need help

I am six weeks today from surgery and am going back to work on Jan 2nd. I am a police dispatcher and have to wear a uniform. Problem is that my stomach is still swollen and cant fit into my uniform. Anyone have any suggestions? Dont want to have to spend any money on anything, wondering if I put ice on it maybe that would help. Need advice please Thanks.

I've found those hot/cold packs work well. I keep 2 in the freezer all the time for the swelling that I seem to get each day
Remember it's only temporary though. Is there a way you could get another pair of pants? I know you don't want to spend anything - can you borrow somehow?

Try looking for pants on eBay - may not cost too much for a spare pair or 2! Good luck with your return to work!

When my daughter was a dispatcher, she had to wear a uniform, so I'm assuming you do also. Part of her uniform was a sweater that she could wear over her uniform. If you have one you could wear that, if not perhaps your supervisor would allow you to wear a sweater (non-uniform) that you could keep buttoned at the waist. That way you would be able to keep your trousers unbuttoned. Do you think that could work for you?

If you can wear something to hide the waistband, like a sweater, a rubberband can be looped through the buttonhole at your waistband and used to fasten your pants to keep them unbuttoned but allow them to stay up. It's a trick I've used many times as pre-op my waist could gain or lose 2-3 inches in a day due to water retention.

I've found that wearing a good compression girdle helped so much with swelling and discomfort for the back and abdomen. You might want to call your doctor and see if it's ok or if s/he could recommend one. I know you don't want to spend any money but they make such a difference. I wear one to work everyday and the one day I didn't -- oh boy -- I could tell a difference. My back/stomach hurt so badly. I bought them at JC Penny's for 19.99 each.

If its really swollen perhaps you could buy a pair of uniform maternity pants.

I would use an ice pack every day and see if you can't get the swelling down before you go back.

Thank you all for advice. I did end up going and buying another pair of pants that are one size bigger. But I also think I will get the girdle from JcPennys that Speckla suggested good idea. You know I have thought alot about this whole thing and you know what it reminds me of....having a baby and going through all that stuff but without the baby . Thanks again.

There is also an extender that you can put on your pants that can be purchased in the maternity section of some stores. It is alot cheeper than a new pair of pants plus you could use it on all of your pants.