Experience with Tummy-Tuck anyone?

[limewave]

Hi Old Friends! It feels like ages since I've been here. Life has been really hectic which has kept me away from the computer (and unfortunately less biking time too--but I still try and sneak in a ride once a week).

To the point:
I am seriously considering having a tummy-tuck done in the near future. 12-13 years ago I lost over 150 pounds. I have managed to maintain that weight loss for the most part, the only exceptions being my two pregnancies. I have always wanted a tummy-tuck but have not focused on that as I was more concerned with starting a family, having babies, taking care of my children, my career, and living a healthy lifestyle.

Now my kids are old enough to brush their own teeth and wipe their own bums. I am at a place where, while it will obviously be an inconvenience financially (and not to mention the recovery time), I feel like this is something I can do. My family is very supportive of me pursuing this.

I consulted my doctor, a naturopath, and she is also supportive and thinks it will be a good thing for me. Her only suggestion was to talk to some others that have had a tummy tuck that live athletic lifestyle.

So . . . are there any TE'ers that are willing to share their experience with me? If you are more comfortable, please PM me.

I am looking at a vertical and horizontal incision, they will also be stitching my abdominal muscles back together. My doctor said that will help strengthen them . . .

Thanks!

[zoom-zoom]

I'm interested in more info. on this topic, as well. After pregnancy, c-section, weight loss...I have a flap. And the thinner I am, the more flap I have. I sweat under the flap and it's really uncomfortable.

I know in some cases of significant weight loss that insurance will cover this procedure, in much the same way that breast reductions are often covered (mine was). If the primary goal of the procedure is function and not aesthetics, then it's deemed reconstructive, not cosmetic.

[OakLeaf]

I don't know anything about it ... just, good to see you Limewave!!

[indysteel]

I don't know anything about it ... just, good to see you Limewave!!

+1. Good luck with the surgery!

[Pax]

My only experience is with breast reduction surgery, all in all a wonderful improvement on my quality of life... but not without it's issues afterward. I would ask you, how do you scar? That can impact the success (athletically speaking) of the surgery. If you scar badly and are prone to adhesion (as I do) I could see where it might be rough.

[zoom-zoom]

My only experience is with breast reduction surgery, all in all a wonderful improvement on my quality of life... but not without it's issues afterward. I would ask you, how do you scar? That can impact the success (athletically speaking) of the surgery. If you scar badly and are prone to adhesion (as I do) I could see where it might be rough.

I can't speak for LW, but my scars are invisible. Even when I look for them they're really tough to find. A large part of that is my surgeon's work, though. One of the things he's known for is his skill in minimizing scars. The same cannot be said for my c-section scar. That thing is ugly.

[Pax]

I can't speak for LW, but my scars are invisible. Even when I look for them they're really tough to find. A large part of that is my surgeon's work, though. One of the things he's known for is his skill in minimizing scars. The same cannot be said for my c-section scar. That thing is ugly.

Mine are bad because they are hypertrophic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypertrophic_scar). My surgeon knew but never in her wildest dreams did she expect see the scarring I was left with. I'd do it again in a heartbeat though, because breathing and lack neck pain are more important. :D

[Crankin]

Good to see you, Limewave.
I would interview as many surgeons as you can and speak to references. While I know several people who have had gastric by-pass type stuff, none of them had plastic surgery afterwards. There must be an athletic person somewhere who has had this done!

[limewave]

I know a few that have had gastric bypass stuff as well. And, most of them seem to be malnourished . . . Thankfully I don't have that issue! I am concerned about having my abdominal muscles sewn together, but my doctor (not the surgeon) said that it should actually make my core stronger. I just kept picturing myself trying to do a sit-up and the stitches all popping down the middle!

I have been overweight my entire life, starting at age 4. And then I lost weight and have a saggy body. I don't know anything else. But from those I've talked to, no one has had any regrets . . .

[OakLeaf]

If you have diastasis recti, I can see where surgically reducing the fascia between the halves of the rectus muscle would make it easier for them to do their job?

[limewave]

English?

