Drainless Tummy Tuck Jan 16, 2014 - Grand Rapids, MI

I'm about 7.5 weeks post now, things are going well. I chose to stop wearing my binder just past the 5 week mark, as it was becoming annoying. I love not having to monkey with it under clothes.

At 6 weeks post I started running again at the gym. I started slowly, at week 2 of couch to 5k. I've noticed a slight increase in swelling on days I run, but I expected that. Not feeling my belly move when I run is phenomenal. I'm up about 5 lbs from inactivity/increased eating since surgery, hoping to curb that and lose 10 by summer.

I had my second post op visit last Friday, Dr Ringler is impressed by my results and I go back in three months, when he will take my after photos.

My scar is looking good. I have a slight dog ear on the left side that Dr assures will flatten with time. I also have one spot where a stubborn stitch is causing a bit of a bump/callous. Other than that it is flat and even and just needs to fade. I put neosporin or vit e oil on it a couple times a week but honestly I leave it be for the most part- no covering or creams. it seems to be doing fine on it's own.

I went back to work last week, things went well. left early one day because I was tired, but otherwise it was fine. glad for winter and bulkier clothes to help hide my profile a bit. told my coworkers I'd had hernia repair- not entirely untrue. Swelling is down enough that I wore my jeans all day Friday (3 weeks 1 day post op), yay!

I'm regaining feeling back in my stomach, now I'm left with only a small triangle of numbness. this led to some increased discomfort, a bruised-like, stinging feeling now and then. ibuprofen helps.

I plan to try going back to the gym this week for the treadmill, easing in to see how it goes. husband and I are having sex again, all is good other than sometimes he goes to grab my hip and hits the incision, ouch! I ordered some lingerie, excited about it. never wore it much before because I hated the way I looked in it. My confidence has really improved. I look up and make eye contact with people more, and I notice that I get checked out more than I thought. Not attributing that to my new tummy as you can't see it beneath my coat, but my new confidence is helping me notice what others apparently already have- I'm attractive, haha.

Feeling really great. I've been alternating between Neosporin and paper tape on my incision, so far it's looking nice and thin, should hardly be noticeable when it's healed up and faded. I've been eying bikinis, can't wait to wear one with confidence this summer. Waiting until the swells belly around the incision is gone to get serious about shopping for one.