“New incision pics 2 months PO in Texas!”

I am 46 years old and a mother of three. My children were all large rang from 8 to 10 lbs and as a result left my body full of stretched skin and massive stretch marks. I have always been a fit person but the frustration of not being able to change your mid section with diet and exercise is disheartening. My doctor also found that I have an umbilical hernia that needs to be repaired as well. My husband actually gave me his bonus money to have it done...such an awesome guy to let me do this for myself and to take care of the kiddos while I'm recovering.

Updated on 23 Feb 2012:
Counting down the days...33! Nervous and excited. I didn't put in my height and weight as of yet. I'm 140 lbs and 5'6. I hope to get down to 130 before my surgery but I know that will be tough. I girl can dream though. LOL

Updated on 28 Feb 2012:
Well, I finally got the call to do my pre-op. Wow, what a long list of instructions they sent. Meds I can't have, foods I can't eat...not a big deal but who knew? I also have to
do pre op at the hospital the same week. It is all seeming very real and my nerves and my nails are starting to show some wear. LOL

Updated on 11 Mar 2012:
Tomorrow is my pre-op. I wish I knew what to expect. Kind of nervous about it.

Updated on 15 Mar 2012:
I am happy to say that the pre-ops were a breeze. At my PS pre-op of course they had me stand in all sorts of compromising poses so they could take pictures and mark me up with a sharpie. You lose all humility by t his point. LOL My doc is confident that they will be able to give me an amazing result so that reassures me this is all worth it.

The hospital had their own pre-op. They did blood work and an EKG and asked me a ton of questions. It went smoothly and now all my money is gone...paid to everyone except to myself. Another 2 weeks to go.

The PS gave me this "jungle juice" to drink two days before. It's the same stuff
they use for a colonoscopy. This will clear me out which is also a help in recovery. I have always gotten sick from the anesthesia and that is what worries me but he reassures me that this will definitely help. I hope so.

They are also making me have a liquid diet 2 days before.wow...so much for a last hoorah of fat before they suck it out. LOL

They set me up with pain meds, nausea meds so I think I'm set. What else will I need to get before the big day? Thoughts anyone?

Updated on 20 Mar 2012:
I picked up all my meds and there are sure alot of them. Pain meds, meds for nausea and spasms and the dreaded "juice" to clear me out before surgery. I think I'm most apprehensive about it the liquid diet two days before. LOL I will probably thank them afterwards because the last thing I want to worry about is having to go to the bathroom and busting a stitch!

One week from tomorrow...good god, this is actually gonna happen!

Updated on 24 Mar 2012:
So, this weekend is my last hurrah. I get to eat whatever I want because Monday starts the liquid diet for 2 days. My PS said I can have anything liquid which is a relief because I was freaking out knowing I couldn't have my creamer in my coffee. LOL

So, I stocked up on jello, applesauce and gatorade. I know I will be starving but I'm trying to to think about it.

I don't know if anyone else had bad dreams but I am waking myself up thinking about my surgery. My heart was racing because I have such anxiety about it. I hope he can give me a sedative when I get to the hospital of my blood pressure will be thru the roof!

Updated on 25 Mar 2012:
Last day for eating real food! Hmmm, what to have?? LOL

Updated on 26 Mar 2012:
Today stats my fast...and the start of my "jamba juice" laxative...fun fun. I guess I'll be close to the bathroom all day today. Luckily my 3 year old has some good disney movies to watch today LOL

Updated on 26 Mar 2012:
God, this stuff is terrible. It came as unflavored so I added some flavoring to it and it's worse than ever. Ugh, I feel like I'm drinking salt water. And the nausea....it's even worse! Surgery will probably be a piece of cake after this! LOL

Updated on 27 Mar 2012:
Yesterday was the worst, The laxative juice was gross, I literally went until bed time. My stomach and my hemorroids took a toll. Sorry TMI.

I am feeling better today. Still on a liquid diet so alot of cup a soup, popsicles and unsweet tea...doesn't that sound lovely? LOL

I am so nervous about tomorrow. I have to be at the hospital at 6 Am with a surgery start time of 8Am. Hopefully I will get a happy pill upon arrival. Wish me luck ladies!!

Oooh, and good luck to the other ladies going in tomorrow as well!

Updated on 28 Mar 2012:
I took 1/2 a percocet to help me sleep and my mind was still racing. I think I fell asleep because I had some weird dreams.

Up at 3:15 like I knew I would be. It is 4am and I just wait til it's time to wake my hubby and be there at 6. Surgery starts at 8.

WISH ME LUCK!

Updated on 29 Mar 2012:
Well I made it to the flat side. Still pretty groggy from the pain meds so I will post more later when I get home from the hospital.

I hope all my ladies who had surgery with me yesterday are doing well. Post your recoveries.

