Finally Time to Tuck!! - Granite Bay, CA

Today I went to my 6 week follow up and I'm doinh well. I was cleared for the gym and massages. I can't wait to get back to working out. I won't be going back until my 6 month appointment.

Hello Dolls! Today makes 40 days post op! I went back to work 3 weeks ago and mu daughter had a birthday party that I had to plan. Let me tell you the 1st 2 weeks back to my normal schedule of work, kids and wife duties were challenging. My energy level was low and the swelling was so uncomfortable and at times hurt. But it gets better with time and as of today I'm feeling a lot more like my old self. This week was also the 1st time I was able to put on jeans. Before my lower stomach and thighs were swollen to the point I couldn't pull them up (emotional breakdown time) and my stomach was so sensitive I couldn't stand the pressure or feeling of the material even with my faja on.
Which brings me to my faja journey. Compression is key and in my research I seen ladies buying these colombian medical grade fajas for optimal results. My wonderful doctor suggested medium firm spanx type undergarment which I already had drawers full of but I bought a few new ones to ensure the stretch was still tight. BUT I started second guessing and went to Amazon and ordered the "Colombian" ones just in case. I must have ordered 4 of them and none were comfortable,compression was too tight and a few didn't even fit(finding the right size was really hard). In the the best fit and comfort was the ones my doctor suggested however I do wear a soft wrap around lipo foam for compression and added layer since my stomach is sensitive to touch. Moral of the story listen to doctors orders.
At my 2nd week check up Dr Clark provided me with Biocorneum scar treatment. I put it on my scar twice a day by gently massaging it into the scar , in the morning after my shower and before bed. During this time and after it dries I use shea butter mixed with vitamin e oil and completely massage my stomach and side. Massaging is great to prevent scar tissue and harden of tissue from Lipo. I personally believe the Biocorneum is working really well on my scar.
Next Tuesday I go for my 6 week follow up and I'm hoping to be cleared for the gym. Since I've been sitting on my ass for so long its time to get the rest of my body toned up to match my new beautiful tummy. Watch out Sumner 2018 I'm coming for you!!! I promise I'll be back after my visit to Dr Clark's office.

I'm 16 days post op and I'm feeling so much better. Sorry I've been MIA but between the holidays and my recovery I've been drained. My family spent both Christmas and the New Year with me since I was low on energy. I did try to post a few times but as I would get to the end it would just disappear and since my emotions were crazy it drove me crazy. Which leads me today's topic: Emotions! I have been on the emotional rollercoaster. I remember reading comments like "remember recovery takes time" or "remind yourself it's all worth it". Yes that is all true and I did which got me through BUT please brace yourself for the emotional recovery. The physical recovery is hard and yes everyone has their own experience. I've had 2 c-sections but this was a little harder. There was no beautiful newborn that needed me or a cute little face to stare at to remind me it was all worth it. It was just me! I found myself questioning if this was really worth it. I couldn't be a mom or wife and although the initial thought of being waited on hand and foot sounded like a dream,the reality was much different. I began a love/ hate relationship with my recliner. Best investment don't get me wrong but I was in it 24/7. I missed sleeping with my husband in my bed Hell I missed just plain sleeping. OH AND THE DRAIN! There was no love/hate with that thing just HATE. Every time it would move or get emptied I would get this weird butterflies type feeling and I would get this sharp pain in my abdomen thst I swear was the tip of the dain hose poking me.The hole where it was coming out of my body freaked me out whenever I saw it. Walking hunched over was torture on my lower back. But I knew I couldn't and shouldn't stand straight to soon no matter the pain because in the long run my scar would be better for it. I was sick to the stomach the 1st 2 days and I dry heaved once so hard I thought I popped an internal stitch, oh the pain brought me to tears, I even called the doctor's office(it was fine).
By day 8 I had a breakdown while walking to the kitchen. I was disappointed in myself for not healing as fast as others I had read about , Hell I was still bent over and I saw people standing straight going to work at this stage. The showers were so nice but took so long that I'd be zapped of energy right after. Oh and swell hell, don't even get me started on that. The best way to describe it is like your stomach feels like when your foot falls asleep and then you try to stand on it mixed with menstrual cramps , just plain weird. Which leads you to your next love/hate relationship,your faja. Without it I felt like my stomach is so weak I couldn't even sit up. On the other hand it was so binding with it I felt like a couldn't breathe. On my way to my 2nd check up to get my drain taken out I got so car sick that I was vomiting halfway thorough the ride there. When I got to the office the took great care of me but told that was very common on your 1st car ride after surgery. I thought to myself I never read that in anyone's review, and I read a lot of them.
All this combined I found that I started to question if I was too old or if I was a superficial and causing myself and my family this burden all for vanity. I felt like a bad mother/wife because this was my selfish desire. I took pictures to remind myself of the awesome progression and to remind myself of the feelings I had pre op. That worked for me plus everyday my family would act in awe of my results. The made me feel good.
Day 10 it all changed. The cloud lifted and over night my energy had a huge boost. I say all of this to anyone that's reading my experience I didn't post these details to scare you but to prepare you for what might happen. When your time comes be ready for not only your physical healing but your emotional one too. Small things like going to the store, taking a shower or even going to the bathroom become huge obstacles but it will get better. Those 1st 10 days felt like an eternity but it's really not. I've got a lot more to tell you about but I'll save that for my next post.So when your starting to feel down remember this post. Remember you are not alone and remember those words repeated in every review " recovery takes time and it will all be worth it! " I promise you it will. I still have a ways to go but it is so much more manageable and I can now do a lot for myself and that feels good.
Next I'll talk / rant (LOL) about my search for a stage 2 faja or compression garment.
HAPPY NEW YEAR AND FINALLY HAPPY NEW ME!!