32 Yr Old in Ft Worth, TX, No Children, 77lb Weight Loss- Tummy Tuck and Flank/Bra Back Lipo - Plano, TX

Not too much to report in... I am waiting to hit the 6-9 month mark so that all the swelling will be over with! I don't get too much, but now that I am on my feet more, lifting things and working for hours at a time, I can feel a difference in the tightness but the end of the night. I still have a hard time knowing if the scale is showing swelling or if I have picked up a few pounds. It wouldn't surprise me because between, long-lost-friends-reunite weekend that happened a few weeks ago, birthdays, to my parents and sister surprising us with a Mother's Day weekend visit, we haven't been as strict on our eating as we usually are... then add in a monthly and boy oh boy the scale is not friendly! lol, alas all will be okay... I am just reminding myself of how far I have come and know that this is a lifestyle change not just a body for summer! I am so pleased with my results and love the feeling of having a tight, taut stomach that it is a constant reminder of how thankful and grateful I am that I did this.

Nathan and I start a Zero Carb cleanse on May 29, it is a 30 day cleanse that removes our dependency on carbs, both good and bad... we are so looking forward to it! Purge and renew is what we are all about... I don't want to have a dependency on anything other than my relationship with Jesus, and I can still tell that food really has a pull on me, especially the sweet things. Now mind you, it is all treats that are approved on Paleo, but nonetheless, it is my crutch. So I am using this time as a fast, to focus on what is important!

Exercise, been keeping up with it... saw my friend who had a TT and BR about 2 years ago now, and BOY OH BOY, does she look fantastic. I am telling you I can see her 6 pack of abs... that is my goal for exercise... fit and toned body! She and I have very similar body structure and physique, so once everything is back right as rain, I will be hitting the weights even heavier (pun intended) and more intense. She gave me great advice, not too hurry anything, learn your new body first, understand how it reacts to diet and exercise, and take it easy. The "toning/shaping" has already been done for us, now we get to maintain or take it to the next level. Just remember this surgery is our opportunity for a "do over" a reset... for that I am thankful and will continue to treat my gift the way it should be treated! Know this, my personal goal for next year at this time, is to have on heck of a tummy!

Water really does help, I find that when I wake up my fingers and face feel pretty swollen as well as my lower tummy, but between getting up and starting to move, but mainly getting at least 8 ounces of water in right away, helps bring the swelling down! So to all my fellow TTuckers, drink lots of water... try to get in at least half your body's weight in ounces each day... this will also help with weight loss!

I have my 6 month checkup June 30th, I am hoping that the swelling will be down, and that the Zero Carb has helped facilitate that decrease. I will update then, once I have met with Dr. Patty and see what is next and where we are going from there! Hope you all are well and healing, resting, enjoying, motivated to continue, your journey! May God bless you all and lots of hugs and love from Texas!

Jennifer

Hello RS Friends!

I hope y'all have been great, healing and feeling fabulous!

I know it has been awhile since I last updated... I am trying to update monthly right now, but my 4 month check up wasn't until yesterday. So here goes...

Swelling: YES, definitely still swelling, sometimes more than others... like when I have been on my feet or worked out pretty hard. I will put my compression garment back on to make it more comfortable to relax. Dr. Patty said due to my lipo I had done I can expect to continue to swell up until the 6 month mark or so. So, I am just being patient and enjoying the times when I am at my leanest! Tho I will say, that when I am swelling up it is no joke that I can gain 7 or so pounds in one day... crazy how the body fluctuates... so I have decided not to weigh myself during this time. Just focus on working out, eating right and hitting that 6 month mark, if the clothes fit and look good, than I am satisfied with that!

