April 13, 2011 is the Day - Minneapolis, MN

Just a quick update from 3 1/2 months out: Summer is 2/3 over, and I have really enjoyed wearing tank tops confidently this summer! I am thrilled with my results, even though I have had a few uncomfortable days in the heat and humidity where I get swelling, that makes my tummy swollen and tender.

I have had some sharp twinges of pain from nerves regenerating, but they only last seconds, but still occasionally take my breath away for a bit.

All said, though? I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

My confidence level is so much higher. I feel proportionate, and getting rid of that ring of leftover baby skin is so, so liberating. My clothes fit, and look good, and I don't stress out everytime I need to get dressed for an occasion. I feel so much better about my appearance.

My hubby agrees. He's glad I did this, because he knows how much happier and confident I am.

Best wishes to all that are entering this exciting and scary procedure.

Day 20! Yesterday was my best day to date. I think that painful stay stitch finally dissolved, and the relief from that nerve pain was immediate. All of a sudden I could stay fully straight all day, and bending and squatting, etc, was painless.

So, I made use of my new freedom to try on clothes... Can't get my regular pants zipped yet. Still a little bit of swelling and tenderness, but man do they look great without the overhanging skin! And the shirts? Oh yes. I do like my new curves!

Today I went in to my PS to have them snip a few stitches that were working their way out of my incision. They kept getting snagged on my panties or binder. I wasn't exactly sure what I should be doing with my belly button, either. It still is a bit crusty, and I wasn't sure if I should clean it, or leave it... LOL

PS told me to start massaging my scars with vitamin e oil, but still no water immersion for another week, to make sure all the little scabs are gone and everything is tightly sealed. He said I looked really good for this stage, and will continue to get better and better!

I'm so happy I did this.

I saw my PS yesterday. I was worried about a swollen and very tender area just to the right of my belly button. Thursday, I had sneezed a few times, and later in the evening realized that I had this hard, swollen, painful area.

I had hoped it would lessen over night, but in the morning, I decided to call my clinic. They had me come in to check fir fluid or hematoma, but thankfully, it was neither.

PS thought that perhaps I popped a tack stitch, or quilting stitch when I sneezed, and had set off a fiery reaction from that little area of nerves. By later in the afternoon, the pain and tenderness had subsided.

He thought I looked great, and barring any of my concerns, I don't need to come back for three weeks! I got the go ahead to wear a regular wireless bra... Wired by next week, and also to begin vitamin e massage by next week.

He did suggest I use the bra band for a bit to help support the left and push the right down a bit. My right has not dropped as much as the left has.
I do hope they continue to drop and soften a bit. The size is still bigger than I expected. I got fitted at VS for a new bra, and I'm a 36 DD right now. Yikes. I was expecting a nice round full C. But the manager at VS who fitted me, assured me that my first bra size at a few weeks, is rarely a permanent size.

But it certainly does feel good to wear a regular bra again. Sports bras are too constricting... (well, especially when I was packed into a 36C!)