Day 4
Had my best night of sleep since surgery. I didn’t take any of the prescribed painkillers. I did however take two extra strength Tylenols even though I probably didn’t need them. I only got up once in the middle of the night to use the bathroom as opposed to the multiple trips I took the first two nights. I forgot to mention that Dr. Jacobs said that I had to drink lots of fluids after the surgery in the forms of Gatorade, soups, water, protein shakes, etc... Just no alcohol or carbonated beverages in the first 48 hours. Anyway, because of all of the fluids you obviously will be making a lot of trips to the pisser, which was a pain in the neck the first two days. Getting up out of bed or a chair is really the only time I’ve felt any pain. Four days in I’m still a little sore whenever I get up, but it isn’t nearly as bad as it was the first two days.
Went out for the first time since the surgery and drove. I felt some pain on some turns, but really nothing major at all. It felt good going out and just wearing a t-shirt. I didn’t adjust it once because I’ve how flat I now am. In case you’re wondering, the compression garment and binder are not visible except for one little bulge at the top of the binder. It is really only noticeable from the sides and you have to be looking for it. It’s nothing to worry about though. Having man boobs made me an expert at concealing bulges.
I’ve been feeling a slight burning sensation on my sides. I guess the best way to describe it would be a very minor case of sun burn. Don’t quote me on that since I’ve only had sun burn once in my entire life. Black people tend to not get sunburn hahaha. It’s not all that painful, but it has been irritating because of how prolonged and frequent it has become.
Took my second shower since surgery. Things are continuing to look good. I applied more Neosporin and arnica gel to the appropriate areas. Oh, I also found out that the burning sensation I’ve been feeling is just my binder chaffing my sides. I actually have developed some slight bruising there.
I decided to put the compression garment and binder into the wash to see if I could get some of the blood stains out. To my surprise a lot of it did, which is great since I didn’t want to risk staining my dress shirts when I return to work. So aside for the underarmour shirt, I was garmentless for about 40 minutes, which felt odd. As much as I would like to say that I don’t need the garments, the opposite is the truth. I just didn’t feel comfortable without the support. Don’t get it twisted though, I still hate that stupid F’n binder!
I went to a graduation party and no one noticed the compression garments. The only thing I was worried about was when I had to hug people. With proper technique it isn’t a problem. Just don’t give prolonged hugs and only really use your arm and shoulders. Works like a charm! I also had a few beers. I made sure not to take any painkillers or Tylenol since I knew I wouldn’t be able to turn down coronas or sam adams summer ales on a nice day. For the most part the only pain I felt during the party was just the chaffing near my arm pits courtesy of the binder. I will say that it continues to get more tolerable with each passing day.
All in all I’d have to say that today was a really good day.