Mommy Makeover: Stories

After having 2 kids almost 10 years ago, and having lost 80 lbs 3 years ago, my whole torso was a mess. I have worked with a trainer for 3 years now (3 hours a week), and even he was at a loss. He knew how strong I had become, but we could not fix my torso issues.

After a lot of consideration, I decided on the mommy makeover. My procedure consisted of a lower body lift, breast lift, and breast augmentation. I am now almost 2 weeks out from surgery and I am very happy with my results. I went into it knowing that this will not be a fast healing process. You cannot expect to be able to see the full results weeks after surgery. Yes, my stomach is swollen (but still so much smaller than what it was). My implants are slowly dropping into place. I am remaining active, but to the degree that my surgeon has said.

I am so much more comfortable in my new body, mostly because I knew it was there all along, it was just hidden under the excess skin. I am going to try to do photos every 2 weeks so I can see the progress. Even as I look at these photos now I can see what a difference it is even with the swelling. My biggest advice is to follow your surgeon's instructions.

The worst of the pain, for me, has been that my skin feels extremely sensitive. I will say that wearing my binders and exercise/yoga pants seem to help with the sensation.

Okay, so the surgeon had me move into spanx (I bought Flexees, they are the same thing but much cheaper). The worst part about them is trying to get them over the incisions. I have to wear them 24/7 (I only take them off to shower). My biggest recommendation is to eat before removing them to get in the shower. I did not do that the other day and became extremely nauseous and dizzy. Oh, and buy the body suit type that goes to the thigh. I have the one that you still wear your own bra, but it is so much more comfortable because it does not dig into your rib cage unlike the one without the shoulder straps.

Also, I am closing in on three weeks. My biggest to do this week was to get dressed everyday. I found some very comfy compression style yoga/exercise pants and button up shirts at Old Navy. This has really improved my mood since I can go out and not look like I am a complete slob. Another tip, if you have a hairstylist who you go to regularly see if she will just wash and style your hair for you one day. Mine did it for $10 and it made me feel so much better. These seem like such small things, but how much they improve your mood is amazing, and the better you feel the faster you will heal.

I will post some new post op photos on 2/23 since that will be close to the 1 month mark.

So, the itching is driving me crazy today! My right hip is finally starting to wake up, so it is very bruised feeling. Also, learned not to eat spicy food with binders. I had to take them off for a couple of hours because of heartburn (which I don't normally get). Ready to see the doctor Friday and take some more photos. My swelling really doesn't seem bad, and it is rather consistent.

Three weeks out and I am starting to transition off of the hydrocodone. My flanks still feel like they have been shot up with Novocaine, but beyond that everything is pretty tolerable. Some of that I think is because the pain I feel I don't really associate as pain. It is still just the extreme sensitivity of my skin, but there is no muscle soreness, sharp, or throbbing pain. I still get extremely tired, but I am trying very hard not to nap during the day since this seems to be disrupting my night time sleep pattern.

Oh, and today I had a huge win! I was able to transition down a size in the shapewear which means that the swelling is really starting to go down. I have my follow-up on Friday with the surgeon so I will post some more photos Saturday.

Had my follow up with the surgeon today. He is so happy with how everything is healing. My incisions are pretty much completely healed and are a very light pink, so I can soak in a tub now (yea!). He said I was a star patient, and was amazed at my progress and how little swelling I am having. He said to slowly start getting back into a normal routine and I could do some light stretching as long as I am not stretching my arms above my head.

I go back in one month and he said that if things stay the way they are now he will release me to start exercising again at that point. So I am thrilled to say the least. I am also transitioning to Advil this week and weaning off the hydrocodone.

Had a minor set back this week. The suture at my left hip to my pubic area decided to become aggravated. To very small holes opened up, but I am so lucky to have such a wonderful surgeon. He knew immediately what the problem was, removed the suture, and started me on a 7 day course of antibiotics. Within 6 hours all the pain in that are was gone, and I can tell already that it is healing well. Listen to your surgeon's ladies, I think I pushed it too far this last week, and although this could have happened anyways, I am sure it didn't help. I am definitely learning to be the tortoise rather than the hare in this race. I will update my photos this weekend (3/9).