[limewave]

Oh wow! Yes, I have that crazy diastis recti thingy! No wonder I can't do ab stuff! Doing some reading on it now. Having that stitched together could actually really help with low back pain maybe?
http://inspiredrd.com/2012/06/dear-diastasis-recti-im-so-over-you.html

[zoom-zoom]

Lime, when you start doing consults, I highly encourage you to have an appt. with Dennis Hammond in GR. He's the guy who did my reduction. Amazing work. Almost a decade later and I am still so pleased with the results.

[zoom-zoom]

Mine are bad because they are hypertrophic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypertrophic_scar). My surgeon knew but never in her wildest dreams did she expect see the scarring I was left with. I'd do it again in a heartbeat though, because breathing and lack neck pain are more important. :D

Yeah, even if I had noticeable scars I'd have done it. No way would I have ever been able to run and bike with the 34DDDs I was hauling around, especially with my tiny shoulders.

[thekarens]

Oh wow! Yes, I have that crazy diastis recti thingy! No wonder I can't do ab stuff! Doing some reading on it now. Having that stitched together could actually really help with low back pain maybe?
http://inspiredrd.com/2012/06/dear-diastasis-recti-im-so-over-you.html

I got diastasis recti when I was pregnant with my first child. I went from very skinny to huge. I still have it and it's never stopped me from ab work, but I had a co-worker who had to have hers surgically repaired. There are exercises you can do to help it.

If I were in your shoes I'd definitely go for the the tummy tuck. I think it will help you and make you feel better.

[limewave]

As soon as we figure out how we're going to finance the procedure I"m going to get it scheduled. Hopefully squeezed in somewhere between Iceman and Thanksgiving.

[Wahine]

It sounds like you've really thought this through and have come to the conclusion that will work best for you. Good luck with it all!!

[Skippyak]

This is always a thought in my mind, I had always been chubby, had a good first sized baby (8#10) via section, then term twins via vbac (combined weight of 13#10, fraternal so all that too). I never gained much preg weight (18 for number 1 and 23 for the twins) but I was already 40# overweight. I have no DR. Now I am in a normal weight range, near 50, and have a panni, but at 135# and 5"3" I have a lot of visible body fat. I would guess that I could lose 15# from around my middle before I could even justify a tuck. Fortunately back in the day I was an RN and saw way too many thing go wrong that I probably will stick to compression wear, but if I jump rope,. things flap. I have asked my NP and she said no insurance company would be interested even if it were function over form, Like has been mentioned, risk in tucks might be increased when nutrition related, for people who lose weight in a non surgical and healthy way, one assumes the risks of post op healing would be optimal if you eat a good diet with protein and fresh foods. I always thought I would get a tuck and a hyster and a magic op that would tighten my pelvic floor, but the older I get the more I realise that this is not very likely LOL. I suppose my total weight loss was about 65-70 pounds. Ig you go ahead I would be really interested, my state has a lot pf plastic surgeons and apparently is pretty competitive $ wise. But I too want to know the impact on exercise. I still fell my section scar even 17yrs later.

[shootingstar]

Best of luck limewave.

[limewave]

It sounds like a few people are interested in updates so I will try and give some pre and post-up reports here. Right now DH and I are looking into funding the procedure (we don't have that kind of money laying around). We are hoping to have that figured out today. As soon as I get the green light, I will be calling the doctor's office to schedule the procedure.

I have had 2 previous surgeries: bilateral bunionectomy and a laparatomy (which was supposed to be a full hysterectomy). I don't think either one has hindered my ability to exercise. In case of the bunionectomy--it has allowed me to do much more! I do occasionally feel the screws in my feet--like when the weather is changing.

I am not looking forward to the long, slow, and undoubtedly painful recovery. However, I have done it several times before. I imagine this will be similar to the laparatomy. I have had to 'start over' several times: for both surgeries, two pregnancies, and a broken foot. I am familiar with the drill and am not overly concerned with having to take 8-12 weeks off from exercising.

