Oh.. 10:58pm the night before surgery!! Excited mostly, a little nervous. My 12 1/2 year old was over 11 pound, stretch marks galore and a large / long Caesarean scar to boot! My weight has yo-yoed since having him. Last year I finally got fit and healthy and realised that no amount of diet and exercise would fix this tummy! And here we are.. Lying awake in bed counting down the hours! Updated on 6 Aug 2015: 5 hours post op.. So far so good! Pain is bearable with a little help from my IV pain meds. Most frustrating part is not being able to move after having ab muscles repaired.! No complaints so far! Updated on 7 Aug 2015: Today wasn't so bad.. Is there pain? Yes, but it's completely bearable with pain meds. I'm lucky I have quite a high pain threshold.. So far, the worst has been the itching, just a reaction to either the antibiotics or the opiates.. But we're controlling that with Phenergan. Made it up to sit in a chair again, a little painful, but definitely worth it! Updated on 7 Aug 2015: Yay.! Catheter is out.. 1 drain is out. Very tired today... I just got to have a shower... Maybe I over did it though as I nearly passed out ???? Still, all in all I'm feeling pretty good! Updated on 9 Aug 2015: Yes!! Guess who's going home?!? The nursing staff at Westmead Private have been amazing! So friendly and helpful.! My drain is coming with me as I'm still collecting 80ml over 24 hours! A little sore this morning, but I had been up and about quite a bit on day 3! I think the swelling has also subsided a little and will post pics once I'm home! Updated on 12 Aug 2015: Feeling pretty good today.. Post op check up went well... Drain has finally been removed!! Yes!! Spent a couple of hours without my compression garment on and was is a bit of pain by then end of it... Loving my new belly and cute little belly button!! 0 regrets so far! Updated on 13 Aug 2015: Not much to say today... Over did it yesterday. Feeling tired, swollen, bloated and a little sore.. Still, absolutely no regrets!! :) :) Updated on 14 Aug 2015: Ok.. Day 9! Bored.. Haha! Finally finished antibiotics! Have also reduced pain meds, feeling pretty good. Would love to be able to sleep better, but that will come with time. Also terribly swollen today.. Feeling ready to burst at the seams! Haven't had this much swelling since hospital. I'm sure it's normal to fluctuate, plus I'm also due for the monthlies... So that's not going to help!! Haha Updated on 16 Aug 2015: I am now a side sleeper again.!! Wooooh!! Ok, I have a pillow supporting by belly, but I'm sleeping so much better! Ok.. We're mostly women here and will all experience it, so I won't hold back. Period arrived today, I've always suffered with major cramping so add that to an already tender belly and I'm having a bit of a sooky day. It will pass soon enough though.. Also got to remove my dressing today.. Really happy with the scar! A little puckering on either end, but that will settle. Still absolutely no regrets.! Updated on 18 Aug 2015: Ok.. How do I know if I'm attempting to do too much.? Don't get me wrong there is still a lot of laying around.. But is it ok to do the following: Stack dishwasher, put laundry on, grocery shop, pick up around the house. It's not causing much discomfort, I tire out easily and the skin stings a little. But I have no one to do these things for me. I'm worried about doing damage I won't be aware I'm doing... Updated on 18 Aug 2015: Just a quickie today... Nearly completely upright.! Feels goooood! And did the little 'bending over to see what hangs' test. Even with the swelling NOTHING HANGS! Yay! Updated on 21 Aug 2015: Feeling ok... Sleeping much better. Off the strong pain meds. Things are pretty good.! Went out for a pedi and some lunch today.. Sore and swollen by the end.! Tired! But God it was good to get out with a friend.! Also I've been thinking about the things I miss and can't wait to do, things I didn't even think about before surgery.. Stretch.. I can't wait to really really stretch! I want a hot bath! Just a real soak in the tub. I want to shave my legs properly, not all patchy with an electric razor.! Haha.. So simple! It's the little things :-) Updated on 26 Aug 2015: Ok.. So back to work this week. I'm a sales rep and can tell you, there is no way I could've made it out on the road this week.. Lucky enough be able to work in the office this week for up to 5 or so hours a day. But wow! Being out and about causes so much swelling.. I know this is normal and all part of the process, but experiencing it.! Ugh.. Uncomfortable! Still.. Totally worth it! And 0 regrets.!! :-) Updated on 2 Sep 2015: Check up today and my surgeon is super happy with my progress.. My scar is healing well, my ab muscles are getting less and less tender.. Still elated with choice to have the surgery!!! A good, solid night sleep still escapes me.. Especially now that I'm completely off pain meds. Did I mention how happy I am with the results?!?!? ;-) ;-) Updated on 22 Sep 2015: 6 1/2 weeks post op... Feeling 95% myself. Only a few little things that I feel limited in doing.. So, so happy with the results and can't believe that things will keep improving! Swelling is only minor now and only in the afternoon / evening. No real pain or discomfort anymore either.. Did I mention how happy I am?!? Now just to lose around 10kg, tone up again and I'll be ecstatic! Updated on 1 Oct 2015: 8 weeks today and I've got to say I'm feeling about 95%. Feels good.. Still the best decision I made.! Found a new silicone based ointment / gel for the scar... It's supposed to be fantastic. Let's see =)

I have just come back from a post op on my tummy tuck - 9,5 months po. After having a tummy tuck and being pulled nice and tight in all areas, I need to have labiaplasty, as the pubic are has been pulled up and everything else now hangs out. :( Its most uncomfortable, as I am a Cycling Instructor and the rubbing on the Saddle makes me burn when going to the toilet or when I shower, and even wearing underwear makes it uncomfortable with the rubbing. So my PS said I need to have it cut away. Its not a big procedure, but it will be swollen and I am out of action in training for 2-3 weeks. I forgot to ask if I am able to swim afterwards in the sea or pool? Even forgot to ask about stitches. I suppose I had so much on my mind that one only remembers all these questions afterwards. Can anyone help me answer the above? No date has been set yet. No pics have been taken yet, but will follows. I cannot put a price down yet to the surgery, as its being claimed through my medical aid, and know that I am out of pocket with the ps for $500 and anaesathist fees will follow after procedure which they expect approx $500 Thanks Updated on 12 Aug 2014: Today is my 1st day pre op of having labiaplasty and I had my aerials resized as well as scar revision on sides from tummy tuck done April 2013. And I am sore! :( Lots of bleeding from Labia and had an average night sleep, especially since I have stitches upper, middle and lower body. I have not taken photos post op of Aerola as it's covered and that dressing only comes off in a weeks time , same as the AT&T scar revision . The only reason I did scar revision as my ps was not happy that it was not as flat as he would like to have Seen the scars on side. That wasn't a major precision but it is burning sensation. Herewith before and after pics of labia. }