Drainless TT with MR and Lipo

It has been 3 weeks since I had my surgery! I am falling in LOVE with my tummy!! I didn't post 2 week pics as I didn't think there was much of a change and I was was getting frustrated-but as soon as I passed the 2 week mark I have been feeling GREAT! I am still not standing completely straight-but probably about 85%-90%! My belly button is looking better (I did send a pic to my surgeon last week and she said it looked normal and it will get better with healing and when the swelling goes down). I am still in swell hell-mostly in the afternoon/evenings-but I am starting to LOVE my results and can't wait to see where things will be when all the swelling goes down!
I am down 4 lbs since surgery-but I am scared that I am losing/going to lose all the muscle that I built up pre-surgery?! I can't wait to get back to working out-but I will be patient because I definitely don't want to do anything to affect my results! I was 21 when I had my first child. I have waited 15 long years to have my pre-pregnancy tummy back! I do still have some faded stretch marks below my belly button (that were originally above my belly button) and to be honest-I am really glad I still have a few of them (as strange as that sounds....but notice I said a few....NOT all of them!!)....they remind me of the 3 beautiful children I carried and I am proud of my remaining mommy stripes! :)

After 15 years of wanting a Tummy Tuck-2 weeks ago I finally got the courage to have it done. I think the reality of it all is hitting me now! I am happy with my results so far and I know that in time I will be very happy-but I must say this recovery process is getting to me. I think I was so worried about the "going under" part and not wanting to die that I didn't give much thought to the recovery! I thought-hey-I gave birth to an almost 9lb baby at home without pain meds (not by choice-we just couldn't make it out of the house in time)-I'm tough-no need to worry about the recovery of the surgery! I can honestly say that I was not prepared for this at all.
I still walk hunched over and often feel as if I am 100 years old! My back is killing me! Although I feel wonderful during and after I shower-the thought of the whole process is exhausting. I don't enjoy bedtime-I wake up several times in the night because I am uncomfortable (I am a tummy sleeper and I hate sleeping on my back). I am in SWELL HELL and its not getting any better-in fact I think its getting worse! I have been lucky to have the help of my mother and my mother in law at times and my husband does what he can-but its difficult not being able to do things myself and my way (yes, I'm a bit of a control person). I thought I would be at such a different place 2 weeks Post Op and at times I feel that I am not even close. I am irritated (and I am PMSing-so I am extra irritated).
My friend picked me up this evening and we went out for dinner and a glass of wine-I was soo happy to be able to get out into the real world with real people! I looked like a mess...the only clothes that presently fit me are sweat pants and hoodies-but I was determined to go out regardless and I'm glad I did.
Small steps I suppose-I just wish that things were progressing faster!
My bruising is clearing up quite a bit-I am using arnica-so I'm not sure if that is why?! My abdominals are not hurting as much (I don't want to punch someone when I cough anymore)! Trying to stay positive with these little milestones-but it is tough at times!

My belly button looks angry right now-not infected angry-but ugly angry.....I have read that the belly button takes the longest to heal-but I thought by 2 weeks it would look better than it looks right now-I think I will send a picture to my surgeon to have her look at it-but I am wondering how long it took others for their belly button to start looking somewhat "normal". I don't have it covered (just with lose gauze-not taped) and I gently wash it with antibacterial soap when I'm in the shower. I occasionally put ointment on it (that I got from the hospital) when it starts looking dry-but it hasn't looked dry for at least 3-4 days-it looks fleshy-if that makes sense?? I'm curious to know how everyone else is tending to this area??
I am planning on posting 2 week photos tomorrow....I'm just too tired tonight...good night and happy healing to everyone :)

I cannot believe it has already been over a week since surgery! In some ways it has gone so slow and in other ways it has gone so fast. I have been feeling well for the most part-but the last couple of days I have been feeling achy and just not "well"! I thought this was normal "ups and downs". My surgeons nurse called me yesterday to check in with me and after chatting with her, she asked me to send her a picture of my tummy. I casually mentioned that I had a bit of redness around my belly button and the skin felt warm. HELLO....red flags of an infection-right?! The thing is I noticed this in the hospital too and the nurse on duty took a look and said it looked "normal". After sending the picture to my surgeons office, the nurse immediately called me back and said she was calling in a prescription for antibiotics for me. She said that it looks like it may be an infection and would rather me start antibiotics right away instead of "waiting it out". So I have taken the antibiotics for 24 hours and l feel soo much better already!! The redness is almost completely gone and I'm not achy anymore (well other than my back-but thats because I am still hunched over).
Is this normal-1 week PO and still walking hunched over??
A little setback in the recovery process-but hopefully under control now!
As you can see in the pictures, I am still quite bruised from the Lipo and on the right side of my breast and under my arm (where she did the scar reversal and removed extra breast tissue). That would be my biggest complaint right now is under my arm-it feels like a golf ball (so swollen) and is very sore! Tummy wise though, I feel pretty good other than being super swollen.....now I know what all you ladies mean by "swell hell"....
I am now done the blood thinner injections...YAY!! I am allowed to start the Bromelain and Arnica 48 hours after my last injection! I wonder if anyone has had any luck with Bromelain and Arnica for swelling and bruising??

I have to start eating better too....I've been eating "comfort food" and without being active at all-I know I am setting myself up for weight gain....got to get back on track! Protein shakes, lean protein, fruit and veggies starting tomorrow!
Happy Healing!