Re: Marta, Jo, Sharon, , and and all Hernia, and TT patients

December 22, 2003

> 1. Pain wise? Worse or better than DS? Lasts longer or ends faster?

Less pain, but harder to move around. Quickly get back to moving

okay, a couple days or so.

> 2. Stitches? What to expect?

No stiches at all. He will sew inside and steristrip you shut. or

glue if you are allergic. Sheesh, don't forget to tell him if you

are allergic the way I did!

> 3. Walking, bending, standing, driving? How soon and how painful?

Walking the second day, standing, LOL! Not for a while...not

straight, anyway. Driving? Just be careful! No formal

recommendations.

> 4. Size of incision and scars?

You look like you might only need a pull down type of incision, but

with the hernia you might need an inverse T or fleur de lis

incision. Anchor incision. Mine is from my sternum down to the

pubic bone and goes to the back of my hips in either side.

> 5. Swelling? How much can I expect and how long does it usually

last?

Six months. And it is tender swelling. It is high on the abdomen,

surprisingly. I swelled *alot* in the hospital. I warn you, DO NOT

BUY NEW CLOTHES for at least a month! No kidding! I know you won't

listen...

> 6. ANY info I need to know...anything you all recommend to make

> recovery easier, more comfortable, and less painful?

You have all the help you need at home, don't worry.

> 7. Recovery time? How long was it before you were able to go back

to

> a semi-normal life?

About a month.

> 8. After surgery necessities? (Marta, what size tummy girdles did

you

> get? I am 142 right now and in a size 10, so I should be able to

wear

> the same size you got, and what brand? I like simple soft but

> supportive, up to the boobs and down the thighs!)

I love those Cupid waist cinchers that have stays and go up to the

bra. I did not buy the ones that go down the thigh because I wanted

the ones with the hook and eyes in the crotch so I could use the

bathroom at work without completely undressing. THey are ten bucks

at WalMarta. I bought large, but medium would probably have worked,

too. I went by my waist size, according to the package.

> 9. Anything I should have ready at home,

I used Depends for about ten days. Actually, I didn't think of it

right away, wish I had. Made the best bandage! THen I switched to

panty liners and gauze. It wouldn't hurt to have a small pack of

4x4 gauze at home and a roll of paper tape in case you need them,

but I wouldn't go out and get a whole bunch of stuff. You might not

drain for seven weeks the way I did, for example. I don't know

about periods and stuff. What's that?

> 10. Were you able to sleep lying down or can I count on sleeping

in

> my recliner for a while?

I spent only one night in the recliner, I think, or two. It sucked

so I went back to my bed.

> 11. Sex, how soon....er....never mind.....don't answer that one!!

Okay, remember, your abdomenal wall muscles will be very sore so

laughing is quite painful. I imagine sex would also be the same,

especially orgasm. Once you find out, it will be too late to stop

the pain. However, I can only imagine, thanks! *sigh*

Remember, my surgery was more extensive than yours will be. Didn't

Dr.K tell you how big your incision will be?

Marta

December 22, 2003

> > 3. Walking, bending, standing, driving? How soon and how

painful?

>

> Walking the second day, standing, LOL! Not for a while...not

> straight, anyway. Driving? Just be careful! No formal

> recommendations.

*****To add to what Marta was saying....The " formal recommendation "

is no driving until your Off prescription pain meds.

I wouldn't go and buy depends or anything like that until you see if

you need it. I didn't need anything like that at all. Just

remember the GREAT Idea if you do then send Ray out to get it when

needed.

The first several weeks your binder will be enough. After your

drains are out and some of the swelling goes down Girdle type

underware works great to keep swelling under control. Another Idea

is those real tight exercise/bike type shorts. This is stuff that

can wait until your feeling better and getting out into the world

more.

Expect swelling to come and go for 6 months up to a year. Your

tummy will be numb all along the incision. Expect to scratch in one

place and feel it in another place. This is weird..you feel it in

approx. the place the skin would have been before being pulled down

for the tuck

I went back to my recliner for a couple days...then I went to laying

flatter but with a ton of pillows under my legs keeping my feet

above heart level. This really helped keep swelling down in my legs

(which would have a tendency to build when I was on my feet alot)

My Greatest problem solver...Use a cloth/elastic type belt to pin

your drains to while you shower..this keeps them from dangling or

dropping and frees your hands to wash.

I didn't start my period...but even if I had I could have " reached "

with no problem (which I couldn't after DS)...so Ray doesn't get

to " help " unless he just wants to...lol.

For me the Tuck was TONS easier. I didn't have the eating issues, I

had Less weight to move around. After the first 48 hours I quit

taking the pain meds. I didn't feel 'pain'. When I would get tired

my muscles would " draw-up " and I couldn't stand as straight...but it

wasn't " pain " . My surgeon kept arguing with me to take the pain

meds...told me " don't worry your not going to get addicted " I kept

saying I didn't 'need' them. He finally said " TAKE them...they help

the muscles to RELAX and relaxed muscles have a better blood flow

and will HEAL faster...so Take the DARN pains meds for a week or

two " I said " OK!!!!If it will make me HEAL faster...but I don't

NEED them for pain! "

Make sure your getting in extra protein, iron and Vit. C during this

time...build your reserves...it will help you heal.

Jo

December 22, 2003