“3 Months PO - Choosing a top is so easy now :) - TT, MR and Lipo, July 4/11 ”

After 4 kids and years of trying but berating myself for not being disciplined enough to drop the flab, I finally got it. The Mom Belt is not curable by exercise. I've been reading (and reading, and reading!) on realself for a while now, and now that I have a date scheduled and a pre-op appt coming up, I thought I should introduce myself.

I'm 36 and have 4 kids - 2 boys, 2 girls - ages 13, 10, 7 and 4. After the first two, I thought I bounced back pretty well, but those last two pretty much stretched out any bounce my stomach had left. I've thought about a TT for a few years, but always thought I should be able to improve the situation myself with hard work. Unfortunately, it has long seemed that no matter how hard I try, there is never any improvement and my waistband just gets more and more stressed for the effort.

This site has been so informative and I'm really glad I found it. I was wondering if anyone has used an infrared sauna as part of the recovery process? I have read that it can help with the detox from anesthesia and also with swelling. I'm also wondering if a vibration trainer (like a Power Plate) would have a similar effect.

I'm nervous about planning this so quickly, but glad it will soon be done and then the recovery process can begin. With the kids out of school and sports for the summer and my work hours flexible, I wanted - and got - about as much unstructured post-op time as possible with my date. Now hopefully things will go smoothly and by the time things get busy again, I'll be rarin' to go.

I'm 5'6" and 160lbs. Not quite where I'd like to be, but my body seems to have other ideas.

Updated on 25 Jun 2011:
I really like reading about everyone's thoughts and experiences. Everybody seems to be looking forward to the day that they can rock a bikini. Me, I'm looking forward to a day when I can wear a shirt that fits my shoulders and chest but is not too snug for my middle. Or not having to always adjust my pants so that my muffin top isn't on display. Now that I think about it, a bikini would be nice, or a bikini-ready body, anyway. We spent spring break in Arizona this year (loved it!) and it sure would have been nice to not have to be always checking/adjusting my tankini (always a flowy top and a skirty bottom - max coverage) to avoid showing my stomach.
I had a lean protein question for after surgery: what is everyone eating for lean protein? I like edamame and it's so easy to prepare and high in protein, so I thought I should probably stock up on that as well as hemp hearts, which are high in protein and Omega 3/6. I usually mix them into my oatmeal.
Any thoughts?

Updated on 28 Jun 2011:
I had my pre-op yesterday. Asked my long list of questions and the doc answered everything, but it still felt like it didn't take enough time to reflect the gravity of these procedures lol. I didn't see as many pictures as I would have liked (would 1000 be enough? Not sure...), but the ones I did see showed great results and very nice-looking scars.

Just 6 more days! By this time next week, there will be no flabby, hangy bits to try to hide with my purse in public or in pictures, with a kid! I always try to plant one in front of me or on my hip for pictures. I have to get this done now because pretty soon I won't have one that's light enough to pick up ;-)

He didn't really know what to say about the infrared sauna. I love mine and go in it often, especially if I'm starting to feel like I'm coming down with something. I guess we'll play it by ear with that; he wants to be consulted before I go in.

I'm dreading the binder a little bit. I had an ambulatory phlebectomy recently (varicose vein removal) and am just about finished wearing the compression stocking. I am really getting to dislike that stocking! I guess at least with the binder, it's under clothes and I can still wear flip flops and sandals. The stocking, ugh. Closed-toe shoes only :/ I bought some extra pj bottoms and long tops, as well as a few long, knit summer dresses that are stretchy and either strapless or halter neck. Hopefully they will be easy to wear during recovery and make me feel a bit put-together at the same time.

I can't believe that a week from now I will already be on the road to recovery. Pictures soon to come...

Updated on 28 Jun 2011:
I forgot to ask opinions on this: I scheduled a hair appointment for the 8th before I had my surgery date. Is this (4 days PO) too soon, do you think?

Updated on 30 Jun 2011:
Just 4 more days now until the big day. I've got my prescriptions, most of the groceries and other essential items. We'll be staying in a hotel the first night since we live away from the city and my husband wants us to be close to medical assistance if needed. I'm a bit worried about not having everything I need or maybe forgetting something there as I probably won't be much help in the checkout process. I'll probably be glad we don't have to drive very far, though.

Am going to take pictures tomorrow, I think. Really hard to face looking at those...

Updated on 4 Jul 2011:
Getting ready to go to the surgical center now. Here's hoping for a smooth ride.

