Fit Mommy, 36 Years Old, 4 Kids, TT + Lipo of Hips/Flanks & Breast Lift (No Implants) - Minneapolis, MN

I am exactly 6 weeks post op today :) I am feeling good, sleeping good, and exercising at least 4-5 times per week. Exercising so far consists of about 30-45 mins on the eliptical or a 3 mile walk outside, some leg exercises (squats, lunges), and some very light arm weights (8 pounds). I am clear to return to the gym, but no heavier lifting, planking, or other abdominal exercises until 8 weeks.

I have an appointment next Tuesday and am waiting to return to the gym until after that. I have had some weird popping sensations (can hear it too) below my belly button and it's kinda freakin me out. I am assuming this far out it's probably nothing that would compromise my results but still...weird. The first time it happened I was about 2-3 weeks post op and I felt a twinge of pain that still comes and goes, but no visible changes. The last two pops were just days ago (about 2-3 days apart) just below my belly button. Anyone else experience this? I have read it can be premature internal scarring from earlier weeks shifting or even dissolvable stitches breaking down if they were places temporarily while the permanent sutures we being sewn in. I am hopeful it's NOTHING and that my muscle repair won't unravel. Never thought to ask what kind of suture patten my PS uses! Crossing my fingers she used lots of reinforcing layers.

I also started scar therapy with the Skinmedica Scar Gel. I am waiting for the Recovery Complex to arrive. I also purchased a good retinol to use because I have dark olive skin and my scars tend to darken. I found this as part of another PS's scar remedy and so am trying it as it's important to start early. I also bought some silicone strips and am going to use those at night. I am using coconut oil and vitamin e oil to massage my abdomen and my scar. I tell ya, scar therapy is quite the process!

Well, here are some updated pictures. I am in need of a new iphone (badly) so these pictures are kinda grainy. I do have a few small stretch marks right below my belly button yet, but the rest of the lines are from my CG. I am very comfortable without it but I wear it often around the house when I am exercising or cleaning.

Oh, and my boobs are doing great. I can feel a couple of spitting stitches and I think I really need to focus on massaging the scars underneath. They are still a little "square" but are rounding out. I swear my right boob is a little bigger than my left now (was opposite before), but the left boob also hasn't softened as much so it seems to project out more making it look more narrow but outward whereas the right is more fluffed and wider. So hard to tell! My nipples aren't perfectly symmetrical but hey...they are way better than before. I love the perfect C size and LOVE that I can wear a fitted tank without a bra under stappier shirts. I also tried on a strapless dress the other day and WOW! I just might start wearing dresses again. No more sagging top and no more mom belly. Just all smooth :)

I hope all you ladies are recovering well!

PS: I always debate about posting pictures of my boobs without stickers over them, but I know when I was doing research it was very difficult to find results of "breast lift" only pictures (no implants) so if this helps someone then I am glad to do so ;)

I am a little late on an update, so here goes...

I had my third and final drain removed on day 19, just under 2 weeks ago now. Like the others, it didn't hurt at all when she removed it. I also had some more spitting stitches removed that day and at my most recent appointment last Wednesday. She said they would likely resolve on their own as they are the knots and take a little longer to dissolve but she removed the ones she could. Having them removed doesn't hurt at all.

At my Wednesday appointment (4 weeks PO), Katie said my incisions look great and that they are healing wonderfully. She was very impressed that I was wearing jean capris and then laughed when she saw how roomy they were in my waist...told me it was time to go shopping! LOL! Thank goodness for my compression garment holding them up ;) Speaking of which, I was told to wear my CG for two more weeks. Katie also released me for low impact exercise and told me that at 6 weeks I could return to the gym at a light pace and then at 8 weeks I could lift weight and do abdominal exercises again. Good thing...my rear has turned to mush and my eating habits have taken a bit of a dive due to boredom. I was down to 144, but that is probably mostly muscle loss. After the July 4th weekend, I am up a few pounds :( I can start scar therapy soon too!

We have spent quite a few weekends on the boat and I am doing well. I take my CG with but do take it off for a little while. I've also worn a bikini the last couple of weekends out. I just put a small bandaid over my BB and the rest of my incisions are covered. I had a little difficulty finding a bottom that completely covered the small vertical incision, but am impressed with how low my overall incision is. It's very straight and NO dog ears! Woop, woop!!! My incision does go quite aways around my sides, but that's exactly why I had such a minimal possibility for dog ears. Not having those was a big deal to me, so I am glad Dr. Harrington took good care to give me a proper incision and that she didn't take short cuts. Although I haven't seen Dr. Harrington since PO day 1, her nurse practitioners are wonderful! The whole staff is great!

As for swelling, I am still quite swollen around my entire mid section. Areas of my back and sides are still a little tender from the lipo, but I really feel great overall. It mostly bothers me if someone reaches out and touches me...like the kids bumping into me or my husband forgetting and rubbing my back.

I am in LOVE with my boobs again! They are a perfect C cup and perfectly perky ;) They aren't 100% symmetrical, but I knew that was unlikely and I am OKAY with that. They could still change some, but I am happy. It is awesome wearing a tank without a bra (if I want to). The incisions are healing very well a d I really think they will end up being barely noticeable in time. They are still rather firm (which I don't mind at all), but Katie said they will soften some yet.

Well, I hope everyone enjoyed their 4th of July weekend! I know I did :) Now it's time to rest for a couple of days before another couple of days of work. I got 2 full days of work in last week and have 3 full days this week. I feel blessed to have the extra time off. I am pretty tired by early evening.

I will post updated pictures tomorrow or Tuesday!

It's amazing how much better a person can feel in just a week...really even a day! In celebration of Father's Day, we spent the day on the lake and then headed to my in-laws for supper. Although I can't yet submerge myself in water (especially a lake), it really feels good to get outside and to start getting active again...even if it is just sitting on a boat and walking in the water at knee high levels :) Last week on the boat, I wore my compression garment the whole time. This time, I jumped into a bikini (drain and all)! I just tucked the drain in the side of my suit and if people noticed, I doubt a "tummy tuck" was the first thing that came to mind. I only wore my compression garment when I did a little driving to pull my husband and kids on the tube. Tomorrow I get my last drain out and I am beyond thrilled!!! Seriously counting the hours. The recovery of this procedure is no joke, but oh so worth it! Here is a pic from yesterday of me and my teenage daughter. Pretty excited about wearing a bikini as it's been years!!! I pulled this one out of a drawer from about 7-8 years ago. I could even go down a size. Can't wait to shop for a new one! Still a little swelling in my upper and lower abdomen down into the mons area. Hopefully will get a little more shape as that decreases. Also still slightly hunched, but definitely getting straighter!