7 months post op (4/1/2014)

Wow, where did the last few months go? I can't believe it's been so long since I've updated. Seven months out I feel pretty good. I still have that nagging, numb feeling, but I think my nerves are starting to really wake up because I get the most annoying, intense. internal itching sensation. It's located about an inch below my belly button about one half inch to the right. The only thing that gives it any relief is flexing my abdominals really hard; like an isometric abdominal flex. If this itching keeps up, I'm going to have the strongest abs, ever.

I'm still having laser treatments, and I'd like to say after the 3rd one I'm seeing improvement in my stretchies, but as far as the actual incision, I think that I'm at the stage where it looks worse before it gets better. It's still very dark, raised, and tender.

It's now officially November, one week in, and I'm trying to lose the weight I gained over the summer. I know this has been the sentiment from a lot of you ladies, but man, am I disappointed in how easy it was to put on 10 pounds. Too much fun, eating and drinking, I suppose. Thankfully, by just cutting out most of the drinking and late night eating I'm down 5, but crap, the last 5 has been a pain in my a** to lose. Too bad I love to eat and my favorite "stuff your face" holiday is quickly approaching. Oh, how I love Thanksgiving! *sigh*

I hope all of you ladies who have had surgery are recovering well, and to the ladies getting ready to start this crazy, amazing adventure, good luck!

Wow! Where has the last quarter of a year gone? I am feeling much more like my pre-surgery self. Since my last update I'm back to yogging. It no longer feels like my insides are going to fall out. That's a huge plus. I still get swollen, but only after a hard workout, eating fast food, or a large meal. I'm still incredibly numb. I wonder how long it will take for the nerves to finish regenerating.

I stopped using the silicone tape and went straight in with the big guns. I had a second fraxel laser treatment on my incision and the stretch marks around it yesterday. So, I may look more pink and swollen than usual. Each treatment is 6 weeks apart, and to be frank, it hurts like a [RS bleep]. At my last follow up appointment (about 12 weeks ago), I expressed concern with my history of poorly healing scars. I started noticing my incision scar was widening, probably from the tension. I asked if lasering would be an option down the road, and he said I'd be a great candidate and we could start as soon as I wanted. That actually really surprised me. There are no guarantees; the stretch marks and scars will never be gone completely, and I'm okay with that. I don't know how many treatments I'll have. I was told it takes a few sessions to really see results. I haven't noticed anything change with my incision, but my old deep stretch marks have really started to fill out.

What else? I am still 100% satisfied and happy I had a TT. It's been a HUGE life changer for me. I really feel like the MR helped with my chronic back pain. I no longer get headaches or debilitating backaches. I don't feel ill after almost every meal. I I haven't been asked if I'm pregnant recently! There are definitely pros and cons of any plastic surgery procedure, and the benefits and reward of surgery by far outweigh any "issues" I have, mostly the height of my scar. I see all these low, beautiful incisions, and I have to remind myself whenever I'm down that I didn't have a TT to wear a skimpy, low slung bikini bottom (although it would've been nice!). My surgeon was wonderful and did the best my body and his ability allowed for. I'm in such a better place, physically, emotionally, and mentally than I was before surgery and that is a lovely, priceless thing.

Last week I received the corset I purchased from Orchard Corset, and I've just started seasoning it. I can begin waist training next week and I'm really excited about it! I have so many different compression garments, shape wear, and fajas. I love them all, but I wanted something more substantial that could have longer lasting effects. I squeeze that ba-jeezus out of myself daily anyways. So far, so good. As a lot of women on this site say, my wait is going to be snatched! Is that even right? Lol. I'll update my progress as it happens.

I'm still taking my tumeric and bromelain, along with a daily probiotic. And god love, Sheeney7, I'm still drinking my PureTrim. I could not survive with them. Thank you, Sheena!

That's it for the 4 month catch up. Hopefully, I'll update sooner rather than later! Much luck and love to all the women (and men) contemplating surgery, getting ready for surgery, or just coming out of it!

Aside from overdoing it this past weekend and promising myself to take it easy from here on it, I'm doing alright. Up until last week my swelling was mainly around my belly button. Now, it's spreading upwards (I can only hope and pray it settles in my boobs!). By the end of the evening, I swear it looks like I've mildly undone my MR. I'm still in the beginning stages of healing and re-acclimating myself to normal living and movement, so the puffiness has got to be par for the course, right? A bonus of the transient swelling is that I can be very flat right above the middle of my incision most of the day. Maybe, that's my sneak peek of things to come.

I wasn't going to update with any scar progression shots so soon, because honestly, I didn't think there would be that much of a difference within 7 days. I am happy to report that I will now be stocking up on these scar sheets. I have seen a huuuuuuuge improvement in the middle of the scar. I think if I can be consistent with them, that part of the scar will be nearly undetectable within the year. The sides, not so much, but that's okay. The pictures were taken one week apart.

I hope everyone is doing well and healing well!