Can't Believe I'm Actually Doing This! - Edison, NJ

So yeah, I need to stop overdoing it. Cannot wait to workout (because of the couple little issues, I am not going to be allowed to for at least another month, I can only walk around a little bit for the time being). I am often wearing a compression garment underneath my binder to keep the swelling down. I have tried on my first bikinis in my adult life and must say I look pretty decent! Though, sitting around for the past month has taken its toll... I feel soft and smooshy all over and definitely want to get to toning! All in all, I am very happy with my decision and can't wait to see how I look in a couple of months after everything settles down! Now that my tummy looks so good, I have to do something about my boobs! ;)

Today is one month post op! Things have been all-around ok. I've had some fluid issues (seroma had to be drained three times but it seems to be resolving now), went back to work in the office this week and ended up in terrible pain and exhausted. I've been super swollen this week, I assume because I overdid it on Tuesday and Wednesday. So my one month pics today include my swelly-belly as I like to call it! My scar looks good and low, very happy with that. Will write more later this weekend.

I had my first post operative appoinment today and I am happy to report that the drains are out, thank goodness! What a gross and creepy feeling having them pulled out. I had no idea they were so far inside of me.... ewwwww, that's all I can say. Not really all that painful, just creepy. I am still pretty tender where they were, so I have some gauze on the holes for a day so they can heal a bit. Just so so so happy to have those gone.

Doctor said I am healing wonderfully and look great. Aside from being swollen (mostly after eating and in the evenings), I am feeling really good. I have been overdoing it and my body has been telling me so. I sat upright working from home all day yesterday, and that was a bad idea. I definitely wish I'd taken more than a week off work. Today I modified my couch "office" a bit, laid my laptop on my lap, and worked in a reclined position most of the day. I feel much better than I did last night, though still awfully swollen.

I asked the doc about the little spot of skin at the top of my tummy, the area that has some coming-and-going laxity when sitting/bending. He said it should smooth out as I continue to heal and swelling goes down. He did not seem to be concerned at all. OK, cool. I won't worry about it unless it bothers me after a few months, if it hasn't smoothed out by then. And, I am totally flat standing up... almost too tight most of the time, can't wait til I have some more flexibility and can stand up 100% (I am pretty close, but my tummy is so tight still, it pulls).

My incision is healing perfectly and looks awesome. I am so impressed with the placement! The butterfly bandages came off today, too, so I got the first look at it. Seems pretty thin to me and I am just so happy with how low it is. I tried on 3 different panties when I got home and the incision didn't really show in any of them! That makes me so excited for the thought of shopping for my first ever in my adult life bikini! I am adding a few pics to show you. The red marks and stuff are not my incision - I got some skin pulled off from some bandages and have lots of bandage residue and skin irritation you can see in the pics.

I go back in a week for the new follow-up. I am to continue wearing the binder (or I can get a compression garment instead) for at least 3 more weeks. It was nice to leave the house for the first time since surgery today, and I am actually going to drive tomorrow.