Day 17: The Mall! Oooooh I can't wait to buy pretty bras.

Today I needed to go get some undies to wear with my "gusseted" (which means "has a big giant crotch hole so you don't have to take it off to go to the bathroom") compression garment, in anticipation of good ol' Aunt Flo.  Since 5 pounds of my tummy are gone, My old undies are not so snug anymore.

My main concern was... are panties going to stay up when worn over the compression garment (let's just call it a CG from on on, shall we)?  Will they slide down while I'm walking around, and be falling out the bottom of my dress without me noticing?  We'd just have to see.

I stumbled into Soma Intimates to check out what was up.  I'd tried Victoria's Secret, but quite frankly that place is overwhelming when you aren't prepared, and all I wanted to do was look at pretty bras and lingerie.  None of the functional undies there were keeping my attention.  Everything is all hipster and whatnot, so that didn't seem like a good solution to the over-the-CG issue.

Soma however, seems to be marketed to the older-married-lady crowd.  Some beautiful things that seem well-made, but nothing too "Pussycat Dolls" if ya know what I mean.

I explained to the salesgirl (who was also far less intimidating that the lovely Russian-accented model of a sales associate at VS) that I'd recently had abdominal surgery and needed undies that would stay up well when worn over a lycra garment.  She introduced me to the wonderful world of... these babies:

They may appear to be regular undies, but the butt cheek/panty line area is actually lined with little bitty lines of silicone!  Soma calls it "vanishing edge", since it's a no-panty-line concept that doesn't give you a wedgie.  We'll see about all that, but the thought of it not slipping up into the gusset of my CG (or down off my butt) was thrilling!  I bought 5 pair, so we'll see how they work.  For more info, here's the product link.

Before I left to go to the mall, I had a lovely little surgical drain tube guffaw.

So, I'm up, washing my face, thinking "Oh hey, I think I'll actually put on some makeup today!" and "Maybe I'll go to the MALL!".  That will be my outing, my exercise.  WHEEE!  I won't get my heart rate up or walk too fast because I'll just stroll and window shop.  I'm hanging out in my bathroom, in my CG and bra, drains safety pinned to my CG, tubes all hanging out because I hadn't gotten to the point of actually dressing just yet.

Suddenly there is barking insanity outside, and I realize that it's Thursday and the pool guys are here.  My dog is in the backyard barking his head off at them (from a safe distance of course, he doesn't actually want to get involved, just warn them that it's HIS territory).  I turn to go to the back door to call the crazy mutt inside, catch my drain tube on the handle of my makeup drawer, and proceed to completely yank the drawer out of the vanity, sending it smashing to the ground, makeup everywhere.  I broke the side off the drawer.  YAY!

Welllll crap.  I can't bend over and pick all that stuff up!  Luckily the CG had a tight grip on my drain tubing, so I was fine and there was no issue with the site where the drain enters me.  Nope, that sucker is stitched in there with PURPOSE!  And thank Heaven.

I decided I'd just leave it until later when someone was home to help me.  About 10 minutes later, I heard Mr. Right upstairs in his office talking to the dog, lol.  I had no idea he was home!  He came down to survey the damage and helped me clean up.

Man, I am really truly going to bankrupt us buying bras once I'm all healed up.

I guess before, I just kind of turned a blind eye to everything in lingerie stores because it was like looking at food you can't eat.  Today, walking around amongst all those B and C cup beautiful things, ooooh I just want to fast forward time to when I'm healed.  I want to have nice beautiful luxurious bras where matching panties are an option!  I want to be able to buy beautiful luxurious silk and French lace old-Hollywood-glam nightgowns to parade around in front of Mr. Right.  I want him to be able to buy gorgeous lingerie for me, things he wants to see on his wife...  or as he'd say, "Crumpled up in the corner".  He's a charmer ; )

He's always said he's not interested in lingerie, that he's interested in me... but I've proven him to be quite wrong on occasion.  Spice is nice.  I'm just really excited to have a whole new world from which to fill my bag of tricks!

Days 15 & 16: Condensed because it was Election Day and I took it easy!

