The Long Awaited Tummy Pictures ~ and ~ The Princess Leaves the Surgery Center!

The Princess Leaves the Surgery Center! ~ Day 1 Complete and Going Home (NOT)

Being on a gurney and feeling a tight pressure from my waist to my buttocks was my first recollection that the surgery had been completed. Yes, I looked down, and my tummy appeared pretty flat compared to the tummy that had entered the surgical suite and I couldn’t help but wonder what was underneath those bandages!

Moving me to the recliner was a new experience in pain. I’m fairly tough but the pain was almost unbearable. The pain was not from my incisions, but was underneath my breasts and was so tender and painful the tears flowed easily. Although the plan had been to sit in recovery and then go home, I knew there was no way I would be able to go home or control the immense pain and changed my mind immediately that I would be staying overnight.

By this time it was 9:00 p.m. and while I didn’t know how I would pay for the additional charges, the $421.00 to spend the night no longer mattered. Quick “good-byes” were said to my family and I was placed back on the gurney and wheeled to a tiny room that I considered my incubation room for the next 12 hours. Demerol and anti-nausea medicine quickly came on board and the lovely lightest weight paper blanket with plastic tubes was once again hooked up to the rectangular looking shop vac machine and the warm air and the blessings of the medication helped me drift off to sleep. Thank you, Chris, for caring for this crumpled painful lady who never doubted if the surgery should be done, but DID doubt whether there were enough pain medications.

Every few hours I awoke with pain and every so often pain pills were given with some much cherished ice-chilled Sierra Mist. Sure made my throat feel better after the intubation tube was removed in surgery. Chris’s two other names that evening could have been Florence Nightingale or Angel of Mercy!

The Long Awaited Tummy Pictures ~ A Necessary Piece to Understanding the Process.

Once again the thoughts entered my mind as to why I would succumb to a surgery of this magnitude. Some friends thought me vain, some stupid, some were supportive and others simply did not understand how I had let myself get in that position in the first place. I found my mind wondering and once again asking the questions of myself to gain a deeper understanding of where I had been, why I was going through this and what lessons I could learn.

How could I love this tummy and feel so partial to it while at the same time wanting to have it removed?

*It is my tummy, God given from birth, and entrusted in my care. The fact that I had not been kind or cared for my tummy properly was of no fault of my tummy.

*Those purple stretch marks reminded me of the gift God gave me of my beautiful and treasured daughter. Unlike the many complaints I’ve seen from other postings about the unsightly appearance of stretch marks, I have always chosen to view it as an everlasting reminder of the blessed event of her birth and the faith God placed in me when entrusting her to me for a time. What a joy and honor to carry another life and to watch her blossom into the wonderful woman whose company I so enjoy today!

#Mikki Leigh was born in April of 1976, 32 years ago, and is the joy of my life! Her middle name was in honor of my favorite teacher, Leigh Fleming.
#She is a woman full of integrity, honor and deeply committed to her family.
#She is a wonderful partner and loves her husband dearly.
#Mikki provides support and guidance and endless love and caring to her children and participates in the school and extra-curricular activities of her children; she is a much better mother than I could have ever hoped to be.
#She works part-time as a licensed beautician and continues her higher educational pursuits and was just accepted into the dental hygiene program.

* While the stretch marks are gone now, I will not forget these feelings. I am grateful we survived our teen years and have grown to a level of love and respect where, as women, we share a deeper love, understanding and communication that comes from years of learning to safety and confidently trust each other. It seems funny these purple stretch marks have brought about such intense feelings, yet they have ~ I rejoice in their blessing!

Should I share the pictures of my tummy? Could I???

*This question was MOST difficult!!! I’m a private person and do not believe in showing my body publicly. How could I teach others and hope to share knowledge with those who perhaps lacked the understanding of what was entailed with this procedure? After much soul searching, I am sharing this to help others gain the perspective of the magnitude of this issue.

*A picture is worth a thousand words ….
* Yes, I would do it again!!!
* I will not forget the journey that got me here nor the steps that were necessary to succeed!
*I promise to share and help others succeed in their own personal journeys.

What would you do? Surgery or not? Share pictures or not? Do you have other things to consider? Please share your opinions and let’s tackle this topic together. It’s one that seems adamant and brings about much passionate discussion ~ all of which should be considered before undertaking a procedure of this magnitude.

Again, please place your comments on the blog (there is a section at the bottom of each article)

Thank you for your participation and your continued efforts in your journey! For any of you who are considering this procedure, please feel free to ask additional questions and know I am here to help and support you!!!!

Sunshine wishes and many heartfelt hugs … always … Ranae