5'2" 120lb, 2 Kids, Athletic build

I forgot to include a belly button pic with my last update. Right after surgery it was pretty swollen for a while, but it’s all good now. A couple scar-looking spots - the longer one is probably from the skin being pulled on during recovery, but still waaaaaay better than pre-op!

It’s been along journey, but I’m so happy to be here I am right now. My scar is lightening, swelling is gone, I can exercise like I always have - even abs with minimal surgery related discomfort. The only two drawbacks are (1) having gotten more stretch marks but they’re not like the loose skin stretch marks I used to have so it’s only appearance, and (2) not being able to bend backwards as far as I used to due to having the abdominal tightening but it’s very slowly getting better. One more thing I assume will get better overtime is the tightening in my abs when I exercise. Kinda annoying, especially when swimming, but I do assume it will get better. I have not regained any sensation on my skin, but I don’t expect any change in that until after the 1 year mark.
I’m so very happy with everything. I’ve regained confidence in my clothing, and even wore a 2 piece for the first time in 5+ yrs.

I had my 3 month PO appointment today and the doc said everything looked good. I asked about scar treatment beyond the Palmers scar oil therapy, and he said to keep using that since the silicone scar strips don’t give much a difference in results - and the oil is cheaper cheaper. It took 2 months to go through a bottle, applying 2x/day. I like that it forces me to massage my scars too, which breaks us fibrous tissue and the dissolving sutures. I have a really hard spot in the middle of my scar line, and he said with massage, it will start softening after 3 mo. The scar itself will become lighter around 1year PO.

Exercise:
I started doing 30 min weightlifting and cardio videos starting around 2mo PO. Everything felt ok, but sore - except ab exercises!!! Those hurt in not a good way. I didn’t do anything that hurt bad, so I did a lot of modifications for a few weeks. At 3mo PO I’m able to do a sit up again with slight discomfort. I can stretch my abs in a cobra yoga pose but no more. I’m excited to have mobility back!

Life/clothing:
I can carry my kids around no problem, even on my hips. There are tender spots tho, especially when they crawl on me. I am SO happy with my flat tummy, I can’t get over it. I feel like I could wear anything! And no hanging skin during downward facing dog pose :) Totally worth every bit of money and discomfort during recovery!