As I mentioned, I have been struggling with feelings of selfishness regarding having this done and even self-image. I consider myself to be strong and capable. I am not one of those people that stand in front of the mirror picking myself apart. However, I do believe there are a lot of situations where I don't even realize I am compensating/hiding parts of my body. At one point in time I told myself that this extra skin and floppiness is just the consequence I have to live with for the bad decisions I made early on in life. I've carried it with me for over a decade--like baggage. It's been my burden. I am finally at a place where I feel like I don't need to carry that with me anymore. I can let that go. I'm not that person, I haven't been that person since I was 21 years old. It's time for the outside to finally, for the first time in my life, be a reflection of who I am on the inside.

I'll do another update when I get things scheduled . . . . :)

[OakLeaf]

I would definitely look into insurance coverage at least for repairing the diastasis recti. They might likely consider other parts of the procedure cosmetic (although if your flap gives you so much irritation, perhaps a dermatologist could sign off too??) - but if you could get the hospital charges and the anaesthesiologist and part of the surgeon covered, that would go a LONG way.

Good luck!

[limewave]

We already looked into insurance. The diastasis recti is considered cosmetic. I was told that since I had lost over 100 pounds, part of the procedure would be covered. But I needed medical documents showing the weight loss. Unfortunately most medical records are destroyed after just 7 years, as I recently learned. I wasn't able to produce a medical document proving I had lost significant weight. Even though I have all sorts of pictures, non-official records, and doctor's willing to give a notarized statement--insurance will not accept that as sufficient evidence :(

[Helene2013]

I wish you good luck. I'm sure once it is behind you (all healed) you'll probably say that this was one of the best decision - health wise.

I know I had breast reduction almost 3 years ago and I can't believe how much it changed everything. And I'm not only talking looks. The other day I was complaining about my bike and my husband said yes, but with the new bike, you no longer have that shoulder pain you kept having with your old hybrid. True. Never complained once about such pain.

Then this morning, it flashed on me! I had that reduction. And I had not ridden a bike since then. So it could only be that, not only the bike fitting that is good.

Yesterday I was thinking how fun it is to ride with no "boobs" hanging down, weiging on me. I keep saying this is the best physicial thing I could do to me. And because they had to remove about 1 pound on each breast, it was covered by our medicare plan. I did have to pay for the lipo on both sides as the surgeon said if we do not do it, there would be a big chance that it leaves you with what they call doggie ears (it's like flaps on the sides) and this was not covered. But still. Not a minute do I regret this. Can't say the same for hubby. Too him a while to get used to seeing me from a E cup to C. And if it had been for me, it would have been a B. But doctor said he will remove what he thinks goes with my body. So a C it was. He likes it balanced!

All this to say I encourage you to do it if you can do it. Not easy recovery (breast reduction is nothing). I could have gone to work after a week but he gave me a month's off to be on the safe side (no arm lift over your shoulder, no heavy weight - like 10 pounds or more for 30 days). No sports for 6 weeks, etc...but it was so oh all worth it.

Hubby was afraid I'd start to want one surgery after the other one now that I liked what I saw/had. Told him no way. I am ok with the rest of myself. Nothing that I could not "remove" without proper diet and exercice plan. And it still my thinking 3 years later.

Good luck.

[OakLeaf]

most medical records are destroyed after just 7 years, as I recently learned. :(

... I used to get older records for my clients all the time. Did you check with hospitals where you were admitted while you were heavy? Sometimes those records will be microfilmed and stored off-site and take longer for them to retrieve, but it would be pretty irresponsible IMO for a hospital to destroy records so quickly ... I think the only times I couldn't get records because of passage of time they were 20 years or more ...

[limewave]

I tried all avenues. Repeated requests, etc. I was told that they were unequivocally destroyed. And I did not have a hospital stay or visit during that tiem period :(

[Tokie]

I have a friend who lost 185+ lbs via gastric bypass ( more than 1/2 her pre-bypass weight!)Before her weight gain, she was an Olympic class cyclist. She has almost a whole body tuck and is again a strong cyclist and has no complaints. Well, I take that back- I recall that she wished that her breast lift didn't leave her as well endowed as she once was. For her, I seem to recall that the recovery was at least 3 months. You will have scars-but nicer than the loose flesh that is bothering you I imagine.