DAY 15:
Well, after my overdoing-day-14, I pretty much sat in bed a lot on Day 15 and watched HGTV.  It was election day, so I tried to stay away from news stations and stuff.  I'd already early-voted so I wanted to wait until way later and then watch for results.  Once the episodes of "House Hunters" began repeating themselves, I turned off the tv and broke out my Kindle to read my book.

I had to get up and go cart kids to and fro at about 3:00, so I just flat out took it easy until then... went and got them... returned some stuff at Target... then came home and made dinner.  Easy peasy, I made spaghetti.

I was raging hungry for sweets after dinner (hello PMS!), so I ate a little mini-haagen-daas pop and then some sorbet.  I was still hungry, so I had an orange.

My new compression garment had arrived, but I didn't feel like dealing with it so I just shelved that sucker for tomorrow.  It's kind of like a sleeveless leotard with the boob part missing... straps and all.  SEXY!  

DAY 16:

Well, we stayed up forever watching Big Bang Theory and the election last night, so I slept in for a long time this morning.  I'm pretty sure I slept until like 10:30...lol.

I did some reading, had some breakfast, and read some more.  Nothing too industrious, as I'm still industrious-shy after Monday's aftermath.  Walking around the house was about it for me.  Eventually I showered, and Mr. Right painted my Scar-Guard on me, then we tried out the new compression garment.

It feels a lot better, because it's providing some compression higher up on my abdomen.  My other garment is just not made for tall people!  I'm not 100% on the snap-crotch of this new one though.  I can't get it fastened by myself because of the bendy-ness that requires, so I have to call in Mr. Right.  I can really only wear this one under supervised circumstances right now.  Argh.

Also, it kinda cuts at the thigh, because the good Lord above blessed me with thunder-thighs.  I'm looking forward to being able to work out again soon so I can work on lessening their girth.

I've been wearing it for a good 3 hours now.  Love the top, don't love the bottom!  I'm starting to think I need  a combo of this one and the other one.  I prefer the open-crotch.

Giant bonus:  soon I get to figure out how to deal with compression garment + drains + period!

I'm thinking the crotchless garment with panties worn over the top is probably going to be the answer.  I'd previously thought I needed a garment with a crotch in it, but snapping myself up is just too hard.  I guess another option is wearing the crotch-snapper thing and just pulling the whole garment down when I need to go to the bathroom.  I'll keep you updated.  I know you just CAN'T WAIT.

Went out to dinner with the family tonight but that's as exciting as it got.  Now me and Mr. Right are sitting in bed watching Duck Dynasty.  Ahh, quality time.

Day 14: 2-Week Doc Visit, and I was way too industrious.

Today I had to wake up and get my little guy to school since Mr. Right had to go into the office.  No biggie, I'm driving, I haven't been on any drugs, this was a life-responsibility I could handle.

I got home and was just full o' pep.  I decided to see if I could put on my running shoes and socks-- success.  I decided I'd take the dog for a nice long walk because I wanted to get my blood pumping, and see the far side of the neighborhood we recently moved to.  According to my little mapping site,  went 2.29 miles with my fabulous dog.  STILL FEELIN' GOOD!

Once home, I realized I had a specific work project whose deadline was today, and I could get it done in time to shower, get ready, and get to Doc's by 2:00 for my checkup.  For the first time since the surgery, I sat in my office chair and worked at my computer, manipulating equipment with both hands, doing a little twisting, sitting up for about 2 1/2 hours.  DONE!

Next, I took a shower all by myself... including throwing my compression garment in the washer and dryer on the speed cycles in the midst of the showering/readying.  Out the door in plenty of time, arrived at Doc's as scheduled.

After that walk, I had downed about 900 gallons of water.  My drains were so full.  Dammit.  I know he's gonna tell me I have to keep them in another week... grrrr.

Checkup went well.  I got a new drain chart because my old one was all full.  Gosh what a TREAT.  Yep, keeping the drains another week.  Doc's wife looked at me like I was a crazyperson when I told her I walked just over 2 miles this morning.  Evidently that wasn't such a good idea.  I'm not supposed to get my heart rate up right now.

