As my D-day gets closer and closer, I keep popping up with questions, about after care,and I dont mean the obvious. Questions I am wondering are... Pain, how about it? but someone already asked that one so I am going to ask the next one, I read everywhere to get a size or 2 bigger panties for afterwards, I am curious as to why? Usually with a would you keep it covered, sometimes with a lil pressure, so If I am in losse panties how is the max pad going to do its job?
thats the most relevant, but I'm sure another will [pop up soon... :laugh:
At seven weeks Post myself,the biggest reason for the bigger panties is SWELLING, and drainage from the sutures that needs to air out. Pantie liners and even full pads these days come with sticky backs on them. If the panties are too tight, they are going to rub VERY tender skin absolutely raw.
Another nasty they don't mention is that you will have shaved your pubic hair, even the stuff you have not had electro'ed, and when it grows back it can poke through the panty material, and be pretty prickley and add to your Advil intake. You are going to see some bruising completely around your waist and below belly button area, and that makes the over skin pretty tender as well.
I learned the hard way but you do not have to -- The cute, sexy nylon and spandex panties that we used for tucking purposes are hell to be wearing especially if you are traveling any distance after the surgery. They keep moisture in and can encourage yeast infections.
BUY cheap COTTON briefs, about two dozen pairs from the cheapest source you can, and then get about two quarts of Hydrogen Peroxide. Change your panties at every dilation, and use the Hydrogen peroxide on the blood stained areas, it gets out the blood and bloody goo, and lets your panties live to wash another day.
Calico Vicky Is bang on In every Sense The only thing I would add Is If you can get some ( Arnica Tablets ) they are not very dear they will help to minimise the Bruising you have to take them for a couple of weeks before surgery.
Best Regards
Babz
As far as pain goes the most uncomfortable but temporarily painful part of the whole thing was probably the removal of the catheter once the packing is taken out. The largest overall painfactor comes from having to be on your back so long and the back-pain resulting from being in such a position (get a backpillow to prop yourself up when your allowed to) . Then there is the psychological pain for some for having to wait hour after hour after hour before your finally given the go-ahead to be able to sit up or begin to walk again. For me that was the hardest part of the entire thing those first 48-72 hours are rough. But once you get through it, it is amazing how fast you are pretty much back in action again.