Question:
Hi ladies,
Maybe my blues have finally hit me. I am 4 weeks post op, and although I really feel good physically, back to my normal routines, minus ab exercising, but I am walking. Yet, emotionally I dont feel there anymore. I went through this yeahhhh, attitude and feeling, and a wanting to s at the top of my lungs, that finally I had the long awaited tummy I had always wanted.
Now the last week or so I am feeling yucky in all ways really. I am pretty flat in the mornings, but the swelling (I hope that's what it is for me) is set in before lunch time, and I feel even uglier as time passes. My upper abs look awful, swollen, big, and protruding. I cant help but to worry that I have ripped out a suture some time back in this area. My bb is taking on nice shape, but is so purple/pink on the suture line, yuck. My incision is nice and small in width, but I am so puffy feeling that it too looks gross. When I look at my side view in the mirror I dont have that flat tummy anymore, it is just so obviously there.....It certainly isnt as bad as it was pre-op but it is still awful, worse then it was a week after surgery. I have an appointment with my ps this Friday, so I am anxious to talk to him about all of this. Watch out poor doc, you have an emotional down in the blues girl coming. I look at all my other areas of my body as well and think yikes, there is no hope for this body. I stand in front of the mirror, and think it is better right? But, man this is not wonderful, and why would my husband find this red tummy, fat hips and far from perfect body exciting? I am tired of keeping all of me hidden in clothes the last few days even more.
All in all ladies I am down, and therefore am only eating awful foods,, I know very bad for me and my results, I havent gained, but the food in the long run makes me feel worse. I am in the dumps, feel like listening to sad music and crying my s out, is that bad??!!! I do not like this blah sad feeling, and know that I have so much to be happy about, but feel so ugly, and like there is no hope for me. Anyways thanks for "listening:, it does help in some ways to get it all out.
Tara FTT 3/31
Answer:
I am 4 weeks post op too and today was my worst day of swelling since just after surgery. I'm pretty sure you'll get tons of posts saying it's normal but it still isn't the best time in this process, that's for sure. I can go up in a whole size in a day....when I leave in the morning my pants are falling off my hips but in the evening, I'm ready to burst out of them.
Hang in there and trust there are bunches of women on this board and elsewhere who can relate to varying degrees.
Cheers.
Cathy
Answer:
Ahhh, Tara you poor thing! I have to say that what you are feeling is normal so please don't think something is wrong w/ you. Even four weeks out from surgery your body is still very much recovering and the trauma effects us mentally just as much as physically. Add to that the swell hell we all love (not) so much, which makes you begin to question even having the surgery. The thing that helps me when I'm feeling down or unsure about the choice I made is to remember that, as you said, at a couple of weeks post-op I was so much flatter and since it's pretty hard for us to immediately gain the weight back in our middle, I know it is just swelling and in the weeks to come I will start heading back in that oh-so-flat direction. What I also did was take a breather away from all the TT stuff for a while and focused on other aspects of my life. Sometimes we get so consumed w/ the TT and recovery that we are too hard on our bodies while it's doing what it needs to do to heal. Lastly, girl, if your DH desired you before the TT I could only think that now that you have the belly you've wanted for so long (minus the swelling- ), he could only want you more! Just keep your head up, I hear that swelling usually worsens around weeks 4-5 and then a couple of weeks later will begin to ease once again. I had my surgery a few weeks before yours so I can say that has been my experience as well. Even now, I still swell but not so bad as long as I drink lots of water. We are always hear to listen to whatever you may be going through. It may also help to search for ladies who had their surgery the same week as you. Chances are you are going through very similar issues. Take care!
Diamond
Answer:
I havent gotten to the 4 week stage yet so I dont know what you are going through, but I want to tell you that its ok to let all the feelings out that you need to sometimes it makes you feel better. I hope you get to feeling better soon!!! I am sure you look great and I know your husband loves you just the way you are, dont you worry about that.
Answer:
Hi Tara, just let it all out. We all have a week or so like that, some even more than a week. I bet you look better than you think. I am sure your dh loves you no matter what. Keep in mind most men don't see fat, s, s, or anything other than breast and other body parts they turn them on. My dh said that once sex is on the brain it is all beautiful and doesn't matter. We are the ones sitting there thinking I don't look good like this etc..... I wouldn't worry about him at all. Just take care of yourself and let your body heal. It just needs time. Good luck to you, if you need a good old fashion cry, put on that sad music and let it go!!! I will probably let you feel better!!
Robin
Answer:
Hey girl, I am 5 week post op. and things do get a little better all thought there is still swell hell. I get up looking pretty good in the morning and by noon the swelling starts and here we go again. But always keep it in your mind there will be the day that we are all waiting for. (flat land) there are day when I get blue and think things will never go down but it will happen
I also go to my PS tomorrow to see what he has to say my BB is still draining some. and the s around my BR is still sore. but it will get better. when you get blue take a deep breath and go out side or take a ride in the car to take your mind off of things. But you have to believe that it is gonna get better just keep the faith that one day we will be in flat lands.
Keep your chin up
Corvette
Answer:
Hi Tara,
I had my surgery April 6, and I too, went through that really bad last week. I felt like I just wanted to stay home, didn't want to talk to anyone, felt down, but couldn't put my finger on it entirely. I guess it's just a side effect of surgery. It seems like almost everyone is going through it, or has. At least we have the message boards to let us know we are normal, I know I don't always feel like I am.
Today I swelled up like a stuffed pig, and my muscle repair was feeling very bad, like I pulled something.
Try to keep your spirits up, this can't last forever, RIGHT?????take care and hope you have a better day tomorrow.....Betz51
Answer:
Oh sooooooooooooooo very normal, very normal. The blues is very common at this time. It will pass!!!! You need to find your positive energy. Get out and get some fresh air, take a walk...buy a new shirt. Do something. I was so sad at 3-4 weeks...my face was puffy for weeks from crying. What a waste of time. I am 3+ months, and this is an up and down road, but what you're feeling right now will be the worst..I promise it gets better.
Dana