38 Year Old 5 Feet 4 Inches Tall, Recent 70 Lb Weight Loss: Tummy Tuck, BL with Augmentation - Chattanooga, TN

I had my 5 week check up yesterday. Everything looks good. I have a spot at the junction under my left breast that is slower to heal but was told to just apply peroxide and it'd clear up. I return again at 8 weeks.

The area of maceration at my belly button is gone! I am keeping a marble or a soft ear plug inserted in my BB through the day and wearing a Leonisa 'high waist slimming cincher' during the day. At night I wear the Leonisa"invisible strapless classic shaper." Both work well and are comfortable. I did get the high waisted post partum panty but can't recommend it b/c it is just not comfortable and the hook and eye gusset is hard to deal with, especially at night. The hook and eye gusset in the invisible shaper is much easier to deal with b/c there is more stretch.

I have learned, for anyone interested, that the Curad brand of bandages and tape that you find in the store are actually made by Medline and Medline is the company that supplies all of our hospitals with their bandages, tape, and gauze. So..if you want hospital grade supplies for your recovery go with Curad. I am a nurse and we had an inservice about this recently so that's how I found out about it. I bought a bunch of their stuff and gave my other things to my mom for her first aid kit and I can tell a difference in the quality.

I'm sleeping on my side ok. Like EVERYONE I swell at night and go flat by morning. The swelling at my sternum is just about gone and my breasts are looking good. they are softer and not as high and both look pretty even to me.

I'm about a pound away from my surgery day weight but that's still a little higher than I want to be. I plan to just keep trying to eat lower carb/lower sugar and hopefully once I can get properly moving again I'll be able to get back down closer to the 130s like I was before. On the up side I still weigh less that I did this time last year. So, that's a positive.

I still have 'pulling' when I sneeze, cough, or try to have a BM. Sneezing is the most painful but it's not excruciating. I actually haven't had any trouble with pain in a long time. I just take Advil when I need it and an occasional muscle relaxer at night but that was normal for me b/c I do have some back pain when I'm not in surgery recovery. I blame that on working at a computer all day. Lots of neck and shoulder pain from time to time but, again, normal for me.

About a week ago I had a massage but only stayed side lying. It was very relaxing and helped the tightness in my back, neck, and shoulders. I still don't feel I"m standing perfectly erect but that is normal.

Haven't been fitted for a bra but my old 38Cs fit so I assume I'm a 36D. I do have to put the hook in the tightest hook but I"m not shopping for bras anytime soon. I only go out of the house a couple times a week so I picked up some cheap underwire bras from walmart plus the ones I had are plenty to get me through until I get fitted and I plan to wait several months.

I have, on the other hand, bought 2 bras for running. One was recommended by a PS on this site called a Z bra. It isn't pretty and it wasn't cheap but it's very well fitting. The other I found using instagram and I think will be good for anyone with a large bust who wants their girls to stay put. It is not that pretty but does come in fun colors and is very soft but your girls do NOT MOVE. It is called Enell Maximum control sports bra. I ordered mine from Amazon because the price was the same as the Enell site BUT Amazon prime and the free shipping were the better deal b/c Enell wanted around $10 for shipping. so, there are a couple for you guys to check out if you plan to do high impact exercise.

I will say I'm not 100% happy with my results just because I have seen heavier ladies have a flatter result. But, I keep telling myself that I did not have lipo and I am still a few pounds away from my lowest goal weight, and I am only 5 weeks out, AND I am giving myself an entire 12 months before I complain. so I tell myself that. A LOT :) and then I review my before pictures and remind myself that it is much much improved...so quit belly aching and get on with life :)

I did wear a form fitting top out the other day which was crazy b/c I never, ever have done that. It looked good AND I didn't have on a garment. oh. My PS says to keep in the garment til i'm 6 to 8 weeks. I take evening showers around 5 or 6 and after that shower until bed time I do give myself a break from the garment and he said that was fine..

I am able to work now without propping my feet up but I still do from time to time. just not all day long as I did immediately post op.

Last week I went for a couple of walks. I felt ok afterwards but my PS told me to keep the walking to more of a stroll so I just took it easy. Plan to try to do that a few times a week so I dont feel like a total loser.

My husband has a business trip coming up just after I hit the 6 week mark so I'm going with him to enjoy the spa that is on property while he is in meetings. Looking forward to that but curious how an 8 hour car ride is going to go with me in a garment :) Plan to drink lots of water and just enjoy the trip and not worry about the swelling...

Posting some photos I took this morning and the one of the more fitted top

so 3 weeks ago I was in a totally different state of mind at this time! I am super pleased with my boobs. Luckily my belly button is healing nicely and the shape is coming out. The creases aren't there but there is a little bit of maceration still in the lower part. Will just take some time. And that's all we have, right..time :)

Trying not to let the fact that my tummy scar is not symmetric bother me. I have to continueally look at my before pictures and remind myself that I was not at a goal weight and that I did not have lipo when I am unsure about how happy I am about the tummy tuck.

I have not been able to go to the grocery store and shop the whole time and make it through check out yet. My husband goes with me..I do the shopping and he does the check out while I hobble to the car. Now, I have not tried to just go to the store only..it's always tacked on to a trip of going to eat or like Sunday going to church, then to eat, then to the store. Speaking of Sunday..I helped lead worship Sunday at church..do you know how many ab mucsles are used when you sing? I couldn't believe it. I was super sore after we were done and we did a short worship set this week.

On the medication front I am not taking any pain medication. Only take some Advil from time to time.

So, now it's just hurry up and wait...not freaking out about anything for a while and trying to get my carbs cut down in my diet. I allowed myself a few weeks of comfort..about 2 pounds above my surgery day weight..