FRANK PREGNANCY TALK Frank discussion of pregnancy symptoms, emotions, side-effects and oddities.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

One Week Post-Op

I’ve finally done it! I’ve fixed myself, in more ways than one. Medically speaking, I’ve had my herniated navel repaired once and for all. No more reaching into the back seat of the car to pick up a spilled sippy cup and having guts painfully pop out of my navel, only to have me push them back in again, and again. No more ugly, protruding belly button. No more sinking valley of muscle separation streaking down my torso.

Maternally speaking, I’m done with having children. This, subconsciously, could have been the reason I’ve waited so long to have the procedure done. I wanted to be really, really sure that I didn’t want any more babies. I’ve hit 40 and now I’m sure.

You ask, “Why can’t I have any more kids after this operation?” Well, to let you in on a little secret, it was much more than just the fixing of my umbilical hernia. I figured if the doc was going to be cutting me up anyway, I might as well get a tummy tuck and have the scarred and flabby skin chopped off. Now, since I have the flattest and tightest belly skin, my stomach won’t be able to accommodate the stretching for the gestation of another child, but I’ll look damned good in a bikini this summer!

Mentally speaking, this was a big thing I did for me. I feel that I am finally getting back to some sense of myself and my life after the most horrific summer. Of course I wouldn’t change it for the world. Every moment I spent with Lucia and her family was a gift and a memory that I’ll treasure forever. I did the best I could. We all did… and I think she knows it. We loved her to the very end and will continue honoring her memory and wishes. But, now it’s time to move on and focus on our own lives. We can no longer neglect our children, husbands, family and friends. We are still alive, so we must live our lives to the richest and fullest that they can be. We must take care of our bodies and engage in activities that bring us joy. We must love one another and be forever thankful for all the wonderful gifts that we have.

OK, OK, enough gushing, here’s some gore to balance out this post:

For those of you that have the stomach for it, click here for the before, during, and after the surgery photos. Enjoy!