Salsa's Summer Surgery!

[salsa1877 10]

Good afternoon. Not much to post. We are going to take out the pain pump later today. I am in a lot less pain today. I was able to lie down in my own bed this afternoon and get some sleep. I still am not able to sleep for more than about an hour at a time. If it doesn't get better by Monday I am going to ask her for some sleeping pills.

I am still draining quite a bit from the left side, but not a whole lot from the right. Still don't have much of an appetite. DH went to the store to get a rotissarie chicken as there was nothing in the house that I wanted to eat. I am at 53 grams of Protein right now so I will get higher with the chicken. I will then eat a Protein Bar or a sandwich tonight when I take my antibiotic so I should be close to 100 grams again. I am trying to eat more...I am just NOT hungry.

[Nemesis 0]

*HUGS* Salsa. I'm so glad to hear that your pain is less. I'm sorry eating is so difficult though, keep trying!

Thinking of you!

N

[salsa1877 10]

Good morning. Pain is down to almost zero and my appetite is back a little. I actually wanted to eat this morning. I stepped on the scale this morning and it read 145 but that is will all the bandages on and all my clothes on. So I am definetly lower than that. The draining has slowed WAAAAAY down. In fact I am hoping that the right one wil come out tomorrow at my post-op appointment.

However...the ITCHING IS KILLING ME! Did anyone else have incredible itching. I feel like I have bugs crawling underneath my binder. I didn't have Lipo so I don't know why it is so unbearable. I am actually itching everywhere...but under the binder is awful. I had my first experience with a bowel movement yesterday and that was NOT fun. I have been taking stool softeners but it didn't help yesterday. So I doubled what I was taking for future encounters!

Again I hope to post pictures tomorrow!

[kareyquilts 1]

Salsa: Sounds like you're doing pretty good. I'm glad your DH is such a good helper. Mine was too and it was really a bonding experience. You have to the man who will empty your drains! It's totally normal to not have an appetite. Personally, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Unfortunately, it doesn't last for long! Hope you get some rest soon. Oh, did your doctor tell you to walk hunched over? My doctor told me to walk as straight as I could. Maybe a different kind of suture? I didn't have sutures on the outside of my skin. It was just glued. Anyway, I hope your back and neck feel better soon.

[TexasBecky 1]

Hi Salsa! Good news on the pain, appetite, and drains. It sounds like everything is going really well for you. I hope you are sleeping better now too. I didn't sleep very well for the first couple of weeks. I hope you're having better luck with that.

I didn't have the terrible itching that you describe, but I remember LJM wrote about awful itching problems. I'm sure it is normal but be sure to mention it to you doctor tomorrow.

I did have the bowel troubles. That was the main reason I stopped taking pain meds. Even with stool softeners I had a terrible time "going" while I was taking the pain pills. Try drinking the 4 ounce bottles of Gerber apple prune juice (on the baby food aisle).

I was walking upright from day one. Like Karey said, it might have something to do with your vertical incision or the kind of sutures your doctor used. I've read other people's comments about not being able to walk straight for the first week or so. I bet that does make your neck and back sore.

I'm glad you are doing so well and that your DH is able to help you. I know how happy you must be to move beyond the weight loss and PS stages of your journey. It is a wonderful and exciting time isn't it?

Good luck with the doctor visit tomorrow. Keep us posted. Becky

[nurse niki 0]

Glad to hear you are doing well! Can't wait to see your pics!!!

[Sarah8714 2]

I am so glad that things are going well. Did you try Benadryl for the itching? of course I would ask your doctor but it could be just inflammation from wearing the binder. I would ask at the appt. today. So happy for you!!! :thumbup:

[salsa1877 10]

I just got back from the doctor and YEAH I can take a shower today. When I take my shower I will take pictures and I will post them. The plan is to take my shower around 3ish so I should have pictures up by 5. My tummy looks really good. There is a fair amount of loose skin towards my breasts but it still looks a million times better than it did. I was so excited to see my belly button.

I will post more later.

[Foofy 0]

Oh the internet is crazy. I can't believe I am sitting in Montana waiting for someone to take their shower in Oregon.... LOL.

I am so excited to see the results. Congrats.

[salsa1877 10]

Here is the picture collage!

Tummy tuck collage 4 days post op.bmp

[Nemesis 0]

WOW you look super!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[losingjusme 12]

A.m.a.z.i.n.g!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nurse niki 0]

WOW! That is unbelievable! Look how tiny you are!!! It is hard to imagine that you were ever heavy. You have to feel so proud of yourself! What a great inspiration!

[TexasBecky 1]

Salsa, you're looking fabulous! You are going to feel like a new woman when you get to run again. Thanks for posting the pics.

I guess she didn't take out a drain today. When do you see her again?

[salsa1877 10]

Nope the drains are still in. I am going to have the right one taken out on Monday of next week. She said even though I am only draining about 12 cc/day she doesn't like to take them out this early. She said the swelling to her is worse than the drains. Also she said the drains will help to tell me if I am doing too much. She wants to keep the drains as clear as possible. When the draining is really red it means that I am doing to much. She said she won't take out the second drain until the following week. With that being said she told me that if either one of the drains STOP draining to call here and she would take it out. I am okay with them. I am not doing much anyways.

I did go to the store today after the appt and it kind of wiped me out. That and the shower. I can't say that I was all that excited about the shower. It felt good in between the waves of nausea and feelings that I was going to pass out.

I have also started to wean myself off the pain meds. I am going on just tylenol. She said I could take some tylenol PM at night so that I can TRY and sleep. Last night was better but I still woke up several times.

Overall I am feeling great. It was nice to see my tummy!