My Surgery Diary – part 3
Tues 26th May
Hotter than ever today!!! But we felt ready to venture out for some sightseeing. We walked to the river which is just a 2 minute walk from the apartment and then to Charles Bridge. We decided not to venture across the bridge as there was some building work going on and the crossers were walking in single file and I felt I would be at huge risk of being knocked in my tummy as the crowds were huge. The view from the river was satisfactory enough for us so we set off through the streets towards the Old Town square. The streets were lined with shops which became more expensive the closer we got to the square. After we had reached Old Town square we went for a bite to eat where afterwards I unfortunately misread the map and we walked completely the wrong way, so we got a little lost!! I felt tired and was aware that I had probably done a little too much for our first venture out. Prior to surgery I could quite easily have run around the streets of Prague but now I could tell I needed to get back to the apartment and rest. We bought an ice lolly at the mini market near to our apartment and enjoyed a long rest.
After a chat with home, it was an early night for us but the weather had other ideas. We encountered a huge long storm that night which kept us awake with loud thunders and flashes and unfortunately the loft window in the kitchen leaked through quite a lot of rain. The accommodation hot line said they would send a technician the following day to have a look at it.
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22 days post operation |
Wed 27th May
Well the weather has turned!! Its grey, cold and nonstop rain!! The storm seems to have caused problems with the Wi-Fi so I am unable to speak to my children and Andrew. I am quite upset by this as it is a lifeline connection to home for me. Reception has said they are dealing with it and hope to have fixed later today. We decided to stay in today as the weather is so bad and we are going to wait for the technician to come and look at the leaky roof window.
We spend the day reading magazines and resting which I think is the best thing for me after our getting lost yesterday and doing lots of walking. The technician came in the afternoon and LOOKED at the window but didn't do anything to fix it so the when the rain came down hard it still continued to leak, but it didn't really cause us any major problems so we didn't bother saying any more about it.
We had arranged for one of my mum’s friends to visit who was from Prague and whom she hadn't seen for 17 years. She came to the apartment and it was lovely to sit and chat. She brought us some Studenska chocolate which was absolutely delicious and we vowed to take some home for family to try. It was lovely to chat with her and she was telling us all about her life in Prague and about the old house that she was renovating slowly. After about 2 hours, Dagmar had to catch her bus home so we said good bye.
Clare came to visit in the evening for a cup of good old English tea!! She had had her final appointment today so she was telling me all about it. We chatted for about an hour and then later in the evening I managed to get intermittent internet connection to home which was better than nothing.
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22 days post operation |
Feeling much more mobile today and finding I am pottering around the apartment doing things for myself more, much to the relief of my mum. My mum has been absolute rock for me throughout my surgery and recovery and I feel family support is vital when you undergo this type of surgery. It was lovely to spend so much time with my mum as my home life is very hectic and it is rare that we get to have a conversation without interruption from my children.
Thursday 28th May
After receiving a text message from Nad'a the day before saying my appointment was now 8.30am, we had an early start and rushed around getting ready for our 8am pick up. Not being used to having to get up since my surgery, I felt tired and slow.
We arrived at the clinic and met Alexis who was also there for her final appointment. We decided that after our appointments that we would all go in our taxi together back to the apartment and then go for some lunch. I had prepared a list of questions for Dr Kulhanek as this was to be my last appointment. He checked my dressings and said the bruised lump was looking better. The nurse took some after pictures of my tummy, hips and back for their records. I was then fitted with a new secondary undergarment as the one I tried on before leaving the clinic proved to be too big and not provide enough support. The new one was much better and although tight, it felt as though it supported my tummy much better. We moved to Dr Kulhaneks office where the cameraman filmed our final consultation and my questions. The surgeons answers fulfilled my questions perfectly and I was reassured that if I encountered any problems upon my return to the UK that I could contact them with pictures etc and they would advise the best remedy. He also said that, although unlikely, that if I needed any revision then this would be arranged. At the end of the consultation Dr Kulhanek thanked me for being a good patient and he felt satisfied as a surgeon with the outcome. I thanked him for changing my life. Overall I have been completely happy with Dr Kulhanek from the beginning to the end. His English was excellent and all my questions have been answered and he has obviously created my lovely new flat tummy.
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1 month post operation |
Before leaving, I went up to the ward to give Milena some chocolates that I had bought her as a final thank you for her lovely care.
If I was to ever consider any surgery in the future I would certainly be returning back to the Lekarsky Dum.
We returned to the apartment in the taxi along with the cameraman and Alexis. We were meeting with Pavel at the apartment who would conduct my final interview for the camera. After the interview and a coffee I said my final goodbye to Pavel and thanked him for giving me the opportunity to change my life.
My mum, Alexis and I got ourselves ready to go out for lunch and took a slow stroll through the town square. Alexis took us to a restaurant that she had eaten in a few days before and we were amazed to get a drink a meal and dessert for just £6!! We then had a slow wander around the shops where my mum bought a cashmere/silk scarf for just £6, we couldn't believe the prices!! After wandering around, we strolled back to our apartment where the three of us drank coffee and chatted until 7pm that evening!! We felt a great connection with Alexis and it was as though we had known her for years. It was a sad and emotional goodbye and we promised to keep in touch via Facebook.
