10 or so days Post-Op
Well, here we go with the bullets cause the brain isn't prepared to do narrative.
Everything with the surgery went according to plan. Everything came out and what was supposed to go back in did, just as the doctors wanted it to.
Relatively short recovery times were predicted for each procedure, but I'm now thinking that the doctors hadn't really thought about a collective time frame... cause I'm still recovering...
It was an outpatient procedure, so I left the same day that I went in. Traversing out to the car after surgery was unpleasant and resulted in me vomiting into my personal belongings bag (which was empty at that point). I do not recommend vomiting after abdominal surgery. Up until now I have never experienced post-op nausea, but now I get to answer that question in the affirmative.
Sneezing after abdominal surgery is another thing I don't recommend.
I think I've started to experience menopause symptoms, but I'm not entirely sure, so I'm just filing this under "phenomena to be observed".
I can say this about the above though... I am "hot" from the waist up (feels hormone related thus far), but my feet continue to be intermittently COLD due to the neuropathy. Temperature control in the car is problematic.
Saw my plastic surgeon yesterday and he is very pleased with my results thus far. He also mentioned more than once that I didn't have much fat for him to work with, so I probably need to keep that in mind when I have my body conscious days.
Since the procedure I've had to wear a surgical bra and what I have referred to as a "velcro corset", but doctor has said I can now wear "spanx" to continue to support my stomach. I have two more weeks in these contraptions and then my belly can once again run free. **sigh**
Ella Jane has been an excellent companion and nurse maid.
I'm still wrapping my brain around all that has happened in the last 12 months. I now realize why I continue to be tired - it has been a wild ride to say the least. Next week there will be a welcome respite where I will get to relax and really celebrate and share my journey. I think a change of scene will be nice. For those keeping track I still have a couple of boxes in the office of the new apartment to unpack. I think still having boxes a week later (much less four) is a true record for me. Maybe I'm finally "mellowing" in my old age... or maybe I've just finally figured out where my energy should truly go.
Thanks for checking in. I can't thank you all enough!!