The Tupperware hard plastic tissue expander is gone and so are the drains. My breast is nearly 100% human made from human materials. And the materials came from me. I am full of myself. I like it.
But in the spirit of “It’s more blessed to give than to receive,” let’s chat a bit about the donor site, which was my abdomen. I’m still swollen but literally shrinking by the day. A few days after surgery, my waistline was six inches larger than before surgery, even though a whole lotta tissue had been removed. The next day, I’d lost two inches. (Settle down, peeps, I’ve been keeping measurements to monitor any fluid build-up, which I didn’t notice after my expander surgery because I was too busy admiring the fact that I had cleavage again!) Today, I’m about two inches bigger than usual. This number will continue to drop, but it has been very clear since day 1 after surgery that my stomach is much flatter than it used to be.
Obviously, I expected this, in fact I relished the thought of having a flat abdomen. Even before becoming a mom, I’ve always had a little more than average size stomach, no matter whether I was at a healthy weight or not. I’ve had a few of those awkward, “Oh you’re pregnant, congratulations!” conversations. Ten years ago, I’d even lost 20 pounds and was greeted by my then hairstylist, “When is your baby due?” My response? “Four years ago.”
So you’d think I would be thrilled with development but I admit it looks a little foreign.
Some how, I will get over it!
Yeah for being full of yourself! woot, woot.
Yep, and now all of my stitches are off and the bandages (except on my belly button) are off. Whoa, that abdominal incision is loooong. I can’t believe I’m up and around.
Yes just get out and flaunt it!!! Before you know it you will have a ” wash board” stomach.. Seems like a good bonus after everything you have been through!! 😃😃😃😃😃
Thanks, Helen! I’m sorry you are having to stay in the hospital for another week. But you know that you are able to do a week because you just finished one! I’ll see if I can be extra funny in my blog over the next few days or re-post some of my funnier stuff from the past.
Yes i have had plenty of time to catch up with various blogs… There is such a range of talent and interests… I know i am in the best place and as this surgery is so new here they are being very cautious… I just do as i am told!!!!
Yeah, you have to be patient, to be a good patient. I have found physicians to be extremely cautious people, which is a good thing since the stakes are high.
Glad to hear you are healing so well! Sounds like you’re going to have some awesome abs and cleavage!
Thanks, Robin!
Congrats!! I’m hoping to do the same surgery . . . it’s down the line, but I look forward to hearing more about your successful recovery.
It has been seven months since my mastectomy, so I waited a long time to get my TRAM done. My surgeon wanted to add another step before the TRAM plus, he has a very busy surgery schedule. But it has been worth the wait so far. Welcome to my blog!
Thanks for the laugh. Each day I learn from your blog. It’s like an on-line class. Thanks teach!
I’m glad to return the favor, Mom.
yes! and you just wait until you stand up and you can’t see your abdomen past your large breastesses!!!!!! Way cool! Just the pointy of your tap shoes down yonder!!!!!
Ha! Now, I can’t remember the reference to large “breastesses”. In Living Color? Oh yeah, Google exists. Hey, I got it right! Yippee. Oh no, now I can’t think of the character. I think he was played by David Allen Grier. I am such a nerd. But a nerd with time to kill, so that’s a-okay!