Clothes: Speaking of clothes, I finally went shopping!! YAY!! Hubby took me to the Galleria Mall in Dallas to get some things to update my wardrobe... good sales as well! BONUS! According to most pants I put on, I am a size 4 now, maybe a 2 at some places, but averaging 4 is about right... I say a "flat four" which is just fine with me! I needed to buy XS/S tops and dresses are about a size 4/6, my favorite store, Karen Millen, her dresses I am a size 6 in. They are very form fitting, almost customized, to your body and always flattering on the figure. I had so much fun playing dress up with their clothes and they loved dressing me. We then went to Express and I was able to pick up quite a few items for just over $140.00, gotta love 40% off sales! **I posted pics from the dress up session at Karen Millen, so fun!!**

Exercise: As far as exercise, I am doing it nearly daily... abs are still tricky at this point, but I have found some great workout videos on YouTube that work the abs in different ways than just crunching... if you are looking for some yourself check out Willitary... his "Dark Horse, Truffle Butter, and abs to Luke Bryan's Play it Again" are INCREDIBLE... my husband can totally tell that my bum and arms are getting so toned, and when I do abs they really pop out now... let me encourage you to check him out!

4 Month Check Up: So yesterday I had my four month check up with Dr. Patty, she was extremely happy about my tummy and the incision... unfortunately my body was rejecting another stitch yesterday so she has to open it up and get it out as it was causing irritation. But all good, a few minutes of discomfort and we were out the door. I also had pictures taken the ladies kept saying you look so good, your tummy looks so pretty and that belly button! Dr. Patty grabbed my hand and said I know we had some trouble in the beginning but you look amazing and I am so glad you had this done, you look beautiful! That was so sweet, I just love her! So my next, and maybe last, appointment is June 26, for my 6 month check up... bittersweet to think about, I just love the girls and Dr. Patty, it will be sad not to see them anymore, but I am glad because that means it is this chapter closed and the next one opened for on the story of my life!

Life: Nathan and I just hosted long time friends of his from high school this past weekend, two of which he hadn't seen since 1998! It was so fun to have all these guys together and hear the old stories... they acted like they had never been apart, just catching up and picking up from where they left off. It was a riot... I was severely out numbered but didn't care in the least... they were awesome. For the festivities, we hoped to get our patio installed but that didn't happen, so we put the cart in front of the horse and bought patio furniture to eat a "big welcome to our home" meal I prepared al fresco... they loved it!
My birthday was Monday, April 27th, we didn't do anything or it as all the guys were still here and leaving that day to go back to their homes, Missouri, Oklahoma, Dallas and Alabama. I turned 33, and realized that I am in the best shape of my life, completed my weight loss goals and feel the most beautiful and confident that I ever have... that was the best birthday gift ever! My heavenly Father loves me for me, my husband is my biggest fan, how can I need or want for anything more. praise the Lord for thankfulness and gratitude!
Also, since the last time posting I was hired, very part time, for the little company I volunteered for once a week, Farm to Fork Foods. It is an all natural market that sells local, grass fed- pasture raised meat, eggs, milk and wild caught seafood. It has been so fun to work with our customers, talk to them about health and recipes, I LOVE IT and feel so blessed to be a part of what they are doing for the community!

Well I think that is about it for today and this month's update! I will talk to y'all soon! In the meantime, remember God Loves You and created you in His image, don't let the troubles of this world bring you down, look to the hills from where your help comes from! Psalm 121:1 Love y'all

Jennifer

Hello Friends!!

It has been awhile since I posted on RS, I have missed y'all! Hope everyone is healthy, happy and healing!

This last month has been filled with life, friends visiting, volunteering at different markets and festivals, training a puppy, etc. Where did the time go??

