Pregnancy is Great - Looking Prego 3 Yrs Later, Not So Great - Hartford, CT

Hi All hope everyone is well. It's been a while since my last update but everything has been going great and honestly just flying by. I feel awesome and I'm happy with the way everything has been healing! I was cleared to start working out completely in October. Due to this being my 2nd hernia repair I was advised that concentrated exercise on my stomach wasn't such a great idea. So crunches are out but mini sit ups are in so I've concentrated more on my form, resistance and tighten my abs when working out. I do alot of kickbox cardio, with most of my focus on lower body. I feel like I'm keeping things in check. I tried a low ab workout a few weeks ago and found that my incision bulges for a few days afterwards, so I'm staying away from concentrated ab work. I did great with diet over the holidays but after the holidays I gained about 4 pounds - go figure. I weigh 132 right now but I was maintaing 129 until my 4 pound blow out and happy with that so I'm shooting to get there again. I do feel that I'm building muscle so I think that's what's taking so long to hit those last 3lbs. We've had alot of parties the month of January & February so this is my first week back on a protein driven diet and consistent working out. My scar has healed well considering there is a vertical scar from the hernia repair. I'm happy with everything and at this point I've opted not to have reconstructive surgery to create a belly button. Its just not that important to me after all and when I look back on what I had and where I'm at, it keeps me in check with how far I've come. My horizontal scars are low and I can wear a bikini around the house but at the beach I think I'll try one of those high waisted numbers this year because that will cover everything and if it doesn't I'm not opposed to the tankini or skimpy one piece, there are options :-) Well that's it for now. I hope everyone is healthy, well and happy! My best to you all and stay beautiful!!

The tape is OFF and I'm very pleased with what I'm seeing. My scar is super flat and in these photos it looks darker than it appears in real life. I've just started putting coco butter on today so I'm hoping it will fade out. When I removed the tape there was a drain incision still slightly open right under where my belly button once was, called the nurse and she said to keep it covered and apply a little aquaphor. It's already looking better today (pics in the black undies). On another note, I have been putting this entire surgery to the test. After waking up my MR with my girlfriends the week or so prior, I caught a cold shortly thereafter. I've been coughing, sneezing and blowing my nose non stop and my stomach is so achy from all of it. I feel like I'm actually swollen because I'm coughing so hard. I'm on some super cough medicine now that I started to take yesterday and I'm not such a hacking mess today but OMG this has been one sore week. All that aside I'm so happy with my results. We had a wedding this past weekend to attend and my husband commented that he was so happy to see me comfortable in my own skin again. He went on to tell me that for the past 5 years he's missed watching me get ready and I realized he was right. I had gotten so used to heading straight for the bathroom to perform the ritual of trying on least 8 different shirts before I'd settle on something that was usually less than flattering but covered my gut. It never took me more than 5 minutes to get dressed before kids and it feels so fabulous to be back on that time table again! Not a day has gone by that I don't appreciate the simple act of throwing on 1 t-shirt and heading out the door. This entire journey is amazing and even thought I still have a ways to go, there are no words to express how happy I feel with the instant gratification this process has allowed me to experience. I went into this process doubting my decision and questioning myself all the way through. Was I being stupid and vain? Why do this, you're the only one complaining??? You're being irresponsible, you have two children what if something goes wrong??? These were constants that played out in my head daily. Being a pretty cautious person I tend to stay away from options that could result in a negative, but something kept pushing me forward and I'm so glad whatever that was, did. Having the surgical staff I was blessed with and more importantly the amazing family support has really exceeded all of my expectations. I always thought I was just doing this for me, but I now understand that being comfortable in my skin again has been advantageous to everyone around me. I wish all of us continued success in our healing process and for those of you in the planning stages I hope this little bit of honesty is relatable as well as helpful. Happy healing to all and to all a good night!

No pics, everything is still looking the same. I still have the steri strips on and will keep them on until I meet with my surgeons again on 8/8 (my appt. was moved) unless they start come off. I am however going to call my PS tomorrow and ask his opinion on whether I should just pull them off to begin using Maderma or silicone strips. From what I remember he said this steri tape is supposed to minimize all of the scarring so I shouldn't need Maderma or strips, but I need to hear that again :-) So I think my MR woke up. OH man!! I spent Saturday night with a bunch of girlfriends at the casino for dinner, dancing and YES I finally had a few drinks!!! But OH MAN I've been paying ever since. We laughed entirely too much and of course in a club you're screaming to hear each other - well let me tell you my MR has been achy ever since. I've also been coughing like a freak because the weather lately has been all over the place and that always bugs my throat out and makes it scratchy. Its totally bearable but I'm like WOW I clearly woke up the sleeping giant this weekend. It was worth it though hee-hee! Ok, I will definitely have pics on my next update, which will be after my 8/8 appointment. Happy healing to all and to all a good night!