27 Y/o with Modified TT - Chicago, IL

Haven't updated in a while, mainly because there hasn't been any changes. I've been back to my usual routine for probably 6 weeks or 2 months now and feel great. I had my 3 month check up yesterday and everything looks good. As you are aware if you've read through my other posts, I have leftover fat from my upper abdomen that is now down below my incision, particularly in the middle. My doctor told me yesterday that he can liposuction it and if there is enough skin he can pull my incision down in the center where it is a little bit higher. I'm thinking, "great, let's get this done!" When I get to the front to book my appointment, I'm handed the bill for the procedure. Another $3,000! Not a happy camper! I understand paying for the anesthesia fee, however, I feel the "fat ledge" could have been avoided if noticed during the initial surgery. Ugh, I'm not happy about completely depleting my saving now for this but hopefully in the long run it will all be worth it. I am moving to Phoenix at the end of August so I was just barely able to squeeze the surgery in. Going to be a busy 6 weeks! I'll update after the surgery which is scheduled for August 15.

Hi, everyone! I am a little over 6 weeks and feeling awesome. I get the occasional slight swell with lots of activity but other than that, there is little to report. My incision and belly button are healing nicely but itch pretty frequently. I've been continuing to use the ScarAway strips which I can tell is helping. It also helps protect my incision which can get pretty irritated if I don't wear the strips when I go to work. A little disappointing is the bulge which I've talked about which really seems to be noticeable in anything that lays against it since there is an abrupt drop where my incision is. I know I need to let my body heal before I do any fine tuning but I want it done now! haha.

Many individuals after this procedure report an increase in self-esteem amongst many other things, however, I have had little to no sexual desire. Is anyone else experiencing this? It doesn't even necessarily have anything to do with trying to cover my large scar. Seems odd.

At this point, unless something pops up, I'll probably post every 2 weeks or so in that I don't have any swelling or issues going on. More or less to update on my scars. I hope they start turning lighter sooner than later!

Things are getting back to normal now which I am so glad about. I put on a pair of jeans last week and thankfully they fit! As I have previously mentioned, I have this "bulge" that has turned out to be fat from my upper abdomen not swelling that is now present right above the middle of my incision. See pic (will hopefully get liposuctioned in the future). So with that being said, aside from my first week back at work I have had little to no actual swelling. As far as exercising, I am pretty much already back to my regular routine. The doc said during my 3 week visit that I can do everything except ab exercises and then didn't need to see me until the 3 month mark. With that being said, only having skin removed I feel it is unnecessary to wait 3 months to do ab exercises when people are having their skin tightened and are exercising before that so I have been doing light ab exercises as part of some workout classes I've been taking and I've been feeling good. It was a little rough getting back into exercising and still don't have the stamina or strength but I took a cardio and insanity class this week and did pretty good. Can't wait to get back to my presurgical strength!

Still using the Scaraway strips at all times and my incision is healing nicely. I can tell it is helping, especially on the ends of the scar where the line was especially thin. The middle of my scar is redder than the rest but I believe it is because the scar is a bit thicker there and probably receives the most tension.

I went to the beach yesterday and wore a bikini. I was a little paranoid because my belly button is still reddish and the skin is all bunched up inside but from far away you can't really tell. It felt awesome yet strange to not have to cover up my stomach as I took off my cover-up. My bikini bottom just barely covered my incision so I look forward to when it lightens up. I also put a ton of sunscreen on my belly button so hopefully the scar didn't take too much sun.

All in all, I have been feeling great and am pretty much already back to my usual routine!