First Post Op Appointment

Today was my first post op appointment after surgery.

Let me start by saying that walking through the parking garage to the elevator was pretty hard.  Not pain wise, but just exhausting.  I was very winded by the time I got into the lift, and felt it was for the best if I used a wheelchair to get me from the lobby to the next elevator, to the office (and back again).

My doctor had called me this morning and stated that she was leaving early so I'd only be seeing the nurses (who are amazing).  I discussed with her the output from my drainage tubes and she said that it was possible they'd come out today.  I was really hoping they would.

I got into the office and needed to disrobe, and undoing my garment was, again, exhausting.
I'm finding it a bit irritating that every little thing I do (that should be normal) is such a drain on my body.  Anyway.  Got the garment off (well, to my knees) and they said that my incision looks great and is healing nicely.  Always what you want to hear.
However, my drainage output is just slightly too high still, and so, I go back Monday, with the possibility that they will come out then.  I'm really hoping they do....the drains are a pain.  Not a literal pain, just an extra something I have to deal with in an already bothersome situation.

My bellybutton still has this "holder" piece in it, I guess to keep it from closing up or something, I don't know.....they moved it around and it felt weird, but should be also coming out on Monday.
From the previous post, I had a picture and it showed that part of my stomach under my bellybutton area was smooshed together forming a crease.  Today part of that crease had begun to open up just a bit.....so I am led to believe that at lease a small part of swelling has gone down.  I was told that it was normal and will fade as my swelling goes down.  However, since it's summertime and so freaking hot, if it any time it begins to sweat and accumulate moisture, I am to stuff gauze inside it to avoid getting a rash or infection, or it just becoming raw.  *fun right?*

The last bit was that the garment I was wearing was too big for me.
I mean, yay.
But boo.

I had previously bought a new garment for this, because the last one I had was, in fact, too large on me....and I didn't have a new one with a hole in the bottom for bathroom usage (and drain tubes).  They moved me down a size, however, it was extremely tight and uncomfortable and dug into my skin, so when I showered the other day, I chose to put on my larger one.
Well, that just isn't going to work, because my lower abdominal area is getting no compression.  :/

They told me that what I need to do at this point, since I am still so swollen (and will be this swollen for at least another 2 weeks) is to take a folded shirt and wrap it around my upper waist to avoid the garment cutting into me, but I have to use the smaller one.  Otherwise my lower abdominal area will have a harder time going back "in".  Which would essentially make all this pointless.

Just another reason I'll be happy to have the tubes gone.  Then I can start wearing my leotard styles garment, instead of the shorts style (with open hole for bathroom usage).

Tonight I am starting all my pills on a half dose as my pain levels haven't been horrible.  I'm hoping to be off of them completely by mid next week, or at least next Saturday.  I'm not a person that enjoys being out of control of her own faculties......nor do I particularly like feeling helpless and being unable to do all the things that need to get done :/

Aw well.....recovery is what it is.  I may take a few more photos tomorrow when I go to shower, but may also wait a full week (next wednesday) to see more results.  :D