I’ve been unhappy with stomach after the birth of my son 3years ago. My belly pooches out & I feel like I look about 4 months pregnant all the time! It really affects my self-esteem. I weighed 205lbs when my son was born (I was 155 when I got pregnant). I hover around 170 now and I’m dieting & exercising to lose more.
Updated on 10 Jul 2018:
Getting super excited and nervous!! I am mainly nervous about my house being a mess after & my husband/kids with me not able to do much at first!! Especially my toddler who will be 3 in August. Also I am worried about being really tired once I go back to work bc I have 4 children and work full time and keep my house really clean & tidy so I’m nervous about that!! Hoping I am like most people & feel pretty good post op. I’ve never had any type of surgery before!
I have bought several items to prepare for after surgery:
Extra strength Tylenol
Stool softener
Comfy underwear
A bidet (in case I can’t wipe myself lol)
My surgeon said to eat lots of fresh pineapple the week before to help prevent bruising!!
I’m also thinking about buying some sitting pillows.
Tomorrow is my pre-op appointment! I will post an update how it goes.
Updated on 10 Jul 2018:
This is my *goal* bathing suit for our Fall Break beach trip the first week of October. My surgery is scheduled for July 25th!!
Updated on 26 Jul 2018:
I kept thinking I would get really nervous leading up to this day, but I was actually pretty calm. We got there early (I filled out all my paperwork online). Met the surgical team. They all made me feel super comfortable. Dr Lynch came in & did my markings. He had a resident surgeon with him observing (I approved that). The nurses were amazing and made me feel so at ease. The anesthesiologist came in and gave me some medicine in my IV that made me feel more relaxed, rolled me into surgery room & administered the anesthesia. Next thing I knew I woke up in recovery about 3hrs later. I was very nauseous when I first woke up, the nurse quickly gave me meds in my IV for this and it went away. I drank some sprite and ice chips, eventually standing w help and putting on loose pajama pants and a loose thin zip jacket. I was weak and out of it. We drove home and I slept most of the way. Once we were home I took some medicine and laid down (in beach chair position) with lots of pillows. Basically the rest of today I have rested/napped between getting and walking to the bathroom.
Pain has been manageable with medicine. Hurting but nothing too awful. Will try to update each day this week!!!
Updated on 27 Jul 2018:
Slept great last night, set my alarm for 3am to take my pain meds. When I woke up I took meds again as we had my follow up appointment at 8:30am. I was able to get dressed with a little help from my husband and get to the car. He dropped me off close to the door and got into the office no problems just walking slowly & hunched over. Dr Lynch checked my incision and I was able to see my FLAT tummy for a minute. He put my binder back on and they gave me my garment. He instructed me to shower tmrw (2 days post op) & then put my garment on if possible. Once we got home I was pretty sore, I’ve slept on and off and got up to walk to the bathroom. But sitting up & walking makes my tummy muscles hurt.nothing too bad. I’ve been taking Tylenol today also. Tmrw I will take pics after my shower without my garment!!
Updated on 28 Jul 2018:
Day 2 was tough. I woke up in a lot of pain. I rested and tried to take a shower bc my PS wanted me to shower and put on my garment: I almost passed out when I took the binder off to showers. My mom and daughter helped me back to bed and rested. Later in the day we tried again. This time I sat & took the binder off then sat for a second before moving to the stool in my shower. I basically just washed my hit and let water run over me, then we got into my binder which is TIGHT. But it’s making moving and pain much better I think!!
Day 3 has not been too bad! Moving much easier and not as much pain, just tired. Had my first bowel movement. I am still very swollen and kinda wishing I could see more results, but I know it’s only day 3.
Here are a few pics of me today.
Updated on 30 Jul 2018:
I was finally able to snap a pic last night without my garment on. I am still incredibly swollen!! I am posting the 1st pic I took (I was so upset bc I looked huge) but obviously I was really swollen, and then the one I took last night and compared to before pics. I will definitely be taking more pics weeks out as swelling goes down!!!
Updated on 2 Aug 2018:
Had drain removed yesterday! Yay!! Still tired so easily, worried about going back to work in 5 days.. hoping energy is better by then.
Here are a few 1 week post op pics. Still very swollen , side very bruised & swollen from the lipo.
Updated on 17 Aug 2018:
Pretty much back to normal activities, I just swell by afternoon & I need to rest more often. I am really starting to see results that make me happy!! The first few weeks I was so swollen it kind of had me worried but I am thrilled now & each day gets better!!
Updated on 6 Nov 2018:
I thought I would give a 3mth po update. I am loving my results, best decision I’ve ever made!! I am so much more confidence, my clothes are fitting great. I went from a L & XL (tight) shirts, to mediums that re comfortable and not too tight! Pants and leggings fit better also.. some days I have slight swelling but it is really depending on what type of food I eat. I really try to push water and stay away from salt. Overall I am THRILLED with my new tummy!
Updated on 6 Nov 2018:
I am Uploading my 3 month post op pictures separately from my post because the first time it cut the pictures off for some reason & you couldn’t view the whole picture.
These are before & 3 months post op.