I took my before pics yesterday and was planning to post them, but to be honest, I just couldn't look. Tomorrow when it's all gone, I'll check them out ;-)

Updated on 5 Jul 2011:
Well, yesterday was my big day. My surgery was scheduled for 12:30, so we were able to take our time getting there and of course get more and more nervous. I was actually much more calm than I expected, but my husband was super nervous.

Anyway, that was my first time with general anesthesia, so that was an experience. Wow, was it hard to wake up and be alert after the procedure! I was a bit nauseous but Gravol took care of that, thank goodness.

We stayed in a hotel near the surgical centre last night. We had debated making the hour-long drive home and then returning this morning for follow-up, but I'm very glad we stayed. I was concerned that in a hotel I wouldn't have something I needed or wouldn't be able to get comfortable and would just disturb my husband all night. Basically all I needed were meds, snacks and pillows, so it was all good.

All in all, it's going well so far. My incision was burning yesterday before my first painkillers and also this morning after the activity of leaving the hotel, walking to the vehicle and then walking into the doc's office. Nothing serious, but then I coughed - OUCH!

I'm definitely hunched over, have 2 drains that are not putting out much volume at all and am feeling the lipo more now than before. The MR feels like others have said - zillions of crunches. I was really worried about the possible gas pain, and I have plenty of gas, but it's not really causing discomfort. Have been eating fruit and have laxative/stool softener on board so hopefully that part of things will go smoothly!

I'll get my first look at everything on Thursday when I have my first shower.

Updated on 6 Jul 2011:
Got some decent sleep last night in the new recliner. I was all set to use my zero-gravity chair with a super-cushy cushion, but my husband insisted on the recliner. Guess he's been wanting one, so we both benefit :)

I am trying tramoset instead of percoset today and so far it's going well. My abs feel fatigued rather than sore and the lipo bruising/swelling is definitely there, but it's very manageable. In fact, my husband gave me a little trouble this morning for not hunching over enough - it's hard to remember to do that if it isn't sore!

Updated on 7 Jul 2011:
Day 3 - a pretty good day so far. Last night wasn't the best for sleeping, but I dozed and slept and woke up feeling good. Today was first shower day and new tummy reveal. It took me a little while to work up the nerve to take the binder off and see what was under there.

So my sister, who is an RN and staying with me for a couple of days, helped me out of my TED stockings and slowly out of the binder. All good, no dizziness, and I sat on the shower seat while we soaked all the guaze dressings off. Then I was able to stand and wash my own hair. I was doing great until we had the binder back on and then got lightheaded and a bit nauseous. I had to sit down for a bit and have a little barf, and then all was fine again.
I'm pleased with the look of things so far; I was a little afraid of the belly button, but it looks good, I think. Lots of bruising, but not much discomfort. I was a little worn out after the shower so just hanging out and watching some tv, and uploading the pics we took today :)

Updated on 8 Jul 2011:
Got my hair done this morning. It kind of tired me out, but is sure nice to have it done and the scalp massage was wonderful.

Am just on ibuprofen today and doing well, though tired, and getting tired of these drains. I can totally understand why everyone is so happy when they come out! My binder is causing some irritation from rubbing and also some blisters, so I got the okay to get Spanx as long as they're good and snug. Hopefully they'll be more comfortable than this thing.

Updated on 10 Jul 2011:
Well, today is Day 6 and things are going pretty well. I'm bored being stuck around the house, so I think I'll venture out today for a short drive to change the scenery.

Yesterday was a down day. My back had finally had enough of the hunchy walking and was screaming in protest, so it was frustrating to not be able to do as much as I had the day before. Plus, I spent many hours watching DVR'ed Glee episodes and all that teen angst totally brought me down :/ Today is better so far, have taken some meds for the back and slept in my bed last night, which was a welcome change of scene for both me and my back.

I'm awaiting the delivery of some Spanx tanks so that I can switch from this binder. Since I've been wearing a tank top under it there have been no more blisters, but it still rubs at the bottom and though I have taped several spots, it always seems to find some bare skin to irritate.

I am tired of working around these drains and their output is very little, so I look forward to them being gone, gone, gone on Wednesday. I think overall this has gone really well. I did not have any issues with constipation, which I was worried about. I began with the stool softener/laxative the day after surgery and ate lots of blueberries and grapes along with probiotic yogurt drinks and it was all good by Wednesday (surgery Monday). I have had occasional nausea throughout, mostly due to the antibiotics, so I have kids' Gravol chewables on hand and one does the trick.

