Oh, look at that face, all excited to go into surgery because it will make me feel better later. (insert laughing emoji here)
Actually, I was very nervous, I had never been under before and I did not know what to expect. My surgery was at 1:00p on September 25, that day and I forced myself to wake up at 4 am to eat one last thing before my cut off. I am actually very surprised that I was able to go back to sleep and sleep until we had to leave to go check in, thank you Melatonin!
The process was so fast that I hardly remember anything from the time I was asked about my living will to the time I was wheeled off into the OR. I do remember being SO hungry and SO tired that by the time they put the anesthesia in me, I was already half asleep. ( I think my bill should have been lowered for that reason. #justsaying) So (above) my before picture and then when I was out of surgery Nick asked how I was and I did this lovely pose. Remember in a previous post when I said I hate throwing up? Well, when I came out that was the first thing I wanted to do, but what I am grateful for is, being in a hospital and telling a nurse I was nauseous and the amazing anti-nausea med they inserted in me.
My doctor came around after to tell me that I was in Stage 3 of Endometriosis and that the tissue on the outside of my uterus was now grabbing onto my ovaries. Also, that she did not feel comfortable taking it all out and during my follow up appointment I would be given a specialist's name and then go from there. I thanked her for not killing me...anethesia #1 truth serum on the planet. I ate a little something for the nausea and we were on our way.
I say I regret not getting any bloat pictures now, but at that time after the procedure um, no. I looked about 8 months pregnant, couldn't wear anything non-legging or sweatpants for about 3 weeks. Thank goodness for the athleisure trend! I thought endo belly was bad, oh no being pumped with CO2 for almost 2 hours is bad! The actual pain in my abdomen from the surgery was nothing compared to a bad endo pain day. I actually just felt like I had done an ab day at the gym. The gas being released was honestly the worst part of the process. it pressed on all organs and no part of the body was left out! I guess even my insides are inclusive to all.
Now for the main event....here are some pictures my doctor took while inside. If you don't want to look, scroll down a ways, thanks!
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| Left: That is endometriosis, those dark red spots, that is what gives 10% of women unbearable period pain Right: After being cleaned up a bit |
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| Left: Tissue where ovary is connected to uterus Right: More endo |
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| I was told this look is not normal. The Endometriosis has created a wall. Ovaries should move, mine do not. |
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| You know you made the sound in your head. |
Physical Therapy starts: January 21
Surgery: February 5
When Life Gives You Endo....get surgery and physical therapy!
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