#pattersonplasticsurgery

[ashleydonahoo-blog]

Hangin' In There - 2 Weeks Post-Op

Yesterday was the 2 week mark since my surgery. I can't believe it's already been 2 weeks! Honestly, I'm at the point that I'm sure anyone who is recovering from anything gets to: Can't I just be healed already?! You get to a point that you're kinda sick of laying around, things hurting, not being able to go and do as you normally would, etc. I admit - being waited on hand and foot was nice in the beginning, but I'd love nothing more than to be totally independent again now. BUT I have to allow myself to heal, and after a major surgery like I've had, that takes time. My husband joked about me being Wolverine (for those who don't know - he's a super hero who heals almost instantly - yeah - I live with 3 boys) - what he didn't realize is he created a deep-seated jealousy in me of Wolverine after that. How cool would that be?! To heal instantly?! Then he reminded me that if I did have that superpower, I wouldn't have been able to have the surgery in the first place because I'd be healing as they cut into me. THEN he went on to analyze that I wouldn't have needed the surgery if I had Wolverine's powers, because my skin wouldn't have been damaged in the first place. Yeah - THAT's the kind of conversations you're reduced to when you're stuck at home in a chair all day for weeks on end and surrounded by boys. Haha!

ANYWAY (sorry for the side-track) -  overall I'm doing well. I have one small spot on the underside of one breast that is having a hard time healing. It seems that it dried to gauze at one point, and keeps doing so, so it keeps getting reopened. I visited Dr. Patterson's office yesterday for his nurse, Angie, to take a look. She applied some antibiotic cream, gave me non-stick gauze and directions on how to care for it and watch it to make sure an infection doesn't set it, and I was good to go. I didn't have an appointment, but she made a point to fit me in to see me to make sure everything was okay. I really have gotten such good care from the Patterson Plastic Surgery team. I'm really looking forward to my appointment next Thursday - I'll get my tape off finally and really see more of the results. I'm so excited! :-D

My personal life has had pretty big challenges over the past week, and it's been extra hard to deal with since I'm recovering from this surgery. My "day job" was ended suddenly, without warning or explanation, and without merit on my part - and I was told via text message (yeah - I can't believe it either - absolutely ridiculous and unprofessional). I have yet to get any explanation or response to any questions. With just having and funding this major surgery, still being in the midst of recovery, my eldest son's birthday approaching, and the holidays upon us, this is obviously even THAT much harder to deal with on many levels. BUT - I'm dealing. I'm keeping up hope that we will be okay in the long run; we've gone through challenging times before and come out just fine, and I know we will this time, too. My kids' Christmas will suffer, but, in the end, having a roof over our heads, clothes on our backs, food on the table, and love and support for one another are the most important things. They don't "need" a bunch of new toys, and I'm sure they'll be happy with what they get from Santa, even if he is on a drastically reduced budget this year. We're blessed with a loving and supportive family and love for each other. My husband still has his job, and we will be okay. I'm hoping to use this opportunity to finish my cookbook and book on my life and journey to help others. I'm also hoping to get more involved with Livestrong.com and use that avenue to help others on their own health journeys. If I can use this bad situation and turn it around to be a blessing to others, THAT would be a win in my book. I and my family covet your prayers, well wishes, and good vibes during this time. Know that we are all in good spirits, though. I am CHOOSING not to let this bad situation derail my spirits, life, or goals, so it won't. :-) 

I will continue to follow doctor's orders and rest and recover. Every day gets easier and easier. I'm taking less and less pain medication, and feeling better by the day. I wish you and yours well! Until my next check in: take control of your life & health, and CHOOSE THE CHANGE!

[ashleydonahoo-blog]

10 Days PostOp: Confessions of a Worry-Wort

I can't believe its been 10 days since my surgery. On one hand it feels like it's been much longer since I'm stuck in my recliner and home alone all day, BUT on the other hand, it feels like surgery day and that rough day after was a long time ago because I've progressed SO much since then. I can honestly say each day gets a little easier - more ability to move, less pain, less swelling, and seeing the true results a little more with each passing day. 

Confession time: Up until a couple days ago, I was pretty nervous about my results. What I was seeing in the mirror when I took off my compression garments was not really in line with what I wanted from the surgery. My tummy wasn't AS flat as I thought it'd be, my chest was too large (and, honestly, a little strange looking from uneven swelling in different areas). With all the medication I've been on, being in pain, and, honestly, my time of the month (*ahem*) skewing my views and making me extra emotional, plus not ever having been through this surgery and not knowing what to expect, I had a rough few moments with these concerns. I was holding onto hope, though, that it'd get better with time, but I wasn't totally sure.

I expressed these concerns to Dr. Patterson's office (trying, of course, to be strong and a little nonchalant so as not to seem whiny or something), and everyone there has been so gentle, understanding, and reassuring. At my last appointment a couple days ago, Angie at Dr. Patterson's office was so sweet, looking me right in the eye with a gentle smile, allowing me to explain my concerns, and looking at everything again (even though she didn't need to) just to make me feel better. "One side looks different than the other, and this looks weird, and should it be feeling and looking like this? I'm just worried," I kept saying over and over in different ways. One side of my body was swelling more than the other, I was worried about the incisions and how they'd look, etc. She just smiled and did her best to assure me to just keep resting like I should, relax, and give it time. "You're still very swollen and healing, so it doesn't look like it will in the end; it's only been a week, trust me, it'll get better, just try to relax and keep icing and taking your meds, you're doing great; you're actually healing so well - look how much better the bruising has gotten - this looks great," she assured so gently and confidently. She made me feel a lot better, for sure, but I was still a little skeptical. 

