Was so worth it!

9.5 weeks

not too much to report on, although I thought it might be encouraging to let others know that the improvement from 6-9 weeks has been rather dramatic. I'm still swollen, and I've been eating a ton, so the tummy doesn't look better, but it FEELS so much better. Much less numbness, able to use my abs so much more, less soreness, and just feeling much closer to normal. I can barely believe I had surgery 9.5 weeks ago. It's a distant memory.

Aside from a little rash on my incision line, my scar is looking pretty good. I need to get rid of the compression induced rash that I have all over my torso, AND lose the 4 lbs. I've gained through overeating, and then I'll post a new picture. :-) I am still wearing a compression tank every day but trying to skip it at night. I'm too scared to go during the day without, as I am definitely still swelling, and my doc indicated that if that's the case, compression will still help. Trying to massage at least once a day and treat with kelo-cote as much, but I've not been perfect about it. I figure time is going to make the most difference.

Went clothes shopping again today (just too many sales not to buy!), and was happy to fit in some pretty small sizes. doesn't look as good as it did, but after the holidays I intend to eat better and get serious about exercise. Just walking now and taking it easy. I hate the exercise-induced swell, so nothing hard for now.

So glad not to have that gut anymore!!

7 weeks!! I hit the 7 week mark, and started being a little more active. I went on a playstructure w/ my kids and went down the slide, and I also went on a fast hilly walk. Since then I've noticed a small bulge over my belly button. It's still there 4 days after the activity, and I'm sort of freaked that I screwed up my muscle repair. It's not a huge bulge and I can't feel any separation when I lie down flat on my back, but it seems strange to have such localized swelling. Hope someone can tell me that this has happened to them when they got more active. The bulge has scared me away from exercising. That and the super swelling activity gives me. I will try again next week.

I've done two nights now w/o compression garments. I don't seem to wake up more swollen than with them, so it's a nice way to start weaning myself. I am quite swollen in general which, like others have noted, is a bummer b/c you expect things to get gradually better, not so up and down like this.

The abscess seems to be fine although the tape used for the gauze has given me really dry skin on the incision. I've been massaging the incision and my whole belly a lot and still don't see much difference, but I hope it's helping. It's so funny how the little divot and this new bulge are getting me so obsessed, when my tummy was absolutely not for show to anyone before the TT. I have to keep reminding myself that no matter what, this is a huge improvement.

On a happy note, I did get some more form fitting clothing that looks pretty good. I really liked this belt and they only had it in XS. Well, whatta ya know, that was my size!! That was a real thrill, as my measurements were always out of whack when it came to the waist (i.e., size 6 in chest and hips and size 8 in waist).

Here's to hoping the bulge goes away. My scar is also so deep red. When does that start fading?????

5 weeks, 1 day.

Had another burger and fries meal last night (I'm SOOO hungry now after losing some weight post TT), and boy did that make me feel uncomfortable. I'm guzzling water today to flush out the sodium.

On the good side, I really think I feel better at 5 weeks than I did at 4. The tightness, numbness, etc. is almost all gone. I do still have the divot and mini dog ears, but my massage therapist said the improvement will be very gradual, and I realize that 5 weeks is definitely a long ways before the 3-6 months where they say your final results come in.

I really listened to Portland's exercise experience and tried only once to do some walking. Did 20 mins at 4 mph and two sets of arm weights a few days ago. When I went to take my shower after, I could see that there was already swelling. Nothing extreme (I mean, not like eating a burger and fries!), but it was there. I did wear compression garments for exercising too, but the swelling still comes. I'm about to try again, maybe doing 30 mins today. It's easy to motivate for exercise that is not going to push your heart rate much or make you breathe hard. Will be more of a challenge when I need to push it again after 6 weeks.

I can lift my children again and will be pulling out the heavy Christmas decor totes soon enough. I can stretch more, and just all in all, I feel great. So hard to believe it's been just 5 weeks since surgery. Had I known it would be this easy & with such great results, I would have done this long ago. Will try to get some more pics soon, preferably not after eating a big restaurant, sodium-laden meal.