34 Yo Momma of 1- Tummy Tuck and Lipo of Flanks and Thighs

Tomorrow marks 12 weeks post op. I am very pleased with my results. My belly button is quite scarred, as you can see in the attached picture, I’m hoping the scars will minimize over time and I do have a bit pleated but has significantly improved and I can barely notice it anymore which was a big concern of mine from the beginning. I went on a trip to Jamaica and for the first time in a long time felt comfortable running around in a bikini :)
I have been running on my treadmill when I can and am down about 8lbs since surgery.
I do still swell a fair bit, often after I’ve been inactive and sitting for extended periods. At times I’m puffy above and below my incision site. I wear my abdomen compression wrap when I’m swollen which helps a lot. Around week 10 and 11, I was pulling muscles in my lower abdomen which was quite painful and felt incredibly tight. I was in post travel quarantine so was sitting much more than I would when going to work on a daily basis and wonder if that was part of the reason. My post op follow up appointments have been cancelled due to the covid-19 state of emergency as it is not necessary medically so I have not yet received any IPL laser treatments.

I’m now 5 weeks post op. Feeling great. I was told at my 4 week post op appointment I can start longer periods without my compression garment and can start working out again. I was so crazy busy last week I didn’t squeeze in a workout but plan to get back to my minimum 3 times a week goal. I generally run on the treadmill in the winter, last week knew I wasn’t ready for running but this week feel that may be possible.
My surgeon includes 3 IPL laser scar treatments with the cost of my procedure so will do my first treatment at my next post op appointment in 3 weeks. Research has shown this significantly improves the appearance of the scar when done in the early stages after the procedure. I have a trip to Jamaica planned in 2 weeks and was only advised not to let any sun touch my scar as it could darken the appearance and that could be permanent in the healing stage. I am thinking I may tape the scar under my bathing suit to be safe, but we shall see.
My belly button is finally healing up nicely and I no longer have twinges of pain in my in my lower abdomen (which I attributed to nerve pain/regrowth). My incision site does swell a fair bit after extended activity. I like to put on the binder when I’m feeling super swollen.
I honestly keep forgetting I’m still in recovery/healing stage. I had some drinks with my boyfriend and friends last weekend and I felt zonked for days, it was only when a friend mentioned I was barely 4 weeks post op that I realized perhaps that took a bigger toll than I had realized.
My scar is looking better every day and I generally have pretty light scars so I’m hoping the appearance will continue to improve.
I have a tiny bit of pleating and one little area near my hip that is a bit puffy (dog ear?) I spoke to the surgeon about it and she said they wait until at least 6 months post op to discuss if corrections are possible. Things will continue to settle out over the next 5 months and they may resolve in the healing process. Both are under the bikini line so wouldn’t be visible to anyone unless naked regardless so I’m not overly worried.
The swelling from the lipo in my legs have calmed down but my thighs are still sensitive when pushed on and they are sore when I first wake up or stand up after extended sitting. I do see a small difference in my legs but not a significant change, part of me wonders if I forgot what my old legs looked like lol. I’ve added some updated pictures.

It’s been 17 days since my surgery. I ended up going back to work a couple days early, I took my time off as vacation so that saved me a couple days. I have an office job so being back to work is fine for the most part. As of 3 or 4 days ago, 2 weeks Post op, I feel pretty much back to normal other than occasionally some pretty decent swelling at my incision site and some weird twinges of pain (I’ve chalked it up to nerve pains but can’t be totally sure). I can finally sleep laying flat and on my side again! At my last appointment I talked to the nurse about the pleating, she told me we will discuss laser therapy for the scar at my next visit but it has already evened out so much. My incision is taped with paper tape, I have changed it a couple times but the nurse at the surgeons office said the tape helps with the appearance of the scar and she wanted me to continue taping it. Not exactly sure why that is but I wonder if it helps keep the scar from pulling in the healing process. The nurse also told me my belly button was fairly moist so she advised me to paint the healing belly button with iodine to dry it up. It is hard to keep dry when it’s always covered in the compression garment and binder. I’ve been trying to give it more “air time”. I have been wearing the garment and binder less than the first few weeks but because I had so much liposuction I want to make sure everything adheres back together properly so have been trying to wear them as much as possible. The garment and binder is definitely the most annoying part now, wearing them constantly irritates my skin.
The swelling in my legs have come down so much and the bruising is almost gone! They are still a bit swollen and painful right at My knees, which is also where my compression garment wouldn’t reach, not sure if that’s coincidence or not?
I have attached a few updates photos.