Even though it's only been a couple days since then, I can already see a difference and see that she was right (of course - Dr. Patterson's team has only done this a ton of times ;-) ). I'm not totally healed obviously, but I can see the swelling going down and things evening up and looking more normal. I'm also experiencing much less pain, more ability to move on my own, sleeping better, needing less and less pain medication, and generally feeling better all around. My husband, David, too has been so reassuring and supportive, reminding me it really only has been just over a week since this major surgery. Encouraging me to relax and let myself heal, helping me when/ how he can, making sweet (& sometimes silly) comments about how much he already likes the results. ;-) He even did a little research and used that to reassure me that this is totally normal to be a little scared of the results and that what I'm seeing is completely normal at this PostOp stage. I feel so much better now not just physically as I heal, but also mentally and emotionally. I'm seeing the true results coming, and I'm SO beyond excited. I can't wait to be healed, see the final results, try on my clothes, and generally enjoy my improved body. :-D

I also got my last drain out a couple days ago which has been AWESOME! I'm FREE!! And I don't feel like a cyborg anymore! YAY! Haha! 

Life outside my surgery has been pretty rough the past few days. Life and stress doesn't go away when you're down and out. And, of course, it's that much harder to deal with when you're trying to recover from major surgery. However, I've been blessed with a great support system of family and friends, and I know I/ we will all be okay. I cannot let the stresses of daily life get to me right now - I must relax and let myself heal. That's very hard for most women, I believe, We have a sense of responsibility to our families, household, careers, friends, and the list goes on. But we all must remember in every facet of life: If we don't take care of ourselves and get/ stay healthy, we can't take care of all the other people and things in our lives. I'm focusing on that for now, and trying to keep a positive and optimistic outlook. :-)

Until my next check in... Choose better, choose health, CHOOSE THE CHANGE! 

[ashleydonahoo-blog]

1 Week PostOp

Well - I survived the first week PostOp! YAY! The last week has flown by - probably because I've spent the vast majority of time sleeping. ;-) 

So how am I doing? Pretty well actually! Yesterday, I was able to have one of my drains removed, and tomorrow morning, I'll get the other one removed! I won't feel so much like a cyborg anymore! YAY! haha! I was pretty nervous about getting the drain pulled out - you'd think that would hurt (even though I was told it doesn't - ya never know when people are just trying to calm you down - lol), but it didn't! It was a weird sensation, but the only part that was remotely painful was when the nurse was removing my sutures (that hold the drain in place) - and that really wasn't that bad - just little pinches. 

The last couple nights, my family and I have gotten in some pretty heavy giggle fits. As much as I try not to, and it does hurt, it's just uncontrollable once you get started - yeah, one of THOSE laughing fits. Then, yesterday, when I went to Dr. Patterson's office to get my drain removed, that was the longest in time and distance that I had been up on my feet and walking/ moving since before my surgery. So with all that, I was pretty sore today even though I've done REALLY well at following Dr. Patterson's orders and not moving around too much, not lifting, etc. I've been a star patient, I must say. ;-) Then, today, I went to get up from my seat, and used the armrests of my chair with my hands to help pull myself up. Well, my hand slipped off, so I instinctively caught myself with my abdominal muscles and tried to recover instead of thinking "Hey- maybe it'd be better just to fall back into this cushy chair than to use my sutured abs!" MISTAKE! Oh my heavens... I am paying for that! I think it was a culmination of everything over the last couple days, but this was the cherry on top. I was almost convinced I had split my sutures down the middle (vertically). But I rested and iced, took my pain reliever and muscle relaxer and gave it some time. After a couple hours, it was still sore (not excruciating), and felt like I was mid-sit up; my ab muscles were very taught and sore, especially down the middle where they were sewn back together. So, I called Dr. Patterson's office, and told Rio what happened and how it feels. She said it sounds like it's more of a spasm, and since I'm not in unbearable pain and not bleeding or having any other symptoms, I'm most likely fine, but that I did the right thing to call and ask - and to take it more easy from now on. That put my mind at rest but geez I'm still sore - I can tell I'll be kicking back all night.

Other than that, the past week hasn't been too terrible to be honest. I have alarms set for when I need to take my meds so I don't miss a dose, I've followed Dr. Patterson's postop instructions as closely as I can, I've iced, and rested. Each day gets a little easier to function and deal with - and I'm awake a little more each day, too. The pain isn't completely gone, but the meds and ice help me manage. I haven't cut back on pain meds yet, but I will start weaning down at the end of this week so I can get completely off of them.

Right now, my struggle is that since I'm awake and alert a little more (not all the time yet, mind you), I'm wanting to do a little more. I'm one of those that if I'm sitting still not doing anything, I feel like I'm wasting time - and time is far too precious these days to waste! I see all that needs to be done around my house, think about work that's probably waiting for me at my job, wanting to get out of the house and go and do, play with my kids, go for a drive, etc - and I can't. THAT is the hardest part right now I think. BUT I know that all this will be worth it in the end. I HAVE to allow my body to heal. I've waited way too long for these procedures to do something to ruin it now. Not to mention that if I do too much too soon, I will elongate the healing, which is the opposite of what I need to do. So for now, I will rest and allow my body to heal as much and as fast as possible. I have a very loving and supportive family and some great friends, and my husband David has really been helping around the house and with our boys even though he went back to work yesterday and is gone 12 hours a day (he's not as good as me, but, hey, I'll give him some credit for trying - haha! just kidding! ;-) he's been great!) And I have until next Tuesday off of work, then the week after I'll be working from home for another week before I return to my office - SO I have no excuse not to just rest and recover, which is what I aim to continue to do! :-) I'll check back in soon, but for now - time to recline & ice! ;-)