November 27, 2011

Things I'm looking forward to

My drain output is very slowly decreasing--but at least it's decreasing. Today the color of it was a lot lighter, which is also a good sign. I have a post-op appointment this Thursday, regardless of what the drain is doing.

As annoyed as I am about the drain, it definitely beats getting it out too early and winding up with a seroma--that's a pocket of fluid that the body doesn't absorb and it has to be aspirated with a needle. The drain isn't painful at all, it just gets in the way. And I really want to sleep on my stomach, but I'm afraid to with the drain there. My doctor said sleeping on my stomach is fine, if I'm comfortable.

Some of you asked if the swelling or incision is painful right now--it's not at all! It definitely looks like it should be hurting, but I'm numb all the way around. Even my ab muscles don't hurt much anymore. This surgery was MUCH less painful than my jaw surgeries, and the healing time much faster.

There are so many things that I'm looking forward to, based on the outcome of my surgery:

-Wearing tight jeans with fitted tops, and not having the muffin hang over.
-Spending a Victoria's Secret gift card that I've had for over a year.
-Having sex (I wonder if it will feel different?)
-Not having to "suck it in" for pictures.
-Not constantly tugging my shirt down, for fear of someone catching a glimpse of my belly.
-Wearing cute lingerie, and not feeling gross because of my belly.
-Not having to wear Spanx under a dress.
-Not feeling embarrassed to undress in front of friends.
-Going for a run without getting a rash under my "apron".
-Wearing low-cut jeans and workout pants.
-Wearing my "goal jeans". 

I'm sure there are more, but that is what I can come up with right now. It's going to feel so liberating! All of those reasons sound so vain, but I've honestly never experienced a flat stomach before. Even when I was a very young child, I had a round belly. My sister totally hogged the flat-belly gene in our family... her weight has gone up and down over the years, but her stomach remains as FLAT as can be!

I remember the first time Jerry saw me naked-- it was a few weeks after we started dating on our wedding night  ;)  --I was SO WORRIED that he was going to run screaming when he saw my stomach. He obviously didn't. But he later learned how self-conscious I was of it, and I've ALWAYS said that "when I get to my goal weight, I'm going to get a tummy tuck!" I just can't believe it actually happened!

I can probably do some of those things on the list as soon as I get this drain removed. I will have to wear the compression garment for 24/7 until the six-week post-op mark, so I won't really feel healed until then, though. I wish I had more patience ;)


  1. You are almost 1/3 of the way through to your 6 week mark! I am so excited for you!

  2. I had my drains in for about a week and I still got about 3 seromas. They were weird - like a waterbed under your stomach if you pushed on them. My doc would just make a tiny incision and push on my stomach and all the fluid would come out onto a towel. Crazy. Getting the drains out sucked but it's really fast so you'll do fine.

  3. @♫ Drazil ♪

    I actually had four drains after surgery, and the doctor pulled three of them out on Day 8. But this fourth one is being stubborn! My doctor wants it to drain less than 30 cc's in 24 hours before pulling it out. I'm on Day 13 post-op right now.

  4. I love all of the things on your list! I LOVE LOVE LOVE Lists! I have one right next to me actually. I'm so happy that the incision doesn't hurt!

  5. That's a great list! I'm so excited for the time when you can do them confidently :)

  6. I can relate with #3. I used to be like "don't touch my fat (how could he NOT?)" and now I'm like "don't touch my saggy skin." I STILL prefer lights out.

  7. It's sounds like everything is going so smoothly! And congrats on hitting the 130s! W00t w00t! Just a few more weeks, Miss Katie and you'll feel like a diva!

  8. can't wait to read blogs when you get to do all the things on your list!

  9. Your list rocks! I can't wait to hear about when you cross all of these off! And it is great motivation for me, which I really really need right now. I've been out of town in Houston visiting family for the last week and now have to stay for another week and a half for work. It's hard to stay on track when I travel, but I'm going to do my best!!

  10. You are a hoot, Katie! I totally enjoy following your blog; glad to hear you're doing good and it will just keep getting better! - Kelli

  11. Those are great goals Katie!!!! I hope these next weeks fly by for you!!!!! It seems like the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas always goes by so fast for me!!!

  12. You've come such a long way, Katie. Can you imagine what the summer is going to hold for you? Do you think you'll have to buy all new clothes? I would think that you've dropped a couple of sizes (at least?) Just think - beachwear, cute shorts, swimsuit shopping!



Featured Posts

Blog Archive