Comparison photo and good news

Today I had a post op appointment.
I am 3 weeks and 3 days post TT.

When I left my surgery, I had been stuffed (and I mean STUFFED) into an XL compression garment.  This was to help push out all the fluids that had been pumped into me, and to help make sure that my skin went in nice and tight.
After 2 weeks, I noticed my garment was WAY too big (it should be a slight struggle to put on, and I was able to pull this on like undies).  So I called in and got a large, last Monday.

The large fit, but, when I sat down there was a gap and it wasn't really compressing the lower abdominal area.  So, I asked my doctor about it today and she agreed it was too big.  She brought in a medium and a small for me to try on, and I laughed thinking I'd be in the small, but sure enough, that is what gave me the most compression.  Which basically means I'm a medium in regular ppl clothes, as you want about a size smaller than what you wear normally.

I can barely breath in this thing, ahaha, but at least I know it's doing it's job and will help with the residual swelling.

Also on a good note, my doctor said that I am free and clear to start working, and working out, again....which they are basically one and the same, lol.  She said that I need to go slow and listen to my body.  She said I will know when I need to stop or slow down.  I imagine my abs will just kinda go "OH HELL NAH" at me, lol.  I plan on starting with just some simple stretches, dips and maybe a few easy level one spins.....and not very many.

So, basically, she doesn't like her patients to start exercise again until they are about 5 weeks out, BUT, my body healed up quicker than expected in terms of my incision and initial swelling.  She said this was due to the fact that prior to surgery, I was in good health, active, and ate good foods, and then continued to eat nutritious foods after surgery to help the healing process.
Positive on being a healthy me I suppose!

So here is a comparison photo of one week post op, and 3 weeks post op (taken Sunday night)

Now, if you can believe it, before surgery, I actually had MORE skin on my body, just hanging down.  Then, two weeks later, look at that!  It's really looking good.  And I am so happy, just ridiculously happy.  And the thing is, I still have 5 months to go for all the swelling to be completely gone!  So I'm going to go down even more.  That's just CRAZY to me.

And so that's my update for now.

Sunday/Monday I will be taking my month post op photos, and also posting my measurements to see how those have changed as well.  :D

Week 3 Post Op Photos

I'm starting to get a little overly stressed that I am done swelling and this is my final look.
My husband says I'm being neurotic and that I am still very swollen....I don't know, I go to the doctor on Thursday and will talk to her about it then.  Logically I know that post tummy tuck the swelling lasts about 6 months....at 2 months only about 60% of swelling is reduced, and I'm not even a month post op....

but, ya know, I'm not really one for patience.

Font view, 3 weeks

Left side, 3 weeks

Right side, 3 weeks

I will do a collage of my first photos, and my current ones probably tomorrow so that the progress is more noticeable.....I also think my right side looks much better than my left for some reason. :/

Going Well, Kind of

I have a funeral I have to go to on Monday.
I have 0 clothes that fit me now.
I tried to put on some pants last night to go out, and the fell off....they were my smallest pair.
I was slightly miffed, because I have nothing to wear, yes, it's a good thing, but it's also slightly frustrating when you're going to get dressed and everything falls, and is super baggy.

I have one pair of yoga pants that I can wear, well, they stay up anyway.  They are big around the waist and hips, but not enough to make it horrible.  So, for the past 2 weeks and 5 days, I have been wearing those anytime I go outside of the house.

But, I have this funeral to go to.

So my husband decided he'd take me shopping for black pants while we were out on our date last night.  We went to Old Navy because they were having a pretty amazing sale, and I ended up finding a nice pair of black pants that can be either dressed up or dressed down.  They are elastic in the waist so I can easily wear them, and as the swelling goes down they will still fit.  They are a size medium, which I was shocked about....

BUT.  While at Old Navy, I told him I was just curious as to what my current actual jean size is.
He wasn't really for me doing this, because he didn't want me to upset if the number wasn't what I expected it to be.  I explained that I understood I'm still swollen, and will remain swollen for at least another 4 weeks.  But, none of my clothes fit and I was just curious.
So, because I'm practical, I grabbed a size 16, 14, 12.  Now, my pants at home are either a 16 or a 14 (i have both bc I lost weight)....so I figured the 16 and 14 wouldn't fit me but try them on anyway I felt.  I was banking on the 12 being my fit.  Then I thought....hmmmm....just for fun, lemme grab these size 10 jeans.  Just to see how far away I am....

I went into the dressing room, and the 16 and 14 were falling off.  I put on the 12 thinking, aha, ok, my size, I'm ok with this!  I was a 12 in high school and looked GOOD.  If I'm a 12 now, after swelling I'll be about a 10 and I couldn't ask for more!

I pull up the 12s, button them, and there is about an inch gap between me and the jean button....I was confused, and thought...no...surely not.
I take them off, and slide on the pair of 10s.
They button.
There is no gap between me and them, nice and fitting.
I screamed out of the dressing room to my husband that I was getting these jeans, because they were a size ten and they FIT.  He laughed.  We got them.

