41yr, 2 Kids, 50lb Weight Loss and Ready to Lose This Pooch for Good

I wanted to pop back on here and give an update and show new pictures since it’s been almost 7 months now.

My TT scar is still pretty purple but I religiously apply oil morning and night. I’ve done the silicone strips, Palmers, this stuff called Belly oil and as of recent made up my own concoction of coconut, castor, and almond oil mixed with essential oils that are said to lighten scars. We shall see. I know when I rub the oil on my belly it gives me a weird tingly feeling inside. I don’t know if it’s because it’s numb or what. Yes, my belly is still numb and I’m not sure if it’s improving or not. That middle area around my belly button to my scar is numb. Doc said it’s common and may never get better.

I was swelling quite a bit up until about the last month. It helped significantly when I went to eating mostly protein. Bread, pasta, sugar and even some veggies make me swell and it’s super uncomfortable. So for now I stick to a lot of chicken and meat. Knowing how uncomfortable I’m going to be keeps me focused. It also helps to move around. I have a desk job and if I sit all day it makes me swell. Not only do I not want to feel crappy but I don’t want to ruin my results. It keeps me focused on the goal I’ve set for my body for this summer.

My breasts are good. I asked doc if I was to go bigger if it would give me that round top that was present right after surgery. He said they came out with a new implant 6 mo ago (right free my surgery - go figure) that will do that. I had it priced out and it would be $3500 for an in office exchange. I go back and forth. The thought of doing any kind of surgery again is very unpleasant, this has not been a fun experience for me, excellent results yes, but it came with consequences for sure. He said it’s a super simple surgery with limited downtime but I’m just not sure. It’s something to think about and trust me I do. Some days I want them, some days I’m fine. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love my breasts! LOVE them! But bigger and rounder is tempting. I have boob greed. Lol!

I’m back to the gym 4 days a week doing CrossFit and pretty much lifting and doing the same, if not more than I was pre-op. I do double up on the sports bras, pushups and anything that’s an isolated chest move is a tad uncomfortable. I just pay attention to my body and slowly build strength in that area. I’m working on doing 100 ab reps each time I go in hopes to maybe see a six pack by summer. Fingers crossed.

As I took my pics for this post the morning I can’t help but thinking every woman should be able to have her body repaired after kids, and if they want them, “breast implants for everyone!!” Lol!! My transformation has meant so much to me and helped take away those hurtful comments my ex husband said to me all those years ago about my saggy boobs and “vagina” looking belly. Those comments don’t haunt me anymore and I now love what I see when I look in the mirror.

Overall I am so happy I did this. It truly was by far the best thing I could have ever done for myself. Then I go back to my calculating prior to getting this done and to love my body for at least 20-30 years (when I’m 60-70) it’s literally less than $3 a day; less than $2 if I don’t stop caring about my looks until 70; even less if I just never get to the point where I become a little old lady that doesn’t care. Lol!! Then if you think of how much joy you’re going to get out of your body, verses any other thing you could spend $16k on (car, jewelry, vacation, etc.) it puts it into perspective, or it did for me.

So if you’re on the fence, DO IT!! It’s so worth it! Make sure you save out enough money for new clothes, and invest in stock at Victoria Secret (or wherever you buy bras and lingerie) because you’re going to want an entire new wardrobe trust me.

Happy healing all! Merry Christmas!

Well here I am 4 mo later. Every month that goes by seems like a small victory, because it means I’m another month closer to feeling normal again. Lol!!
Started doing everything at the gym, including chest exercises and so far so good. I do notice an awkward feeling at the bottom of my breasts when I do things that really isolate those chest muscles. I am just taking it slow and ensuring my weights are light to ease back in. I also wear 2 sports bras for some added compression and support. I don’t want to mess up the girls at all, especially since I love them so much. Lol!!
I’m starting to play a game with myself on what I can and cannot eat that will/will not make my tummy swell. So far everything good is off limits. No chips, sugar, pizza, etc. I pretty much need to stick to bland food. Heck even certain veggies make me swell. I guess it’s a good thing, I was strict about my diet before but now that it’s so uncomfortable, I really have to pay attention or I’m absolutely miserable.
The swelling is pretty much my only complaint at this point. That, and having to sleep in a bra forever. I got myself one of those $20 VS wire free cotton t-shirt bras that seem to work nicely for sleeping.
Speaking of bras, I got the push up version of the t-shirt bra and holy cow, totally looks like I’ve had a boob job. lol!! Most days I don’t think anyone would ever guess they are augmented, but this bra gives me a bit of those stripper boobs I said I wanted earlier since mine settled which saddened me a bit.
That’s about all. I’ll probably only update once a month now for awhile. I hope my journey has helped anyone considering surgery or if you had surgery and are just looking for someone like you and what my experience has been at a certain time in my recovery.

Back at the gym 4 days per week at this point. For the most part it’s ok and it seems like I’m faster and in better shape now than I was pre-surgery. It’s weird actually. Maybe it’s the fact I don’t have the belly to haul around, not sure, but something has improved and I didn’t work out for 3 months. I do feel the heaviness of my breasts when I run and jump rope so I’ve been wearing two sports bras just to be safe. As of yesterday I’m supposed to be released to do isolated chest exercises and I’m telling you, that feels so weird. I can’t go all the way down in a push-up so I’m going to take it VERY slow. The only other thing with my breasts is sometimes my left one seems to be achy. Anyone else have that issue? I hope it’s normal. They both look normal.
I still swell in my belly area. I’ll be glad when that goes away. I also still have some fluid in that lower part and need to call my PS but haven’t yet. It’s not a lot. My belly button area was itching deep inside this week. Maybe that means feeling is starting to return. However, it’s very irritating because it’s numb and you can’t seem to satisfy the itch. I hate the numbness. I’ve been doing ab exercises at the gym and that goes ok, but there is a difference in my ab strength from before. Again, just something I’m taking really slow to try and rebuild that strength.
I began using the silicone tape a few weeks ago and have just left it on until it comes off. It seems to be staying pretty well through showers and workouts so I’ve been pleased with it. I do feel like maybe it’s helped with shrinking the scar a bit, especially in those raised areas. It’s still raised, but doesn’t seem as prominent. Wearing it also just helps the whole area feel more contained and comfortable. I used almost the whole box to cover my breasts and TT scar so I’ll buy a new box next month. I’ll let my skin air about a week before I cover again.
Very much in love with my results and my goal is to work hard, eat right and have the body Ive always dreamed of by next summer. I always heard that once you have lipo someplace you can’t get fat in that area, not sure if that’s true, but I do think I’ve noticed my butt, legs & arms got flabbier & fatter in my 3 months of not working out, so maybe there is something to that. No matter how much I workout though, it’s mostly diet so I try to be super conscious of what goes in my mouth more than anything. I admit I did get a little lax toward the end of my recovery.
I attached some pics of my results 16 weeks in. I’m so excited to be able to wear cute lingerie and have my breasts be nice and perky and not be spilling out all over, be that my belly, back or breasts. Best investment in myself EVER!!
Happy healing ladies. Take care!