6.5 Weeks PO NEW BIKINI and PIC :) - La Mesa, CA

Let's face it, being 113 pounds and 5'5", I should have been happy with my body. You hear those measurements and you would think that person had a rock star body. Not what I felt like! When I would lay on my side, a huge puddle of skin would follow. If I bent over, it would collect in the center. How was I supposed to go to the beach, the lake, or the pool with that puddle of skin hanging off of me? I covered up with one pieces and layered a rash guard on top of that! I still held my towel or arm in front of my stomach.
Now, with a history of back problems and separated abdominal muscles, I knew a strong core is the one thing I could do to help prevent any more aches and pains. When I had finally saved enough money for the procedure, I didn't want to wait any longer than necessary.

I met with Dr. Sarosy to have a free consultation. Some family members had been to him in the past for other procedures, so I felt pretty good going in. He was respectable and always had a female nurse in the room with him, which I thought was very smart on his part! When the consultation was over, I was already handing them $1,000 in cash for my deposit and scheduled my surgery for December 27, 2012 at 7:30am!

The morning of the 27th, I was nauseated, but I started praying about it, and within minutes, the nausea was gone. Once I arrived to the medical office/surgical center, everything went fairly quickly. I had to take a pregnancy test, which I giggled about since I suffer from infertility and am blessed to have my daughter, sure enough it was negative. My blood pressure was taken, the doctor drew on my skin with my "skimpiest" bikini bottom I had so he could hide the incision. Then, I was in the OR. Next thing I know, I am waking up and was already done with surgery.

I was never really in pain. The biggest thing that bothered me was my right leg was numb and very tender from my hip down to my knee (11 DPO, it is still tender, but I have gained about 2 inches or so of sensation). I am now able to stand at about 90-95%. My incision is looking great. My compression garment does rub on my hips where the incision is, so that area is a little red and bleeds from time to time. I got my drains out when I was 6 DPO. This whole process has been smooth and rather painless. I was expecting THE WORST PAIN OF MY LIFE, but that never came. So far, I am so pleased with my results. I am swollen, but that is to be expected. I know the end result is still months away, but I have the instant gratification of being able to not have that puddle of skin hanging off of me and waking up to it every day.

I should mention, I had a mini tuck because I really wanted to keep my belly button! My daughter was 22.5 inches long and 8 pounds. She stretched me out, but was worth it to make me her mommy!

Day 12 wasn't bad. I am sleeping horrible at night because I just can't seem to get comfortable, but if that is one of my biggest complaints though out this entire process, then I think I am doing fairly well! I struggle with getting up from laying down, but that is to be expected. I am not supposed to be lifting my daughter, and that has been really difficult. She is 20 months old and about 24 pounds. We converted her bed from the crib to a toddler bed to help me not have to lift her. That has helped.

I cooked dinner for the first time tonight! That was a milestone in my mind.

Today, my incision itches. I think that is a good sign though :) Itching=healing! I was standing straighter two days ago than I was today, but I think that is because I did too much yesterday with it being my first day on my own.

Every day the pain from laughing gets less and less. You know how when you are not supposed to laugh, things are just funnier? That is how I feel and I am struggling with holding back the laughter. My husband is very animated when he is describing things and I actually got mad at him (while laughing of course) because it hurt soooo bad! I will try to post updated photos at my 2 week mark on Thursday.

Today marks the 13 DPO. I slept better last night after trying all million and one different sleeping positions to try to get comfortable. I ended up sleeping with my regular pillow under my head and another pillow wedged under my left side. I am a side sleeper, so I think being able to be in that position really helped me sleep better. I have a small area that I am not sure is swelling or if there is fluid build up or what, but my skin in that area hangs down a little bit lower than the rest. Nonetheless, my stomach is still looking way better than it did prior to having the TT. My incision looks good. I will try to take some photos tomorrow at the 2 week mark to update. I finally get to start scar therapy next week. I can't wait to watch that thing start to fade! I am trying to be better about not picking up my daughter, even though I got the ok to do so as of tomorrow. I just don't want to delay the healing process. Oh, and I can't wait to wear something other than sweats! Ladies before me, when were you able to COMFORTABLY wear your jeans again?