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Just not certain, and I wanted to be
OK so I went MIA for a bit. I felt like I needed to step away and just allow time to continue. It's been just over 7 months from my surgery where I had a BL with no implants and a drainless TT.
I can look at my photos and see the difference. It's there, and I acknowledge the improvement. It just isn't quite where I thought to be after investing my time, energy, emotions and finances into this. I hoped if I stepped away and gave the body time to heal that at 5 months, 6 months, 7 - I could breath a sigh of relief and say "Oh see how silly you were to be so concerned!" but here I am at 7 months and the scars are healing nicely but I have pleating on the sides,still and I have a pooch in the lower belly still. I have never "woke up on the flat side" - I can see where the pleating has decreased, and the swelling has gone down - but I still have significant swelling and there is still pleating on the sides. I took some photos of me sitting down and you can see that it's smooshy.
I think I must have put on weight, having a time with my jeans and shorts - too snug. I went on a vacation last month and brought some swim shorts with me but I didn't wear most of them because they are lighter in color, and well - kinda got a bit of a camel toe still. I couldn't wear one of the tops because my nipple fell out and one of the bottoms because my scars showed but overall I can see I look better than I did.
I can look at my photos and see the difference. It's there, and I acknowledge the improvement. It just isn't quite where I thought to be after investing my time, energy, emotions and finances into this. I hoped if I stepped away and gave the body time to heal that at 5 months, 6 months, 7 - I could breath a sigh of relief and say "Oh see how silly you were to be so concerned!" but here I am at 7 months and the scars are healing nicely but I have pleating on the sides,still and I have a pooch in the lower belly still. I have never "woke up on the flat side" - I can see where the pleating has decreased, and the swelling has gone down - but I still have significant swelling and there is still pleating on the sides. I took some photos of me sitting down and you can see that it's smooshy.
I think I must have put on weight, having a time with my jeans and shorts - too snug. I went on a vacation last month and brought some swim shorts with me but I didn't wear most of them because they are lighter in color, and well - kinda got a bit of a camel toe still. I couldn't wear one of the tops because my nipple fell out and one of the bottoms because my scars showed but overall I can see I look better than I did.
My belly button itches now...
It started about 3 days ago but OMG the itching and I can't scratch it. I mean it isn't IN the belly button but I don't have any feeling on my stomach yet so when I scratch it isn't actually addressing the itch either. I want to get my Nerf gun and shoot styrofoam bullets at something.
I haven't done any more posting because there wasn't much change. Still not much - my incisions are fine, they are healing great from what i can see. I haven't done any scar therapy so its just them doing what they do which is fine. I'm wearing my normal clothes, but still wearing CGs for 10-12 hours a day. I still have swelling at the bottom part of my stomach - never flat. It's gotten better, I can see that, but it's not flat. Even now - and I worry that the skin will be stretched out permanently as a result. :-(
My incision is low enough so underwear or shorts hide it - I'm not feeling self conscious about the incisions its more the swelling. For my breasts, they are still an odd shape and where the incisions are they fold or move differently. I'm trying to take a deep breath and remember my PS said things will change for at least 3 months, swelling can happen for months and that your body takes time to heal. He asked me to be patient and I'm trying to.
I got the ok to work out 3 weeks ago so I started cardio and body weight exercises. Boy is my stamina not quite there but I do try. Today I did arm, chest and back with just 5 lb weights - really??? my left boob kept getting zingers, I had to take an advil. I did a SMALL amount of core and stomach work outs and whew, wow... I'm ready for bed.
It's better, I see that - I can look at the before and after and see it. And my damn belly button ITCHES.
I haven't done any more posting because there wasn't much change. Still not much - my incisions are fine, they are healing great from what i can see. I haven't done any scar therapy so its just them doing what they do which is fine. I'm wearing my normal clothes, but still wearing CGs for 10-12 hours a day. I still have swelling at the bottom part of my stomach - never flat. It's gotten better, I can see that, but it's not flat. Even now - and I worry that the skin will be stretched out permanently as a result. :-(
My incision is low enough so underwear or shorts hide it - I'm not feeling self conscious about the incisions its more the swelling. For my breasts, they are still an odd shape and where the incisions are they fold or move differently. I'm trying to take a deep breath and remember my PS said things will change for at least 3 months, swelling can happen for months and that your body takes time to heal. He asked me to be patient and I'm trying to.
