April 21st is the Day I Will Say Goodbye to my "Baggage" - Minnesota

I cannot believe that on April 21st, I will celebrate my 1 one year surgery anniversary. I mean this when I say, where has the time gone? Yes, the first 2-4 months were a little rough, but after that, time has just passed by so quickly. I have not had one single moment of regret- not one. Finally, my outside matches my inside, and I could not be happier.
I am officially a size 8 now- weighing in at 154-156 for the last 6 mos, and it feels fantastic. I am not a slave to the scale any longer- I simply use it to keep myself in check, once a week or so. I exercise about 5 days a week, doing a variety of things. I love how I feel when I finish a good workout. I love that my belly does not plague me any longer.
My scar looks great. It will always be there- but it looks better each month. My BB revision that I had in Aug healed nicely and I wore a two piece on my FL vaca a month ago.

There is nothing bad I can say about my experience. Once you get through the first few months, any regret you may have had fades. This is the very best thing I have ever done for myself. It has changed my life and made me care more about my health and my life.
Positive thoughts for anyone out there that is just on the other side of recovery. Keep the faith, be positive, take care of yourself and be proud you took control of your life, I certainly am!

Greetings fellow TT'ers-
It has been 3 mos since my surgery, and although I've been tardy on updates, it's not because I'm unhappy. Quite the contrary, I'm so happy, I'm out and about all the time! I'll try to cover some of the things I've been experiencing since my last update (Memorial weekend)
I started back at the gym very slowly at 9 weeks. I did the elliptical, treadmill and bike. It went fine, but by evening, I was as tight as I could be. I felt tired and a little depressed. Was worried that I would not be able to exercise and feel GOOD after it, but that has all gone out the window since about the middle of June. I bought a bike and have been biking on average 10-15 miles per day. I also have been running on the treadmill at home and at the gym. I am back to my 10 minute miles and that is an amazing feeling. THe first time I ran, my miles were over 11 minutes, and I wondered if I had lost my "mo-jo"...nope, I found that too. I would like to get back to my 9:50/min miles, but in due time, I must tell myself.
My clothes are fitting so nicely. I am wearing all 10's comortably, and got rid of all 12's and 14's I owned. I am hoping to make it into an 8, but only time, dedication and my genetics will tell.
I am still having belly button issues (oozing a puss type substance) but no pain or redness. I am seeing my PS tomorrow, so we will see if I will need a BB revision or not. I'm trying to not overthink it because SO many other things could have gone much worse. Trying to count my blessings and deal with the revision if I need one.
I am wearing a bikini, but only around my family. I am not quite confident enough to wear it out in total public, but suspect with time, I will. I detest my stretch marks, but am learning that nearly every human being has them, so I may just say "f" it and rock the bikini in public. I already have a bikini picked out for next summer, and I plan to order it and keep it as my motivator all winter. All of my life I have had some article of clothing as my motivator, and this bikini is going to be it. I welcome the challenge!
I dont' swell too bad anymore, unless I haven't got my water in. I have been enjoying a few too many beers lately, and that can bloat anyone, even the most seasoned drinkers (LOL)!
My scar looks great. Very pink right now, which is normal. I tried Mederma and it dried my skin out so bad I returned it to Walgreens. I've been alternating between Palmers Vitamin E oil and Bio-oil. I put a few extra drops of quality lavendar oil in the Bio Oil, just for the extra healing boost. It seems to be working and time is the only real remedy for a scar this large.
Here are some pics I took this morning. It is so hard to take your own photos, but everytime I think to ask my husband to do it, he is not home.
I still check the TT boards often, but don't write too much. I suppose it's because the "Drama" of the surgery is fading, which is great. That's what we want, right? To go back to life, normal, fun, FLAT BELLIED??!!
I hope that anyone out there that is feeling down, lonely or regretful will reach out to some of the great members that may be a few months ahead on recovery. I felt so great talking with others when I just wanted to know if I was normal or not.
Love RealSelf, Love myself and Love this new body. Remember, perfection is only in the eye of the beholder, and if you love yourself, everyone else seems to as well.
100 degrees here in MN today. Heading outside to enjoy the sun.
Take care!
Niffie

5 weeks yesterday. I feel great, overall. I had a follow appt with my PS. My belly button is healing, and it sounds like I won't need surgery to fix it! I roll a 2x2 gauze, (I feel like I'm rolling my own cigarette, if I smoked, that is) slathered in bacitracin and I twist it in my bellybutton. This is keeping it open long enough to let the inside heal. I think it's going to be pretty cute after it's all healed, WAHOO!
I asked my PS about the upper ab swelling. I wake in the morning, flat and standing tall. By about 4pm, I'm hunched over and look like I used a bike pump on my upper abs. I asked him what I should expect at 6mos...he said I should expect to look like I do in the AM, ALL DAY, EVERY day, once I'm fully recovered. I wanted to jump on his lap and kiss his face, but thought it would be a little much for the man, as he's quite a quiet and shy guy. Regardless I'm so happy! I think my 10's will be too big soon, what an amazing feeling!
One day at at time is the only addage I can swear by.
Enjoy this great memorial weekend ladies. I will try to take some pics, as it's been almost 3 weeks since my last photo update.