Oooookkaaayyyy.  Ok.  I won't go brisk-walking again until they tell me it's ok.  I'm fine!  See?  It's all good.

After this, I needed to eat (I'm probably PMS'ing and the ravenous appetite from my morning walk was rearing its ugly head) then head to my son's football game.  I Drove through Taco Bell, went home, wolfed down three tacos, and then it hit me.

Complete, utter exhaustion.  Pain, like my whole chest and abdomen were just... ultra-sensitive.  My upper abs almost feel like they're bruised.  Just sore, sore, sore.  All I wanted to do was lay in bed and close my eyes and scream to Doc's wife that she was right.

I had overdone it.

One Valium, one Vicodin, and two hours later, I was relaxed in bed, feeling much better.  I need to remember that I got all ripped apart and sewn back together two weeks ago and I am not superwoman.  This isn't a contest about ability.  Walking a feisty dog then working at your computer will stress recovering abs.  Showers and driving take energy and core muscles, and they stretch the skin around your new breasts.

Lesson learned!  From now on I will walk shorter distances, not holding the frisky-dog leash, at a STROLLING pace, not a fitness lady pace.

Also, I will keep the big ol' rest-and-recuperate, be-leisurely thing up.

So, the start of week 2 might have been a little too industrious, but hey... now I know.

Days 12 & 13: Well, not much to report.

The weekend was... pretty boring and uneventful : )  I watched some football, and kind of finally got comfy sitting on the couch when I was propped up the right way with a pillow!

Still can't lay flat in bed.  Still have drains. Definitely getting the appetite back!

Went out to eat with the family and other than some Motrin for "nipples that feel everything", I was pretty drug free for the weekend.  I did take half an Ambien on Saturday night because I just could NOT shut it down, man.  2 a.m. (well really, 1 a.m. since it was "fall back", ha) and I'm trying to figure out what the little faint noise is, waking up my husband.  That's when I decided it was time for some modern medical convenience.  Problem solved.

Sunday I got up and did some light cleaning around the house, nothing much else until the evening, we went out to dinner with the kiddos and grocery shopping at... Target.

I could even shut my own hatch on the car with a little creative effort.  Things are lookin' up!

Day 11: Driving! Mani/Pedi, Target, and Voting

Well, I woke up today and got ready for the long-awaited mani/pedi!  No more grody feeeeeeettttt!!!!

My nail lady was so happy to see me, and super sweet, and told me another of her clients had a tummy tuck and wasn't nearly as mobile and good looking as me and she was 4 weeks out.  Well, I hope she's healing up ok, and thanks for the confidence boost!  I was able to get into the pedicure chair and sit through it, plus sit in the regular chair for a manicure with no problemo.

Post-beautification, my number one destination was Target.  I needed to pick up a prescription, and I needed to see what was on Halloween clearance.  MISSIONS ACCOMPLISHED!  The checker was nice and helped me get stuff out of the basket.  She bagged everything light so I could get it into the car.  They offered an escort and helper to get things into the car, but me being the independent stubborn soul that I am... politely refused.

I got everything in the back of the car, and realized that I could not reach up high to close the hatch (I drive a small SUV), and pull down with enough force to get it closed.  Well crap.  So I hung out and waited for a nice Target shopper to walk by and asked nicely.  Problem solved.

I was also going to head to Home Goods to see about some Halloween clearance, but it had been a big morning, so I decided I was going HOME and then taking a pain pill and a valium.  Do we sense a pattern? I can make it through a good 4-6 hours of light industriousness, but then I gotta hit the meds to get me through the rest of the day.  I don't want to drive on the meds.  Reminder:  Sweet talk Mr. Right into filling up my car with gas soon.  Running low.

DRIVING:  I've found that the seatbelt is a little bit irritating to my breasts, and also somewhat odd/uncomfortable (yet not really "painful") across my stomach.  The tummy just likes pressure.  I have solved this problem by placing a mid-sized pillow between me and the seatbelt.  WORKS LIKE A CHARRRRRM.  It's tall and wide enough to cover my breasts down to my belly.  It's soft and fleece.  I bought it a long time ago and it's my "car"pillow that I keep in there if the kids want to nap on a long trip.  Find something that works for you and by all means, work it!

