▲ 59 r/IlonaAndrews
This Cliffhanger Will Not Kill Me
But waiting for the next book might. Sigh.
Guess it's time to go re-read my favorite IA series. Which series is your favorite and why?
u/EmpressJess — 9 hours ago
u/EmpressJess
5W PO & Still In A Lot of Pain
Yesterday marked 5 weeks post op (panniculectomy, TT, Breast Lift no fill), and I'm still in a lot of pain. Yesterday I went to the ER because for the last 5 days I had been absolutely miserable. I have a band of pain across the top of my abdomen, directly under my ribcage, with an additional really sore/tender spot to the left of my belly button. They did lab work which all came back normal, no infections or areas of concern. They did a CT scan which showed no abnormalities.
I appreciate the peace of mind knowing that there's nothing overly wrong, but I'm so frustrated with the pain and swelling. I've been wearing my compression religiously, yet I still have a lot of swelling and pain. Thanks to this sub, I know that the swelling can last up to a year, but I thought by 5W PO I would have turned a corner and the pain/discomfort would be more manageable. On the plus side, my incisions are all healing really well, and my post op rashes from the adhesives are mostly gone. My boobs look and feel great! On the downside, I'm feeling so defeated right now.
u/EmpressJess — 15 hours ago
▲ 24 r/tummytucksurgery
4wks PO and still plugging away
I had a Panniculectomy, TT, and Breast Lift with no fill on 4/16, and I'm hoping my results get a little better than what I see now. I feel like I still have a little pooch, and I'm wondering if that's permanent. I'm still pretty sore all the time, and I was hoping that would be better by now. Last week I did have some fluid aspirated from my abdomen, and I got some relief, but I feel like a rubber band that's stretched too tight. I've been focusing on compression to help reduce additional fluid build up.
I think my breasts look great and I'm really happy with the recovery on that end. All of the incisions are healing well.
I didn't want a belly button, and specifically asked not to have one, but I wound up with one anyway. I think it looks ok, so please reassure me because I'm feeling pretty fragile about my abdominal results overall. I mean, it does look a LOT better than that crazy hanging apron I had, but I was hoping for a more flat belly.
Is it weird to be a little disappointed? Do you think it will flatten out more? My next post-op appointment is 6/2 unless I feel like the fluid is back, in which case they'll get me in on the day I call. The surgeon and his whole team have been pretty great in general.
Stats:
48yo, 130lbs currently after 130lbs weight lost
Gastric bypass in 2016
Collage:
1 day preop vs 3wks post op
Other pics are 4wks post op
Minor complications post op:
Belly button I didn't want
Rashes from the adhesives
Fluid build up after wound drains removed
u/EmpressJess — 6 days ago
▲ 11 r/tummytucksurgery
I had a Panniculectomy, Tummy Tuck with muscle repair and a breast lift on 4/16. Healing is going as well as can be expected. Of course I have lots of swelling, and I'm trying hard not to be in my feelings about how puffy and "large" my abdomen looks, because I know that I'm still in the early stages. I have all of you to thank for knowing that this is normal, and the negative feelings are normal.
This post is not really about any of that. This post is just me whining about the rash I have from all the adhesives. My skin is stupid, and I knew I'd have rashes. My surgical team and I came up with a plan to help, and it has. This is the better version of what could have been, but it still sucks!
Thanks for listening to me whine 💜 This group is honestly the best and so helpful.
u/EmpressJess — 26 days ago