Four Months post op, extended tummy tuck (hips) and lipo- doing great -Olympia, WA

It has been just over four months now, things have been going well. I still notice some swelling from time to time, just near the insicion along the lower from of my abdomen- things were looking very smooth, however I have had a concern over the last few days over a lump that appeared along the left side of my stomach. If it does not go away in a few days I plan to check with the doc. I have read that there are some complications that could cause a lump like that- or it can be a fat necrosis (not even sure what that is but ..oh I hope not!!) , or else a seroma or something like I have read on this website.

Other than my bieng a worry wort about this new lump I have to say I am still very pleased with my results. I will post another update and a photo once I have confirmed this is something or nothing!?

Posting my six week photos. Still having to wear compression execpt for when sleeping. Also still have swelling later in the evenings. I am noticing a little of my "rolls" appearing again under buttocks where last surgery (done by different doc) performed lipo on my legs and possibly took too much out in some areas. My current doc said it had some impact on the overall appearance and skin tone. I am very pleased with how well my skin repaired with this surgery- if you look at my before pics I had a LOT of dimples in my legs and it kept me from feeling comfortable in shorts and any type of bathing suit. I have another doc appt next week, perhaps I will be told I can start trying to go without the girldle a bit, and that is when I will finally be able to see what I really look like in my clothes.

Posting my one month photos. I forgot to mention that I completley stopped taking any kind of pain medicine (even tylenol)since right about three weeks post op. I sleep without my compression every night now, still feels odd but it is getting better in small strides. I can't get comfortable laying flat just yet and my sides still hurt after a short time laying on them, so I roll all night long.

There are different types of pain I feel (few and far between) but these feel more like they come from deep inside my abdomen. I still have some swelling and it appears most in the evenings.

My appetite is huge and I am feeling extremely guilty when I enjoy all the holiday treats that seem to surround me. Last thing I want is to undo what I saved, worked, suffered and prayed to have for so long. I read online that the fat cells that have been removed will never come back, however if significant weight is gained (more than 10 pounds) after the surgery- the exisiting fat cells can get bigger and/or the fat will distribute to other areas of the body that did not have the lipo. This is similiar to what I had thought-- so be careful, you dont want to go much above your post surgery weight if you can help it as you will find it gaining in other places that didn't capture your fat distribution as much previously. I realized this to be true after my last lipo surgery- I have always gained my weight in my hips and thieghs first, but after fat was removed from my legs, I saw more on my stomach and arms. I do not want to sound obsessed with every part of my body or anything, I just wanted to warn anyone reading to be mindful and not treat a surgery such as this like a free pass!!

Hope everyone has a great Holiday season.. I will likely wait to post an update for two - four weeks from now.