45YrOld Upper/Lower Abs & Flanks - Hampton, VA

Hi Everyone -- Happy Sunday. Let's see, what's new to report. Well, to be truthful, I do not see much difference between day 38 and today but I do see a big difference between my before and now so I can be happy about that. I like being non-linear (Hahahaha) and glad to see that the curves continue to evolve. I also like that I don't have as much fluff on my bra and flank area. I have more swelling on my right side than my left and my hips are still quite swollen. The brawny edema is still getting better week by week and the tissue is definitely softening up which I hope means will eventually be absorbed by my body. Feeling great, stamina is back, no pain at all, I can stretch and exercise without any issue so I am just in the waiting game (like many of you). Work has been especially busy so I have not been able to exercise much these last two weeks and I can feel it. I am on travel this week so just hope to control my sodium and get back on the exercise game next week.

Hi RS friends. Thought I would just check in to say Hi and let you know I am still around and kicking. LoL.... Nothing really new to report on the healing front. I still have lots of swelling in the tummy area and the "shelf" is still there but does seems to be getting softer. A bit of a new development, some of my incision sites seems to be a bit raised, like a mosquito bite. I have been using Mederma and am hopeful this helps but a bit concerned. The incision sites themselves look good and slowly fading but the bumps are interesting. Maybe its scar tissue and I am beginning to feel it due to swelling subsiding every one in awhile.

I still massage my tummy and hips twice a day and use my olive oil massage oil right after a shower. If nothing else, my skin is extremely smooth; lumpy but smooth...LoL. I did go shopping yesterday and bought a new dress that was very fitted (so outside my comfort zone) and for a change, I did not have any saddlebags or bulges that would have otherwise deterred me from buying something so form fitting. Have no idea where I am going to wear this dress but it was pretty, I felt pretty in it so I bought it! Hey, I have an idea.... Maybe I will wear the dress the next time my ex-husband is in town and wants to meet up for dinner (can I hear an AMEN ladies--- giggles). I know, sometimes I just get tired of being a "nice-guy" but it isn't in my nature to be mean or vindictive.

That's about all to report for now. Hopefully next week I can have some progress to report and some new pics to share. As always, healing thoughts and warm hugs t all.

Hi RS Friends. Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend and healing well. Haven't posted in awhile so thought I would check in. I am seeing ever so slight improvements these last two weeks but the last 3-4 days have been HEAVY swell days so have been feeling a bit frumpy. I was feeling pretty sassy until the heavy swelling set it (again). Also, as of late, it seems as my hardness begins to subside, my squishiness increases. Has anyone else experienced this? It is as if the hardened tissue is turning to liquid and sloshing around. I am just hoping my body begins to absorb it all because it is really frustrating. I do think my hips have begun to reduce slightly and I can see a small indention at the base of my belly (directly below my BB) where the tissue is retracting and fat is subsiding. The tissue on both sides of this area is still hard and creating a shelf like appearance (can you see it?). Seems as if I get new lumps and bumps every time I look and they keep moving dang-it..... Ever so small improvements though; just wish the swelling would lessen....

I wanted to follow up on exercising since I have been reading a few posts from folks who are struggling with the exercise question (to do or not to do, that is the question; gotta love a little Shakespeare every now and then). For me, I started out with light walking and went for distance. I would consistently wear by compression garment with spanx over the CG. After a few weeks, I progressed up to speed walking but for shorter distance. When I switched over to speed walking I wear my Ardyss BodyMagic Garment. This works beautifully because the heaviest compression is around the midsection so I do not feel anything move at all in the midsection. Before wearing the BodyMagic it did feel like my skin and insides were not attached; very weird and uncomfortable feeling. I can sometimes feel the sloshing in my hips with the BodyMagic but that eases as I begin to sweat. I have now increased my workout to a "wog" (kind of a blending of a walk and a job --- hahahah). For this, I am still wearing my BodyMagic garment and not feeling any uncomfortableness. I feel very supported and compressed, which is a good thing. I am back to my normal distance 3.5-4 miles about 5 days a week and have not problems. Please remember, everyone heals differently so what works for me may not be a complete answer for you. I do firmly believe in compression during exercise and I plan to keep my garments on while exercising until at least month 3 and then I will reassess. I am still wearing my CGs about 23 hours a day.

One quick story. Remember I said I was feeling pretty sassy a few days ago... well I was feeling so good I spent the day without my CG. BIG MISTAKE. You ladies warned me but I didn't listen. By the end of the day I felt like before my procedure. I felt awful, fat, swollen, and giggly. UGH. Lesson learned ---- ego in check.

Here is something to make you giggle. I have been holding off buying any new clothes until I hit my 4 month mark and then I plan to really go out and buy a new/sexy wardrobe. May need some help with this if any of you ladies can assist...LoL. Remember I am a nerdy engineer.... Anyway, I digress. I happened to be walking past Chico's and noticed the 40% off sale so wandered right in. Well, I simply could not resist. I bought a black leather skirt. Can you believe it... me in a black leather skirt. It looks fantastic, hugs all my curves and is so not me! Watch out, I am breaking out of my comfort zone (I hope you are laughing as much as I am).

Hoping everyone is doing wonderfully and please remember, we are beautiful, capable ladies and deserve nothing but love. I ran across this saying the other day and it spoke volumes to me: "Instead of wiping away your tears, wipe away the people who made you cry."
Healing thoughts and warm hugs.