37 Yr Old Fitness Instructor with 4 Kids - Detroit, MI

Hi Cosita7, I am new to fitness instructing- I teach RPM (Les Mills Spin), and have been inquiring on when most instructors returned to teaching after their mommy makeovers. Looks like most have said 4-6 weeks. In my situation, I was cleared for light activity at 3 weeks, but experienced a lot of swelling and have a small blood clot once I returned to spin class. I've had to see a lymphatic drainage specialist and have my 6 week check up with PS on Tuesday. I say all this to say, everyone is different. But if you are at all hesitant about surgery, wait until you are 100% certain and will have no regrets. Because you cannot predict your recovery and/or possible complications. The hardest part of all this for me has been more emotional than physical. The swelling still, even at 6 weeks leaves me with a pooch. The more active I am, the more I swell. So I have to choose to keep taking it easy or suffer the consequences that come with getting back to teaching. I know I didn't totally answer your question, but hopefully gave you some perspective from my experience! From what I see, everyone seems to be very happy around the 3-6 month mark. I just hope this pooch goes away, as I feel like all the photos I see of everyone else, have such a FLAT tummy. It's hard for me to imagine this is just swelling. And if I wasn't sure I wanted to do this going into surgery, I'd be absolutely devastated and full of regrets. Good luck and keep us posted on what you decide to do.

Hi cosit7! How have the last couple weeks of research been for you? I Just wanted to send an update. I started teaching classes again last week. I did 4 spin classes and feel GREAT! It still hurts to do any core work, even push ups on my toes...BUT I don't teach those types of classes, so I'm in the clear. I must admit, each week I feel better and better and am finally ready to say--- IT WAS WORTH IT! I feel so confident in my workout clothes kicking everyone's butt on that bike, lol! I "look" the part and that has made me feel like I can do anything. It's SO WORTH IT!! No more long baggy workout shirts to cover my belly and all the lipo contouring is fabulous. AND my ps surgeon said I'm only at the "halfway" point. I really can't imagine it getting better than this. DO IT, ha ha! Sit down with your place of business and tell them you'll need a sub for 6 weeks. Everyone is different, you may find you're back at it in 3-4, but set the expectation of 6-8. And get a support team and at least one or two people you know who have been through this who are willing to be an ear when you feel discouraged, depressed, and isolated. Because that will happen at some point- and it's totally normal. But I am SO GLAD I did this for myself. The appreciation and joy started kicking in around week 6 as the swelling went down and the contouring was revealed and my clothes started fitting great. I still have body image issues and "feel" chubby. I keep going to the store trying on mediums and looking in the mirror to remind myself I'm no longer that old body. That has been trippy! Anyway, sorry for the long post, it's been a good week and I wanted to share the positives with you. Because yes, there is a light at the end. And 6-8 weeks really is no time at all when you think of the many years of hotness you'll have after :) Keep me posted!

thank you so much

I got high profile rounds. They won't even push together. I'm still happy with them. I've heard the numbness can even take up to a couple years.

I taught my most intense class tonight and was even able to demo a couple of the higher options. I stepped out when I needed to and did what I could. It felt good.

Wooohooo! That's progress and putting your healing first. Good going, girl :))))

Thanks. We'll need to see my PS about the incision.

Will need not we'll need

I was thinking it was about time for an update. Yes I am feeling happy with my results. Will put more info in the update.