Full tummy tuck with muscle repair & lipo on Nov 19, 2012

Well girls, when they say it takes a full year to see your final results, I have to say that I didn't believe it at first! How could it possibly take a year to recover from surgery? I mean, after my C sections, I was back to pre pregnancy weight in a few months and working out like a fiend! But I think the swelling and muscle repair after a tummy tuck make all the difference from a C section. I can honestly say that my exercise routine suffered for the first six months, at least, because I was still sore/stiff/spasmy or just plain scared to work out and test the strength of my new abs.

Twelve months later, I am not swelling at all (finally), not sore or spasmy at all (finally). I will still say that my skin in my abs feels tight in certain yoga positions but not in a bad way. I have been working out with a personal trainer for 2 months or so and I can tell you that my Core strength is still not fantastic, even compared to people who "appear" to be less fit than I am. I don't know if that is because of my tummy tuck or just because they have been working out with the trainer longer. But anyway....I am thrilled with my results and I feel like I can see more definition than I have ever seen in my abs, even pre children (I can probably thank the lipo for that!). I will post some pics from this morning, exactly 12 months to the day post op. I don't know if you will be able to tell a huge difference from my 4-5 month photos, but I can tell a difference in person, and unlike back then, I look the same in the morning as at night!

So, my surgery was 11 months and 1 week ago! I have my one year checkup coming up. Feeling very proud of myself; I started working out with a trainer in October and she is kicking my butt, but I am feeling so good! I am getting even better definition in my abs and waistline. I measured my waist yesterday and it was down nearly an inch. She works Core a ton and I have really struggled with how much she pushes me, but I am getting my money's worth for sure. I will post pics when I get a chance.

I am, let's see, nine months post op, I think? Our summer vacation was to the Keys this year. It is probably the last year my oldest stepson will want to come on our big family vacation...he is starting twelfth grade next week, and our other children are starting tenth, seventh, sixth, and third. I can't help but wonder if anyone looks at me hanging out with all these kids and can figure out that I have had a tummy tuck! Or maybe they think I am the nanny, lol. I am loving wearing a bikini 24/7. This is really one of the best things I have done for myself. Even my husband is amazed by how it has changed my attitude and confidence, commenting that I never would have walked around in so little clothing without a towel or cover up on! He is thrilled.