28 Years Old, No Kids, Full Abs, Flanks, Waist, Small Back - ATL

Let myself go, then got engaged SO I needed some motivation to help get started on the pre-wedding bod! ;)

I'm results-oriented so seeing changes immediately helps me stay on track and visualize my goals long term.

Was awake during procedure even though it was a twilight sedation. I just can't sleep through something like that...too much adrenaline and nervousness. Afterwards though I was out! They did put me in a Marena compression garment and a binder. I was told that an an board or foam underneath could cause necrosis of the skin due to lack of oxygen. They provided me pads, antibacterial soap, and liners for my bed.

Overall I was really sore and in pain for about 3-4 days straight. During that time I was mad at myself for deciding to do it. I was scared to look at myself without my garment on because my skin felt SO alien. I took Hydrocodone with Acetaminophen AND Tramadol in order to sleep at night. Sleeping is still kinda rough because I am not a back sleeper and my lower back kills me. After that though, I was getting out of bed on my own, walking slightly hunched over, and more or less showering. At almost a week I was off the narcotics.

At a week I was wearing my jeggings and was tolerating sitting up in a car / driving quite well. I have very little soreness and more or less move around like normal. Some activities are still hard to do -- bending over, reaching behind yourself to wipe your a$$... LOL. Ugh.

I had very little bruising because I took Arnica 30X 5 days before and 5 days post procedure. I also cut out caffeine and drank a lot of water. Immediately post procedure all I ate for two days was pineapple lol.

I'm scheduled for a post-op massage and velashape and should be given a new smaller garment!

Results 48 hours after I got to take off my garment and shower!

I had to have my husband help me get my garment off and remove all the pads that had been taped to my skin (the tape removal hurt). He also got in the shower with me to help me wash and make sure I wouldn't pass out (I got soooo dizzy after taking off the binder and compression garment).

So it's been 2 weeks since my surgery.

During that time, I have experienced / dealt with:
- Soreness
- Itching
- Discoloration
- DRY SKIN omg the worst
- Swelling / Puffiness / Bloating
- Hard lumps/bumps under the skin
- Burning / Tingling
- Incision sites completely closed up and scans falling away
- Being less and less sore each day thanks to Arnica Gel
- Keeping swelling down by taking Bromelien (sp?)
- Every day I gain more mobility and ease of movement and feel more like my normal self
- I still don't feel comfortable bending completely over so my legs resemble Chewbacca's from Star Wars lol :'(
- Starting to see areas of hardness and lumps and bumps that need manual massaging (kinda painful)

I will say Im pretty happy with my results still. I'm slightly concerned the upper abs still stick out over my belly button but it's mostly swelling -- and honestly, it could still be fat but I look way better than I did before so I'm happy. If I suck in my stomach everything is super flat and even concave... I couldn't have done that before with that big 'ole gut! (Yuck!)

My lower abs / fat pouch is basically gone and it's so smooth and flat it's crazy. I almost can't believe it. That's been the biggest confidence boost!!! Also having a waist again and it dipping in is amazing since my fiancé/soon-to-be-hubby always loved that area on me. ;)