My Personal Decision Transition - New Orleans & Baton Rouge, LA

On Tuesday, May 24, 2011 I had a full Abdominalplasty (Tummy Tuck) & the pain was like WOW!!!! I asked the nurses "Why did they wake me"LOL. My stitches were removed last Wednesday, June 8 Yayyyy!!!

It's amazing how much we utilize our stomach muscles for until the day you wake up from a 6 hr surgery!! Thank God for an Awesome Support System, otherwise, I would not have made it. The swelling takes 3-6 months to fully go down from what I was told. I guess I was expecting to see instant results (NOT)! I returned back to work this Wednesday, June 15 & I am glad to not be sitting around the house becoming addicted to Court shows!

The Compression garmet is becoming a pain, Mine almost looks like a body magic, if anyone knows about that. I wear it 23 hours a day, at least. I tried the binder but it did not work for me.

I have now been cleared to walk, ONLY! No Zumba classes or getting on my elliptical(sad face)So I walk for about 30 minutes 3-4 times a week. I want to lose more weight as the swelling goes down. I never push myself, of course, your body will tell you when you have.

Prior to surgery, I could fit a size 12 in clothing because my legs are small. Unfortunately, I had to get a size 18 because of my waist & that "Hangman or kangaroo pouch" that hung over my vagina. Now my waist is a 14 due to swelling of course but the "Hangman & kangaroo pouch" is GONE!! I find myself constantly rubbing down there, like where is it LOL

Overall, I am happy! My Surgery was actually $6700 but I factored in the cost of medicine & the Hivamat massage treatments after. I just cannot wait until the day I throw this compression garmet away!!

Best of luck to all who has or will be having ANY Cosmetic Surgery! Be Blessed

It's almost my 1 month post-op! Every week I see a change, the swelling is going down little by little. Although, I find irritation sometimes oozing in & around my naval area now. Getting that checked out ASAP! I have been massaging my incision with Vitamin E oil twice a day and it's becoming more comfortable w/touching it w/o thinking it would hurt.

Is it just me or does anyone else find themselves guarding their stomach when going somewhere or in a crowd? I notice that I do that quite often, as I do not want anyone to elbow me accidently.

You know, I told quite a few ppl, family & friends. After my surgery, it was like "let me see" "Why this, why that" I believe that is what drained me physically & emotionally, I began feeling unattractive & closed myself in.

Did anyone else feel this way?