Now that I have my pre-op pics from the doctor I thought I'd start this thread. I have learned so much watching Julie and Puddin I wanted to follow their example and share my journey as well.

I am posting my surgical pre-op photos below but am leaving my before/current photos of my clothed self off this thread for now. Somehow that makes me feel just a little more exposed on this thread. Silly I know since my photos are already on several other threads.

They shaved only the "necessary areas" but I guess our opinions of necessary differ. They shaved around the incision site but not at all around the drains. Which is where it keeps pulling the most. Nor can I really shave it myself now, without nicking the stitches they've used to keep the drains in place. Oh well, hopefully they will be out with in a week or so.

Dianne

Looking great sweetie! Good for you! :Banane35:

LOL, I guess they do! I am just so glad I went with a wax beforehand rather than relying on a nurse shaving me. It made me a hell of a lot more comfortable after the fact.

Just curious. Why is it taking so long for your drains to come out? Mine were out within 5 or 6 days. I did have to be draining below a certain amount of fluid a day... But I have never heard of drains being left in for weeks at a time, my doc said something about drains being an open invitation for infection if left for too long.

omg that is just amazing. You look so fantastic! and such an inspiration. Can't wait to see how you look after the swelling is gone, eventhough I would take that swelling over what I have right now anyday, LOL

CONGRATS

Mine is talking like one or both should be out by this Friday. If not maybe the following Wednesday, which would be just over 2 weeks. He didn't say anything about infections, but I've been worried myself. He did put me on a round of pre-medative anti-biotics, maybe that is one reason why. He also seemed to think my drainage was dissapating faster than most. Right now I'm only emptying it twice a day with 20-30cc in each bulb. I could actually go to once a day but didn't like the idea of leaving it there that long to coagulate. (GROSS) I'm always extra carefull to wash my hands thouroughly as well as around the drain incision site and it's "drain" opening. I use an antibacterial soap and some polysporin on it each time I empty it. Still I will be glad to be rid of these as soon as possible.

I'd say that is exactly why you are on abx. I think I was draining about 25-30cc a day total, and that's why they came out as soon as they did. I was really lucky. I hope you get those suckers out soon. Don't forget to take a deep breath when they pull them out. You'll know why afterward!

... I hope you get those suckers out soon. Don't forget to take a deep breath when they pull them out. You'll know why afterward!

Oh, Great! I'm a knuckle biter myself (literally, pain transferrance and all) You should see the bite marks I left after my hubby pulled the pain pump lines, and they were MUCH smaller. Maybe I'll save up some pain pills and take a double dose before going in. I could always threaten to bite the doctor instead, maybe that would help.:heh:

Off to bed for me. I only got up to take another round of meds, and see if I couldn't pass a poo, but that's a subject for another thread.

Wow you look great. I can only imagine how incredible you will look and feel when the swelling is gone. Why are the tops of your legs wrapped?

Oh, Great! I'm a knuckle biter myself (literally, pain transferrance and all) You should see the bite marks I left after my hubby pulled the pain pump lines, and they were MUCH smaller. Maybe I'll save up some pain pills and take a double dose before going in. I could always threaten to bite the doctor instead, maybe that would help.:heh:

It's not painful really. Just funky. Its weird. Because they have the drain sort of snaked all around your belly, it feels kinda like they are pulling intestines out. It doesn't hurt as such, it just feels so very, very wrong.

And you had a pain pump? All I got was one shot of Pethadine when I came out of theatre, and then all I got after that was Panadol (the Aussie version of Tylanol)

Oh, and do something about getting your bowel moving before it's too late (laxatives, enema, whatever). Trust me. You do NOT want to be straining on a tummy that has just been tucked.

WOW! What a tremendous difference.

I love how low your incision is. Very nice job.

Congratulations! Now with every day you will feel better.

Hugs!

Oh my gosh, Diane, you look FABULOUS!!!!!

Ghost you look amazing. I can't wait til I get to where you are. Thanks for sharing it really helps those of us who are still trying to get there to stay on track.

<p>Diane, that's so awesome and I'm so happy for you. I plan to be there myself someday (after kid). As for the drains - wish I could advise but I've never had them. I have asked, though, because even though my TT is at least a year or two away, I'm already anxious about it. Just kinda gives me the creeps, you know? So I asked Puddin on here to pay attention to what it felt like and she said she didn't really feel anything. I've asked others I know IRL and I've heard a mix of "didn't feel a thing," and "hurt like hell," and "felt... weird." Nothing in between.

Just invest in a plastic dental tray, like they give to people who grind their teeth. For DH's sake. :Banane35:

Ghost you look fantastic!!! I hope you are feeling better soon :0)