Updated on 11 Jul 2011:
One week today since my surgery. I surprised myself last night by having no pain with lifting my legs into the bed - that lift and pivot move you have to do from sitting on the edge to being ready to lay down was no picnic - until yesterday! This morning it was a calculated process to get up, but still no pain involved with getting out of the bed. I can even get to my side, sort of. I didn't really try to get all the way over because no one was here to help if I got stuck lol.

Yesterday I took myself on a drive to town and saw a movie, grabbed a magazine and a snack from the drugstore and brought myself home. Sitting upright to drive isn't my favourite, but it's okay; I reclined the seat back a little bit and reminded myself to relax (I tend to sit very upright when I drive) and it was okay.

Today I was in town in the morning, but missed the bus station (and my Spanx!) by 2 minutes :/ I was not willing to hang around town for 2 more hours, so I got some stuff for lunch, picked up some more bruise cream (this time in the biggest bottle because I literally have a buttload of bruising to cover), and came home. Relaxed for a while and then went back for the Spanx, the mail and some gas. My back was worn out by then so I'll (hopefully) retire my binder for Spanx a little later. Right now just taking it easy for a bit in the recliner. Have been watching episodes of Hot In Cleveland and getting a laugh (but not too much- that hurts :)

I'm walking more upright than I had been, feels almost like straight up, but people are still looking at me funny so it must not be straight lol. It's a piece of cake to get in the vehicle now compared with say, Friday, except I sure wish I could remember to stop opening the door so far when I get in because it's not so nice to have to stretch to close it. I find I have to sit down to brush my teeth now because my back is not interested in 2 mins of standing still. It's fine with walking, but standing still for any length is not great unless I can lean on something.

Hope everyone, pre-op and post-op, is doing great! Having this site has made this surgery so much less frightening and lonely and without the tips I've found here, I'm sure my recovery would not be going so well. Thanks everyone!

Updated on 12 Jul 2011:
Getting excited for tomorrow when my kids will be home (finally!). I thought they would probably be home yesterday - they've been staying at Grandma's since the night before my surgery - but I was also hoping to have my drains out before they got back. My husband is pretty worried about something happening to those drains, so he arranged for them to stay a bit longer. I wanted to be in as good repair as possible before they came home so that they're not having to take care of me, but boy, have I missed them! Resting up today, looking forward to tomorrow :)

Updated on 13 Jul 2011:
Drains are gone!!! Woohoo!! I'm free at last :) I was really nervous about having them out because of the pain; I said that to the nurse and she was like, "Uh, considering the rest of this procedure, this doesn't seem like much to worry about." Yes, well, I was sleeping while they made me over. This is different. The first one burned once it was out, but only for a few seconds, and the second one was hardly anything except the squiggly feeling of it coming out. Probably because I was in shock from the first one, lol. Nevertheless, as seems to be my catchphrase for this whole production, it was manageable.

So now I have no drains, clean, fresh tape (removing the old stuff was not super fun, but the nurse was very good), and a nice, snug tank instead of the torture-device binder. I'm allowed to straighten up and am no longer wearing compression stockings. I'm a regular person again instead of a patient, just in time for the kids to come home :)

Hopefully I can take some pictures later of my almost-straight, de-drained self after a shower with nothing hanging around my neck. It's a good, good day :)

Updated on 14 Jul 2011:
Day 10 - First drainless shower! I took off my nightshirt and had to stop for a minute and admire my flat, flat tummy. Then I took my compression tank off and had to stop for another minute to marvel at the fact that it looks the same naked as under the garment! Whoa...THAT definitely didn't used to happen when I wore shape wear!

Now that nothing is attached to me, it's a lot easier to just focus on the results. It's a work in progress, without a doubt, but I like what I see, and I haven't been able to say that in this century - and then some.

I was going to do the whole shower and new pics thing last night, but I decided the give the drain sites a bit more time to close. Man, those things skeeve me out! Like I was bitten by some kind of naughty vampire :/

I will attempt pics tomorrow - today I forgot to bring the camera into the bathroom with me.

No Advil or anything today except the wonderful topical arnica cream. I have been taking Vit C regularly as well as my Greens+ supplement. I have some swelling below the incision, but it's not uncomfortable and still have a fair amount of junk in the trunk from swelling as well. I have been doing well eating sensibly, but last night I had a hot dog and some mac n cheese with the kids; thought I might pay for that, but everything seemed as it has been. I'm sure my turn with swelling is coming. Today was the first sunny day after a week of rain so haven't been dealing with heat and activity together much yet.

Updated on 15 Jul 2011:
New pics :)

Updated on 15 Jul 2011:
Saw myself reflected in a glass door today on the way into a store and for the first time in forever did not look away in unhappiness. Even swollen, I likey! This was a good idea...

