TT - Day 7 - Initial Follow-Up Appointment

Today marks the end of week one recovery.  Today was also my initial follow-up appointment.  I once again was very nervous about having to expose the incision.  I seriously contemplated popping a Valium before leaving but I decided against that idea.  My abdominal binder has become my security blanket.  When it's on, I breathe more easily.  When it's not, I don't even know if I hardly breathe at all.   

I still walk a bit hunched over but was informed at the appointment that I can begin walking in a more upright position as my body allows.  I've attempted already and it will definitely be a work in progress because my abdominal muscles are very tight.

My sutures were taken out of the incision sites.  The many from the hip to hip incision were removed as well as the few around my new navel.  That was a very uncomfortable process of pinching and pulling as I experienced very odd sensations as the sutures were removed by the nurse.  I think if I had squeezed the arms on the examining chair any harder, I would have left permanent fingertip prints in them.  

Side View

Drainage Bulb

The surgeon came in to speak with me and see how the incision was healing.  He seemed pleased with his work as am I.  He gave approval to have the drainage tube removed  which automatically had me breathing uneasily.  The nurse snipped snipped as the surgeon distracted me with conversation.  After the snips of the two sutures holding it in, I felt her tug, then tug again and then it was out.  

Whew.  I am so freakin' glad that is over.  In the above pictures you can see a slight pudge which is really the swelling caused from the surgery.  I have now lost 6 lbs. since surgery total.

Drainage Tube That Was Removed

The picture above shows the tubing where it entered my hip covered by the two band-aids.  

I have to continue wearing my compression hose, the picture below, for another week.  Happy happy joy joy.  I despise them.  Being hot natured in combination with the warm Texas weather does not make me like them. At all. BUT I do understand the importance of wearing them still. 

My Sexy T.E.D Hose

I go back the end of next week for a subsequent follow-up appointment.  My binder has been tightened and a new line marked down the length of it so it remains tight. 

Very tight.  

Did I say tight?  

Fresh gauze was placed on the incision area and some placed on the drainage tube opening.  It should heal within 48 hours but until then I'm to keep fresh band-aids on it as well as Polysporin ointment.  Since returning home and prior to this blog, I've already had to take the gauze off and put a fresh band-aid on due to the drainage.  

I've been limited to sponge baths this past week and washing my hair in the sink which hasn't been as bad as I thought it was going to be.  I still have to wait that 48 hours for the site where the tubing was to heal but I am ready to take a shower and just let the warm water trickle down my skin.