[limewave]

Update #1, 7 weeks pre-op
We were able to close on financing for the surgery last week. Fortunately I did have some money in savings that I could dedicate to this procedure, but I was short the total amount for the diastasis recti repair, full abdominoplasty, and--since I'm going under anyways, a bilateral brachioplasty. To be honest, my arms have always bothered me more than my tummy. Especially with all the sports I do and tank tops that are required. I know that I will never, ever, ever want to do surgery again if I don't have to and so I'm doing my arms!

I did some online research and read one negative and frightening experience after another so that I nearly backed out. But then I found a few positive ones and that gave me hope. I've decided at this point to stop reading the internet!

Now that my hospital room has been reserved and the down-payment cashed things are getting real. I'm starting to notice all sorts of things that I never paid attention to before. Suddenly the extra skin on my arms and tummy are really bothersome, annoying and uncomfortable no matter what activity I'm doing. I especially notice it when running and biking. Having been overweight my entire life and then having the extra skin--I have no idea what to expect post-op with repaired abdominal muscles and a flat-ish tummy. There are all sorts of core exercises that I have never been able to do no matter how committed I was to making my body do it! I'm curious to see how my running and biking may change. I have chronic IT band and lower back issues and I wonder if having a stronger core (my abdominal muscles in the correct place) will help correct that? I don't know.

This is the first update. I may do one more pre-op.

[Catrin]

Hang in there Limewave! As someone who has lost close to 100 lbs and have already have two major stomach surgeries I certainly understand why you want to do this. Do let us know how things progress!

[Blueberry]

Limewave-

Thank you for sharing this experience with us! Sending good vibes and healing thoughts for after your surgery.

[zoom-zoom]

I am SO thrilled for you! I can't wait to hear how this all goes. I've considered removing my belly flap and my batwings, but don't know anyone IRL who has done these procedures, so it would be nice to have that personal input if I ever decided to proceed, myself. Good luck through all of this, so exciting!

[limewave]

Update #2: 1 Week Pre-Op

Yesterday I had my pre-op appointment with the surgeon. For some reason this appt. has been causing me a ton of stress and anxiety which I processed in the form of an impromptu, completely unpremeditated, kitchen remodel. Sunday night my husband asked me something about the surgery which sent my conscious running into the deep maze of my brain. A moment later I returned to myself and said to DH "What if we were to take down this wall and add a pantry here?" That is how I deal with stress: avoidance and redirect.

With DH yielding a wrench and I a sledgehammer, we made a rainstorm of plaster and wood splinters in our dining room. All while the kids slept peacefully in the rooms next door.

Onto the appointment: A nurse took me first thing to a room for "before" photos. There were some nurses-in-training shadowing her that day which meant I had an audience. This was embarrassing and humiliating. I knew this would be part of the process so I sucked it up, but I was taken-aback by how ashamed I felt :(

After that DH and I met with the surgeon. She did a great job of alleviating my concerns and I am now feeling much better about the process. Tomorrow I will need to go in for some blood work. Otherwise there is very little surgery-prep. The only thing of note was to stop taking my vitamins and supplements a week prior (today) and no food or drink after midnight before the surgery.

Post-surgery I will need to sleep in a sitting position and walk bent over for a week. After that I should be able to start walking upright. I can't drive while I am on the prescription pain medication. The doctor indicated that it can be anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks--depends on the individual. It looks like it will be 6-8 weeks before I can start running and exercising regularly--easing back into it. I'm thinking that it may be possible to start spinning easy after 2-3 weeks, depending on how recovery goes.

The brachioplasty--arm surgery--sounds like it is a "walk-in-the-park" comparatively. I should regain full-use of my arms after just 2 days.

That is all for now! Meanwhile I am up to my ears in a kitchen-remodel and trying to get everything at work wrapped up nicely before my 3-weeks off.

[Crankin]

Good luck, Limewave. I will be interested to hear about your progress.

[emily_in_nc]

Good luck, Limewave. I will be interested to hear about your progress.

Ditto. I have a good friend who had a tummy tuck and has been nothing but pleased with her results. It was a slow recovery, but she looks and feels amazing now!