Here is my ridiculously ugly pillow.

I didn't buy it at a store or I'd tell you where to get one.  I bought it at a little craft fair/market day at my son's school one year.

Later, (post-drugs!   feelin' fine!) me and the fabulous husband/chauffer went and early-voted (LOL, saw Doc and his wife in line), then went out to eat.  I'm far more comfortable sitting up at a restaurant table today than I was yesterday.  PROGRESS!  We even went out to Pinkberry for a little fro-yo date after.  We're fancy and exciting like that.

Day 10: Driving Makes my Boobs hurt.

Mr. Right and I went to lunch today and since it was close to home, I decided to try driving.  It worked, I felt good about my ability to operate everything and was aware enough... but then we got to the restaurant and I was ouchy!  I guess the amount of twisting and muscle use was more than I'd estimated : )  Luckily I'd brought my pain meds along so soon enough I was feeling alright again.

After that, we hit up Target for a few grocery things and came home.  I had not considered the limitation of being unable to unload the things that fall deep into the grocery cart.  I can't bend and reach like that.  No big deal, as there was help.  I did something else I've never done before, I bought some cute stretchy colorful soft-cup bras AT TARGET!  I'm living the dream.  The world of cute cheap bras is a beautiful place.  SUPER comfy.  They're microfiber, so they don't have rough seams like the front-closure ones I have.  Sometimes I'm picky like the "Princess and the Pea" princess.

At home I unloaded the load of towels that was in the dryer... I used my grabber to get them into the laundry basket, then pushed it with my feet to the bedroom.  Mr. R emptied it on to the bed for me, and with the use of the grabber I was able to fold everything and put it away!  WHEE!  I can do laundry (slowly).

That's about it.  I'm excited about my mani/pedi tomorrow.

Day 9: HALLOWEEEEENNNN!!! Also, one-week checkup... and shower details.

So, I woke up way late today (Mr. Right stayed up all night watching the World Series of Poker but I finally took Valium at 3 am because I couldn't get to sleep).  About 11:30 I was out of bed, and quite miraculously didn't feel the need to take anything for pain : )

SHOWERING:  THE GREAT LONG-DRAWN OUT DETAILS...

My surgery follow-up "1 week" appointment was today so I decided a shower was in order.  I've also decided that today is the day where I'll show you how I get all my stuff ready before I take a shower, so that when I get out, it's there waiting and I have no frustrating "OMG WE'RE OUT OF THE GAUZE I LIKE!" kind of thing happening.

First, I get a clean hand-towel and spread it out on the bathroom vanity.  Our washer has a "sanitary" cycle, so we've been washing the towels in that to be sure and kill any germies we've gotten on them while drying off.  I figure having a "sanitized" surface to lay out gauze on is better then the plain old bathroom counter, because God knows I'm not cleaning that with bleach every day while this surgery recovery is going on.

Then, I start laying out my gauze.  Here's my favorite gauze:

(crap, i forgot to upload the pic.  It's CVS brand "Sterile Gauze Pads" in a "12-ply design".  4x4" (of course, this is measured before you unfold them), 25-count, latex-free.  They are soooo soooooft and they don't stick to you when you try and take them off.

***REMEMBER TO PUT THE GAUZE PICTURE IN HERE LATER***

Each little packet has one giant sheet and one littler sheet.   From one pack, I snip the little sheets in half and fold for nipple coverage (see squares on top left and middle left).    When I place them over my nipple, I place them in a "baseball diamond" orientation, with the corners pointing up and down so that the piece covers the round-the-nipple incision as well as the bottom-o-nipple-to-bottom-o-breast incision.  The longer sheet, I fold over a couple of times lengthwise then cut in half to make a nice cushion for underneath each breast.

From the second pack, I separate the sheets and fold up the smaller one for my belly button, and the long one for my tummy incision.  This way, everything's cut and ready to go once I'm out of the shower and ready to rumble.  Planning is key in avoiding that "I CAN'T DOOOO THIS!" moment.