The shirt is an old shirt, and pretty baggie on me, although I felt like it fit the "flowy" look, so didn't toss it out....if I wasn't wearing this shirt, I feel like it'd show how much better I'm looking...but, anyway, these are me in my size 10s.  I wore them the rest of the night, lol.

So this basically means that after all my swelling goes down in about another month (well, most of the swelling) I will be coming in at about a size 8.  Never ever in my life would I have thought that possible <3 best="" can="" clothes="" come="" cute="" decision="" definitely="" for="" garment="" have="" i="" is="" made.="" my="" nbsp="" off="" p="" pole="" so="" t="" the="" to="" tuck="" tummy="" wait="" wear="" y="">

Then I woke up this morning to having started my period, so glad I got to wear these before that happened!

Pic at the Studio

Went up to the studio tonight.  I got my Cleaner shirt in and surprised my friend with one as well.  It's a running joke at the studio that I'm Abby from Broad City, because....well, if you watch the show you get it, if not, watch the show and you will.  LOL.  

Anyway, we took the picture, and I always kind of detested taking pictures because I look so horrible and bumpy in them.  I see this one, and I was shocked.  SHOCKED.  I look.....small(ish).  I can't even describe what this picture makes me feel.....I enjoy seeing myself.  I don't feel like I look awkward or misshapen.  Dare I even say, I feel like I look slightly sexy with what is going on.  

It was a good night at the studio, got to work a bit on putting student info into the system, scanning in waivers, learned how to take payments, mark in people for classes, taking pics and video for the social media sites, and joked around with my girls.  I guess that all sounds rather boring and mundane but I enjoyed it and one of those moments where I feel less like a student and more like staff....(to be noted here I am in transition, currently labeled as "unpaid intern", I have to learn to teach all the early levels by being an assistant, learn the computer input system, be able to hold down the studio solo, etc etc).....long process but worth it.

I was a little sad watching all my fellow classmates learn new combos and work on tricks....and despite wanting to try to do some basic arm circles to feel like I did SOMETHING, I was shut down by my unicorn sisters, lol.  They (and I) know that it'll be best to wait until I get the all clear.  Hopefully that will be in a few weeks.  I'm already at 2 weeks post op and feeling good, so surely by 4 weeks I'll be able to do some basic level one stuff....or stretches...something.  

That's it.  Just wanted to share.

Post Op Photos, Week 2

I want to start out by saying that I shocked myself when I sat down and realized I am only at my 2 week post op mark.  For some reason I was thinking I was farther along.....like this was going to me by 3rd week post op.  I was pretty stressed out that I am still pretty swollen and was googling up how long it takes to see a decent amount of reduction in the swelling after a tummy tuck and convincing myself I was normal, and not going to maintain this bloated body I have currently.

I also drove myself a few times, to and from the studio.  Didn't do much other than take pictures for the social media sites and hang out with everyone.  I think this was what made me confused on my time post op....because I'm pretty much just out doing shit like normal.  On the one hand this is great, because I'm a badass and healing up nicely and don't feel like smashed ass....on the other hand it's horrible because now I'm going to be tempted to start back up with some moderate exercise sooner, because "I'm a badass and feel great".  Thank goodness my fellow pole peeps are ontop of me about this and refuse to even allow me to do arm circles (*grumbly laughter*)  I love that they don't want me to harm myself and have my down and out even longer.  It makes me feel loved.

Anyway.  The pictures.

This is my pretty little bellybutton that I am actually very much in love with.  I can't even remember the last time I had a bellybutton that was so cute and just, not saggy and deep.  So, kinda in love <3 p="">

Here is my week two post op front view.  All the marks are due to my garment, it's like wearing a bra, but all over.  From week one, I can see that my sides have gone in more, and the lower abdominal area has reduced slightly in swelling.  

Left side two week post op photo.  I have a pretty bad hematoma on this side, especially on my side boob area.  I have to work it every day to help break up the collected blood so it will distribute back correctly into my body.....no, this isn't fun.  So, again, noticeable reduced swelling in the lower abdominal area, and also in my back.  You can actually see that, yes, I do indeed have a butt, not just a back that goes straight into legs, lol.  Woooo!

Right side week two post op.  more swelling on my back on this side.  This side of my incision still has the occasional leakage, which freaks me out but I have been assured that it is fine and normal, so long as it's 1. not bright red blood and 2. doesn't smell like extreme funk (and, for the record, I have my husband smell, bc, yeah no I'm not about that life)

Incision week 2 post op.  This photo is taken while lying down.  Definitely looking better and on the mend. Makes me happy.  

Currently I am entering what they refer to as "swell hell", which is just the period in recovery where in the mornings I am not super swollen, but as the day progresses (and I overexert myself bc I'm a strong independent woman lol) I swell back up pretty badly.  This causes some pretty intense feelings, not exactly pain, but it definitely feels like my insides are trying to burst out.  Not fun.  

My husband, knowing that I am a stubborn woman and refuse to do nothing, has compromised with me.  I get to go out to the studio 3 times a week for admin stuff only, and "kinda" help with the housework (i.e. help put away clothes and help make dinner for short stints) but outside of that I have to be sitting here at the house lounging and only getting up to pee.  *my life is so fun*  but, I know it's for the best.....and it'll help avoid the night time super swells.  He loves me.  <3 nbsp="" p="">

Ok, well, that's it for now.  