[OakLeaf]

Nothing like reducing your stress level before the surgery! :eek: Good luck.

[limewave]

I should have taken before pictures of the kitchen. Then I would have simultaneous before and after photos of myself and our remodel! Alas, the kitchen remodel was so spontaneous that it never occurred to me to take before photos. I'm kind of bummed I didn't think to do that.

[limewave]

. . . . . tomrrow

kitchen update: I think I am going to go with concrete countertops!

[tulip]

. . . . . tomrrow

kitchen update: I think I am going to go with concrete countertops!

I have concrete countertops. They are great. If you do them yourself (not you, in your condition, of course)...if your husband and a buddy do them themselves, then the cost is lowered considerably.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[OakLeaf]

I'll be thinking of you. Hope everything goes smoothly!

[Crankin]

Good luck, Limewave!

[Wahine]

Good luck Limewave. I'm looking forward to hearing how it goes.

[TrekDianna]

Good Luck Limewave. I can't wait to hear about it and see how it goes.

[Owlie]

Fingers crossed for you!

[zoom-zoom]

. . . . . tomrrow

kitchen update: I think I am going to go with concrete countertops!

Best of luck to you through surgery and recovery -- may it be speedy!!

If/when we redo our countertops concrete tops our list.

[Pax]

Here's hoping the surgery is quick and easy.

[limewave]

Home from the hospital. Surgery went well but I was very nauseated afterwards. My stomach feels like I did a million crunches. I haven't looked at my belly yet--I'm so nervous! Thank you for all the get-well wishes!

[OakLeaf]

Wow, I wasn't expecting you to check in for a few days yet! Glad you're feeling good enough to check in. Heal fast!

[Crankin]

I am sure you are glad to be home. Heal well!

[limewave]

My family is taking such good care of me. I had to sleep in a recliner because i have to stay in a bent position for five days. When I am sitting I have very little pain. It's the attempt to stand up that is brutal. My arms feel pretty good and I have almost full use of them already.

[Blueberry]

Continue to heal well!! Thank you for sharing your journey - you are such an inspiration in so many ways!!

[zoom-zoom]

I can't wait to see your results!! And kudos on your family for being so great. My ovary and cyst removal is in about 11 days and I predict my guys will be great, too. They were wonderful when I had my breast reduction almost 10 years ago.

I hope your recovery continues to go well!

[limewave]

Day 2 post-op: the pain is manageable. I had a decent night sleeping in the recliner. Today, however, I have really bad acid reflux and have throw up a few times. I can't take any antacids because they interact with my prescriptions. I also have to stay in a bent position which isn't helping. I haven't had anything to eat since breakfast. DH also helped me take a shower today. I am still too nervous to see my stomach. DH said it looks really good. He offered to take a picture so I can see it when I am ready. That is all for now. I really appreciate all the encouragement you all have been sending my way.

[limewave]

Day 3: horrible night last night. I am experiencing severe heartburn and nausea. I haven't been able to take my meds since 10 last night because I keep throwing up. I just swallowed 3 tsp of apple cider vinegar and that actually seems to be helping. That is all for now.

[Thorn]

Hang in there....remember that both peppermint and ginger are good for upset tummies....tea or hard candy....

[Owlie]

Ugh. What did they give you as far as painkillers? Can you call your doc and see about getting something that's a little easier on your system? (Ok, none of them are great, but...)

Hang in there. Gentle ((hugs)).

[limewave]

I'm on Norco and Ibuprofen for pain. I'm also taking bactrim. I stopped taking both of the painkillers for now. And after calling the doctor this morning I am also on something for the nausea. Things are going a bit better than earlier today.

[Owlie]

Oh, yes, the Norco would cause nausea. Glad you've got something for the nausea and you're feeling better, even if it's only a bit. It's hard to rest when you're puking. :|

[limewave]

This is the worst thing ever. I truly hope the end result is worth it all. I haven't had a BM in a week and I've tried everything. I shudder to think what I may end up having to do to resolve that issue.
Staying in a bent position and sleeping in a chair is doing a number on my back.
Bit the worst part is I can't hug and snuggle with my kids :(

[OakLeaf]

(((((Lime))))) Hope you feel better very soon.

