was stuck sleeping on my back and I ended up having hubby get extra pillows from the other room so I could prop myself up to a slight incline and put a pillow under my knees. A hospital bed would have been perfect but I had to make due. Laying too flat made me feel like my belly was being pulled and stretched open. I was also very gassy and had pain in my right shoulder. I read that this was probably from the air they used to expand my belly during surgery. I also had pain in my mouth on the right side. It felt really raw and sore. Hubby said it's probably where my mouth was held open with the tube down my throat during the surgery. The idea that something was breathing for me while I was under anesthesia is really weird to think about. Sitting up and walking was painful but doable. I took my pillows and set up camp on the couch to wait for my parents who were on their way. Hubby had basketball that morning so they came to be with me. I'm pretty sure I was hungry on Saturday but I didn't really feel it so much because of the discomfort in my belly. That first day I ate a bowl of soup and some crackers for the whole day. I had 3 big square band aids on and when it was time for a shower I was scared to see what was underneath so hubby had to do it and look first. My belly button bled onto my shirt overnight so I knew it would be the worst. It was basically a bloody hole. There are stitches in there that are supposed to dissolve. The two side incisions stayed covered in steri tape so I didn't have to see what that looked like. I had to keep a band aid on the belly button at night because it was kind of gooey but kept it off during the day so it could dry out. I tried not to look at it.
Day 2 Sunday it was painful getting up and laying myself down. I had to ease my way into everything very slowly. The drugs were doing their thing so I really wasn't in a whole lot of pain. It was mostly discomfort with flashes of pain in my belly here and there. I also felt just a little bit of pain that seemed to be coming from my vagina area. I took Ibuprofen during the day and then Vicatin at night. Getting comfortable at night was still very hard. My butt was actually sore from being stuck laying on my back all night. Somehow I managed to lay on my side to give my booty a rest but after that night side sleeping wouldn't be comfortable at all for a few days more. I still had some slight soreness from the IV that that they tried to do the first time but that didn't work.
Day 3 Monday the swollen belly started to go down a little bit but it was still pretty swollen. It would be flatter in the morning but swell up by the end of the day. I had my first bowel movement and managed to not take any Ibuprofen until about 4pm. By then my belly started to ache and I'd go and take it. That pain in my mouth finally started to go away.
By Day 5 Wednesday I was able to walk to the mailbox. Very slowly. My doctor called to check up on me which I thought was really nice. I totally didn't expect that. She told me that the swollen belly would go down but I was still freaking out about it because of the damn internet of course. I was reading that some women still had it a year later. Others talked about a pooch that women that has had this type of surgery could expect to be permanent. My heart dropped when I read that. I did this to get my belly to go down not get bigger then it was to begin with.
By day 6 Thursday the swollen belly started to improve a bit even at night. Some of my ab definition started to show up again and I started to get more hopeful that maybe the swelly belly would go away. I was kind of able to sleep on my side. Sitting up at the table too long was a strain on my back and my core. Even trying to hold my hands over the keyboard of my laptop for too long was a strain.
Day 7 Friday was my first outing and it did not go well. I really thought I was feeling good but the minute I tried to do more my body rebelled. I rode along on a morning errand with hubby to the car dealership and I was aware of every single bump along the way. Afterwards we stopped for breakfast. I was only gone for about 2 hours or so but I was flat on my back in pain with my belly all swollen up when we got back. It was way too soon for an outing and it just goes to show you how much we are actually doing just by being out in the world even when we don't feel like we are doing all that much. After that I didn't leave the house until the following Friday. My belly button stopped bleeding and started to scab up which is still gross but a lot better then a raw looking wound.
Day 8 Saturday I was able to cuddle up a little with my husband and sleep on my sides without too much discomfort.
The first week I rarely left the couch. I'd still wake up pretty early, take my shower and bring my pillows and toothbrush downstairs with me so I wouldn't have to go back upstairs. I watched two seasons of Girls in 2 days. I literally sat on the couch and watched TV all day. I was in the exact same spot every day that hubby came home. I felt better faster then I thought I would but even though there are only 3 incisions there was tons of stitching up and healing that has to go on inside. I really thing being fit and healthy has helped me out a lot too. I get a few muscle spasms in my stomach every morning when I wake up and start moving around. I didn't even realize that it was a "thing" at first but I guess it is. They aren't really painful. Just uncomfortable especially right after surgery. They are short, then the pass and that's it.
