5 1/2 weeks Post-Op
Just a quick update here for anyone checking in. Everything is going well. I really don’t have many complaints. The swelling is worse lately than it used to be. I get paranoid about trapped fluid and seroma. But I think it’s the standard swelling and I shouldn’t get my panties in a twist about it. The part of my belly above the incision but below my belly button is the worst. I still average about 38″ in the morning and 39 1/2″ by night. But that inch and a half is so minimal, only I can really notice. I’m pretty much binder free at this point. I put it on sometimes at night if I feel I need a little extra support or if I’m feeling a little puffy. But other than that, I go without. I think “needing” it was all in my head. I don’t swell any more or less without it. But it does help reduce the swelling once it’s there.
I can exercise again! That’s the newest and biggest improvement. I went indoor rock climbing this past Sunday and on Tuesday I played on my ultimate frisbee team. Both went really well. Rock climbing was a lot easier than I expected. The stretching didn’t pull on anything, and I didn’t hit my tummy on anything like I was worried about. Frisbee was as hard as I thought it would be. Running at top speed after two months of doing nothing isn’t fun. The only thing I noticed that was strange was a little bit of a tingling in my tummy. I assumed it was just blood rushing to areas that hadn’t done much for a while. Afterwards I wasn’t particularly sore or swollen. I went home and slept in my binder, and that might have helped. I have to say that it feels REALLY good to be back in that grove. The weight issue is still hard, and I want to combat all the BBQ/Graduation/Wedding calories that I’ve been putting in my face. No excuses! Be accountable! So here’s to being the most
healthy I can be!
As always, there’s an update on my gallery page. (Link also at right side of page.)
June 17th, 2005 at 9:07 pm
Erica,
You look so amazing. Thanks for the update. After reading all of the message boards everyday, I’ve come to the conclusion that we all are going to be swollen at different times in our recovery for a very long time. We just have to deal with it. Time marches on very quickly and before long, the surgery is way behind us. It seems as though you have returned to your normal routine. That’s excellent compared to some of the stories I have been reading. Good for you!
My surgery is coming up very quickly. It’s scheduled for June 29th. I’m not sure of the time yet. My whole family is against my surgery and every day someone makes a comment like I’m making a mistake. My husband doesn’t feel that I’ve done enough sit-ups and I’m copping out. I’m in this alone! I have to admit that I honestly don’t care. I’m a survivor. Right now I’m concentrating on what I need to recover. What I have that’s in my favor is that I’m a teacher and I have the entire summer off so there’s no pressure on me to return to work. I just need to attend a wedding in New York City on July 23rd and then leave for Baltimore the next day for my conducting conference. I hope the long car ride doesn’t put me in “swell hell”.
I’ll keep you posted. Again, thank you so much for all of the updates and pictures. You’re really helping me get through this. Thanks!
Phyllis
June 18th, 2005 at 1:39 pm
Hi Erica, you don’t know me, but I just wanted to say you are looking fantastic!
I found your blog/photos over at Make Me Heal which I have been reading since the day I made the consult appointment with my soon to be PS for a FTT. Not sure if I need the MR or should have one - I am 33, single and would like to have children some day. Like you, I lost weight (not 100, 66 and counting) and was left with a not so nice looking stomach.
Anyways thanks for blogging about your decision and journey, I’ve enjoyed reading it.
June 18th, 2005 at 5:34 pm
Yeeha! You sound so happy! Isn’t it great to be back exercising and just acting normally again! Putting up with the swelling is annoying though! I’m still swollen, hoping it will have gone down a bit more in another few weeks though. Anyway, nice to see an update and best wishes,
Suzy.
June 20th, 2005 at 10:40 am
You are doing awesome! You look great & I am so glad to hear that you are getting back into the groove of things. I am starting to get really excited about my upcoming surgery. Just 5 more weeks. At the same time I am starting to get really nervous about the recovery though. Not about the pain & all that, but about dealing with baby. I know I will have help, but I don’t want to feel like I can’t even hold him & I don’t want him to feel neglected by the change. I have lots of questions for my doc next week when I go to my pre-op!
Cristine