4 DAYS POST OP!

hi dear friends,

fours days since my panniculectomy.  i feel like a truck hit me which is a surprise because yesterday was different - i actually felt better than today.  they removed only 5 1/2 lbs. with the panni = dr. said it was a small one.  they did discover a rupture so they had to create a new belly button for me.  i must say it is a cutie.

the weird thing is that my weight has been dropping everyday.  just since surgery i have lost almost 15 lb.s ???  i am eating as much as i can and always remembering to get protein in before anything else.  i'm just not hungry.

Thursday i see my surgeon - i am really hoping that these drains can come out then.  the incision is huge about 20 inches and it wraps around my sides a couple more inches.

i am walking as much as i can too and still getting lots of rest.

dh is having issues and has to go in tomorrow for a biopsy on his liver.  unfortunately, i won't be able to go with him but our youngest son is.  please remember him in your thoughts and prayers.  we are worried about what this might be. 

i will check back in when i can.  i hope all is well with each of you.

huggs,
pammie

Pam,

I'm glad you're on the road to recovery!  When I had the panniculectomy two years ago I felt pretty good until about day 3 or 4 and then I had a couple of bad days.  I remember one night when I was trying to lie down in bed I thought, what the heck have I done to myself?  Now, I don't regret it one little bit, even after I gained back part of my weight that I'd lost, I felt so much better about myself.  I had 13 lbs. of skin removed, so you can imagine what a difference that was for me.  The drains really are awful!  My doctor told me that I'd probably have to keep them for up to a month....thankfully when I went back in one week he took them out.  It was such a relief to have those things gone from my sides. 

I hope your husband's tests all come back good.  I will keep you both in my prayers.

Hugs,
Marsha

Hi Pam
I'm happy you got to have surgery on your panni!  I can't wait until I can.  I hope you feel better soon.  I'm not looking forward to the pain part of it! 
I'm sorry to hear your husband is having problems.  I'll keep you all in my prayers.
Best wishes
Hugs
Kim J.

Kim,

I know everyone has a different pain tolerance, but I was suprised that the pain wasn't nearly as bad as I had anticipated.  When I had my panni. I had gone online to a message board about tummy tucks and I was so worried.....it was nothing like I had read about...so maybe I was over prepared for the pain. 

It does make a world of difference in the self-esteem though.

Hugs,
Marsha

kim.
i hurt alot with my tummy tuck...but then I was cut from under my breast all the way down to lucy and then across. the worst pain was when I had to go to the potty or just sit down. Like Marsha I had read about how bad the pain was etc so I was prepared to walk over and hurt alot. Surprisingly, I was able to walk straight and the more I did walk the less I hurt. My nurse at the time told me my pain tolerance was to high. But anyway such is life.
I think you are losing weight now cause of fluids nd you are more confident about yourself. My tt has boosted my confidence up big time.
I even drove home from the hospital and drove myself where I wanted..staying in bed was just to boring.
As for your DH he will be fine...hes a fighter and fighters survive
Hugs to ya glad that all is doing good for ya

Patti,

I, too, have a high pain tolerance.  I had the panniculectomy on Wed. before Spring Break (2 yrs. ago) and went back to work on Monday following Spring Break.  Everyone was just astounded that I would even think of doing that.  I went back to work today from having knee surgery last Wednesday....(Wed. seems to be my day LOL) no one expected me to be there today....I was there...with no crutches....that was more than I expected.

Sometimes though, the pain tolerance isn't a good thing.  I didn't realize I had a horrible bladder infection a few years ago until it was almost too late.  Finally the pain got to an intolerable level for me, and I went to the doctor...he gave me a good chewing for not coming in sooner.  I didn't know anything was wrong!

Hugs,
Marsha

Pammie,

You are doing greta and hubby will too. I have all the confidence in teh world in that.

Hi, Pam.
You sound wonderful, and I'm so glad. Try to get in your protein as best you can, because it will speed up the healing process. I believe your husband's test will come back that the transplant is not in jeopardy. I'm sure it's hard, but try not to give in to worry as that will invite the enemy to steal your husband's healing. Keep up the faith talk. :)
Blessings,
Mary