46 Years Old, 3 Kids, Tummy Doesn't Match the Rest of my Body - Bellevue, WA

Thank you for all the notes and comments! I've been blissfully enjoying my new shape, mostly under clothing as the scar is still very dark and noticeable. But I did it mostly so my clothes would fit properly like they used to before 3 babies! I've been very pleased and def think it was worth it. I still have a good area of numbness around my abdomen but it's slowly coming back (I'm 6 months since surgery) I would also def recommended my doctor for the procedure. My only negative with that was that she charged me an additional $500 to repair a hernia (that we didn't know existed until she was in there). She sent me a letter that basically said 'I have to charge for my services and I could've charged you $2,000 but I'll only charge you $500...' . Personally I think if you are already getting thousands of dollars and it takes minimal time to repair and you are already in there, you should probably suck it up. That made the difference of me going back to her for any other services in the future.

So today is my 3 weeks since TT surgery. The feeling is starting to come back to my skin where it had been numb. It's a strange, icky feeling. Not painful really, just like when you get the flu and your skin hurts to touch. My muscle repair underneath has been the most painful thing, and has lasted the longest. I can control the pain during the day pretty well with just ibuprofen or tylenol. Not so much painful feeling, more just discomfort when I take the OTC meds. But nighttime is a different story. I am a very light sleeper anyway (thanks to 3 children) and a side sleeper. I used the last of my oxycodone and valium late last week then went out of town for 2 nights with nothing but ibuprofen. Over did it on one day with a too long walk. Hardly slept... When I move in the middle of the night my muscles almost feel like they have atrophied (sp?)...very stiff and sore and if I stretch at all, which I feel like I can't even control, it's very uncomfortable. Almost like I'm pulling something I'm not supposed to be. And my incision on the very sides hurts a bit when I sleep on them but I can not sleep on my back. Called today for a few more pain/muscle pills to get me through the next few nights and hopefully I'll be out of the woods for good. Still very swollen and tight but I've been trying to take good care of myself. I just didn't realize just how long I would be uncomfortable... I just want to feel normal. And wear normal pants :)

Well, back to work p/t this week, starting 7 days after TT surgery. I did ok ( I'm at a desk) but tired easily and am supposed to keep a resting heart rate for another week. Mostly this week I've only had to take ibuprofen for pain. Except at night I still take Percocet and a Valium for muscle spasms. I'm actually surprised that the muscle repair underneath and the long incision isn't hurting worse. I recall my breast aug (under the muscle) being more painful for much longer I think mostly to the nerves. Anyway, I'm not complaining! My back muscles ache toward the end of the day from not being able to stand completely straight up but other than that I'm pretty good! Still swollen and very tight feeling.