Updated on 29 Mar 2012:
Home from the hospital and thankfully all the nausea is gone. The anesthesia always kicks my butt.

I can see ABS...unbelievable. I knew they were in there somewhere. The most amazing thing is my PS said he took belly skin that was 8 inches wide and 15 inches wide. He
showed me pics and I was amazed. He also got about 95% of my stretch marks. I really don't have any swelling but I'm sure it's coming. Very sore and can hardly get out of bed without screaming but I'm told it will get better each day.

Also, thanks to Kristin for listen to my recovery pains, we did it girl!

Updated on 30 Mar 2012:
First night sleeping was interesting. I have a high bed and it made getting in and out a challenge. I did see stars a few times. I never realized how much you use those muscles in everything you do.

I don't have much swelling which is good but I do have some nice bruising where thet lipoed,

Ya know what the worst part is? They put the drains on top of my vajayjay and it
hurts like hell. Noone told me that part!

Updated on 1 Apr 2012:
5 days PO. My tubes are still hurting but everything else is coming along. I'm able to get around a little better and I FINALLY had a bowel movement. I was so scared it was going to hurt. Thank god for Colace.

No major swelling to speak of which is great. My flanks are all black and blue and feeling sore.

I'm about to take my first shower too. I hope I can withstand being upwards for that long.

Updated on 2 Apr 2012:
Well, I had my 5 po appt with my PS. He said everything looked good but my tummy seemed a little red to him. I think it was because I had the compression garment on directly and not over a shirt. I'm so sensitive and bruise so easily. Anyway, he looked at
my drain totals and it was still coming out quite a bit so I still have my drains in. So another 5 days or so with the drains...ugh!

I feel ok, I just get tired quick if I do too much. My hubby has been a complete lifesaver. He's done laundry, cooked, played with the kids, it's been awesome and he says he kinda likes being Mr. Mom and not having to go to work. I think that's funny and sweet and it's more of a novelty I think. Anyway, as long as everyone is happy, mom is good,

I have a picture that I'm going to scan that my PS gave me. It's the amount of skin he took off and I was flabbergasted to see it. It was 15 inches by 8 inches. Thats a
huge amount and also took my ab muscles in 6 inches...no wonder I'm so sore!
As soon as I scan the pic I will show you, it's outrageous!

Updated on 4 Apr 2012:
One drain came out today...other one will come out on Monday. Doc is loving the results and how flat I am. I am too. Ooh, I sneezed today...pure torture!

Updated on 5 Apr 2012:
Today my husband went back to work and I'm so nervous that I won't be able to handle everything. I woke up with my back screaming so I took a percocet and it's taken the edge off, thankfully.

I'm trying to keep from getting up too much but taking care of my 3 yr old means taking her to the potty, making her meals, etc.

Wish me luck!

Updated on 9 Apr 2012:
Today is 11 PO and I am getting the second drain out today. It is also the first day I will drive since before the surgery. I'm not nervous I just don't know how I am gonna lift my kid into her car seat. LOL I'm hoping she just hop in herself but she can be fickle so we'll see.

I feel pretty good and am able to move around pretty good and stand upright. My lower back is not hurting as much as it was but if I stand too long, it sure let's me know to sit down. LOL

My abs section still seems super tight and I'm guessing thats normal. The bruising is
pretty much gone on the flank area but still pretty sore to the touch. Hopefully this white tape will come off soon so I can get a good idea of what my incision looks like.
It's pretty itchy so I guess it's drying out which is good.

Today also marks the day where everyone is back to school and work so it's just me and my daughter. I hope I can make it...I'm sure I can. :)

Updated on 10 Apr 2012:
Both drains are out, thank god. My PS also removed all of the surgical tape which hurt like hell. I was finally able to see my incision which I was scared about. I was pleasantly surprised at how it's healing and he was even amazed at it's progress. It's not even red. I have more pain from where the drain was removed than I do from the incision. The lipo is still sore but getting better and my BB is looking better than it had which is a plus. The biggest complaint for me is the tightness of my tummy. It still feels like someone is pulling on it...and that's exactly what happened. LOL He said that will take weeks to relax.

He said I can let the scar relax for about another weeks and then I can start massaging it with the therapy oil I got. I also ordered some silicone strips because he said that will speed up the process which I'm all for.

I will post some incision pics today, tell me what you think. Thanks and best wishes for all my healing ladies :)

Updated on 11 Apr 2012:
Today I went back to the dr. for a new and lighter compression garment. It's 1000X better than the original and I won't mind wearing this one. I did notice a little redness on one area of my incision and pointed it out to him. He opened it up (PAINFUL) but thankfully it was not infected. Just the same, he put me on antibiotics for another week. I looked at it earlier and it already looks much better.

