CrossFit Mom Undergoes Mommy Makeover

6 weeks post op - I can't believe it has been 6 weeks! I am feeling really well. No pain at all just the tight sensation of my abdomen and mild discomfort if breasts get smashed during sleep when I reposition myself. I still can't lay comfortably on my tummy/chest. Mainly due to breast discomfort. Good news is I am done wearing the boob band :) Bad news is that 6 days after I finished the Flagyl my C diff colitis returned. Started having crampy, bloody diarrhea again. Now I'm back on Flagyl for another 3 weeks. It wasn't as bad this time and has turned around quickly. My CrossFit work outs are going well. I was actually able to do overhead squats and pull ups with a band this week (prior to surgery I was doing unassisted pull ups but just don't feel strong enough to try those yet). My weight is fluctuating between 128-133 depending on how much I'm swollen. The swelling is variable and some days I have very little and on other days my tummy is really lumpy. I finally went shopping for some new jeans because I don't have a single pair of jeans or pants that fit anymore. I was hoping for a size 6 (last October I wore a size 12) and was astonished to discover that even those were too big! So for the first time in my adult life I am wearing a size 4. :) Happy Thanksgiving to all and I must say that this year I am very thankful for my supportive husband and the excellent team of doctors and nurses who have helped this dream of a Mommy Makeover come true.

5 weeks post op - Doing great and almost feel normal. Day to day activities are fine. My belly occasionally feels tight but no pain and breasts are totally pain free. Have been back to work full time for the past 2 weeks and each shift gets easier. Visit with PS went well this week. He is very pleased with recovery. My right implant still rides just a little high so one more week of the band and then I'm going to burn it :) Tummy is healing nicely. I still wear my compression garment because I just feel better with it on. My PS says I'll probably feel that way for another 6 weeks or so. I still use a pillow case for extra compression when I work but take it out otherwise. I recovered completely from the C diff colitis and am off my Flagyl. I still take Ibuprofen twice a day for inflammation related to my procedure. I'm sleeping much better. Still have to limit myself to my side sleeping rather than tummy. I tried rolling onto my tummy last night and it was just too uncomfortable. The best news is that I was released to exercise and return to CrossFit. I can do all the aerobic stuff I want and as far as weight lifting I have to keep it at "50% of my previous level". However, I don't think my PS truly understands how much weight I can lift. Prior to surgery I could dead lift 225# and overhead press 110# so I'm thinking that 50% of that is still too much to be doing at this point in my recovery. So I've just been scaling the WODs to where I feel like I'm getting a workout but not straining. I'm amazed at how much endurance I've lost after being sedentary for 5 weeks but I'm hopeful that it will come back quickly. For all you CrossFitters out there we did "Karen" yesterday and instead of using the 14# wall ball I used an 8# wall ball. My time was slow (11:59) but I completed all 150 :) Not released to do any type of sit ups or straight ab work for 2 more weeks. Running, rowing, jumping and squatting is fine. Push ups are a little uncomfortable so I did them on my knees and took it slow. There are no words to describe how great it was to be back at my CrossFit box. I have missed those workouts and the community there so much! My workout buddies surprised me with a generous gift certificate to Victoria's Secret and I can't wait to go shopping. My PS says 2 more weeks in my sports bras and then can get some pretty bras but no underwires for a few more weeks. Overall I am feeling great and LOVE my new body! My breasts look amazing, even better in person than the pictures and my tummy just keeps looking better each day.

23 days post op - Survived my first shift back to work. I was wasted after the 12 hour shift but no major issues other than fatigue and sore back. I thought I may have been developing a seroma. Have been using a folded up pillow case under my compression garment to help prevent/resolve. It really seems to be helping. Today belly was much less swollen than after my shift Friday night. Incisions looking better every day. Breast swelling seems to be gone and I really love the appearance of my breasts. Sleeping is still an issue. Lots of tossing and turning to find a comfortable postion. Actually went back to the recliner last night at about 1am because I was uncomfortable and having reflux issues. Dying to get back to exercising. Can't stand not going to my CrossFit box. I feel like I'm losing muscle strength and endurance every day that I worked so hard before the surgery to achieve. So hope it doesn't take forever to get back to my baseline.