Surgery!

I'm still feeling the woozy after effects of anesthesia and morphine but I feel well enough to update my story.
Two weeks ago I finally got a call from OR scheduling.  A spot was available for me April 2nd! Over a year of anticipation and waiting the day had arrived!
Now, what to do with all my children?  Thank goodness for Easter Break! The 8, 6 and 3 year olds went out to grandma and grandpa's while the 17 and 12 year olds remained with mom - however, they haven't been much help!
My surgery was booked for noon and I had to be at the surgical centre at 10:30 (no food or drink after midnight).  Sadly, due to complications during a rhinoplasty my surgery was pushed back a while.  I'm not sure what time I actually got in to the OR.  It was my first time with GA and for me, it was nothing like the movies.  There was no counting back from 10 or 100.  I was wide awake and enjoying the banter among the nurses and anesthesiologist one minute and the next I was waking up in recovery.  (I think it was around 5:15 pm.)
Groggy and several milligrams of morphine helped alleviate what pain I had.  I was taught how to empty my drains and informed that the purple dye from mid thigh to the top of my bandages would wash off.  Then a nurse assisted in removing the draughty hospital gown and putting my clothes back on.  If you're having abdominoplasty  - make sure you wear an old really big pair of panties as well as big stretchy pants!  
Time to move from the bed to a chair.  Feeling like a bobble head with my ribs taped to my thighs this was a really difficult task.  Thank goodness for the nurses!  Which brings me to the bandages! Very thick and covering all square footage from just under my bra to the tops of my thighs with ridiculously sticky tape! Standing upright is impossible!!!
Then there are the drains.  They are inserted at approximately the pubic bone and I seem to have trouble not shifting them around which causes some sharp pains.  I'll be so happy to have them gone.  I know they are necessary but they are so uncomfortable.  I have some leakage from around my left drain site so I have to change the gauze in that area and had my husband purchase some silhouette undergarments to protect my undies!
I was prescribed an antibiotic and Tylenol 3's.  I only take the Tylenol 3's at bedtime because the pain really isn't that bad! (Granted I did have 6 births with no drugs - so my tolerance for pain is higher than most) Otherwise, regular tylenol is effective enough.
I am spending most of my time sitting on the couch with pillows in strategically placed areas watching tv.  I am walking to the bathroom and around my kitchen to keep blood flowing and to get back to normal as quickly as possible.  They say to increase activity as tolerated.  It is possible I would do more if I weren't still feeling so light headed!
My follow up appointment with Dr. Ghremida is Monday.  I'm praying the drainage is down to 25 to 30 ml/24 hours by then so the drains can go!
Ok. So, the light headed thing is getting to me and I can't really form a proper thought so for now, I'll leave my story and return another day.  If this post sounds like it came from the mind of someone on narcotics - it did.  So, I would ask for a little leeway!

My story

Anyone who has had a baby probably knows that the pregnancy part really does a number on the body.  Everything shifts and accommodates but then rarely returns.  The metaphor I use for myself is that of a balloon inflated to capacity and deflated 6 times.  This is my tummy.  So unnatural.  Anyway, aside from being an eyesore it brings with it a few other problems which I've grown tired of - and my baby days are over so I decided I'd like to have my tummy troubles taken care of.  Diet, exercise and a tummy tuck.

I went on an online search of the plastics process in Regina and found nothing that I was looking for.  So, in case you or someone you know is also looking for this information - here's my story, feel free to share.

I saw my family doctor in July to get a referral to a plastic surgeon.  I am seeing Dr. Ghremida whom I researched before choosing.  I finally got an appointment to see him on January 30th.  (6+ month wait)
After having 6 babies the natural way I thought I'd been through the most humiliating of experiences.  Well, I was wrong.  This visit to the plastic surgeon was probably the most horrifying doctor experience imaginable.  Obviously he has to do a thorough exam which I thought I'd mentally prepared myself for but nope, I sure didn't.  Then photos need to be taken to submit to Sask. Health in order for them to judge if the issue is bad enough to be covered by insurance.  4 1/2 weeks later I received a call from the plastic surgeon's office informing me that the surgery has been approved - thank goodness!  After all that!!!

YAHOO!!!

So, now I go back to see the PS on March 20th to fill out paperwork.  How long until surgery? Probably a year!  Just enough time to lose the remaining baby weight

I am not a blogger!

The title pretty much sums it up!  I write! I love to write! But blog? Nuh-uh!
So why start a blog then?  Well, it's actually because I've been searching for a lot of information and can't seem to find what I'm looking for.  Then I thought; if I'm looking maybe someone else is too.  So, if I blog my findings and experiences maybe I can help someone else.  That's why.  Will this blog be personal - absolutely!  Will there be photos - 100%!  Will you get TMI - without a doubt!  But, if what I share helps one person - everyone else's discomfort is totally worth it - including my own!
So, here it goes.  Wish me luck!