Recovering VERY well...considering! - Chicago, IL

6 week post-op update: The hardest part now is trying to differentiate the symptoms I have between my tt and my gallbladder removal. These gallbladder scars are horrible and depressing. I already have mederma and palmer's bio oil (Kimmers swears by it) and I will be purchasing silicone sheets very soon for the 6 week part. My tt scar is AMAZING! I barely can see it. I don't know if it's because I'm dark skinned and my pubic area is dark so it blends in, or WHAT?! VERY satisfied with how my tummy looks, although it is still very swollen. I'll let these scars heal first, then I'll be posting more pics in a couple of weeks.

Ok...now day 24 post op...I must say I have been taken through the ringer. While I am definitely the most unique post-op tummy tucker, I'm not pleased about it. A week ago, I had a sharp pain in the top of my stomach and ended up going to the ER. Turns out I had pancreitis, and had to have my gallbladder removed. Absolutely nothing to do with the tummy tuck, but I had to go under ANOTHER surgery on my stomach. Long story short and 5 days in the hospital I am at home recovering from two surgeries. This one was open as well, and not I have a HUGE surgery scar on my stomach that I'm pissed about. Grateful I'm healthy and alive, but just very down that now I'll probably be 'down' for about another month in recovery. I had little to no problems, but now My swelling is crazy, and I'm not able to wear the binder anymore. I'll see if I can gain the courage to post any more pics, but these staples are grossing me out. Ta-ta...

Would you believe I went back to work today??? I was debating it, and got tired of sitting in the house all day. I actually feel a whole lot better being around people now!!! I have a pretty stressless job, so it's no biggie. I went without the binder today, and my back feels a thousand times better. I know and understand that the binder makes the swelling disappear, but my swelling isn't out of control today, so I went without it. I even love my figure WITH the swelling! I'm finding the pinepples really do help with the swelling! I ran out 2 days ago, and I can already see and feel the difference. Besides walking hunched over and like a turtle, I feel GREAT (considering)!!!! I'm so glad I made this choice, and I have you RealSelf-ers to sing my praises to!!!!