23 days post surgery. Still very angry that I got a pulmonary embollism! It has slowed me down!

I am still swollen.  More swollen on days that I do more activity.  My breasts are recovering, dropping into "place" - and man oh man - they are sore! I had returned to work this week, as an admin assistant, but couldn't make the full 8 hours.  Two days I left work in tears with pain in my breasts and incision site.

Would I do it again? Yes I would. In a heartbeat! I'm just not patient, wanting to get back into the gym.  However, our daughters, future son in law, and my husband - AWESOME! Even got the husband to take me to HEB this morning shopping for my Thanksgiving groceries!

Slow down is my advice. Let people help you. Keep walking, but not too much. And for the breast lift, keep that bra on!

I took pictures the first and second week, will post one or two soon.  But this week, I had the blues.  I felt puffy, I'm tired of the garment 24 hours a day, tired of the sleeping position, and tired of being tired and sore.  So - no pictures for week 3, but I don't see alot of change from last week.

Well I look forward to Thanksgiving, to see the family and let them see my great new curves! Not so excited I will be in sweats, but doing this during the fall/winter is the way to go.  I plan on being in some great clothes come spring time.

Talk to you soon. If you have done this, hang in there! If you are thinking of doing it, only you know if it will be right for you.  Have your support system in place. 

14 days ago I was prepped and waiting for my turn to roll into the surgery room.  Today I'm still at home, recovering not only from the surgery of the tummy tuck and breast lift, but from the pulmonary embolism.  Walking outside for coffee with my husband, one of my favorite things in the morning, took my breath away.
I've had some sadness this week.  The breathing thing got me really down! And, as the surgi-tape comes off the breasts, I can feel the incisions, not comfy! Also, the nipples are so ultra sensitive just the touch of the shirt causes my hair to stand on end!
The tummy incision is looking good, and the swelling is going down, I think. 
I've been asked if I'm glad I did it, would I do it again? YES - the answer is yes without hesitation.  To sit in a chair and not have my tummy flab sitting on my thighs, wow, I can't describe how that feels! Now that I'm standing straighter I can surely see what a big change! To imagine another 4 weeks, what I will look and feel like, I can't wait!
Looking at pictures from the summer, I look at myself and wonder what will a picture of me with my lifted breasts look like?! Looking into the mirror I smile as I look at my breasts, perky, up where they belong without the push up - happiness.
My sweet husband, and children, have done a great job of taking care of me. Checking on me. Doing things I can't do (which also gets me down a bit, but I'm getting stronger). A great reminder is to let people help you. Visits from Mom and Dad, dinner, phone calls from friends, it all breaks up the boredom, reminds you how much you're loved, even on days when you feel bloaty and slow.
I do wear a fit bit. And daily I have made myself walk. Trying each day to add a few steps.  Because I am determined to get back to the gym, be healthy and fit for life, and enjoy living!
It helps to have a doctor who can accept text pictures, and help you evaluate if your worries are real worries or not. They have been great, since they are 300 miles away, of checking on me and answering questions I have.
Before long I will work on adding some pictures.  Our poor daughters, they will be tired of taking these pictures by the end of 8 weeks! But I sure am happy to have their love and support.

11 days ago I had a tummy tuck and breast lift.  I am so glad I did! However, I was a little surprised at the intense pain in my tummy.  I stayed overnight at a "resort" where my husband was an angel! He took care of me, got me to the restroom with tubes hanging off me, drove me to a friends house in the pouring rain while I vomitted.  My first two thought of advice, do alot of squats so you have some strong legs to straddle the potty, stand up, etc...because your core will hurt! And, be sure you have someone with you who loves you dearly, has the strength to make you pull through the pain, and the compassion to wipe your puke from your hair. Thanks honey!

I stayed with a friend for the first few days, while my husband went home to work.  I had tubes in my stomach.  My friend encouraged walking, drinking water, and had some good movies to watch.  It was like a slumber party.  During this part of recovery I found it helped to have a massager on the recliner to prevent soreness.  It helped to walk, eventhough there was always somethere to help. 

Unfortunately I became "one of the few" on the way home.  I ended up with a pulmonary embolism.  We drove from San Antonio to our house in West Texas on Wednesday, stopping twice, and by Thursday morning I was in the ER.  Shortness of breath and a constant cough.  The CT scan showed a clot in my lung.  Take it serious, I was very lucky!

Take advantage of family.  Our daughters have been over to help with everything, my mom came over to cook and visit.  I couldn't be doing this good without them!

I have a fitbit. It's a step counter.  My goal is to keep going a little further each day, encouraging myself to work.  It's easy to want to sit down, because my back is sure sore from the crunched over walking, but I'm determined to get back on the track, and back to the gym soon! 

Well for today - I will encourage you to have a few sports bra (zipper front) - Sweats.  Get up and get "ready" each day.  Walk. Walk. Walk. Drink your water and eat healthy. (gassy foods, no - it hurts!)
Massager for the chair is a help! If you must travel stop every 30 minutes to walk. If you have any strange symptoms, seek help!