The second week I was feeling more mobile but the fatigue set in. I'd wake up tired and started taking naps. I was able to sit up better and longer without discomfort so I started working on my novel in the morning. It would be ridiculous to have all this time off and not at least get something productive accomplished on that. I've been watching the Olympics. I also started reading. Normally I never feel like I have the time. Exactly two weeks post surgery was Valentine's Day and my second outing which went much better. That morning I drove myself to my hair appointment and to Macy's to find a money clip for hubby. I came right back home and got into my pajamas to rest up for dinner. There were some aches and pains throughout the day but not too bad. It was my first day not taking any pain killers for an entire day. I wanted to be able to drink wine at dinner. I had to put on a bra and something else besides pajamas which actually kind of sucked but that's all part of getting back to real life. We had a nice dinner out where I ordered the best tasting mac and cheese I've ever had.
On Saturday I went with hubby to his football game to take pictures. I was standing for about two hours and I was really hurting by the time we started walking back to the car to go home. I took some Ibuprofen when we got home and took vicatin that night too because I needed it. On Sunday I stayed in and rested all day and then on Monday we went to the movies and then to lunch. Still some aches and pains but not too bad. Even though sitting on the couch is pretty awesome it was nice to get out and enjoy this warm weather we've been having.
Which brings us to week three. I was really really close to going to work this week half days. At my pre op appointment my doctor told me it would be pushing it to go so soon but I was able to drive and be out of the house on Friday, Saturday and Monday so I figured it was time. I've been trying to cut back on the painkillers so I can see how I'm really feeling so I almost felt worse then I had the previous week when I was taking them regularly. There are still some definite aches and pains and it still hurts when my incisions are touched. I probably could have managed part time but like my doctor said, it would have really been pushing it and I want to get better not have a setback. My co worker texted to ask how I was doing and see if I was coming back. I was really dreading the thought but I felt like the sooner I went back and got it over with the better even though I wasn't sure I was ready. I felt bad about staying out longer but she said not too much was going on and she was taking care of everything. She also mentioned that the person that they got to fill in for me couldn't come into work if I did so it would actually help her if I didn't come. That settled it. Once I no longer felt guilty about being gone I was okay with taking one more probably much needed week. I hate to give up all those sick hours but if I'm so unsure that I'm ready it probably means that I'm not.
Today is the first pretty close to pain free day where I've felt pretty close to normal. The steri strips are still hanging onto my side incisions. The doctor said to leave them until they fall off naturally. I finally got my butt off the couch and this was the busiest most productive day for me so far. I felt ready for it. I went to get my car washed, picked up some groceries, Macy's (he didn't like the money clip), a 2nd grocery store to get something they didn't have at the first and to drop off a package at the postal annex. My belly had swelled up by the time I got home but I was still feeling pretty good. I even cleared out the dishwasher and made dinner. It felt so good to feed my husband and take care of some things for him since he's been the only doing everything. It's after 10pm and I'm starting to feel a little bit of aching but it's not too bad. I hope I didn't overdo it. I don't plan on doing anything at all tomorrow so I'll have a full day to recover and rest up again.
No responsibilities. No exercise. No work. No errands. No chores. Just rest. I've been loving it but at the same time I have to really try hard not to feel bad about myself for it. I feel like a lazy bum for laying around the house even though I have a really good excuse. I haven't lifted a finger to do a thing around the house or done much of anything and I can't help but feel some guilt. Lazy is considered bad and normally I have to do some kind of something productive to feel good about myself. I've been laying around for 2 1/2 weeks while my husband took care of me, ran to the grocery store, cooked dinner, did dishes, laundry and everything else on his own after a long day of work. He cleaned the house over the weekend which is usually my job. I did the dusting. He's knocked out exhausted right now on the couch. Work really takes a lot out of you. He has been so sweet and so wonderful this whole time. I felt so gross at first laying around with holes in my belly. I've been living in pajamas and glasses for almost three weeks and he still comes home, wants to cuddle with me and calls me beautiful. All of this on top of not having had sex in a really really long time. My husband is awesome. He is truly amazing and I feel so lucky to have him. We don't really celebrate V Day but I got him an i Tunes gift card and the money clip just because I wanted to show him some appreciation for what a wonderful husband he is.
This is the longest time I've been free from the chains of work in like pretty much ever. Three weeks off to stay at home and do nothing is pretty amazing; even though I had to undergo surgery to get it. I feel like it's going to be harder to get back to work after this then even after going to Hawaii. It'll be like going from 0 to 10. Life without work is too good. It's a bummer that I have to go back in order to keep it that way.
Day 8 Saturday I was able to cuddle up a little with my husband and sleep on my sides without too much discomfort.
The first week I rarely left the couch. I'd still wake up pretty early, take my shower and bring my pillows and toothbrush downstairs with me so I wouldn't have to go back upstairs. I watched two seasons of Girls in 2 days. I literally sat on the couch and watched TV all day. I was in the exact same spot every day that hubby came home. I felt better faster then I thought I would but even though there are only 3 incisions there was tons of stitching up and healing that has to go on inside. I really thing being fit and healthy has helped me out a lot too. I get a few muscle spasms in my stomach every morning when I wake up and start moving around. I didn't even realize that it was a "thing" at first but I guess it is. They aren't really painful. Just uncomfortable especially right after surgery. They are short, then the pass and that's it.