Updated on 16 Jul 2011:
Took the kids to the local spray park today to soak up some sun. I wasn't sure I could get up gracefully (or at all) from the grass, so I sat on a bench and for the first time in goodness only knows when, felt sure that I was looking fine. Didn't have to adjust my shirt for better camoflague, didn't have any sad moments when I looked at my tummy hanging around... That was nice. Picked up a few things at the store afterward and then home again.

Forgot myself and almost sneezed today - owee! Then I almost did it again later :/

I'm able to to move to my side now during the night, which is a nice change for my back, and last night my youngest daughter came in the bed with me and it was ok. Not so relaxing for me, but I didn't get kicked, head-butted or jumped on, so that was a relief. She's a real cuddler, so the time away from home and then not being able to cuddle as usual has been tough on her. It's hard to have to say no to cuddles, but it won't be long and we'll be back to a (new?) normal. It would be nice if this time helped her to become a bit more independent.

All in all, today has gone well. Now I'll attempt a spaghetti dinner for the kids and that will probably be as much as I can/should do today.

Updated on 18 Jul 2011:
Last night was my first night sleeping without a zillion pillows propping me up. It was great. I was able to get to my sides easily and so didn't end up with a backache after a few hours. It was so nice to sleep like I usually do (well, except for the tummy sleeping, but I'm so happy right now about being able to sleep on my side, I don't care about anything else). The bonus is that the swelling below my incision went down and I think it also improved the situation in my thighs.

Today I've gone to town and stopped at various stores, wandered around, got groceries etc. Was out about 3.5 hours by myself and feel just great. Now I should be getting busy with work stuff, but it's so nice outside that I had to sit out for a while and enjoy it.

I hoped I'd be happy with my results, but am surprised that I'm so very happy I did this! Maybe I didn't realize just how pervasive my unhappiness with my belly was into all areas of my life.

Updated on 20 Jul 2011:
Today is day 16 Post Op and things are going well. We had a massive hail storm here a couple of nights ago and I probably did a bit too much trying to get things out of harm's way. I was a bit late, though, and my vehicle took quite a beating; it looks like it has a bad case of cellulite now :/

Anyway, the MR area has been a little tender since then, but nothing serious. I've been trying to take it easy, but am also having to work at my desk, so not getting much relaxing recliner time in. Fortunately, I work from home so can (theoretically) take a break if necessary. Sleeping without a million pillows and be able to move (sort of) freely during the night has been great.

I got in the infrared sauna last night for the first time since surgery. I spent a shorter time in there than usual since I haven't been in for a while and wore my compression top to cover the incision etc and it was nice. I really love that sauna. This morning it seemed like my lipo lumps were lessened, so maybe the sauna helped that. They're kind of uncomfortable, so I would not be sad if they went away.

My bruising is mostly just discolouration of the skin now instead of looking so violent. I haven't been taking any pain relievers at all and have only mild discomfort from time to time along with those random shock-type feelings that are probably related to nerves reattaching. I have some swelling in the MR area and a little more in the hips and butt, but it doesn't seem too bad. The grass needs cutting and I wish I could just get out there and deal with, but for now I'll just try to let it bug me :)

Updated on 20 Jul 2011:
Hmmm... That should say "try *not* to let it bug me." :/

Updated on 25 Jul 2011:
3 weeks PO - It's been a few days since I've updated, but today I have a couple of new pictures to share. I have to apologize for the dusty mirror :/ I have some swelling in them, but I don't think it's too bad and some firm swelling beats hangy skin and flab any day of the week in my book anyway.

I think the surgery has finally caught up to me these last few days. I have been tired and easily worn out. Some of this is probably owing to a long day trip to a fair; lots of walking and standing around watching the kids go one rides. It was fun but exhausting, and of course not a healthy food item for miles around.

On Saturday morning, I removed the tape from my incision after my shower and discovered not one but two openings :/ They weren't weeping and were not large, so I retaped the incision, putting extra layers of tape over the openings. My PS wants the incision to be taped for 3 months to minimize the scar. I checked it again this morning and the openings are closing up (thankfully). I emailed the office this morning and was told to keep taping and they would resolve themselves.

I was so relieved when I saw that the holes were closing! I had been tense and worried since I discovered them that my glitch-free recovery was so over. I'll be so glad when the incision is fully healed and I can stop living in fear of being knocked over or jostled. A man hip-checked me into the grocery counter by accident the other day as I was packing my groceries and I thought maybe now that I've been bumped and survived, I'd be able to let go of that fear, but I guess not. I was very thankful to have a stroller at the fair to put between my tummy and everyone else.

