Week 4 Post Op Photos

Here goes nothing (posting photos is the WORST!). I hate doing it and feel so naked (ehem, although I am NOT naked like some others who do blogs on this subject) but I know those who are reading in an attempt to make a decision to do the surgery want to see photos (desperately perhaps as I was, scouring the internet prior to my surgery looking, trolling and literally stalking photos to see what results might be). Incase it’s of interest. I am 5″10.5 and weigh in and about 160 (well, here is to hoping that I am still in that range as I have not stepped in the scale in a bit!!). Hopefully this past week of snacks and treats have not ruined me!

So this is the mini preggo swollen belly I was talking about. No flab there just a hard little belly due to end of day swelling.

29 days post op. I like my belly button the most. I mean, who are we kidding? I dint’ really have one before so anything would be an improvement. i am still however trying to justify the cost of such belly button…was it worth it if that is my favourite part?

 

4 weeks PO – I thought this day would never come!

Well, reading back on my profile I thought that 4 weeks PO would never arrive yet her it is!!! I am SO glad to be four weeks PO. Funny how time heals…both the body and the mind. You wouldn’t really guess that only 4 weeks ago I was spliced in half! Let’s see if I can come up with a decent list of observations at four weeks:

— I am not really watching what I do anymore. I mean I am not lifting weights, running, zumba’ing, etc but day to day activities are a breeze. I am still also not lifting anything too heavy but I think I can safely lift a laundry basket now (sniff).

— we just bought a cottage and took possession a week ago so hence my silence for about a week (cottage internet sucks!)…so things I have been doing here without a second thought: unpacking all the boxes (not lifting said boxes however), painting for hours and hours at a time, hanging photos, traipsing all along the property to get it ready (no heavy work but working to get the place ready from morning until late night).

—Since we’ve been up at the cottage I have not been watching my diet (eg: sodium intake) all that much but I don’t seem to be having issues with that. I do get a bit more swollen than normal at night but 100% that is my over-activity

—I’ve pretty much stopped taking all my vitamins and such. Not b/c I don’t want to or think they are not working but really b/c I forget! I will resume them next week when we are back and then just finish off the fish oil, vitamin C, digestive enzymes, etc until they are done and then I will not resume

—My TT used to be the only thing I thought about before surgery and then right after surgery. Now I can go hours and hours not even really thinking about it

—I have been out of “the binder” for over a week now. I have been wearing lightly compressioned camisoles that I really like. I am not sure I “have” to wear them so next week when I am back to my regular work routine and not frolicking about so much I’ll try and go sans compression top and see how that goes.

—I have not gotten on the scale in weeks and weeks and am frankly a bit scared to do that!! I tell ya, a cottage is not an ideal spot to watch what you eat and drink!! I’ll also try and get my good eating back into order for a least a week and then hop on the scale (maybe go on backward, have my husband moo or yay the number before I look?)

—Tossing and turning in bed, getting up, sitting, getting up quickly is all no issue

— My doc did give me some scar cream and I am not gonna lie to you I forget it almost daily. I know I should be more concerned but I am just not. I guess that may bite me in the ass later on too??

So, here I am four weeks PO. Happy to be here…I’ll be happy when more time passes so I can access the results but now that it’s summer I am not too keen for time to pass quickly so I’ll just be happy with where I am at to-date.

I’ll take photos later this week and hopefully what I see I am happy with and the cottage stay has not hefted on too many pounds!!

PO 19-23 Photos

Day 19 PO – after a day of not wearing the binder, not oo much swelling

Day 22 PO – an entire day with no binder and not compression top – yep, side view sure does show the swelling!

What I ended up wearing to my much anticipated event three weeks post op

 

Day 19 – 23 Post Op Update

Well it’s funny how pre surgery I would follow people and at about two and a half weeks to three weeks they would just STOP posting for long periods of time..NOW I know why, I just don’t have that much to update you on! So I guess that is a good thing as days just start to get back to normal…I have been out of my binder since Monday morning.

Gave the no binder situation a test drive on the weekend for a few hours – we went out for dinner Saturday night and I did not wear from 6pm – 1 was just fine.

Saturday I actually went for a 7.5km walk and Sunday another 5k and felt just fine and no post exercise swelling. Bought a bathing suit on the weekend as well and not sure if I’ll wear it except in front of my family but found one that hides my scar which I am super pleased with. I have NEVER worn a bikini in my life!!!! 

Looks like my three week mark came and went and I forgot to post an update!  I guess that is a good thing as I am so busy and not sitting as much to do updates!

