Just Want to Be Body Confident - Manchester, GB

Here are my photos almost six months since my TT/muscle repair carried out by Dr Gary Ross in Manchester, England.

I'm delighted with the results and would not hesitate to recommend him.

Recovery for me has been fine and not as bad as I imagined. I would say the worst was just the first two weeks of frustration not being in my normal routine.

My scar is starting to go white very slowly, I'm making sure I massage the area either with Dermatix scar gel or Elizabeth Arden original eight hour cream. Not cheap but, worth it. I found the scar tape made me itchy.

I still feel numb in certain areas especially the lower middle idea (directly below my belly button) and I hate massaging that area, but I just get on with it.

I'm due a check up in June and I'm going to enquiry about lipo on the top half of my legs and bum area as well as mention that my hips are still slightly wonky (one goes in more than the other) but, like I've mentioned on past posts we are not all symmetrical and maybe before the operation I was like that but didn't notice it as much.

I've increased my gym sessions and started working out with weights, as well as working on my core area more.

Weight wise I'm the same as before operation and clothes size the same.

I'm not going to lie you have to be careful as any weight I use to put on went to my tummy area which made me think, heck must stop the eating!!!!. Now my tummy is flat so it's no longer my weight guide line. Any increase now seems to go on my boobs, and more so the tops of legs.

This operation is not a quick fix for weight loss. After the operation when well enough you need to still work at keeping healthy. I would say it's more like an investment with your body and to maintain that investment you still need to work at keeping healthy.

Best Wishes x

It's been around 12 weeks since my operation and my swelling has dramatically gone down especially in the area of my belly button downwards and my MONS, I started noticing this after 9 - 10 weeks, so those that are worried about swelling we heal at different stages.

Don't get me wrong I still swell depending on if I've sat at work all day or TOM. My core is getting stronger and sit up's, planks easier to do, this week I'm been getting sharp twinges in one particular place where I think my stomach muscles had the repair sometimes it does make me stop what i'm doing and think ouch!!!, but, I presume its healing.

I continue to massage scar gel on my scar every night to make sure I am breaking down the scar tissue. My tummy still feels slightly numb from my belly button downwards, but, the feeling is returning.

I love my new belly button and flat tummy with no over hang, but, I have a concern that my hips are uneven, which I have mentioned in previous posts, one goes in more than the other, and different heights, I accept no one has even bodies, but it is noticeable.

I go back for my six months check up early June and I did mention the wonky hips when I went for my previous check up, but was told not to worry and could be swelling.

I know I've picked the right surgeon but I can't help but worry, I really hope its swelling as its taken the shine off things, but in my mind I have that awful feeling its not swelling.

I think I will have to email my surgeon with my concerns as it is worrying me.

I will post some photos shortly.

Dare I say this, as I don't want to come across as I'm starting the cosmetic obsession, but, does anyone now feel that their tops of their legs and sides of legs stick out /flabby and their bum is fat?.

I've not lost weight as I was at stable weight before the operation and I'm still in the same clothes as before, but they just fit me better.

It's now been 7 weeks since my operation and I've had my check up this week.

I'm still swollen on my lower part of my tummy and also my MONS is swollen, my hips are still different shape, although I know your body isn't symmetrical anyway, but, I have been reassured it could be swelling and until the 6 months mark has passed its best not to worry.

I have been told to make sure I massage my scar tissue by pressing firm on the scar line and pushing along it to break the scar tissue, not the nicest feeling, as my tummy feels numb, but not numb if that makes sense, but it has to be done.

I have purchased some scar gel tape to put on as well as the gel I already use.

I don't have to wear my compression garment anymore, but when it's not on I don't like the feeling, so I will perhaps just wear it at night when my swelling seems worse.

I went back to the gym this week, and the only thing I did struggle with was the plank position as felt my tummy pulling down, but, I presume it's the muscle repair I can feel, and I need to build up my strength. I've put on a few extra pounds over Christmas as not been back to gym until this week so hopefully once I'm back in my routine this will drop off.

My next check up will be in six months time, but any concerns I can go back at anytime.

Anyone thinking of having it done go for it, but you need to have patience with the swelling, and make sure you research your doctor well. Xx