4wk3d post-op! *updated pics 5/4/13*-Rockville, MD

31 dpo~ I think maybe 4 weeks is a bit of a turning point. I'm starting to feel like me again. I went back to work and didn't keel over from exhaustion (Ok, I only did to 8s instead of my usual 12s and the first day was rough but I made it). The first day I wore spanks, and the second day one of those flexees things that has the hooks between the legs. Both garments did their jobs to keep my swelling down. Especially since I was on my feet almost the whole time. Last three nights I also slept without any compression and I did great. I'm still swelling, but I don't feel like I'm going to pop. I'm also not exhausted anymore. Tired, but tired I can handle. I still like to rest at the end of the day with my feet propped up but I don't feel like I have to or else I'll die. As far as pain goes I'm noticing the aches and pains disappearing the more I'm moving around. I still have those sharp muscle pains every now and then, and my upper belly and breasts are sore. My incisions don't really bother me at all. My two little lipo spots still hurt and there is still that lump on my left side.

I still can't into my jeans that don't have a ton of stretch.

Scars are looking better every day. I've been using scar away on my belly. I got the short ones so I have to use 7 to go across my belly. Trying to store then after washing was a pain in the tail, so I went to Walmart and got a plastic folder and now I use that as my 'drying rack' for the set I'm not wearing at the moment. I wash them off and they stick right to the plastic. I'm still also still using the kelo cote, but it seems to be the most expensive of the treatments. I used it on my tummy scar a few times and now the tube is almost gone. I use it on my breasts because the silicone sheets were causing the scar to ripple. I'm also using the bio oil and the palmers, mostly for massage before bed. I still think the massage with the oil might be the most beneficial, but it doesn't hurt to wear the silicone while you're out and about during the day. Oh, nothing but vaseline and oil on the BB.

New pics today were taken after 2 flag football games and lunch at Panera so I'm a little swollen. I did have a garment on this AM but it is one of my lighter ones. Both the bra and suit top are 34D

That's about all I've got I think. My next appointment is in about 2 weeks, so I might not update again until then. Well unless something amazing happens...lol

Almost forgot...I plan to start at the gym again next week. Slowly of course. By next update I'll have a couple of weeks of working out under my belt :)

As always happy healing to those on their way, and best of luck to those just starting out!

Tomorrow is exactly 4 weeks post-op, and I'm going back to work! Only doing two 8hr shifts this week (Wed and Thurs) to test if my body will cooperate. Not really looking forward to fielding questions like where have I been and how come I'm not lifting anything (not easy in the ER) but I think I can handle it ;) so wish me luck!

I'll take some 4 wk pics for you guys later this week. Swelling is still killing me but scars are looking good, and other than getting tired faster than normal I'm feelin' alright. I was joking with the hubby that for every hour of activity I have to take an hour nap...haha! Breasts are sore but I think that might be PMS related.

Hope this quick update finds you all well!

22 dpo~
Hellllooooo there! I had my 3 week po appt yesterday and I know y'all are dying to hear all about it :) Dr. T is pleased with the way I am healing, but he wasn't too pleased with my stage 2 compression garment. I was wearing a corset and he said he'd like to see something that has some pressure to the pubic area. I asked him if he had ever worn spanx, and of course he said no. So I went on to tell him about the evils of this seeming innocent looking little garment, how you have to wrestle them on, how hard it is to pee, etc. Eve felt my pain. But I promised to be good and I am wearing them today as a matter of fact. I just held my pee until I got home from running errands. My spanx garment has the shorts, but I have another one from Maidenform that does not (it has a crotch opening, though). I have to say I noticed quite a bit less pubic swelling with both of these garments. We also talked about my breasts, particularly the left one. If you have ever nursed a baby you know what 'letdown reflex' is. Well, that's what it feels like all the dang time and I hate it. Oh and every now and then my nipples are over sensitive. Both of these issues will resolve with time. We also talked scar therapy but more about that later.

I'm still very tired and swollen by late afternoon. if I stop and put my feet up the swelling lessens by bedtime. The only real issues I have are the soreness in the flanks where the lipo was and feeling like a creaky old lady. I don't even have bruises but I am still so tender in those spots. Some nights I will take a pain pill and have hubby try to massage out the kinks. I still do valium at night, and just started being able to sleep on my side with the help of a body pillow. I cannot fit into most of my post-op jeans and I am attributing this to swelling. I look smaller so it's frustrating. Boo swelling.

I'm trying a few different things for scars. I must say they look pretty damn good on their own, but I bought some Scar Away and some Kelo Cote gel. I have been using the gel around my areolas, on my vertical breast scar, and my tummy. The strips have been on my horizontal breast scar. I like the fact that you can massage the scar under the strip, but the whole washing them off and reusing them can be a pain in the ass. The gel is nice because you just wash it off, but waiting for it to dry after you put it on can be a pain in the ass if you are in a rush. I will say that after 2 days with the gel my tummy scar is a little flatter, but who knows if it would have been it I had just left it alone. Today I have gel all over because I didn't have time to fool with those strips. To be honest I was using good old vaseline, and wonder if that wouldn't be just as effective. I still have a little scab where my drain was so that gets no treatment yet.

I have also been given the green light for an easy workout, so I went to the grocery store. Hey I have 3 boys, grocery shopping IS a workout. I do plan to kick it up a notch next week, though.

My breasts are perky as can be and appear to be about the same size as they were pre-op. Underwire is still uncomfortable. I have one wireless 'dress-up' bra but most days it's sport bras. my vertical scar is flat and barely (to me anyways) detectible. The horizontal ones are just about skin color in my cleavage, but they are raised a little. I think they will flatten and become less noticeable with time though.

I am still numb on parts of my belly. I love my bb, but it's numb, too. My hips are sore by evening but I think that has to do with my posture. My breasts feel kinda PMS-y. As you can see none of these complaints are very serious, and nothing I can't handle. I feel a little better every day. The worst part is the swelling. It's like coming home and wanting to take off your tight dress but it's not a dress it's your skin!

My next appointment is in one month. If anyone has any questions just let me know. Good luck to those who are waiting and to those who are healing :)