Back to Work at 4 weeks postop abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)

What a week!

I started back at work last week. Even though I only worked 4 short days it was extremely hard. I found myself walking around the office like a hunched over old lady by 10am.

My job has a physical side to it involving packing my equipment into the car and setting up my office at a different site each day. On my last day of work before my surgery I took my equipment out of the large suitcase that I usually use and packed it into several small bags. My theory was that it would be easier to make several trips, carrying small bags, rather than one large bag. While it was a good idea it was still near impossible. The bags were still too heavy for me to carry on my own and it was all so tiring that by the end of the day I could barely manage one trip let alone three.

When I got home from work I needed to lay flat on my back and rest. By the end of the week my muscles were sore, just like having done a huge ab workout at the gym.

If I had known what it would be like I definetly would have waited an extra week to go back to work or eased into it. It might have been different had I had a 'desk job' or if I didn't have children to look after before and after work. I also wonder if the muscle pain would have happened regardless of when I went back to work. After all it is only natural to get pain when using a new muscle or one that has been inactive for a long time.

Anyhow after a big rest on the weekend I have gotten through another week of work without too many problems- well almost. I am walking straighter and multiple trips aren't bothering me but unfortunately I have developed an infection in my wound.

The next bit is graphic so time to log out if you get queazy...

It all started when the compression garment that I need to wear got caught on the nearly healed wound. One of the scabs pulled right out of the wound. Being the laid back person that I am I assumed that it would heal on its own with no problems. However, it didn't heal and two weeks on it still hadn't healed but it had become infected. Ouch! I have to say that it has been the most painful part since I got home. Imagine being so sore that a slight brush on your clothing causes you to scream in pain, or that you can't even move your leg to walk because of the pain on your hip area. Luckily some strong antibiotics seems to have helped and I should be pain free in a day or two. I am seeing a nurse to treat the wound and hopefully it will be all healed in a week.

I feel like I won't be recovered and back to my full strength for atleast another 3 months (just in time for Summer- woohoo). Once again I am so glad that I have had this procedure now. It has and still will take a huge chunk out of my life in terms of feeling active, fit and energetic- qualities that I usually thrive on. Atleast I can hope for many years ahead of enjoying these qualities once again.