I also started using the silicon strips. Sticky suckers they are but easy enough to put on. I needed two long ones to reach the length of my scar and I'm happy that my incision will be covered. I think it was so raw and then rubbing on my clothing and underwear made it red and sensitive. I hope it helps diminish my scar even more. Time will tell. I only have 6 weeks worth so I hope to see some results by then . Ladies...how long does it take to see any results??

Updated on 14 Apr 2012:
I fell asleep without my CG. I hope that was ok. I guess it was cause I slept like a baby. LOL

I still have periodical pain and the incision feels very strange when I massage it. Kinda like pins and needles. I guess that's normal.

Other than that, I tried to go food shopping. BAD IDEA. I'm so used to carrying 5 and 6 bags from the car at a time. I had to use my daughter's wagon to haul everything. I was so pooped by the time I put everything away. Valium saves me.

Happy Healing girls!

Updated on 17 Apr 2012:
So, last night my hubby and I engaged in a little activity if you know what I mean. BAD IDEA. I started to cough and tried to supress it...and it made my abs contract, like I was gagging. NO FUN. It was immediately sore and I had it for the night. Needless to say, I will lay off of THAT for a little bit. LOL

I went to Kohls's today and purchased a control top camisole/tank top. What a godsend this thing is. I can wear it under my clothes when I go out and I don't have to look like a weight lifter with that huge CG. Yay!

Updated on 18 Apr 2012:
I woke up feeling like I was punched in the stomach. I don't know what I could have possibly did. I didn't lift, didn't do any exercise or strain myself. Maybe the CG was too tight but it feels so sore in my midsection. Is this normal for being thee weeks out??

Updated on 18 Apr 2012:
By the way,

I can't stand my BB...is it supposed to look like an outie in an innie?

Updated on 20 Apr 2012:
Doing better today. Still a little sore in my upper abs but it's not as bad as it was. I'm coming to terms with my BB...but I still do not like it. When I go to see my PS I will see what he says.

On another note, I'm expecting my period any time now. Did you ladies experience alot of swelling when it came. I always got swollen before and looked preggo because of my abs being distended but now I'm not sure what to expect. I got no
PMS symptoms at all this month so maybe this TT was a godsend on another level too...one can only hope. LOL

Updated on 21 Apr 2012:
Ugh...first day of of my period since my TT. No wonder I was so swollen. Luckily the pain meds are helping with the cramps.

More tired today, I guess since I have such a heavy period I'm weaker than usual. It's couch time for the next few days.

On another note, I tried on all my old shorts. I was trying to weed some out and to my amazement all but 3 fit. That makes me happy happy.

Updated on 23 Apr 2012:
So, it's Monday and I'm almost 4 weeks PO. The time really went by fast. At some points it dragged (when I couldn't get comfy or was in pain) but for the most part my recovery went pretty smooth. I was thankful I didn't have alot of swelling at all and am ale to wear pre TT clothes every day now, even during my period. That's a definate plus. I still get tired if I'm on my feet too long but as long as I take some sitting breaks, I'm good.

I am using the therapy oil daily and of course have my strips on 12 hours a day. I haven't seen much of a change yet but it's only been 2 weeks. Hopefully by June (vacation time) I will be good to go.

For all you ladies that asked...yes I am getting the marble for my BB...as soon as it's completely healed. It's about 90% at this point. Now, where do I buy 1 marble?? LOLOL

Happy healing ladies!

Updated on 23 Apr 2012:
I'm attaching two new pics...one is a bathing suit...my first two piece in over 20 years and the other is how my new BB is healing. I'm still on the fence about it. Please tell me what you think. Thanks ladies and please BE HONEST!

Updated on 25 Apr 2012:
4 weeks today...it has flown by! I am down to pre pregnancy weight which is also an added bonus considering I haven't exercised hard core like I'm used to. Today is also the day my doc has cleared me for relations with my hubby. He can hardly wait LOLOL

Updated on 26 Apr 2012:
Here is a new pic on my BB...I think I need the marble...hate the outie in an innie...what do you think?

Updated on 27 Apr 2012:
So, I read several posts about the marble trick. I have been looking all over for a stinkin' marble...can't find any. I also read about PS suggestion at a silicone ear plug. That I had...so while I was sitting this morning, I cut it in half and used just the cylinder piece and taped it in. Most PS suggest 30 mins a day to a max of 4 hours. Within 20 minutes it was starting to change shape. I COULD NOT believe my eyes. I was stunned. I thought it would immediately bounce back when I took it out but it didn't. I went to lunch with hubby and even showed him the progression and he was like "wow". When I came home 2 hours later I did see it recede a little but not much. I figure if I do this a little each day til it completely changes the way I like that would be great. I'm going to take new pics so you can see the difference...it's simply amazing.