So I ended up ditching my good friend Mr. Binder on Monday morning at 5am. A wee bit shy of three weeks but I just could not take it anymore. So here are a few photos from day 1 without my binder. Decent, not too much swelling. I wore a little compression tank top all day (super soft, comfy and just loved the freedom).

Then on Tuesday if you recall me previously fretting it was the huge fashion event I had been talking about. I was up and on my feet and “on’ for the entire time. I tried to sit down when I could but it was just so busy! I didn’t wear my binder or even a compression tank top (the dress just would not allow). I got home and whipped my binder back on for a couple hours as I was quite swollen.

People like to ask how I feel and the only way to describe it is “skinny pregnant”…ya know, like a small hard tummy that feels like it’s as tight as at 10 months preggo? Quite hard to explain really.

So three weeks down and things are pretty much back to normal. Here are a few thoughts:

Sleeping on my side (since day one actually) but now for long durations.

Can pop in and out of bed no problem and toss and turn at night with no struggles

I am completely up right

I am able to walk up to about 1 hour (at a good clip) with no issues

I am still not lifting anything heavy (yep, that even counts a laundry basket) and will continue this until 6 weeks

All my clothing from pre surgery fit (swelling is not impeding anything)

I jumped on the scale about a week ago and was down 1.5 pounds from day of surgery. I have not gotten on since however as the swelling I am sure is affecting the scale (ehem, and perhaps the vino and chips that I may consumer once in awhile).

I could continue to list what I can do but really the list is endless so if you have specific questions perhaps pose them.

Am I happy I did the surgery? Ask me in a year. Sure it’s “ok” I did it. Not really stopping me from any daily activities (except my running, gym, etc) but the scar is still so huge, and raw and red….I just have to keep looking back at that disgusting before photo in the plank position when my tummy is rolling and hanging to the ground and then I know I did the right thing. Oh and before I did not have a belly button (I mean I “did” but it was covered by a flap of skin) so that is certainly my favourite part.

My husband also keep saying when he sees me “hey skinny girl”…which is a nice added bonus and a nickname I can get used to!

Day 17 – not much new to report

Well, not much news to update on this front! Still in binder until Tuesday AM and then will be flying solo! Going to also take another “break” from it tomorrow night when we go out to dinner. Haven’t gotten to as many walks now that I have been cleared but weekend is tomorrow so I’ll get to it! Tummy is still hard and numb and a bit swollen but other than that not much new to report! Here is my binder covering outfit for today!

Day 16 PO

Well, not much to update really! Things are pretty much the same. Now that I have been cleared for waking I have gone for a coupe but not nearly as many as I would have liked! I’ll tackle that this weekend! Only 5 more days for me in my binder (brining me to only 3 weeks in it total). Again, he says to wear nothing after “unless I want”…he does not recommend anything after the three weeks. I am still confused by this and my feelings are torn as I want to be out of it…I do have a compression camisole I can wear for some support I suppose. I am hoping my body will just adjust to wearing nothing and adapt to the swelling and no swelling. Only time will tell!

I do also feel that being so sedentary sucks! Went out for dinner/drinks last night and then going out on Saturday and worried all the hard work I have done will be wasted!!! Dying to work out as watching what you eat alone just sucks! More photos to come end of week maybe but for now here is a pic  of my first night out “sans” binder….shhhh, don’t tell doctor! I cheated on my binder with a cute little compression top under this dress!

I did get back into the binder as soon as I got home as I think the three glasses of winer, cured meats and olives did me in for bloating!! Ok today though it seems 🙂

Photos Two weeks after surgery – SCROLL if you don’t want to see all my JIGGLY bits!!!

Ok, so I’ve waited long enough to post these nasty before photos but looking at them they re-assure me as to why I did the surgery….scroll quickly if you don’t want to see all the wiggle and jiggle of my before shots!!! As one good friend said sharing my photos and my story is “an act of bravery”…to those I don’t know it is much easier to show these photos and share my story. Oddly enough it is my close friends and family that I am still wary of showing these to even though I have only shared this blog with those I love and trust…it’s a bit of an odd feeling…So continues my journey

Pre Op VS. 2 Weeks PO

Here are the photos I have been DREADING sharing…but if my goal is to help others make a decision to do this surgery, be comfortable with their bodies and have a positive experience then so be it — here are the worst of the worst…

And this my friends is the entire reason I did the surgery…that gross-a-licious saggy tummy is now gone-zo

Two Week PO Update and Doc Visit

Okie dokie, well had my much anticipated two week follow up today. I was very nervous for some reason and did not sleep well last night in anticipation of today.