Remember we're all different, and what worked for me might not work for you.  I'm just here to tell ya how I did it, so you can maybe think in advance : )  This gauze is also really stretchy-- and once you stretch it, it retains the stretched length... which is why I like it for my tummy incision.

Here's my layout:

You'll also want to have your triple-antibiotic ointment, a clean bra, and some tape for the gauze.  The gauze will kinda stick to the ointment, then your bra can hold it in place... but you will need tape.  

I liked this tape the best, because it doesn't stick like its life depends on sticking to you forever.  It comes off easily with makeup remover... and let's face it, this tape is gentle.  Nice and gentle.  Says right there on the package!  If you wanna be really freaking OCD you can cut small pieces of tape in advance too, but I never did, so no gold stars for me.

Don't forget your clean bra (and compression garment if you're a tummy tuck patient).   : )

Next get the shower all ready.  I bought this shower chair at Walgreens for about $40.  Due to my tummy tuck, I never sat on the shower chair, but if I'd only had the breast reduction that might have been a good option for me.  It functioned as a place to put stuff, especially my surgical drains.  Anyway, have someone put the chair into the shower for you, and a washcloth, and your soap/shampoo/facewash/whatever.  Since our shower just has a regular showerhead, I also put a big plastic cup in there for getting water into hard-to-reach places (like under the breast).  Ideally, you'd have one of those showerheads that has a detachable handle but alas, I do not, so big-plastic-tumbler it is!  Don't forget to get your towel too.  For me, a hand-towel worked well for my hair, then I used a regular towel for my body.  With new incisions, ALWAYS use a clean new towel every time you shower! 

Now that everything's in place for the actual shower, I usually close it up and turn the water on so it can get warm while I'm taking off my bra/gauze/garment and all that jazz... I tried to do this on the OTHER side of the sink so I didn't get the old dirty stuff all mixed up with my beautifully laid out new clean stuff.  If you have any trouble with tape sticking/hurting, use some makeup-remover and it should come off.  I Just grabbed the MAC stuff I had in the cabinet, got a little bit on a q-tip, and rubbed until the tape-goo came off.  Some of the stuff they used in the hospital was realllly sticky and I had a hell of a time with it on that really sensitive area betwixt the breast and armpit!

Doc's wife told me that you don't want your shower too hot the first few times, so go in lukewarm and adjust until you're comfortable.  I was scared that water on the incisions would hurt (like when you scrape yourself, and it hurts the first few times water hits it), but for me that wasn't the case.  Even my anti-bacterial soap didn't hurt or burn at all.

Always have someone in the room with you when you're showering, and make sure they're ready to jump in there and get wet if you need sudden help.  If you feel at all like you need help, ask.  Have someone hold you steady if you have to step over the shower threshold.  If you're showering in a bathtub/shower combo, put something anti-slip on the bottom.  You won't know your personal limitations until you're in there, so have a helper.  I was okay by myself, but had my helper wash the part I couldn't reach (my back, my butt, my legs).  I found that instead of getting slippery soap all over my feet, just throwing the washcloth on the floor of the shower and running my feet back and forth over it seemed safer.

Man, I just really felt so relaxed and happy in the shower.  Warm water makes everything all better.

My drains rested happily on the shower chair with my washcloth... this allowed me freedom to move around without the tubes pulling.  My drain tubes are in deed long enough that if they fall tot he ground, they don't tug at the site where they're stitched to my body but this just made me feel more comfy.  It seems like stepping on them in the shower might be inconvenient.  Also, when you're in the shower and everything's slippery, it's a great time to "strip" your drains.  "Strip" means "squeeze all the goo into the bulb".

I'm a big giant fan of the Clarisonic products (I have used the face and body brushes for some time now), so I would run the buzzy brush over my face, then use the body brush on my decolletage, shoulders, and stomach-- careful to avoid sensitive areas, and not going anywhere NEAR my incisions.

