44 Yr Old, TT. Bad Belly Days BEGONE! - Altamonte Springs, FL

6 1/2 weeks PO: I love that I did this! I love my new belly, the straight line, the clothes fitting. I still have days of swelling and I am continuing to wear a compression garment of some type around my middle. I really find I am not comfortable for long periods during the day without one if I am up and walking around or sitting. I have started exercise walking and while I am not to my pre-op pace, I am feeling stronger each day. I am back to losing weight and this operation has been my biggest motivator. This week I put on jeans that were a size smaller than I usually wear!!!

Today I bought a bikini! I dont know that I will ever wear it out in public but.. who knows.. maybe I will next summer.

5Weeks PO: I know it's been a long time since I have checked in. A lot has changed in the past few weeks but this past month felt like it just dragged by slowly. My appetite has returned. Each day I can walk a little faster, further before I need to rest. I listen to my body completely and I have followed what my PS wants almost to the letter. I have watched a lot of movies and read several good books to keep the doldrums away. I absolutely did not want to do anything that would compromise my results.

I met with my PS for my 5th week po visit. The middle spot on my incision was still oozing a bit and bleeding. He removed a stitch that had surfaced and it closed right up and scabbed over by the end of the day. Now that the incision is all scabbed and healing I am considering using Maderma or something like that for scar treatment though PS didn't sound as if he put a lot of stock in those products. I experience a lot of achiness between my navel and the ribcage and there is a patch in the very middle that still feels numb. It's a tight, sore muscle, after a work out, kind of ache. I'm not taking anymore pain meds.. really don't feel a need for them. PS has banned any ab workouts but I am cleared to walk and do normal stuff.

I can wear my regular clothes again. I love the look of a flat front. I am so happy that I did this!! I will add new photos soon. I bought a Flexi middle garment to wear when I sit up for long periods or if I am going out. This one has boning in it so it helps me sit up straight but also makes me feel protected.

Day 17 PO: Got my stitches out this week!! Little bit of infection on the incision site that my PS is keeping an eye on and having me self treat with antibacterial ointment. Stitch removal was annoying, his removing the steri strips hurt more.

Appetite is starting to return to normal but I can't eat large portions.. not sure if it's my stomach or the binder I am wearing!! All told, I have lost about 5 lbs. I feel really capable of doing activity but it doesnt seem to take very much and my abdomen feels tight up and down.