I had made an entire list of questions for my doc as last time I thought he was a bit brief with me and thought my questions were pedantic (as it turns out I found out he had a family issue that had upset and distracted him – of course now I feel bad as we are all only human!!!).

So here were my questions and his comments:

Can I start scar therapy – YES. Bring on the scar cream today people!

Can I star walking (please, pretty please?) – Yes!!! All systems go!!! Already walked 1km around the block on way to get kids and will go out again after dinner. I’ll test walking km per km and see if I swell and how I feel and then just take it from there.

What should I NOT be doing – nothing strenuous…I needed a bit more info on what “strenuous” entails as I don’t find much strenuous (walking is ok, gardening ok, vacuuming ok (darn!), painting ok)….so what I need to avoid is anything that gets my heart rate up too too much

What are common symptoms of overdoing it? Like fainting, vomiting? No, No…swelling, feeling tired, etc…Ok, think I can handle that!

What can I do at 4 weeks (asked this as I am not seeing him until six weeks – stationary bike, walking, hiking, upper body weight (nothing too heavy – again I need guidance on what is too heavy – ok’d 20lbs per arm)

Can I take Ibuprofen again – yes (I just wasn’t sure how long to stay off that and I find it helps way more with headaches)

Binder – we didn’t talk too much about this but it’s a new one the office is using so I showed them where the plastic piping is cracking and breaking and thus digging into me. I am glad I said something as they are going to speak with the manufacturer about this

I also brought up some issues I am having with my scar and my tummy.

Here is what he said:

If he had to rate his happiness with my results I would be a 9/10

He is very happy with my scar and how it turned out

I told him I didn’t think it look symmetrical (photo to come later) but he disagreed. He thinks it looks great

I have some loose skin above my belly button when I bend over or get on all fours. He said there is absolutely nothing he or anyone else can do about this. The main issue is that I lost 100lbs and the skin there has stretch marks and has lost it’s elasticity. He simply could not stretch my skin any further than he did during surgery to fix it (I kind of agree b/c after surgery I was soooo tight – you certainly could NO pinch an inch on me that first week). Now that the swelling is coming down I can see a little bit of looseness (again, photos later). I didn’t really want him to do anything about this I Just needed an explanation. He said there is a slight possibility that I could get laser to help tighten a tiny bit but it’s not for sure.

I also asked if there was anything I could do to help my results (like do I need to go get myself a six pack of abs to help the loose skin) and he said that would not really help (phew, that sounded like a lot of work anyway). So I think the bottom line is that he and I both did all we could do to fix my poor ol’ tum-tum.

Again, it all comes back to me and it really is my fault for gaining the 100lb. No one forced it on me!

Day 13 PO

Well, tomorrow is my two week post Tummy Tuck anniversary!! I finally feel almost normal (well, felt a bit normal last week as well frankly). The things I notice at week 2 are:

Hummm, my appetite is back. I have to keep that beast under control since I am not exercising

I am still careful and slow to get in and out of my low car! I look preggo when I do (I don’t mean preggo belly just the moves)

Still struggling to roll over at night normally

My right drain is still leaking (so much that I have washed my CG 4 times in a week (better out than in I guess!)

I am completely upright

I have no pain

My back no longer hurts at all

My belly is still super duper tight – like I am having an ongoing contraction that does not hurt (just that tight feeling)

Feeling is starting to come back above belly button and maybe, just maybe a bit below too?

Incision is healing nicely although still a bit scabby

I am still iffy about the procedure, especially the skin above belly button still feels loose a bit and when I bend over it’s a bit saggy. Will this go away? I will ask my surgeon tomorrow although I’m sure it will be met with a s’eye roll (that stand for a sigh and an eye roll simultaneously)

I am for sure happy about my belly button – at least I have one now as before I only had a flap of skin that hung over what was suppose to represent my BB

I finally found a compression tank top today. After hitting 6 stores. I could not find Spanx and I bet it’s tighter than this number but I think this one will do. I cheated on my binder today and took it off and wore this one to my son’s soccer game and it felt so nice!

Also another outfit to hide the binder. Only 6 more days to post those kind of photos!

Outfit to hide binder Day 13

New compression tank top

 

Photo time – day 12

Hiding the binder outfit and a picture sans binder with work out top that made me make the decision to have the surgery. This is the very top I wore while doing a push up where my tum-tum hit the floor before I did…should have taken a pic of that but sigh…I did not…Looks like girl has got to do a few squats soon or not wear tight pants like this!! Baby’s got back! And incase you couldn’t tell I did NOT get a boob job…ha, ha…kidding of course you can tell. I am totally ok with a small chest 😉