I got the okay to start walking more, which was great to hear. Hopefully some increased activity will lead to better sleep at night. I hope everyone is doing well and best wishes to everyone who is about to have their surgery. I love my new tummy and am so glad I was able to get this done!

Updated on 28 Jul 2011:
24 days PO - Yesterday my two older kids went off on a summer camp/camping holiday with grandparents for 2 weeks and the two younger ones spent the day at day camp, so it was a lonely day for me.

I think I have pretty much hit the wall; the adrenaline response from the surgery must be about done because I'm finally tired. I'm a terrible napper and not really a champ at night either, so I'm pretty much just tired, tired, tired. I figure increasing the activity level will likely help the sleep situation, so I took a walk today along a walking path in town today for about 40 minutes.

It was good to be outside and walking. I have been to the stores pretty much daily and walking around, but the scenery is a lot nicer outside with all the trees and greenery along the paths. After my walk, I drove close to downtown and walked another few blocks to sit and watch the parade. My younger ones were on the float for the day camp, so very exciting for them :) A bit weird for me to be watching without any kids, but again, nice to be out in the sun.

I purposely parked right near the place where I go for aquamassage, and after the parade ducked in there for 40 minutes of aquamassage wonder :) If only my bed at home could be like that! lol I went yesterday too and though I had to turn down the intensity from my usual a little due to the lipo sites/bruises/leftovers, it was awesome. So relaxing and I feel that it helps stimulate the lymphatic system, and it's warm and cozy. I love it. It's like a twin waterbed and you lie on your back, not the tanning bed-style ones that close over you. I've been wanting to get back there for a while now, but wasn't sure I could lay myself down without hurting until yesterday.

So after I left the aquamassage place, all I wanted was a nap, so I came home, grabbed a bite to eat, darkened my room and gave it a shot. Well, 40 mins or so is better than nothing :) At least I got a little snooze in so I might be productive later. Have found it pretty difficult lately to focus on work stuff, so am hoping my smalls are tired after parading and swimming today and knock off to sleep early, leaving me with some time and energy to plow through some paperwork.

Showering and dressing etc are getting to seem like less of a chore and I have mostly figured out how to get in and out of my shapewear without getting stuck lol. Things are really getting back to normal, so in a way it's probably good that I've been tired or maybe I would be doing too much.

I'm still very glad I did this. It is a wonderful thing to wake up in the morning feeling positive about myself and to have that feeling persist even through dressing, looking in the mirror, walking around in public, and so on. I feel taller, more graceful, more confident now that I'm not carrying that barrel-shaped mass around my middle anymore. Best of all, a lot of the time my shape or appearance doesn't even cross my mind because I'm no longer worried about hiding anything or whether I look fat(ter). I've said it before and say it again: this has been worth every single penny and then some.

