If you are considering...DO IT!!!

Hi Ladies! I cannot believe it has been well
Over a year since my surgery. I have been having way too much fun dressing my new body and wearing a two piece. My only regret is not doing this sooner...I will be 35 next month and I do feel too old to wear some of these pieces of clothing. However, most people who meet me place me in my mid 20s and I would never wear this stuff on a vacay with all our kids. I know when its appopriate and when it is not, and I feel I paid way too much money and worked way too hard to not show it off. I am still a size 4/6, fluctuate between 136-138, and my scar is just a smidge lighter than my year mark. Hope this can motivate anyone questioning their decision, esp if you read my whole journey and look at my befores! Hope everyone is doing well!

Cannot believe a year ago today I was in surgery. As I wake up this morning and take pictures, I cannot believe this body is mine and it reminds me how I need to take care of it. I hope these can inspire others! Is the scar a trade off, yes, but if you find the right surgeon no one will ever see it. To me, it was worth a lifetime of insecurity. If anyone has any questions, please reach out!

Hi ladies! I cannot believe a year ago today that I was anticipating my tummy tuck surgery and had so many worries and anxiety this time last year. In hindsight, it has flown by and I have been through a roller coaster full of emotions. I went through so many personal changes this past year that I almost didn't process what I had done for myself and I kinda got in a rut towards the end of the year. I got a little carried away after our move, as we were exposed to a whole new variety food with new restaurants and craft beer. And then we did a small get-away to the mountains and before I knew it, I had hit around 146 on the scale! Even though I still looked ok, I felt terrible and was so disappointed in myself for essentially gaining 10-15 lbs over the entire year. My clothes were fitting tighter, and even though my tummy was still flat, it was very bloated and I just looked thicker through my middle. I have been back on the keto wagon since after the holidays now and am finally back down to about 137. I feel much better, have a lot more energy, and def do not feel as down on myself. I guess I didn't realize how dependent my mood and happiness are based on how in control I feel...I automatically feel happier and see a better self-mirror reflection when I feel in control of my diet and my appearance. It has been so extremely cold, that I haven't done much physical activity. I try on warmer days to get outside, but my goal for the spring is to really pick it up and get back into being active. Aside from all that, I still have no regrets on getting the surgery. I did get a new bikini last week and did a side by side photo comparison of prior to my surgery. I will post them tommorow, but I cannot believe how much this surgery changed my overall body shape, appearance, and confidence. I am so excited to confidently wear a bikini this summer at the beach and pool and also not feel like it looks fake. My scar is still pink, but lightening slowly. The pockets of fat on my hips still remain but at this time I am not willing to do a revision, as it is easily hidden under underwear or a bathing suit and no one else will see it but myself or my husband. My job is too physically demanding to try and take any time off or to try and think it will not be hard to heal again. I am slowly gaining more sensation as I get to this one year mark. My lower tummy feels as if your foot has fallen asleep and the sensation is back about 50%. Above my belly button I have full sensation...lately around my scar line I have been experiencing some itching, but its under the skin and feels like an itch you can't scratch. I wonder if my nerves are slowly mending and it is causing this weird phenomenon. Advice I can give someone wanting to go through with this is: If you constantly researching it, squishing your tummy skin, look in the mirror and hate what you see, tuck your skin into your jeans when you sit down, hide yourself during bathing suit season, wear flowy tops, etc....JUST GO THROUGH WITH IT! Give yourself a goal to get down to your goal weight, whatever that may be, and if you still are unhappy, a tummy tuck may be the only way to get rid of the skin. As you will see in the pic I post tomorrow, I weigh about 5-6lbs more now than I did a year ago prior to surgery. And my body looks TOTALLY different! Sometimes no amount of cardio, diet, sit-ups, etc is going to remove the skin that our babies have created and for once in my adult life, I love wearing tighter tops, body suits, and clothing that accents my new curves. As hard as the recovery was, I am glad I did it and do not regret it at all. I hope I can help others who are contemplating this journey and as always, I am always a message away from answering any questions!