Update on the three month healing mark...
I am actively working out daily, my tummy is still tight and sore when doing abdominal work, but it feels really good to get some tone back in the areas that needed it, ahem the gluteus "min-a-mus", lol... or should I say "flat-a-mus!" rofl At three months I am still building my stamina and practicing patience with myself, it takes time to get back to where you were at pre-op, especially when you have a new body to discover and understand how it works best!
My scar line is all healed up and the scar is pretty purple right now, using Palmers Vitamin E Oil Therapy and I love the way it keeps the scar smooth and hydrated, I know it is helping! So So So thankful for the low placement of the scar line, I could just hug and hug Dr. Patty, I haven't found a pair of panties or bikini bottoms that it isn't covered by... such a blessing!
Swelling... man oh man, I am still collecting fluid in the flank area and lower tummy, especially at night and even more especially when I am on my monthly! I tend to wear compression at those times I feel the swelling happening, the compression really helps me both physically and mentally...trust me use it, it really helps! I am not concerning myself too much over the swelling, I know that lipo'd areas take up to 6 months for the swelling to be gone completely... Half way there!! Praise the Lord!
Haven't gone shopping yet, I am really starting to get the bug... I want to try on new clothes and see how things fit, but I am waiting until hubby and I go to Dallas for our "Christmas gift" to one another, we wanted a weekend away (haven't had one since we got married 2 1/2 years ago) for our gift to one another after I was completely healed up. So we are going Easter weekend and staying at a beautiful hotel with an indoor pool and room service... SOOOOO looking forward to that, being pampered and just enjoying a weekend away with My Love! The plan is to hit the Galleria Mall and do some shopping at that time! Cannot wait!
A couple weeks ago I had a spot on my right side that started opening up a little bit, like my body was trying to get rid of another stitch... I wasn't too concerned about it because Dr. Patty said this may occur based off of how sensitive my body is by how it has reacted along the healing process. Anyway, I kept it clean and dressed and it healed over and is now a scar again, but I don't think the stitch ever came out because sometimes when I lay on that side or wearing certain jeans it seems sore or irritated and the scar has a little bump on it?!? I go to see Dr. Patty on April 10, if it seems to still be an issue at that time I am going to talk to her about it... has anyone else had this occur this late after surgery?!?
I have to say, I am loving the way my workout clothes fit... before I would see skin rolls underneath my tanks and have to constantly adjust my yoga pants, but now, everything is smooth and stays put! I am in a smaller size sports bra, I can tell, but as mentioned haven't shopped yet, so I am very grateful to have an at home gym... don't have to be self-conscious on how things are staying put in the privacy of your own home! LOL
Emergency surgery update: As you all know, I had a hematoma develop right after surgery that required an additional emergency surgery to clean up and stop the internal bleeding. This has been a constant weight on my mind because of the potential hospital and anesthesiologist bills. I kept casting my cares upon the Lord, truly, but in the moments of emotion and weakness I would feel the stress and guilt of this heavily, waiting on the mail each day to see if this was indeed the day that we would receive that news! Well we did hear from the anesthesiologist, to a tune of $4590.00 for just over 2 1/2 hours of service, talk about hysterics! The Holy Spirit brought it to my attention that they were not given any insurance information, so I forwarded them that info and Glory be to God, through whom all blessings flow! Not only did the insurance company adjust the bill down, what we are required to pay was also applied to our deductible! This is outstanding news because it means that the services coded to them were covered, so hopefully and trustingly the hospital will be too! Our portion is a much more manageable $1800.00... He is a good God and we can trust Him!
I get asked if I were to have the option, even with knowing that the hematoma would occur, would I do this again... the answer is a resounding YES! It is such a blessing, I am still learning how much of a blessing it is... like going to sit down, I still want to readjust my pants over my "skin roll", with no skin roll to be had, the pants fall and adjust just as they need too. I forget that my tummy doesn't pooch when I sit down, so I want to straighten my top over my tummy and cross my arms in front of it, then I remember and look down to see nothing but a flat shirt against a flat tummy! When going for a crunch I am used to seeing skin and rolls, now I just see tight tummy working tighter abs... it is AWESOME! I feel so comfortable in my own skin, I love being the best version of myself that is possible, feeling healthy and fit and having a body to match it. In Him we live, we move and have our being... I am so blessed and no one will ever be able to deny me that!

Well I think that is all for now... hope you are all well, praying that your Easter will be a time to reflect on what our gracious, loving Savior, Jesus Christ, did for us at Calvary and three days later conquered death so that you and I might live eternal life! John 3:16 For God so loved the earth that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him, shall now perish but have everlasting life! We were ransomed from death and destruction, from Hell itself, Hell was never intended for you and I, God created man because He was lonely and wanted a friend to commune and fellowship with... even when we ruined His plan, He loves us so much that He provided the way of escape, that is free to us but came at the greatest cost, Jesus' life. Be blessed my friends, all who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved... may you remember the true reason for Easter, He is Risen!

Jennifer