Excited to Be Back to ME! - Charleston, SC

I had been thinking about a smaller and flatter tummy for a few years now. I have 2 kids and really missed my body. I am 5'8 at 140 lbs. My tummy was the only thing that didn't match. I have been very lean and muscular up until a year ago when I'd just given up on diet and exercise. Since then, I have been able to maintain my weight but have lost muscle definition. My husband has been very supportive and excited to see me happy and more confident.

I am now 5 weeks post op. I'm walking completely upright since 3 weeks and just feel out of shape. I still tire easily. I returned to work at 2 weeks and did rather well (desk job). The hardest part was the long distance walking from the parking lot and to meetings. I would say about a mile a day.

I have an appointment in another week. I expect to start scar therapy and to discuss the look of my belly button. I'm actually getting use to it and I want to lighten it to be closer to my skin completion. Also I want to make sure it lays flat to my skin. Right now there are 2 areas on my belly button that puff out. Not a really big deal. I still have 1 very small area of my scar that is not completely healed, so hopefully it will be so that I can take baths and go swimming. I am also ready to exercise and strengthen my muscles again. I'm walking every day but I really want to do more. Yoga! I really miss it.

Alright...Swelling. This is the most talked about topic that I've noticed. My swelling is very minimal. It's no longer uncomfortable and I'm okay with it. Usually happens mid day and after a little rest, it usually goes down in an hour or so. I'm not taking or eating anything special for the swelling to not occur. I stopped wearing a control garment at 4 weeks. I'm sleeping all kinds of crazy ways and no longer limited to the back. Sex is a win win as long as my husband and I take it easy. Didn't try until a few days ago.

The pics are 5 weeks po. I will post some before pics after my next appointment (I didn't take any and my ps has a few).

All is going well. Swelling is still minimal. Looks like the last area on my incision is healing completely. I have started rubbing my incision with vitamin E ointment to keep it moisturized and loosen the skin. I'm still numb in the middle of my incision about 3 inches across and from my belly button down.

I went to get my usual sugaring, sphinx and underarms. It was the usual pain and I asked the aesthetician to not remove hair that was really close to the incision. I may tweeze it over the weekend. So worth not having to shaved and the hair grow back beastly and itching. Great investment. Google it ladies.

I'm still hesitant about purchasing new clothes, panties and bathing suits. I want to give it some more time before I splurge.

I'm really accepting my belly button and now I'm thinking it's kind of cute and definitely unique. Still looking forward to baths and yoga. Next week I'm hopeful to reach those milestones.

You all have a fabulous weekend and happy healing to those who just had their procedures.

My family and I went to the beach this morning and I had my big reveal to the public. I wore a bikini from about 6 years ago and felt really confident and good. I'm so use to pulling my tummy in that I forgot that I didn't have to anymore. I also was able to do about 15 minutes of yoga and 30 minutes walking before we left for the beach. I'm still feeling really good and so excited for progress.