Two Weeks Post-Op (PHOTOS)

Photos can be found in a gallery at the bottom of this post. There is no blood, but they are still a little graphic — fair warning!

I can’t believe it’s been two weeks! It feels like the time has flown by and also a bit like I’ve been recovering forever. If you’ve never spent a lot of time sitting around, it’s way less enjoyable than I thought it might be. I feel like I’ve had enough rest to kill a horse at this point. I was really looking forward to my follow-up appointments to learn what would be coming next and when I’d get the green light to do things again!

My surgeon’s follow-up schedule post-op is:

1 week
2 weeks
2 months

After leaving today, I had my next steps and upcoming appointment booked for January 16, which feels like a whole lifetime from now. As of WEEK 3, I can stop wearing my binder 24/7 which is H U G E because it makes getting dressed really annoying. At the same time, I’ll begin using silicon strips to support my scar healing and improve its appearance.

I’m healing really well, which was reassuring to hear from the surgical experts because I’ve been feeling good but had nothing to reference. As you’ll see in the photos below, the incision is quite “clean” and the bruising around it is beginning to fade. My belly button is pretty red and angry looking, but it’s also healing! There’s no signs of infection anywhere, thank goodness.

My dissolving stitches are about 50% gone and should be completely dissolved by next week when I begin the silicon strips.

I have no pain, but my incision sometimes stings a little when I’m cleaning it. There’s a sense of “pulling” on the edges which is mostly from the swelling and the fact I’m wearing my binder so tightly.

I can resume exercise on Week 4, so two weeks from today so you KNOW I’m just chomping at the bit to get back to the gym for Christmas! I’ll also be able to lift the kids (carefully) by then, which will be the best gift of all (for both M and for me!) I’m really looking forward to getting back into activity as I’m confident this will help my energy levels come back.

I still have quite a bit of swelling which they’ve told me to expect for at least a couple of months. My scar is “bulging” a little from the swelling, but this is my body helping itself heal. In the meanwhile, the compression from the binder is keeping the swelling down and encouraging my skin to behave itself. 🙂