Another update after my fifth weekly post-op appointment with my surgeon. She says I'm making "excellent" progress.
Wound separation is shrinking as is the affected area of tissue with granulation. Plus, the stitches have been dissolving nicely and may even be completely gone in a few weeks.
I'm already on the purple dilator and hope to move to blue in a week or so. Looks like surgical lube, puppy pads and paper towels have become a major household expense for me.
My pain is also less. I'm already off acetaminophen and cutting back on ibuprofen. Probably only a week more with the annoying painkillers. Still icing though. I'm not crazy.
I can sit inclined on a waffle cushion even longer now. Over half an hour at times. So the swelling is definitely going down, but it will likely be awhile before I'm able to sit "normally."
My stamina has greatly improved but I still get tired too quickly to really feel productive. My surgeon says that's normal at this point in recovery but, yeah, it's really annoying AF.
I met with my physical therapist as well today and she also thinks my progress is "excellent" since I don't have any bladder or bowel control issues and I'm making steady progress on dilation. Her focus with me over the next few weeks is recovering my strength and stamina as well as making sure I continue to increase my dilator size.
My next appointment with my surgeon won't be until another six weeks, marking three months after surgery. Whew! It's all going by so fast and so slooow at the same time.
Love you all and hope you're having happy holidays, 🤗🥰💖
Lisa