37, Tummy Tuck Following Hysterectomy - Murfreesboro, TN

I'm still waiting on some swelling to go down, so I feel like the last pics I posted are representative of how I still look. Work has been kicking my butt, so I haven't been walking or anything for the last 3 weeks since I'm working such long hours and am exhausted. My 6 week checkup with my PS was great-- he says everything is looking good. I'm still impatient about the swelling, though! I go for my 8 week checkup with my GYN on Wednesday, and hopefully all of my restrictions will be lifted. Work should be slowing down soon, and I'm looking forward to being a regular at the gym again! I could use some extra endorphins :)

I forgot to mention the stitches that my body is spitting out. Some are clear and pointy, some are fabric-like and remind me of tiny worms. So gross! I knew it would happen, and I was told to just clip them when they sprouted, but it's still icky.

I'm at the point where I should have been getting back to sex, but because of the hysterectomy (I seem to say that a lot) I am restricted for ANOTHER 4 weeks. Hooray for Energizer. That's all I've got to say about that.

Swelling is still hell some days. Like today. I went and walked on the treadmill at the gym because it's so hot outside and because walking is all I'm allowed to do. I want to the store to pick up a few (lightweight) things, and then I sat outside visiting with a friend while her son played ball. I'm swollen like crazy tonight. Probably I should've drank more water today, too. Ugh. I am still avoiding regular clothes and living in yoga pants and pjs when I'm home.

I thought my incision would be totally healed up by now, but I have a few areas that opened up and are taking forever to close back. Plus the site of my 2nd drain is also taking forever. The hole was huge by the time in the drain was removed (it was where my leg bends so moving around irritated the hell out of it), so I guess it will take a while to fully heal, but sheesh.

On a positive note I'm not nearly as tired as I have been, but I do still think about naps. I did also before surgery, though, so, that's not really anything new :D

I hit the 4 week mark yesterday, and it must be a magic mark because I have been feeling great! Yes, work makes me tired, but I am so much less sore in general and have been sleeping on my side since last week (my favorite part of the progress!). I made myself take it easy this past weekend in anticipation for being back at work full time, and I think that helped. I needed it.

At the advice of hystersisters, I took a pillow to sit on since wooden and plastic seats make me sore and stiff upon standing. It made a huge difference in comfort. I'm handling being at work much better than I have been the past couple of weeks when I would go in for meetings here and there, but I'm glad that my job isn't physically strenuous. I may have overexerted some today because of the things I needed to accomplish, but I was smart enough to stop and come home so that I could accomplish things in the comfort of my own home (i.e. my comfy couch).

I've gotten a lot of compliments, too. Remarks about how much weight it looks like I lost. I've lost 10 pounds total (2-4 being from my tummy, so I am totally taking credit for the rest lol) and am trying to shed more, but being on restriction from exercising due to the hysterectomy, it's not coming off very fast. I keep meaning to compare my waist measurement to what it was pre-surgery, but I never remember first thing in the morning, and I'd rather do it when I'm the least swollen. I'll be sure to include that when I get a chance.

I am including some new pics. I do wish my flanks would be smaller, but I'm hoping that there is some swelling that still needs to go down. I know I can get in-office lipo if I'm not completely happy with the way it looks after healing, but I'd rather it just go away on its own :) haha Some swelling days are worse than others, and some evenings are worse than others, but it's better than it was.

I tried on my triathlon gear today to compare myself to where I was last year. I trained for three months and competed in two triathlons, and you can see that my big belly was still there. I was horrified at my pictures. How can someone who is strong enough to do that not able to shed some belly fat? I gained 10 pounds during training, and it wasn't all muscle. I was eating well (you have to in order to properly fuel your body) and obviously exercising a lot, but my endocrinologist said it was possible that I stressed my body out with so much exercise (particularly all the cardio) that my thyroid revolted. Makes sense. I tend to lose more weight when I keep things moderate, so lesson learned. Thanks, autoimmune disorder.

Anyway, things are looking good, and I'm mostly happy with my results so far. I wish I could see beyond the swelling, but since I can't I'll just keep looking at my before and after photos. I'm finally starting to feel that "sexy body" feeling that so many people talk about. I even bought a new bathing suit for our Jamaica trip in October :D