Clare also came to visit and say goodbye as she was flying home on Friday and again this was a strange feeling to say goodbye as we had both come along this journey together.
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The Wi-Fi connection seems to have been fixed now so it was relief to have a lengthy chat with my children and Andrew that evening. Andrew was looking forward to having me home and he was tired from looking after two very lively children on his own. His support through all this has also been amazing and knowing that he is with our children at home is very reassuring. I miss him terribly and I know that without him I would not have been able to get through it all. Again the support of your partner is so important not only whilst away but I know he will be supportive when I get home.
Friday 29th May
Today, another rainy day!! What has happened to the weather in Prague?! I can't believe how cold it is now in comparison to early in my trip. We decide to stay at the apartment today, resting, as yesterday was a long hectic day. We venture out only to the local mini market for a few little bits.
We have found a new love whilst in Prague. Biscuits called BeBe Dobre Rano. I had a lot of them in the clinic as they are apparently high in fibre and vitamins and are yummy as well!! We are hoping to be able to get them at home as they are great with a cup of tea. A day of reading magazines and doing puzzles today and chatting to home.
Feeling better again today, but still some stiffness. The swelling is quite minimal in the morning but as the day goes along I can see it increase. I seem to been flat to belly button level but them the swelling pops out like a ridge to my scar. I do hope this flattens out. It’s difficult not to assess and judge the result, as I am dying to know what I will look like in a few months time and I can't help wondering about the ridge. I presume that it will disappear in time.
Saturday 30th May
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Our last day in Prague...and still raining. Even though it was a grey rainy day outside we decided to wrap up and have one final wander around Prague. We stumbled across a market near the town square where I managed to buy a few little presents for my girls. We stood and watched the hourly clock change in the square and then spotted a Starbucks so went for a coffee to warm up. Today we spent our day giggling about all sorts, which was fun. Although the giggling made me very aware of the bruised feeling in my abdominal muscles. Every time I laughed it felt tight as though I had been doing sit ups, this also goes for coughing and sneezing!! The more I giggled the more I ached!!
I really could feel the difference in my recovery today as I walked around. I didn't get quite as tired and moving around was much easier. It’s amazing how quick the recovery progresses in just a few days.
After a few purchases, and a cashmere/silk scarf for me, we wandered back to the apartment slowly. We had our evening meal and got everything packed up so that we could have an easy day tomorrow before our flight home.
Dr Kulhanek had given me the all clear to have a shower so today was my first in nearly two weeks!! An end to washing my hair in the sink!!! Showering was strange as without my binder on it made me very aware of the numb feeling on my tummy, especially when the water touched my tummy. Feeling refreshed and changing my dressings, I was ready for home to see my children and fiancé.
Sunday 31st May
We had a leisurely breakfast and I styled my mum’s hair for her, I think she deserved a treat after her hard work over the last two weeks. When it was time to leave, we had a slight problem when our suitcase was locked in our room, but reception quickly came to solve the problem. Our flight was on time, thankfully and I was surprised to feel quite comfortable on the plane. I was aware of making sure to keep my legs moving and took a stroll and stretch as I was at higher risk of blood clot after surgery. We had a smooth flight and landed back to a strangely hot and sunny Leeds Bradford Airport.
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We slowly collected our baggage and were taking for a bags scanning on the way out, we must have looked suspicious. I was desperate to see my fiancé at the other side. I called him so he could drive through to the pickup point and it was an emotional reunion. He couldn't believe how flat my tummy looked and my smaller waist even though I knew I was swollen after the flight.
We drove to our friend’s houses that were looking after the children. It was so emotional when I walked up the path and they realised I was home. My eldest daughter was careful not to squeeze me as she knows I have been away to get rid of my "jelly belly". She was desperate to see the plasters!! So I showed her the binder and she thought it was the biggest plaster she had ever seen. It was wonderful to be at home with Andrew and the girls.
The final words ...
My whole journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions and it all feels quite surreal. I can't believe that the surgery I have dreamed about for so long has finally done and I can be the Helen I know I am. I have met some wonderful people during my trip and it has been a brilliant experience that I will never forget. I know I still have a long road of recovery ahead of me but I know that I have my support at home and the professional advice from my surgeon and clinic.
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For me, the surgery was not necessarily just so that I could look pretty in clothes but to close a chapter of my life that was very hard to deal with. At 14 years old I was scouted by a model agency but put on 4 stone within the next year, so my hopes were dashed. I found being overweight to be very depressive and hard to deal with and my saggy stomach was constant reminder of those days. I felt like I carried a piece of someone else around with me and found it so frustrating that I couldn’t do anything to get rid of it after I had worked so hard to lose the weight.
I can finally feel confident about myself and love myself in my own skin and hopefully now pursue my modelling hopes. I look down and finally see something I can be happy with and I really do feel like I am finally closing the “fat” chapter of my life and starting a new “thin” chapter that I have strived so hard to achieve.
Helen Tidswell
Before and after the surgery the winners of the competition were accomodated in luxorious private PragueCityAppartments providing maximum comfort and absolute tranquility with amazing proximity to the historical centre of Prague.
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