33 Year Old TT (w/MR, no lipo) and BL (no implants)! Finally!

My one year anniversary (a month late)!!! I just had to check in and give everyone the final results. I’m so thrilled I did this for myself and that I didn’t put it off. The recovery sucked but was a blip and well worth it.
I’m happy I obsessed the details and over prepared. I knew what I was getting into and was aware of what could go wrong. I was lucky and had an uneventful recovery which is due in part to being super prepared.
Not much has changed in my appearance to the outside world. But I feel 100x better without that droopy skin hanging on my stomach and with nice little boobs. I don’t have to wear underwire bras anymore - hallelujah! They aren’t super perky but they look like nice, natural 30-something year old boobs. I’m happy and husband is happy.
My bellybutton is cute and as natural as possible for a fake bb. I still put the ear plug in occasionally because I like it slightly more open, but it looks acceptable when I go a while without. I think my surgeon did a great job and I also think it was helpful that I had a deep innie pre-op so he had a lot of skin to work with.
This surgery will not solve all your insecurities. I realize now that my pelvis shape is a big cause of my clothing fit issues and not the extra skin. Also, I have to keep my weight in check or I look gross - the fat does redistribute elsewhere once you remove the previous problem spot. I find it easier to maintain my weight now, though, because I can see the results. Before, I looked terrible and flabby at any weight so I was less motivated to stay on track for long periods.
Scar massage works!!!!!! Seriously! Do it. See photos for proof. I made a real effort to massage my right side scar (also, I’m a righty so it was easier to use strong pressure on that side) - I fizzled out every time by the time I got to my left side and you can really tell. The scar is WAY lighter where I did strong massage. I think pressure and consistency are more important than product.
Overall, soooo happy and relieved to have this behind me. If you have the chance to do it, don’t put it off! Jump at the opportunity because life is hard and timing will never be perfect. Please message me if you need any pep talks or tips! Or if you live in New England and want my extra recovery supplies. I’m so thankful for this community!

Pre-op, I never anticipated that my belly button would be the hardest part to heal. Apparently this is common but I don't remember it much from my heavy RS stalking pre op. I still have no idea what my final BB will look like - it seems to be constantly evolving based on many factors I haven't figured out. Weight, full stomach, earplug position, etc.
At my 12 week appt, my surgeon told me to continue the earplug routine for a while but it looked better than before so no need to inject steroids.
I keep an earplug taped in there every day and take it out when I take a shower and do the Biocorneum routine. Right when I remove the plug, it looks great and almost passable as my natural BB. Over the course of the hours without the plug, the top sides of the scar slowly close in which makes me nervous that I'll have to use the plug forever! I decided to document the changes for anyone interested.
Overall very happy and still working on my fitness for the July beach vacay.

Hi Friends!
Sorry for the update slacking! Not much recovery news - I still feel great and am so happy I did this. I barely remember those early days or what a compression garment feels like. My before body is a distant memory. I'm still not sleeping on my stomach, but I'm sure I could if I really wanted to. Still wearing a ear plug in BB and using Biocorneum, per my PS's advice.
My new body is much better but nowhere near perfect. I predicted that I would still struggle with with body image post-op, and I do. It's something that doesn't just go away once the skin is removed. I'm trying to find my happiest body weight, and that's been a challenge. I have stayed within 10 lbs of my pre-op weight - 136ish. My stomach and hips look best below 138 but my boobs look a bit sad. At 145, my boobs were a glorious full C/small D(!) but I did not like my thighs and muffin top. Pre-op, smaller weight fluctuations mostly went to my gut so this is new to me.
Advice to those starting this journey: get back to exercise asap! I got used to not exercising and found other ways to fill those hours. That has led to a struggle to get it back into my schedule. I had to literally brush spiderwebs off of my elliptical when I finally attempted my first cardio session at 12 weeks. And my endurance was gone!
I have a big family vacation planned for July so I am motivated! Also, cardio time is when I like checking in with all my RS people, so you should see more of me in the coming weeks! Hope all is well with you all!