Trust the Process

Surgery Date: May 13, 2019
I came from Atlanta to Miami just for Dr. Dowbak. The experience prior to surgery (getting a date, receiving consistent instructions from everyone, understanding the pre-op labs and clearance for surgery) not the best. However, even though that experience was not the best professionally - each and every person that I spoke with, text with, or exchanged emails with were so very kind.
Then I finally get to meet the Queen the day of my surgery and she was everything imagined. Picture body artist, medical genius, and mad scientist all in one. She kept it real with me. Yes you need this, no you don't need this, this will look better on your frame. This is where she made all of her markings And most importantly she asked me what are your goals. Our pre-op interaction was not long, but I will forever remember that smile and that embrace.
I went into surgery less than 20 min after my pre-op. Dr. Dowbak held my hand and played a counting game with me. I woke up in recovery. I've has several surgeries I have never woken up and had a nurse calm me down and even hum lightly to me to keep me calm. I was shaking so bad from the general anesthesia that I thought I was going to shake off the bed. But the nurse kept talking to me and answered all of my questions.
The day after surgery I had my post-op. This exam was with a nurse not the doctor, but this was ok. I wasn't experiencing any issues and as a matter of fact didn't look like I had surgery the day before. But every 2 hours after my surgery my mom woke me up to walk for 10 minutes. it felt like torture but worth it.
I'm still very swollen, but I have come down some. After surgery I was in a 3XL faja. Now on Day 4 after the surgery I am in an XL. I have had 2 lymphatic massages at New Life this far with my 3rd one coming today - then it's back to the A.

Posting this photo of Day 1 post-operative. I was up and moving around the next day after surgery, which is required because you have to go have your post-operative examination the next day. Obviously I'm very swollen, but my stomach is visibly flatter

I've been to the massage therapist a total of 3 times since returning home. These pictures show the difference in me from Tues to Thurs after massages. I was very surprised. And it keeps getting better. The lymphatic massages have been the key to keeping me comfortable and helping to reduce the swelling. I have to remember that even though I'm getting around pretty much like normal that I'm still very swollen and will not see my full results for some time now. But here are pictures post operation 1 week.