[zoom-zoom]

After I busted my wrist Norco stopped me up something fierce!!! I don't recall what finally worked…milk of magnesia, perhaps? Or Senekot + stool softener. See what your doctor recommends. Perhaps something old-school like a glycerine suppository would even work.

I hope you feel better fast. I suspect a lot of your woes are due to narcotic pain meds. I tend to get all the nasty effects from those, too.

[rocknrollgirl]

Oh my goodness. I am sorry you are having a tough post-op. It is the worst. I just talked to a family member yesterday that is post-op and we laughed about pain vs constipation. It is a tough choice. I would not wish that on anyone. So sorry.

I think I used stool softeners and a small bit of MofM to reboot the system after my last surgery. Holy Moly, hang in there.

[Crankin]

Talk to your doc. S/he might be able to recommend something stronger than than the remedies we think of.
Hope you "go" soon.

[limewave]

MoM seemed to do the trick. I was able to shower this morning--I'm feeling a little better today. Thanks for all the encouragement!

[Pax]

Glad the MoM worked, that stuff is magic for me after surgery. You'll be right as rain in no time.

[limewave]

I'm starting to feel a lot better. My follow-up appointment isn't until Tuesday. I'm really hoping to have both drains removed--I think that will go a long way in feeling somewhat normal again. I started sleeping in my bed last night. It went alright. Its very awkward to have to sleep in one position and not be able to move at all. My back was killing me by 6 AM. But I slept from 9 PM to 2:30 AM and then until 6 AM--not bad! I cannot believe how much better my belly looks. The doctor must have removed a lot of skin. I had a Fleur de Lis Tummy Tuck which, by my understanding, is only done on people who have lost more than 100 pounds.

My arms look great. I cannot believe how different they are! When I used to put my elbows on an arm rest, I could feel my upper arm--all the way up to my arm pit, also resting on the arm rest! I had so much skin hanging there. It's always bothered me. Now my arms look normal! It's amazing. Finally starting to turn that corner :)

Thanks again for all the support. I'll post a picture after the drains are out . . .

[zoom-zoom]

So happy to hear that your results are already showing! And that you're feeling so much better. Anesthesia and pain meds can really wreck havoc on a person's system.

[Wahine]

Lime.

I'm very happy for you. Good luck through your recovery.

[limewave]

1682416825

[limewave]

I just posted two photos. For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be able to wear jeans with a tucked-in shirt and belt. I've never been able to because of my apron of skin. I kind of had two aprons--an upper and a lower, if that makes sense. I've always had to wear clothes to cover things up. Yesterday I finally had the drains removed. I still have medical bandages on everything and have to keep my entire abdomen compressed, but already things look so great!!! We went out for our weekly family breakfast and I wore jeans for the first time. I'm so happy!

My arms are looking good too. Normally they test the seam of a sleeve and if I were to wear something short, like this t-shirt, my arm would spill out and hang down several inches. I have to keep these compressed for a week or two more as well. I swapped out my medical compression sleeves for cute running ones :)

The photos are taken in my daughter's room--she's the only one in the family with a big mirror.

[Crankin]

You look awesome!

[Catrin]

You are beautiful! Congratulations on the outcome and am very glad that it is working out as desired. Ive thought about doing this, but the thought of a third stomach surgery isn't a good one...

[zoom-zoom]

You look amazing!!

[OakLeaf]

You look fabulous!

[thekarens]

Ditto, totally worth it. You look great!

[tulip]

What captured me is your expression in the arm photo. You look so happy and proud and kindof amazed. I love that!

[Pax]

What captured me is your expression in the arm photo. You look so happy and proud and kindof amazed. I love that!

Exactly!!

[Wahine]

What captured me is your expression in the arm photo. You look so happy and proud and kindof amazed. I love that!

Plus 1.

