38 Years Old, 2 Kids, 127 Lbs, Have Wanted This for Years! - Tampa, FL

Life has gotten so busy for me, I forgot to do updates! I am 6 months and a few days. Up in weight slightly (about 4 lbs). It shows but I'm ok with it. My tummy is not as flat as other ladies, but I truly love my shape and think it looks natural. I wanted to look better in my clothes, and bathing suits (!), without looking "over done". I hope that makes sense.

My scar is healing nicely. It's pretty much faded to a white line on the sides, but the middle is still darker. It looks better in the pic then in person. I only use Bio-oil on it 2x a day. I have only one spot that is hard. It almost feels like a marble under my skin. I asked about it and was told it's a "knot scar" There is a knot in the stitches there and it will eventually soften up.

I am Happy as a pig in slop with my decision! I've only recently started back at the gym and have no issues. I would say I am at 100%. No lingering soreness, or tightness. I do feel bloated if I overindulge on food, but that is normal. I tease my family that I have a "food baby." This honestly is one of the best decisions I've made. My only regret is waiting as long as I did. If you are on the verge of a decision, I hope I've been able to help you.

Happy Healing to all of you.

Today marks 11 weeks for me. I am pretty much back to normal. Still have general soreness (isolated to my stomach muscles only) There are days that it's nothing, and days it feels like I worked out super hard and am sore. I haven't been able to work out as much as I'd like thanks to my daughters' sports schedules. I need to get back to it, but in all honesty, it will be January before my schedule clears out enough to get to the gym on a regular basis.

I've been rotating between using Scar Away strips and Vitamin E oil on my scar. The pic makes it look a little better then it does in person. It's still pink, but is not raised. It's still tender at the ends on my hips, but again, that comes and goes. I've been trying to massage it because it really feels like there is a lot of scar tissue under my skin. Does anyone else's feel like that? What have you done to remedy that issue?

I weaned myself out of my Spanx around week 8. It was weird the first few days, but I'm used to it now. I haven't noticed any additional swelling and am feeling good. I am down about 5 lbs from my surgery day. I'm not being super strict on my food intake, but not completely pigging out either. I try to live in moderation and try to stick to an 80/20 rule. 80% good, healthy foods, and 20% not quite so good for you foods. It has worked for me in the past.

I am still very happy with my results. Still have feelings of "is this really my belly?" and "Omg, this really is my belly" I am enjoying wearing clothes that are fitted and not having to worry about pulling at the belly area or constantly sucking in, or thinking about it, or covering up, or whatever else we all do to hide our belly area.

Happy Healing to all of you.

Just wanted to give everyone a very quick update that there is a light at the end of the tunnel in your recovery. I will be 8 weeks PO this Wednesday, and this past weekend, I rode a 10.5 mile mountain bike trail ride and played a full soccer game and had no pain, and very little swelling. Yes I said no pain! :) I did wear an older "control top" pair of underwear to help support my incision and lower belly area. I don't think it did very much, but the security of wearing something was there. Before the soccer game, I did take 3 Advil but that is my standard anyway. I try to be pro-active when I play and take it beforehand to help with soreness during the game. The only thing sore on me today is my hip flexors and that is due to lack of activity for 8 weeks.

Happy healing! Remember, life will return to normal soon!