The second week I was feeling more mobile but the fatigue set in. I'd wake up tired and started taking naps. I was able to sit up better and longer without discomfort so I started working on my novel in the morning. It would be ridiculous to have all this time off and not at least get something productive accomplished on that. I've been watching the Olympics. I also started reading. Normally I never feel like I have the time. Exactly two weeks post surgery was Valentine's Day and my second outing which went much better. That morning I drove myself to my hair appointment and to Macy's to find a money clip for hubby. I came right back home and got into my pajamas to rest up for dinner. There were some aches and pains throughout the day but not too bad. It was my first day not taking any pain killers for an entire day. I wanted to be able to drink wine at dinner. I had to put on a bra and something else besides pajamas which actually kind of sucked but that's all part of getting back to real life. We had a nice dinner out where I ordered the best tasting mac and cheese I've ever had.
On Saturday I went with hubby to his football game to take pictures. I was standing for about two hours and I was really hurting by the time we started walking back to the car to go home. I took some Ibuprofen when we got home and took vicatin that night too because I needed it. On Sunday I stayed in and rested all day and then on Monday we went to the movies and then to lunch. Still some aches and pains but not too bad. Even though sitting on the couch is pretty awesome it was nice to get out and enjoy this warm weather we've been having.
Which brings us to week three. I was really really close to going to work this week half days. At my pre op appointment my doctor told me it would be pushing it to go so soon but I was able to drive and be out of the house on Friday, Saturday and Monday so I figured it was time. I've been trying to cut back on the painkillers so I can see how I'm really feeling so I almost felt worse then I had the previous week when I was taking them regularly. There are still some definite aches and pains and it still hurts when my incisions are touched. I probably could have managed part time but like my doctor said, it would have really been pushing it and I want to get better not have a setback. My co worker texted to ask how I was doing and see if I was coming back. I was really dreading the thought but I felt like the sooner I went back and got it over with the better even though I wasn't sure I was ready. I felt bad about staying out longer but she said not too much was going on and she was taking care of everything. She also mentioned that the person that they got to fill in for me couldn't come into work if I did so it would actually help her if I didn't come. That settled it. Once I no longer felt guilty about being gone I was okay with taking one more probably much needed week. I hate to give up all those sick hours but if I'm so unsure that I'm ready it probably means that I'm not.
Today is the first pretty close to pain free day where I've felt pretty close to normal. The steri strips are still hanging onto my side incisions. The doctor said to leave them until they fall off naturally. I finally got my butt off the couch and this was the busiest most productive day for me so far. I felt ready for it. I went to get my car washed, picked up some groceries, Macy's (he didn't like the money clip), a 2nd grocery store to get something they didn't have at the first and to drop off a package at the postal annex. My belly had swelled up by the time I got home but I was still feeling pretty good. I even cleared out the dishwasher and made dinner. It felt so good to feed my husband and take care of some things for him since he's been the only doing everything. It's after 10pm and I'm starting to feel a little bit of aching but it's not too bad. I hope I didn't overdo it. I don't plan on doing anything at all tomorrow so I'll have a full day to recover and rest up again.
No responsibilities. No exercise. No work. No errands. No chores. Just rest. I've been loving it but at the same time I have to really try hard not to feel bad about myself for it. I feel like a lazy bum for laying around the house even though I have a really good excuse. I haven't lifted a finger to do a thing around the house or done much of anything and I can't help but feel some guilt. Lazy is considered bad and normally I have to do some kind of something productive to feel good about myself. I've been laying around for 2 1/2 weeks while my husband took care of me, ran to the grocery store, cooked dinner, did dishes, laundry and everything else on his own after a long day of work. He cleaned the house over the weekend which is usually my job. I did the dusting. He's knocked out exhausted right now on the couch. Work really takes a lot out of you. He has been so sweet and so wonderful this whole time. I felt so gross at first laying around with holes in my belly. I've been living in pajamas and glasses for almost three weeks and he still comes home, wants to cuddle with me and calls me beautiful. All of this on top of not having had sex in a really really long time. My husband is awesome. He is truly amazing and I feel so lucky to have him. We don't really celebrate V Day but I got him an i Tunes gift card and the money clip just because I wanted to show him some appreciation for what a wonderful husband he is.
This is the longest time I've been free from the chains of work in like pretty much ever. Three weeks off to stay at home and do nothing is pretty amazing; even though I had to undergo surgery to get it. I feel like it's going to be harder to get back to work after this then even after going to Hawaii. It'll be like going from 0 to 10. Life without work is too good. It's a bummer that I have to go back in order to keep it that way.