Updated on 31 Jul 2011:
Today it's 4 weeks since my last day of flabby bellyhood. The time has flown and yet dragged; I can hardly remember now what it felt like, but at the same time little mental pictures of it come back now and again just as clear as day...
29 days ago, I was trying to be proactive with the whole bowel situation, so I took a laxative before I went to bed in the hope that I would be reasonably cleaned out before surgery. 28 days ago, I dropped my kids off at my mom's house and went home to clean, finish laundry and otherwise prep for surgery. We had my last pre-surgery meal at about 10:30pm and I continued drinking water until midnight. For several days I had been trying to eat similarly to how I would eat after surgery, hoping my system would be clean and ready for all it would be enduring.
Got up in the morning (surgery day!) and was getting ready to hop in the shower when my husband came and kissed all of my tummy goodbye. It was very sweet. We've been together forever and I know he was happy with all of the old me. I'm not sure he was prepared for how much he likes the new look :). Cleaned up one last bathroom, because after having read about possible nausea etc., I thought I might end up spending a lot of time in the bathroom and did not want to be stuck up close and personal with anything nasty!
My surgery was scheduled for 12:30, but it started probably closer to 1:30. The anesthetist was very friendly and conversational, put the IV in, had me breathe deeply a few times, and next thing I knew they're waking me up. They told my husband they had some trouble waking me and I believe it. I was so groggy and remember wishing they would just let me snooze a bit longer.
No luck, though. They helped me into my tank top and dress and then as I went to get off the bed I got nauseous and barfed a little. OW.
Even though I've done it now, it's still hard to believe that you can go through this type of procedure and be walked out to your vehicle and sent home shortly after. I was leaving at the end of the work day, so it was just us, the two nurses and the guy taking out the garbage. I guess I was brought outside in a wheelchair, but then it was, "Okay, watch your step as you get in the truck," and that was that.
Once we were in the hotel room and I was settled, my husband went out briefly for a few snacks. I'd asked him to get all that stuff ready while I was in surgery, but he was too nervous to leave the surgical centre. I was texting my sister the whole time he was gone, so was in constant contact with someone anyway. I was starving after not having eaten all day, so had a Booster Juice smoothie, blueberries, grapes, and part of a protein bar over the next few hours, and lots of water. At one point in the night I woke my husband to help me get up for the bathroom again and he said, "Oh, has it been 20 minutes already?" lol Let's just say I was anxious to flush out the system and stay hydrated :)
I never needed any help in the bathroom. I got him to help me sit the first time and that was it.
The day after surgery at the PS office, they seemed surprised that I was doing as well as I was. I remember saying that I didn't think I would go for a run just yet, but yeah, I was feeling pretty fair.
My husband was home with me for that day, but he had to go back to work after that. My sister came the next day for 2 nights, and after that I was on my own during the day and for some nights until the kids came home the afternoon of Day 9 (aka Freedom From Drains Day :). My husband was coming home every other night for a while (about 1.5 hr drive after 11-12 hour work day), but has been stretching it out to every few days now as it ends up being a lot of driving and not enough sleeping. The first night on my own was scary - I still wasn't able to get up or down without patience and forethought, and really didn't like the idea of being alone and defenceless.
The first night my sister stayed with me, she talked me into going out for dinner, so I wasn't stuck in the house for long. The next night, we stopped in at a friend's house for a visit, and the next day I had my hair done, so I guess I was up and about a lot those first few days. No wonder I took myself driving before the week was up!
The next day was my first full day alone, and that was my sad, sad day. I really thought I could circumvent the sad portion of recovery because I could see that it was likely to happen and why and was sure I could talk myself out of it. True, I didn't get sad over my appearance, but I did get sad about depriving the kids of a fun summer holiday, not being able to do things, not being organized and having things planned etc. Usually I have hockey camp booked in February for summer and this year, nothing. All of a sudden it was July and if I was going to make any plans I better get at it, and yet couldn't make a decision to save my life :/ I should never have watched all that back to back Glee; I should have taken the risk of laughing and watched something funny instead of something so filled with silly drama.
Throughout the recovery process so far I have taken my Greens+ supplement daily, and I think it has been great for me. I stumbled on a book about alkalinity vs acidity in the body about a year and a half ago and I was intrigued, so when the book suggested trying Greens+, I thought I would give it a go. I didn't buy the book, but Greens+ was doing good things for me before the surgery, in terms of energy and clarity etc, and continues to do so now. I take the capsules because I can't stomach the thought of drinking seaweed/probiotic/other healthy but probably not at all tasty stuff, and I get it at the drugstore. I really think this product has kept my swelling what I would consider to be fairly low, definitely manageable and never uncomfortable, even after I was up and about for 11 hours at the fair and ate french fries. I was exhausted for about 3 days afterward, but no extra swelling.
Since that day, the opening I found in my incision is gone. There was a bit of a flap as well, and today I see that that area appears to be healing but is red and had a bit of weepiness this morning. Retaped and keeping a close eye on that, but very much hoping it's nothing.
Today I almost sneezed and it didn't really hurt, so that must mean I'm making progress :) Sure beats the burning agony of that little upchuck on Day 3. Last night I slept without my squasher on because the side seams were bothering the edges of my incision and making such deep indentations in my skin. It was nice to be free, although as soon as I didn't have my tank on I was very defensive of my personal space. Maybe if I could feel my tummy I might not be so concerned about things bumping it?
After the unencumbered night, I noticed some different contours on my sides which are hopefully works in progress as lipo bruising goes down.
I haven't weighed myself since before surgery because I really don't like the scale. I had four kids and never once looked at the scale. I always stood on it facing away at appointments. When I weighed myself about a month before surgery, it was the first time I had looked at the scale in over 14 years. I don't like it. Maybe I will if I can ever get on there and see a number that I like, but I suspect the scale and I will never be friends.
Today I wore a flowy shirt - part of my pre-surgery disguise wear - and I don't know if I'll put it on again. I felt like I was right back there again, trying to hide something. Time to weed out the closet and go shopping, I think.

Updated on 4 Aug 2011:
One month PO today! Feels like another corner has been turned in the recovery process. The scar is looking good and everything is feeling pretty good. Changing my tape still skeeves me out a bit - just a little afraid of what I might find after the openings that time - but so far, so good. I'm even starting to feel less defensive about my personal space, which is nice because I was SO nervous about being bumped. I was at an amusement park the other day with the kids and hardly thought about it, except to realize that I wasn't bothered.

