Tummy Tuck w/Muscle Tightening 1/29/2020 - 42 yo w/a 20 yo son

Heeeey RS Fam! I’ve finally reached my one month post op!! Yaaay!! So glad to have made it... LOL! I am looking really good and feeling ok... Each day gets better and better. I have also started using the Silicone Scar Sheets as my incision is completely closed. Of course there is still swelling, but I am cool with it... LOL! My pleats are flattening out. Still not standing up straight, but I’m also not trying to rush it... My body will know when I am ready. I am getting out of the house a little more, but still not 100%. I found that I can’t really do much house work as I get tired rather quickly... So I am being cautious about that. I am going to cut it short for now, but I will be back to update you all soon! Enjoy the pics I have uploaded!

Ok.... So I just wanted to give y’all some info and post a couple of pictures with my compression garments that I am wearing. The black compression garment in the pic is one that I was gifted from my best friend... The garment in the picture is very firm... It is a Flexies brand and a size small. The waist cincher is made by Bella Mia and is a size M-10 (100% Latex). It is very comfortable and as mentioned previously helps with straightening me up. The pear-shaped Ab board (Zarey brand) I was told will help with the flattening of the abdominal skin, to help with reducing the chances of scar tissue formation. I was instructed to place it underneath my waist cincher. I wear the compression garment all day/night. I wear the waist cincher maybe between 12-20 hours/day and the Ab board I wear maybe 8-10 hours/day. Lately, the waist cincher has been helping me sleep a little better.... So most nights I will wear it while I am asleep.

Happy Tuesday RS Fam!

Soooo... Its Post Op Day 20 for me! I am doing great! I am, of course, still in the recovery phase, but it gets better and better each day. Sorry for the hiatus (lol). I am no longer taking prescribed meds or pain pills (with the exception of Extra Strength Tylenol.... which I’ve maybe taken once or twice). The drains are out and I was cleared to take showers, which was great news for me lol! At first I had a hard time in the shower (feeling fatigued) that I had to have a chair placed in the shower so that I could sit down. It was so crazy how tired I got so quickly. Anyway.... Day by day it got better and eventually I graduated to no chair lol! I have to gently clean and repack my navel every 4 days. I am much more self-sufficient which I am happy about because my best friend has been putting in A LOT of work for me and my wild dog (LOL!). I really appreciate her and her family for all that they have done and continue to do for me. I will tell you... Please make sure that you have a great support and recovery team! It really makes a big difference on how well you recover. This type of surgery (imo) takes a toll on you.

On tomorrow I will go to have the final sutures removed. I have been wearing a waist cincher, compression garment, and a board for about 6 days now. The things that is required PO can be extra, but to achieve maximum results... You just gotta grin and bare... I will say that the waist cincher is helping me with standing up straighter along with the compression garments, but without them I am not standing up straight on my own (As you will see in the PO Day 20 pics). My stomach is looking pretty good so I cant wait until I can start using my scar treatments. I was informed to start using Silicon sheets first and then use Scarguard and then after that use Bio-Oil. I was also informed to alternate between the 3 to get better results. I ordered the Silicon Sheets ($26 *it was on sale) from off of Amazon (will upload a pic), bought the Bio-Oil ($8.99) from Target, and I will purchase the Scarguard ($63) from my PS’s office on tomorrow at my suture removal appointment. I will post a pic of the Scarguard as well.

My stomach has relaxed a little... Still having the muscle spasms, but not as bad. I am still unable to eat like I use to. I get very full really quick. Sometimes I overdo it and find myself belching to where there is food/liquid coming up (Uggggh... the worst!) and I feel very uncomfortable. Laughing is a challenge... It really hurts to laugh and I have also learned to suppress sneezes. Yawning on the other hand isn't that bad, but feels weird.

I’ve been out and about, but making sure Im not overdoing it. I have also been cleared to drive as of 6 days ago, but yesterday was my first time driving. I felt fine, just a little uneasiness on my left side.... Not sure if it was the nerves or how I was sitting in the driver’s seat?? I am not sure about the 5+ hours drive back home to Florida at the end of next week.... My husband may have to come to help me drive.

I am trying to think about any other updates, but at the moment.... I cannot think of any. I will definitely update y'all if anything else pops up.

Enjoy the photos (lol) I have uploaded. And as always, please don't hesitate to ask my anything.

Thank you all who have been following my journey and for all of the comments under my updates. Fir anyone who are headed to the Flat Side, I wish you all well through your journey. And for the folks who have already made it to the Flat Side... Congrats and I wish a well and speedy recovery!

Chat with you all soon!