Today was my second post-op appointment, and I got a little good news, and a little bad news. I like to end on a high note, so I'll give you the bad news first.
During surgery, they glued some special tape over the abdominal incision to give it some additional support and keep it from pulling open. Fun fact about me: I have really sensitive skin, and sometimes adhesive irritates me. This is one of those times. So they pulled the entire thing off today, which is earlier than they like to, because my skin was just done with that stuff.
They used a bit of adhesive remover to loosen it up, but it still felt about like a bikini wax coming off. So that was fun. Then, it continued to hurt... Because my skin is a little broken down in some spots from the adhesive. It looks like a bunch of small scratches that are just a teensy bit bleedy, and they sting like, well, a bunch of small scratches that are a teensy bit bleedy. Leave it to me to have a major surgery that impacts my entire torso, and the dang bandaids do me in.
I also have a bit of an itchy rash, so that's fun, but some rx cream should clear that right up.
The last bit of bad news is a little more serious, but they assured me it happens all the time and not to worry, just be extra careful. So during the tummy tuck part of the surgery, they're pulling your abdomen back together and there's not enough skin, so it's real tight. Hence the need to walk bent over. Mine is particularly tight, because they were able to use my c-section scar so that the final product is nicer, but it was lower than she usually goes, so the whole thing is a bit tighter. So a possible complication, which I am having, is that it sort of pulls apart a little bit - they call it "delayed wound healing" and she said it's really a very tiny spot and it'll close up just fine. I suspect it's probably complicated by my low platelets, but I didn't ask. So I just have to stay extra bent over, especially since I no longer have the tape on there as a reinforcement. They also gave me a special dressing that will help it heal, without causing the adhesive skin reaction above. And because of all that, I have to wait another week to drive, and I have to go back next week to make sure it's all healing well, instead of in two weeks.
Pause. That all sounds sort of terrible, doesn't it? But really, it's all going to be just fine, and it really is a very small spot. And the skin breakdown is very superficial and will probably clear right up now that the tape is gone. So, deep breath, and stop worrying and thinking doomy gloomy thoughts. I'm rocking this recovery phase!
Now then, how about some good news?
The girls are looking great. The left one is still all sorts of greenish purple from the bleeding (which was from a little clot, doc said), but they're healing so well, and they look pretty good, if I do say so myself.
I no longer have to wear the surgical bra, which is AMAZING because that little thing is unbelievably itchy. Or maybe that's the rash that was so itchy, but I think the bra contributed to it, so same thing. I am now allowed to wear those really comfortable camisole type bras, so that is very exciting.
I can raise my hands overhead and do range of motion exercises. Well, I can't actually raise them that high, but I'm allowed to start trying. Do you know what this means?!?! I can shave my armpits. Hallelujah, God is good, y'all. I can also wear whatever I want now, because I can move my arms around to get into real clothes instead of just button up shirts.
Oh, I nearly forgot! Because of all the issues above, I get to take a week off from The Miniskirt! Which, despite all my complaints, is actually pretty helpful for my sore swelly belly.
So overall, a pretty good appointment. I also enjoyed getting some one on one time with James, because he's been taking me to these weekly appointments. Date Day for the win!
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