[emily_in_nc]

Wow, you look fantastic, limewave! I am normally not a big fan of plastic surgery, but I certainly think there are cases when it's completely appropriate. In folks who have lost a lot of weight, I can completely see the reasoning and need. No more hiding behind big, baggy clothes for you! :D

[limewave]

Thanks everyone! I can't wait to start running and biking again. I can't imagine how different things are going to feel without that apron of skin. I also always used to get bad/painful rashes on my arms from the sleeves rubbing on my skin--I'm hoping that won't be an issue any more either.

I felt good enough this weekend to do a bit of Christmas shopping for the kids. We went WAY overboard and bought our daughter a 2013 Salsa El Mariachi XS 29er (http://salsacycles.com/bikes/archive/2013_el_mariachi_3)!!!!! One of her mountain biking heros is Salsa sponsored Danielle Musto. DS will be so excited! It's definitely going to be a big bike for her. We made sure to take measurements and she will have decent standover. In fact, we looked at some 24" and 26" bikes and she'll have better geometry on the XS 29er than those. There was a 24" Scott cyclocross bike that DS had her eyes on. We considered that bike as well. But when we looked at it earlier this summer, it fit her perfectly. Which is not a good thing as she is young and growing a lot. We recently measured her and she grew 6" in ten months!

I'm so excited for Christmas! :D

[Irulan]

Wow you look fabulous!

[limewave]

I just had my 3 week post-op appointment. Everything is healing very well! All the scabs are gone, there's no red or infected areas, no fluid build-up. It's looking SO good I'm approved to take a bath tomorrow!!!! When I first found out at the pre-op appointment that I wouldn't be able to take a bath for 2 months--that was a tough pill to swallow. I'm super excited about taking a long hot bath first thing in the morning (after the kids are shuffled to school). And, next week Thursday I' have full clearance to begin exercising again! I can walk, jog, do sit ups, lift weights--whatever I want! Yay!!!! Obviously I'll have to ease back into things, but this is great news. This is weeks earlier than what I had planned. I didn't think I'd be back on my bike for at least another 3 weeks.

[thekarens]

That's wonderful, congrats!

[Crankin]

Congrats!

[OakLeaf]

Woohoo!

[limewave]

Okay, more exciting things happening this weekend!

I went shopping for a "festive" sweater/shirt for all the holiday events we have going on. I kept looking for long, drapey shirts that would go past my hips to hide my "apron." Then it dawned on me, I don't need to do that anymore! With so many new clothing style options I became overwhelmed and gave up looking. When the stores get a little less crowded and I have some free-time, I'm going to take an afternoon and try on a ton of clothes so I can get reacquainted with my new body. :)

Then yesterday we had our large extended-family Christmas. Every time I would go to a gathering I would grab a pillow to place on my lap when I sat down. This I used to hide the pouches of skin that would fold over my lap when I sat. I don't need to do that anymore!!! NO more pillows for me! Wooooot!!!

[Pax]

That is so wonderful!!

[snapdragen]

Yay! :D :D

[OakLeaf]

Limewave, I'm so happy for you!!

[Crankin]

Have fun shopping.

[Wahine]

Yay for you!!!!

[azfiddle]

Limewave, finally had a chance to follow your saga and - boy you look terrific! I'm so happy for you.

[limewave]

1 Month Update!!!

Today is exactly 4 weeks since my surgery. I am so excited to say that all restrictions have been lifted. I can pick my kids up again to give them big hugs. I no longer need to wear an itchy binder. I can sleep on my stomach. This morning I woke up early, pulled on some thermal gear and went for a 2 mile run in the snow!!!! When I walked in the door, both my children were up early and I gave them giant, sweaty bear hugs. :)

I have many positives to be thankful for. There is swelling in my abdomen, so its bulging out some. This is normal. I'm also really bloated. I have a feeling this has to do with a combination of poor diet, lack of exercise, and recovering from surgery. I'm going to be eating a lot of leafy greens to work on shedding some toxins and water weight.

:)

[Pax]

Sounds like a great plan, be sure to drink a ton of water too. Really helped me after my breast reduction to flush out all the nasty stuff they do to you during surgery.

[thekarens]

That's awesome! Congrats on the recovery. Sounds like you're well on your way :-)