It was funny to feel the numb places on my breasts and belly!  I have absolutely no scientific basis but in my mind I just feel like if I use the vibrationy brushes on me it'll stimulate my skin and tissues to heal up.  Crazy cosmetic lady dream sequence complete ; )  Really, it just felt good and was relaxing.

So... all done with shower.  Out, dry hair, dry body from top down.  I used a clean dry washcloth to get my incisions good and dry.  Don't rub too hard, just pat them gently.

I would then begin the ointment-gauze ritual... put ointment on one incision, cover it with gauze.  It's helpful to have a mirror for this if you're annoyingly controlling like I am.  I didn't really want anyone else doing this for me, but I did need to see places like the underside of my breasts, so the mirror was helpful.  Repeat until done with breasts, then put on the bra.  Moving right along, ointment and gauze for tummy, belly button, and drain entry sites.  Suit up in the compression garment, and VOILA!

ALL DONE!  I was usually dying to blow my hair dry at this point, because I'm one of those people with a hair-do that really looks horrid if it isn't blown dry.  I can't do that cool "wrap it up in a clip" thing because it's too short.  Most days, my sweet husband would put lotion on my legs and feet for me post-shower because there just wasn't a way for me to physically do it myself.  Man, I love that guy.

MY ONE WEEK APPOINTMENT!

Pretty uneventful, actually.  I got gowned up, saw Doc, Doc's wife was there too and really excited to see that my breasts were happy and round and healing up beautifully.  I provided my med chart, drain chart, and happily reported to them that I was up and around and hadn't had any meds that day... wasn't really "needing"pain meds.  

Doc's wife suggested that I place something between my drain tubes and my skin so I don't get irritated... for instance, wear a soft tank or camisole tucked into the compression garment, or stick some gauze there.  She's worried about my skin being so sensitive and the tubing causing me to blister.  I hadn't been feeling any discomfort, but definitely took note.

I was told that I don't need to do the ointment/gauze business anymore that I'm sealing up nicely, and should begin using some stuff they gave me in the office called Scarguard MD.  It should help with keeping my scars minimal, wheeee!  It comes in a little bottle that looks like nail polish (as does the brush).  You just brush it on twice a day.  While it smells like wart remover, it doesn't hurt or sting at all... just tickles because of the brush.

We also looked through the compression garment catalog to see if we could find me something with a crotch.  The one I have right now is crotchless, which is really convenient, but the thought of handling a potentially heavy period in a crotchless sort of garment gives me the heebie jeebies, so she's having something sent to me that'll perhaps work a little better when that time rolls around.

HALLOWEEEEEEN!!!!!

All was well!  We left, went to eat (I got a kid's meal at Fuddrucker's... my appetite is not as big since the surgery), then went by Target, and headed home.  I was excited about Halloween and feeling well enough for Trick or Treaters!  At some point, I did go ahead and take a Valium because I was just all-around touchy and obsessing about one of my drain line stitches being really annoying.  I came to the realization that just because you physically CAN go without your meds... it's not necessarily really a badge of honor.  I'm 9 days out from the biggest surgery I've ever had, stitched up with stuff still draining out of me.  It's ok to take something if it's gonna make me more comfortable!  It totally did.  I bet it made Mr. Right more comfortable too.

At home, I put on a poofy black swingy dress (yay!  It hid the drains!) and a bunch of crazy makeup, donned a witch hat, and sat on the front porch in a chair all night oohing and awwing at the little cuties that came up to our door.  Mr. Right was out there with me.  Our kids are big enough to go running around on Halloween with their friends, so we hung out to pass out the candy and watch all the crazy.  Our neighborhood is a crazy fun place on Halloween-- I'm totally glad I took that Valium and loosened up enough to enjoy the night.

Later we had an awesome picnic-in-bed watching Big Bang Theory and eating chicken salad and crackers with a side of fresh fruit and almonds.  I'm trying to pack in all the raw fruit and veggies I can because I really want to give my body what it needs to heal and get on a good path.  I wasn't always amazingly super at eating before, but I have the knowledge of what my body SHOULD eat, so I'm working on using it.  No sense in going through all this just to trash it, man.