Surgery Completed and I’m Wonderful!!!

 I’ve been given the strength I prayed for from the Lord. The staff and surgeon were and are wonderful. 

I finally feel a bit more feminine ( not in an immodest way at all) for my husband, myself, as a woman - which is what I wanted- not him - he never cared  . I won’t be going around in belly shirts or skimpy bikinis if that’s what you might be thinking. I will not be flaunting myself - except for my husband lol. ( I’ll enjoy modesty and pure beauty in new ways.)  I’ll be able to wear normal clothes, dresses, sweaters, etc. with a normal flat , unswollen abdomen, like any mama who healed properly after their pregnancies. I am currently a bit swollen just having surgery a few hours ago, but still my tummy is so much smaller. Actually when I lifted the surgical cover , tummy wrapped with a binder and drains filled with blood in , my husband had a shocked face ! He said my abdomen is so much smaller !!! The results will continue for up to a year - I could still have some swelling during this time, but the difference is incredible. I am overjoyed, I could truly just cry. 

It’s been a literal decade of having a huge swollen abdomen and getting asked when I’m due , when I’m not pregnant. My babies were so worth it. Again, my hubby got fixed -so if any more kids are in our future (who ever knows, they will be foster, adopted, or visited on missions trips , ministered too in daily ministry etc. ) and we are blessed with our hands full with our bunch and babies, families, friends, church, community, neighborhood, town , etc. 

The icky yet amazing details - 

I had five literal pounds of skin removed from my abdomen. That’s a lot of skin and tissue that was stretched and never gained elasticity after being pregnant so many times. I had a liter of fat drained on my sides and wherever else -  not sure- I just trusted the surgeon. ( I feel detoxed and great). My organs will stay healthier . The more fat that’s removed the less chance of heart attack, cancer, and stroke etc. However, those things can be inevitable. All my abdominal muscles that were so far apart ( organs pushing forward, were pulled together and sutured permanently for life. I am feeling an abdominal wall and burning strength I haven’t had for years and years -even  just sitting forward etc. )

My sweet husband and mom get to drain all my blood for about a week. These are attached inside my tummy and the bulbs fill quickly. It’s literal cups of blood and fluid. I also have to record how much blood is poured into containers for safety. Besides a headache and waking up from anasthesia crying, asking for the surgeon, telling him I didn’t feel well- telling the staff I needed grape juice and a cupcake, my waking up was so much better. They joked - you didn’t punch anybody !!! Haha. I actually didn’t do that last time, just was in pain and thrashing and wanting to flee/go home. So that drama was so much better and they prepared me with lots of anti- anxiety meds and muscle relaxers, pain meds. 

My husband and mom are taking care of me. A friend already sent me a chicken salad at the center. My husband got me Agave earlier in the day - Tortilla soup, & rice and beans, I’m praising Jesus and listening to audible books between breathing exercises to prevent pneumonia. I am also getting shots to prevent blood clots and having help to walk- but I’m doing office laps :) I’ll take antibiotics as a preventative for a week along with pain meds. My husband will be caring for our kids with my mom around the clock for 4-6 weeks. I can’t lie on my side for two weeks, only reclined and no lifting . My gash is the same scar just longer from hip to hip extending to my back. They actually were amazed my prior scar healed so well - better than they ever thought. 

The Lord in prayer whispered a successful surgery and that He cared for me.

Of course I didn’t necessarily believe Him in the moment , but prayed for obedient  faith , strength, and the fear to end - lots of anxiety. He pulled through as always and gives me a comfort and strength that is astounding . I’ve been walking around and chatty. The staff is shocked at how strong I am already so quickly. 

Love to all and so thankful for your prayers. On to listening to Christian fiction mystery books on audible ! 

I can’t stand tv now, besides Christian homemaking shows for the most part and enjoy listening to adventures that are wholesome. 

Much love, 

Briana - I will be exercising and eating healthier- yet eating a cupcake ! 

Also, whatever you need to feel better for health - do it. Jesus whispered I needed to feel better for ministry with my husband , adventures with my family, and just in life in general. Was it hard - yes. Was it worth it - yes ! Was it a battle - yes!