Also, I thought I'd also mention that Arnica Montana is supurb. I reado so many stories about this little gem and how it helps with soreness and pain but was skeptical. This is only my 2nd day I and I feel amazing. I was even able to sleep in my bed for the WHOLE night. I haven't been able to do that since before the surgery.

TODAY IS A GOOD DAY! :))

Updated on 1 May 2012:
I will be 5 weeks PO tomorrow and in the homestretch of my recovery. Mind you, I know recovery will go on for up to a year but I'm referring to the compression garment. One more week and it comes off for good. I feel so good. and even lost weight since my surgery. I didn't know it was possible considering I'm hardly working out these days. I always ate right so I guess that helps.

I'm still taking the Arnica and using the oil and scaraway everyday. My incision looks fabulous. No swelling with the daily bromelain I'm eating and size 6 and 8 are my normal size now. How nice it feels to not have to tuck in my pooch anymore.

I haven't really told anyone about my surgery and haven't seen any family since. This weekend I'm throwing a party for my husband so I'll be curious if anyone sees any change in me.

Next week is my after pics at my PS. I will post as soon as I get them. Have a good day ladies and let me know if this review has been helpful by clicking on the thank you button. Thanks and have a wonderful day fellow RealSelfers :))

Updated on 8 May 2012:
Today is my 6 week PO appt with my PS. I am supposed to take the "after" pics. I don't know why I'm nervous about it. I just hope they look good. LOL

I feel otherwise ok. I get twinges of pain and stiffness every now and again but I'm about 90 percent back to normal. My BB is still healing and the "marble trick" doesn't work as good as I'd hoped. I started with an ear pluf but I felt like it didn't have enough pressure to stay i n place and do it's job. The marble did work well but as soon as I took it out it would revert back to it's original shape. I'll see what my PS says is the best course of action. If it stays an outtie in an innie that's not the worst thing in the world. I also have a dog ear on one side but I know he will make me wait on that.

I will post the after pics as soon as I get them. Have a good day ladies!

Updated on 8 May 2012:
I just got home from my 6 week check up. My PS was equally unhappy with my outie in an innie. He told me to wait until I'm 3 months out and then he will trim the excess skin in my BB. He said it was due to my hernia and the skin being so thin. He said it's no biggie and I'm not really worried about it. He also said he will trim my dog ear which to me is nothing but he's a perfectionist. This is why I chose him to begin with. All in all I lost 3 inches on my waist and have been cleared to exercise minus core work. That will come when I'm fully healed. I will post more pics when they email me them.

Updated on 10 May 2012:
Some other pics posted, some graphic. I know it may seem intense but I think it will help educate some women to see what's actually involved. If this helps one person, I'm all for it. Please rate my review if you like :P

Updated on 17 May 2012:
It's now 7 weeks PO and I'm feeling great. Minimal twinges in the ab area. No swelling at all, even when I was pmsing. What a difference tightening ab muscles make. I'm also started my workouts which kick my butt because I've slacked for the last 6 weeks.
I did buy a new bikini and was surprised that I didn't want to throw up when I saw myself in it. LOL I've lost a little weight and most of
my old clothes are in the back of the closet. Size 6 and 8 are my go to size which thrills me to pieces. This is definitely the best thing I ever did for myself.

Updated on 21 May 2012:
What a bad week I'm having. As most of you know when you have TT surgery that exercise must be ceased for 6 weeks. It has
been disastrous for me. I have a torn ACL and MCL ligaments in my knee from a fall years ago. The docs said I could have a limp for the rest of my life or I can take the bull by the horns and with lots of therapy and exercise get it to where I can live without pain. That is how I maintained exercise all these years, knowing it was a do or die kind of thing. Since having to cease exercise after TT surgery, it has been pretty tough on my knees. So this past week, I've attempted to get back into the groove albiet very slowly. It
has been hard getting to the level I was once on. Long story short, my knee gave out from being too weak. Now I feel like I'm right
back to when the accident happened. I'm layed up with a knee brace and walk with a limp again.I didn't even do anything to aggravate it, just moved the wrong way. So, who knows how long this recovery will take. Oooh, and just for some added enjoyment, I got a bladder infection so now on antibiotics.

Such a fun week.

Updated on 25 May 2012:
My knee is slowing getting back to normal. I don't know what happened but as quickly as it gave out it even quicker bounced back. My calves are paying the price though so they still hurt but that I can deal with.

This will be the first bathing suit weekend. I will try to get some pics taken. I can nervous and I'm sure I'll be very self conscious. In
Texas it'll be in the 90s so maybe I can even get a little color on these fair white bones of mine. LOL

Updated on 28 May 2012:
I'm almost at my goal weight...woot woot. I am feeling great, knee is better and back to the gym! SO happy. New 2 month pics to come.