Two week post op doc appt.

I went for my two week appt. We were very scared. My incision is coming apart on my backside at my tail bone. Fortunately I just need to do bacitracin and gauze. It's seeping and a royal pain, but I can deal. I got one more drain removed, that means one left in because it's still putting out. I'm so frustrated with that. I want this thing OUT. THREE freaking weeks with a drain is making me crazy.

Plus I got a tighter binder. I hate it! So another week of a drain and a tighter binder. My anxiety is really bad right now. I feel guilty for feeling selfish but I can't help it. SO many of you have it much worse. I'm healing great for the most part so I need to focus on being so grateful for that. No steri strips anywhere. Just healing, itchy, scar.

I have Lupus and I need to realize it takes me longer to heal. That doesn't help my frustration!

I lost 17 pounds of skin, and 11 pounds according to the scale. I haven't done inches yet. Just focusing on the healing. I'm on the couch w/ old sheets and towels under me because the leak...well, leaks! I don't want to stain my bed. Plus it's a low IKEA bed and getting in and out might be more difficult.

One more week. I should have this drain out by then. I think I'll walk outside and get some sun tomorrow. Fighting the anxiety now. I can do this.

Any words of wisdom, advice, encouragement, or slaps upside the head would be appreciated!

I had the same opening at the top of my crack. Just keep doing what you're doing, and it'll close up. I used sanitary napkins, pressed against the opening and anchored to the compression garment to deal with the drainage. 

I feel your pain about the drains, but as long as they're putting out fluid, the really need to stay in. Otherwise you're looking at possible seromas. 

Big hugs!

I am about the same amount post op, I dont have a binder but this CG is tight and rubbing wrong in delicate areas, so I can relate. I am healing pretty well, but we all want to heal faster! I hear the third to fourth week is usually better, unless swell hell happens, so we can cross our fingers.

You lost a lot of skin, that is great! And pounds. I only lost 5 pounds, mostly from not eating much, doctor didnt weigh mine, but was most likely under 2 lbs.

We will get through this, time moves quickly, right, so this will be a memory, and it will have been worth the trouble, or at least that is what I tell myself!

I really feel for you.

those drains made me sick with my TT, i had 1 drain for 3 weeks and got huge seroma after my PS removed it.

I am 10 weeks out my arm lift today and still have my armpits openings.

sorry, i just weeping about me.

I like you positive attitude, I was much worse.

please take care and i wish you speedy recovery.

alla

So what you are saying is that you have a pain in the ass?  :-)  Sorry, couldn't help myself and I hope it made you smile.  

Good to hear that all in all you are healing well though.  I feel your pain with the drain, I'm in the same boat.  3 out but one left.  Still outputting though, so better out than in right?  Do you use pads around the drain?  I found that to help a lot.  I have 4x4s and I cut it 1/2 way and then slip it around the drain.  The pad helps with any other seepage and the cushion of it helps with tugging.  I usually secure the pad and the drain tube with some tape so it doesn't pull.  

A tighter binder.... yeah, I got my compression garment.  Both suck.  But they are proof of a step in the right direction.  

Has your PS let you start putting stuff on your scar?  Mine gave me the go ahead to start using silicone scar therapy.  I put it on last night and it helped with the itching.  

Walking helped me feel more human.  I try to do it as much as I can.  Sunshine is nice too (although if it is too hot, I was sweating under the binder).  Are you using a t-shirt under your binder by the way?  That helped with itching for me. 

When the anxiety gets to be too much, take off your binder, give yourself a good rubbing to ease the itchiness and check out your new body in the mirror.  Repeat the following:  DAMN! I'm tiny!  DAAMMMN! I'm gonna be smoking hot!  

:-)