Clothes won't fit and too much time off?

It has been almost 4weeks since my operation. Went out last Sat. with my hubby and friend. Squeezing into my jeans was sheer torture. I couldn't wait to get home and get into some comfortable pants. Which makes me think, do I have to go out and buy pants with elastic waists? Will I ever fit into my old pants again? It is depressing, especially with warm weather coming soon. I don't want to diet and I don't know what type of exercises I should do. I am an educator, and had enough sick days to take off until Spring break for students is over the first week of April. Yet, I feel guilty in some ways. But I had a surgery before the hysterctomy, plus cancer stage 1. Not to mention my boss harassing me at my job which made my blood pressure rise and delay my operation. So should I feel guilty or stay with the plan to take the time off?

I'm 7 weeks and still don't wear my jeans most of the time. As a matter of fact, I've put them on about 4 times. They fit and they're not too tight at first, but on the occasions that I wore them for most of the day, by the time night came and my swelly belly had reared its ugly head, I was dying to get them off. The stiffness of the fabric is just too constricting.

I invested in many pairs of yoga pants and warm up pants. I live in them 99% of the time. I don't exactly feel "dressed" when I go out, but at least I'm comfortable.

As for the time off, by all means, do what your body and mind are telling you to. You are the best judge of whether or not you need that time, and in my opinion, you should take it very slowly and allow yourself time to heal even if it means taking the entire alotted time off. You've earned it; and by virtue of having been through a traumatic and hellacious experience, you deserve that time for your well-being.

i felt guilty about taking time away from my work too but you really have to do whats best for your self. and the swelling issue, that can take some time, months ive seen. i would invest in some larger pants or something. you shouldnt be uncomfortable. but it will go away. i had very little swelling until i went back to work and then wham! swelly belly every nite. i just ordered a belly binder from the web site here. maybe you could look into that. and i think somewhere on this site too is advice about what kind of stomach exercises you can do, but i wouldnt do anything like that without asking your doctor first. i just saw mine last week for my 6 week check up and she still told me to be careful bending and stooping and told me not to do any stomach crunches or exercises for several more weeks. just my opinion. good luck.

6 weeks post-op and same here..I've only wore jeans 2 times and I wore the biggest pair I own and they still are not comfortable! I cannot believe I have to wear dress pants and high heel shoes next week as I return back to work--Its going to be so hard to go from sweatpants to dresspants, from tennis shoes to high heels--this should be interesting!!!

Do not feel one bit guilty for the time off work--You have earned every single day you are not there--Take care of yourself and remember you have one time to heal completely!

TAH- Feb 3rd