I got the ok to work out 3 weeks ago so I started cardio and body weight exercises. Boy is my stamina not quite there but I do try. Today I did arm, chest and back with just 5 lb weights - really??? my left boob kept getting zingers, I had to take an advil. I did a SMALL amount of core and stomach work outs and whew, wow... I'm ready for bed.
It's better, I see that - I can look at the before and after and see it. And my damn belly button ITCHES.
9 weeks out - post TT and BL
I don't have an appointment until April, so I'm just... wearing compression garments, taking my supplements, and doing what the post op stuff says to do. I did call the office this week and ask a bunch of questions for "When can I..". So.. I can start doing massages, chiropractic (just make sure I'm communicating with them and mindful of the pressure etc); nothing on my incisions yet - 3 months so I'll ask him next month if I can do any scar therapy. Working out - I'm cleared to go but no core work and be mindful of my body. I was warned working out would increase my swelling - and that was disappointing.
Seriously - I told the nurse I've never NOT had swelling in my stomach. It's gotten better, I can see that the pleating is less than when I first had the TT but I see everyone say "I'll see you on the flat side!" and I'm still waiting for the flat part. Now, before you comment negatively - I can SEE the difference. I meant the "mouth" is gone - I can look at the before and see the improvements. I'm about 90% back to where I need to be, I feel much better than I did and the incisions are healing well. I'm HOPING ... silently hoping that the swelling stops and I actually do have a flat belly from top to bottom. It's never not swollen. When I wake up its there, throughout the day under my CG it's there, and when I go to bed it's there. I really need to start working out again I feel sluggish and every time I eat, I feel like my belly is fat (and I KNOW it isn't but it feels that way). I miss working out and I've gotten out of the habit.
Also - is anyone else feel like they are eating all the time ??? or eating ridiculous things? I keep reaching for animal crackers, skittles, sweet tarts, chips.. wth?? It's emotional right??
It really is better, I know it is. I just keep comparing myself to where everyone else is at this point and I have to stop. Breath. Enjoy those before and afters and see that I have come so far. I am too tired these days, too emotional and I need to look again I know this is more about other stressors in my life. Work, home, life in general - and I'm just putting it on this. I will look at the photos- see the progress, focus on what is good and stay patient. Tomorrow, I will get back on track with a small workout, get back to clean eating and stop wallowing! Onward and upward!!
Seriously - I told the nurse I've never NOT had swelling in my stomach. It's gotten better, I can see that the pleating is less than when I first had the TT but I see everyone say "I'll see you on the flat side!" and I'm still waiting for the flat part. Now, before you comment negatively - I can SEE the difference. I meant the "mouth" is gone - I can look at the before and see the improvements. I'm about 90% back to where I need to be, I feel much better than I did and the incisions are healing well. I'm HOPING ... silently hoping that the swelling stops and I actually do have a flat belly from top to bottom. It's never not swollen. When I wake up its there, throughout the day under my CG it's there, and when I go to bed it's there. I really need to start working out again I feel sluggish and every time I eat, I feel like my belly is fat (and I KNOW it isn't but it feels that way). I miss working out and I've gotten out of the habit.
Also - is anyone else feel like they are eating all the time ??? or eating ridiculous things? I keep reaching for animal crackers, skittles, sweet tarts, chips.. wth?? It's emotional right??
It really is better, I know it is. I just keep comparing myself to where everyone else is at this point and I have to stop. Breath. Enjoy those before and afters and see that I have come so far. I am too tired these days, too emotional and I need to look again I know this is more about other stressors in my life. Work, home, life in general - and I'm just putting it on this. I will look at the photos- see the progress, focus on what is good and stay patient. Tomorrow, I will get back on track with a small workout, get back to clean eating and stop wallowing! Onward and upward!!
Provider Review
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
3600 Blackhawk Plaza Cir., Danville, California
The office is extremely helpful and professional. All of the staff were patient with the many feelings, insecurities and multiple questions I had. Dr. Ronan even made time last minute for me to come in and discuss any concerns or questions with him a week before the procedure. I didn't have it scheduled but he made sure he gave me his attention. The staff was very responsive and very flexible with me as well.