I can laugh, I can almost sneeze and stop it without it hurting (yes, one of these days I'll have to let it happen!), and I can gently cough with no discomfort at all. I think the swelling is going away for real in some places and although sometimes I feel like there's more swelling in the evening, it's never been uncomfortable. I can also get up now without thinking about it and today I had to lie on my stomach for a couple of minutes and that felt fine. Everything just feels like it's getting back to normal, moreso every day I guess; when you stop being aware of the treatment areas all the time, that must mean improvement is afoot.

I really have to give credit to my husband here because even though he hasn't been able to be physically present as much as either of us would like, he's so supportive and sweet and full of compliments. He never questioned my decision to do this and has been very positive throughout, which has been so great, especially because so few people know about it.

I'll have to take some new pictures. I think the base, there-all-the-time swelling has decreased in the MR area lately as well as below the incision. Yay :)

Updated on 8 Aug 2011:
5 weeks today! I put on the swimsuit top and bottom from my befores and thought, yeah, I could wear this tummy out in public :) I like, like, like it. I never had a super tiny waist so I don't have that now, but nothing is hanging over and I'm not standing carefully to make sure nothing falls out lol.

Finally sneezed and survived. Stung a bit, but no biggie.

Something that bugs me a little and that is noticeable in the pics is that my right thigh is larger than the left. I'm hoping that this is due to the varicose vein that I had removed 13 days before my tuck. I had sclerotherapy (injections) in the spider veins resulting from the varicose vein this past Thursday, so I hope that now that all the vein issues should be taken care of, the leg shrinks to closer in size to the left. I've found, since having that vein removed, that I have much more stamina in the legs and the plantar fasciitis which bothered me for over a year has not been an issue at all, despite a few days with many hours of walking and standing on concrete.

My vein wasn't the big, ugly, ropey kind. It was noticeably blue down my leg, and had an itchy bump at the top, which is what prompted me to have it looked at. I was surprised when the doc said "oh, yeah, there's a lot of varicosity there." I really felt like I was way too young for varicose veins, but looking back, I'm sure this particular vein had been going that direction since my 1st or 2nd baby. When my daughters are ready to have babies, I'm taking them to the store to buy support hose! lol

Getting it dealt with was well worth it and not that pricey. All in, I think it was about $540.

You might also be able to see in my pics that my belly buttom is slightly left of centre. Apparently it has always been that way, so whatever. At least you can see it now that it's not hidden in skin folds.

I mowed the lawn yesterday with the ride-on mower, so not too strenuous, although the lever for moving the mower deck up and down is placed so that you have to twist around or rearrange yourself so as not to twist to use it - no easy feat while trying to stay seated to keep the motor running. Glad to have it done though; the grass was too long and harbouring too many mosquitos, so the kids didn't want to be outside at all.

I'm sure there was something else I wanted to add in this review...I'm still wearing my compression tank almost all the time. I didn't wear it for a couple of nights because it was digging into my skin at the seams, but my MR feels better with it on, so I put extra tape at the edges of the incision and have been turning the tank inside out to sleep so that the seams aren't an issue.

Hope everyone is well, and best wishes to those just getting ready for surgery!

Updated on 15 Aug 2011:
Today was 6 weeks since my big day. My big kids are finally home today after nearly 3 weeks away, and it's great to have them back. The smalls and I did a lot of fun things while they were gone, but it was very obvious how helpful it is to have big ones around.

Anyway, I'm feeling really good. I still have some discomfort and lumpiness under the skin in the lipo areas, but it's not a big deal, and now that my babysitters are back home I can sneak in for an aquamassage now and again - super relaxing and seems to help with the lipo areas. The spot below my bb that was kind of a flap is closed but definitely behind the rest of the incision for healing. Occasional discomfort there, but no weeping or ugly stuff. The rest of the incision is very thin and looks great to me. I have dissolving stitches and they've taken their sweet time in my bb, but we're in the home stretch now and it's looking good.

Sleeping is pretty much as it used to be but without tummy sleeping. My body keeps trying to put itself there for sleep, but it's not that comfortable and it makes me a bit nervous. Our bed is about my hip height, so I used a step to get in for a few weeks, but retired that a couple of weeks ago already. Now that I think about it, it was a bit of a forced retirement as one of the kids took it back to the bathroom. I'm very glad to have my room/bed looking ordinary again with no aids or medicine etc sitting around (other than Tums, but I always have those on my bedside table anyway).