Impromptu Update

Wasn't planning on doing another update so soon, but last night I was going to take a shower, and my husband stated that he could tell a bit of a change, and then insisted we do some more photos for the blog.

I kinda just want to stop right here for a moment and say that I really love this man.  I'm not really sure how many men out there would do the things that he does for me.  This goes beyond the monetary for me....yes, he provides, but it's so much more.  I had a major (elective) surgery (the elective part kinda makes it even more awesome of him, because he could've been like, no, you chose this, you deal)....and this man....he cleans the house after work.  He doesn't give me a single amount of grief that the clothes aren't done, the floors aren't swept.  He has cooked us dinner the past few nights, did the dishes, fluffed my pillows, brushed my hair, washes me in the shower while I sit, rubs my lower back, put coconut oil on my sore butt (from not pooping for a week, and then doing ALL the poo in a day).  Hell, he even said he'd help me wipe my ass if I need him too.

I could cry at how loving this man is.  How he knows I'm an emotional wreck and comes home to just stroke my arm, kiss my forehead and fix me some ice water.  Thing is, I can do stuff.  Slowly, but I can do it.  I can put away the clothes.  I can sweep the floor.  But he says no.  Rest.  My healing is infinitely more important to him than laundry or the floor.  And I feel like I put too much on his plate, him now having my job and his job and making sure I'm ok.  But he will hear nothing of the sort.

I'd like to think that most men out there would be this devoted and caring to their wives.  But the truth is, I know many aren't.  I know I have a rare man, and despite his faults and occasional fuck ups, he's an amazing, caring, devoted man.

Ok...enough with the mushy crap nobody cares about.....
These photos are one week and two days post op.

Left side (super bruised side, lol)  These bruises are HARD, and every day I have massage them so the blood will break up and disperse correctly :/  Hurts so much.  Still swollen, but you can see a small decrease.

Right side.  You can still see I'm not standing fully erect yet, but it'll happen.  

Front View, he said was most noticeable.  Sides have started to go back in, and my "buttum" has reduced drastically, which is good.  The last part of the swelling to go down will be the bottom part near my incision.  But, again, I am only one week post op, so this is good.

Lastly, we have a scar update.  I have to lay down at a slight angle after a shower for it to air dry (no towel drying).  While I lay there hubby puts a mixture of coconut oil, arnica, and vitamin e oil onto my incision (and my belly button).  It is looking better, healing well.  I think this is the biggest and most noticeable change for me.

Now, I want to add here, that I am very aware I still have stretch marks.  I'm also very aware that I am not "skinny" (and even after the swelling goes down and I am my new "normal" it will not be "skinny")   For me, this was not the point of the tummy tuck.  I weighed 180lbs going into surgery and I was thrilled to be at that weight.  After swelling and all the healing is done, my doctor says I will be hitting about 160 to 165 lbs.  This is beyond my expectations.  The point of this surgery, for me, was to be able to look in the mirror, naked, and not cry.  So I have stretch marks still?  So I can't see my bones?  I don't give a shit.  From day one of being able to remove my garment, I have been able to look at myself naked in the mirror, and you know what?  I fucking SMILE every damn time.  And THAT is why I did this. 

 

Week One Post Op

Monday was my first official week down.  I had a post op appointment with my doctor, and I had been having some serious emotional issues, so it was good that I was able to go in and talk to her.

I think my biggest emotional issue was that I weighed myself and I was higher than I was before surgery.  She explained that with all the numbing stuff the put inside my body (which contributes to the swelling as it sticks around for awhile) weight gain is normal.  Most people gain about 20 lbs, I only gained 5, so that's something I guess.

I was having a hard time with my compression garment and she told me to just button it up as far as it would go, and then leave the rest open.  But it is really painful :/  So, today I decided to double up and I am wearing a full bodysuit garment, and ontop of that the abdominal one she gave me.  I don't know why, but it has cut down on the irritation and I can clasp it closed a bit higher than before.

So, everything is looking good, and I am still swollen, REALLY swollen she said.  She said that this amount of swelling will probably last for another week or two :/  not happy about that, but she said the more I wear this tight ass compression garment the quicker it will go down.  (Oh, yeah, I was stressed that how I look now is how I will look for good.....she said no, not at all)

Here are my one week photos.

Here I am standing, front view.  I am slightly hunched over still, but really wanted a standing view.  You can clearly see I am still very swollen (and it's very hard) but you also start to get an idea of how it will look once swelling goes down.

This is my new belly button.  It's super cute and I'm in love with it.  

Left Profile pic.  Super swollen, and that bruising is quite bad.  We have to massage it nightly to help break up the blood that has accumulated there.  So the back and front will reduce more as time passes.

Right Profile pic.  This side looks so much nicer.  Still swelling, but that is normal and will go away as time passes.

I am laying down in this pic.  Drain tubes have been removed!  Nightly I put a mixture of unrefined coconut oil, vitamin e oil, and arnica gel onto my incision, that's what the shiny liquid stuff is in this picture.

More updates later :D