Just Turned 39....Time to Fix This Puffy Stomach!

Hello. Just wanted to do one final post and picture as promised before I put this all behind me and move on. I was in a bathroom the other day that had really good lighting so I figured it was the perfect opportunity to get a "real" picture instead of one that is all washed out due to soft lighting.

For me, I don't understand why I have this lumpy and uneven look and why my skin is still so splotchy and discoloured. Mitchell did offer me a revision but after trying to book in 3x over 6 months and never being able to get an appointment, I figured it was the universe intervening and recommending that I NOT go in for another surgery. I may look to have some form of revision done in the US at some point, but for now, I am just going to accept that this is my stomach now.

The positives...I have lost 8 kg throughout this journey and have identified the foods that were causing me serious bloat- as you will see from my first pictures. I now think that if I would have focussed on cleaning up my diet more, then I would not have needed the surgery. But, live & learn.

If I could go back in time, I wouldn't do the surgery again. As I've said previously, my stomach is fine in clothes as it is now flat because I have cut out all sugar & white flour from my diet. But I am embarrassed of how it looks in a bikini. I feel like it looks like something is wrong with my stomach.

But again, it's time for me to put this journey behind me and accept my body as is, flaws and all. The only purpose of documenting my surgery was to have an open and unbiased discussions of the pros & cons. Too much I feel like people will only post the positive and won't post at all if it is negative.

Always happy to answer any questions or continue to chat via PM.

Hello! Just wanted to provide a current status of everything. I went in about a month ago for my "6 month" follow-up. Mitchell did suggest that I needed a revision to address some lumps around my belly button, excess fat under my bra line, the large indent/ crease between my upper abdomen and my lower abdomen and the large band of scar tissue that runs up my right side.
I really did not want to do another surgery and have spent the past month going back & forth on pros/ cons. Ultimately, I had another discussion today with Mitchell and he is confident that I will see good resolution to my issues with another surgery, so I'm going to go for it! I've come this far, right? It doesn't sound like there is anything that can be done about the discolouration/ red splotches that is still there 10 months post surgery. He said that's just what happens with some people. :( I really pray it won't be here forever because it looks like I have a skin disease.
I'm going to look to schedule the revision for as quickly as possible though because I just really want to get this all over with! I'm tired of thinking about it every day and being anxious at what my end result is going to be. I'm so nervous that I will end up looking lumpier or misshapen or have more scar tissue. But, I guess that is the risk that one takes with any surgery. Also, Cosmos has switched to a stomach board instead of a binder for post surgery- so I think that is going to be even more unbearable than the binder was...just another reason I'm dreading it.
On a positive note, I have lost 4 kg's and in clothes, my mid-section looks fabulous! It's just without the clothes or in swimsuits that is the problem. Mitchell has been really great in making himself available to discuss, it's times like these that I really feel bad for people who have a surgeon who isn't reachable post procedure.

I haven't posted in a bit as I have been working out of the US and its very hard to take accurate pictures of yourself! (or at least it is for me) I also haven't been able to get in to see Mitchell for my 6 month follow-up and I really wanted to talk with him before posting anything. However, a few people have been messaging me for an update and I guess to keep an accurate record of the journey, I need to keep post accurate status updates.
I'm not going to say too much right now though because I'd like to talk to Mitchell in the first instance. I have maintained the same weight since my surgery, but I have noticed things changing quite a bit in the last few months. I feel like I was happier with my results at 3 months than I am now so I don't really understand what is happening.
I'll update after my 9 month follow-up! Sorry the pictures aren't better.