Eating...most of the time feeling a bit piggy when I eat, seeing as I always end up feeling stuffed to the eyes. Even if it was just a small sandwich, I feel like I just packed away a Thanksgiving feast; this is good, the built-in control, but unsettling all the same.

As much as I hate scales and measuring tapes, I wish I'd cowgirled up and taken the details prior to the surgery and throughout the recovery. I feel good, everything looks good to me in the mirror (I think even my big right leg is going down a bit), but now that the biggest swelling/bruising from immediately after surgery is gone and the tummy looks less dramatic against my giant rear end (no word of a lie, I looked just like that gassy old lady robot from the movie Robots), it would be nice to be able to quantify the changes. Note I'm writing wistfully about not having records while refusing to get within 3 feet of the scale. Old habits die hard, and I am an avoider from waaaaay back.

Going to brace myself and try some regular button and zipper jeans soon. Haven't wanted to irritate my incision, but would also be super disappointed if they couldn't accommodate my swollen bum, so - big surprise - have avoided the whole scenario.

Best wishes to everyone about to start their (life-changing) tt experience, and also to everyone in the recovery process. This has been so worth it for me.

Updated on 24 Aug 2011:
So here I am at 7 weeks, 1 day. Things are continuing to go pretty well, although some days my energy level is definitely in the basement. Almost everything seems like too much work on those days.

I've been at a regular activity level, but haven't been working out as such. I had an opening in the incision below my bb at around 3 weeks that is now closed, but scabbed for a long time and sometimes it hurt(s) in that area so I haven't introduced vigorous exercise for fear that will stress the incision too much. I hope to be able to start next week and have set back to school day as the hopeful beginning point.

I'm a bit apprehensive about really getting back to exercise again. I think it boils down to concern that since I couldn't get results with exercise before, maybe I won't be able to accomplish anything now either. I think my tummy looks pretty great and hope to be able to make my legs and butt match. I really hope it will be possible to see some reward for all the effort I plan to put in. I'm going to Las Vegas in November and SO want to shop for cool, not-mom jeans there!

I think the swelling around the incision has started to go down and my belly button is finally scab-free. There's some new puffiness around my hips which I very much hope is swelling, but if not, hopefully I can get that taken care of soon. The lipo areas are still sore, but usually only if there's pressure on them. When I exert myself, I feel it up the sides of my tummy; it kind of burns in the areas where the drain tubes would have been, or at least where I think they were. Speaking of drains, the drain holes are still red as ever. I wonder if/when that will lighten and what they'll look like long term.

Best wishes to everyone about to have surgery and to those in recovery as well!

Updated on 7 Oct 2011:
Monday marked three months since my surgery and I'm so pleased with the results. I'm back to doing everything I used to do and trying to add in more exercise. I've had plantar fasciitis in my foot for about a year and a half so that has caused some issues, but I think I may be on the home stretch now (night splint, I think I love you).

The scar is a little less straight than it was before, which I'm assuming is due to swelling going down a bit here and a bit there. It doesn't concern me at all. I have a little squashy bit on my right hip/butt below the incision which I hope will disappear with time and/or exercise. It's a pretty small area and seems like it could be swelling, but swelling or fat, it's going to be gone if I have anything to say about it lol. I haven't had excessive swelling at any point other than the week or so after surgery; I find my MR area puffs up a bit through the day, but I wouldn't say it would be noticeable to anyone but me.

I still have some numbness in my upper thighs and abdomen, but not as much as before and I get those little shocky twinges fairly often. Sometimes they're pretty uncomfortable, but most of the time it's not a big deal.

I have to say, I was a little worried about my top half for a while after surgery. In the immediate aftermath, my boobs were completely deflated and I started to wonder if I had been so focused on my belly that I hadn't noticed the sad state of the girls. Well, maybe they were just pointed downward because they wanted to check out my belly ;-) They've perked up quite a lot since then (I think to a perkier state than pre-surgery) much to my relief!

When I was first considering this surgery, long before I ever got the ball rolling, I thought the recovery process was going to involve weeks in bed and being more or less non-functional. It was so great to find this site and realize that this was not likely to be the case. Yes, there were adjustments to the routine for a while and the first week was very low key, but it's been so worth it. I'm so much more at ease with myself now and and it's just so much easier to get dressed! I do have some work to do on my thighs, butt and back to make them match my tight little tummy, but that feels a lot more like a reachable goal than the impossible challenge that losing that belly with exercise was.

To everyone in recovery or about to have your procedures, best wishes to you!