Elode

3 week update and pictures of healing! Everything is basically the same. Same swelling, starts off flat in the morning and swells more as the day goes on. I'm wearing a tight Spanx now instead of the binder. I went to my PS yesterday because I was developing a small seroma (fluid under the skin causing more swelling) she aspirated it with a needle but nothing came out. It's not big enough to really do anything about so we are just leaving it alone and waiting for the body to reabsorb it. The incisions are healing beautifully for three weeks. I have been applying EMU oil to them 3x a day. Since EMU is the most absorptive oil on the planet! It seems to be working wonderfully. The incisions are staying soft. I also massage them 3x a day as well using scar massage techniques (thanks YouTube) My BB is red still. My breast lift is just the greatest thing ever! I wish I could show you but I think that would be some kind of violation. Anyway all is great and progressing better than expected. I took a picture of my hip so you can see how the scar curved down rather than upward. Another one of my "demands" I've seen a lot of scars that curve up. That makes them harder to hide in clothing.

I can wear my daughters size 2 dress!!! No way I could have done this with my old boobs and stomach NSV!!!!

Update tiiiime! So here's my scar line! Things to remember...I'm only 9 days post op. I'm still super swollen. Oh, and while we're on the swelling hell topic here's a tiny bit of information they don't tell you....your crotch will swell too!!! I'm serious like swollen and gross looking, it's freaky!! I'm not being gross I'm just being honest. Things like that can really freak a girl out! I was like "ummm oh ,no, nope that's not my crotch what is that!!!" Then I looked it up and yep normal. It goes away and comes back blah blah blah. So there's that. Also a lot of those lines are from my compression outfit. They aren't part of my stomach. My BB is red and aggravated right now because the stitches just got pulled out yesterday so I will get a better close up when it's not so scary looking. I love the scar. It's low and it's pretty even from side to side and curves downward on the ends and not up like a lot I've seen. I'm excited for this thing to heal so I can start the "scar therapy" part. Right now it has to be left alone to completely heal up. Overall I'm thrilled and look forward to the next day since it keeps changing for the better. FYI I don't normally pose like that my daughter just thought it was funny so we used it! Sexxxxxay scar picture first thing in the morning! Who doesn't want one??! Especially after I just told you about the crotch swell up! You're welcome!!!!

I called my surgeon today to see if she would agree to let me take my drain out since I wasn't getting but 10cc out in a 24 hour period and she agreed!!! I pulled that thing so fast!!! Thank you Jesus! That's my last tie down besides all my tape strips they will be removing at my Thursday appointment. My belly picture today. Still SWOLLEN! I think I'm just going to stop saying that because it's a given. I'm going to be swollen for a long time. It comes with the territory and I already knew this. So, the best items I've used the most are 1st two days a peri-bottle. I bought a hair bottle thingy at Sally's and snipped the end off, it's to rinse off with warm Water after you pee. It just helps you feel cleaner! 2) My prop, well that would be number 1 really. I don't know how I would have survived without it. Seriously if you have the 40 bucks BUY IT!! 3) My memory foam seat cushion. You will have a sore butt from sitting in the "beach position" after some time. I had very limited butt pain or back pain and I'm sure that's why. 4) My back massager. Your back will hurt after being hunched over! This thing digs deep into the muscles and is absolutely amazing! The best massager I have ever used and it heats! 5) Now that my drain is out my Fajate compression garment. Yes it's a bit pricy but 100% better than the annoying belly binder they give you that undoubtably rolls up and down all the time and digs into you sides and stomach. This outfit is tight and holds everything in tightly. I can sleep in my own bed and roll from side to side with this on. It supports everywhere! So there's my main list. I bought a few things I didn't use like the walker ect... But overall through research I had everything I needed. No extra trips out ect...I'm including my purchases of the items listed above if anyone is interested. All from Amazon minus my homemade peri-bottle. Oh and those spiders (belly button stitches) come out Thursday too!!

Day 5. I'm counting surgery day as day 1.
So today I thought for shits n giggles I'd try on this tiny swim suit. Shocking!
Remember I'm still swollen but holy crap! Is that really mine??? It's hard to get it to sink in.
I'm also including some photos of just how loose my skin was. Not flattering but I don't care it's where I started. Before all of this. PS I still have tape on my boobs and that line is my JP drain.

Just as reference these were 3 of the examples of what I DID NOT want. Mine is top left. Top right : The scar line in my opinion was too high. The belly button is not natural looking. A dead giveaway. Having darker belly button skin used in that big of a circle was a NO NO! Bottom left: Same thing only worse! I would have been livid had I woke up to a scar like that. I wanted a nice space between my scar and belly button so to be able to hide it in most clothes. If I decide some day I want to wear a shorter cropped shirt there is no way to do that with that scar unless you wear high waisted pants. No thanks. It looks weird to me. Bottom right: I did NOT want a straight across scar. I wanted it curved. Again to be able to hide in smaller clothes. Top left: Mine! Low curved scar with a natural looking belly button higher away from the scar line. Of course mine was only a day old there so I have a lot of healing to do but it should only get better. No dark belly button cut and skin. I would not have approved of any of those belly buttons. You wouldn't think that was important until you start researching and see what a difference the belly button can make. She does do some of the best belly buttons in our town, so I found out. The most natural looking. Mine still has stitches that will be removed next week. So see I was very meticulous and it was all my preference. Others may see these and think they are great. The people who own them hopefully love them but they weren't for me. Once I get my tape off I will show you guys the actual scar. Also my belly is swollen more on one side than the other so it almost looks like my belly button is off centered. I can assure you it's not. The swelling is pushing it to one side a bit more. Point being don't be afraid to take as many photos as you wish as references to what you want. The more the better IMO.

(Continuation from the post below ).....I figured once all the skin was removed I wouldn't have hardly anything left. So I agreed to do the staged procedure. Now fast forward to today. It took me the longest time to take my compression bra off and look at them. I was too scared. I had envisioned seeing nothing but some nipples. I was completely shocked at what I saw. Not only do I have boobs, they are soooooo cute and perky! They are just perfect! It blows my mind. I am really debating on not getting the implants. I don't think I want them anymore. I don't have to wear a support bra now, I can wear cute little tops, in don't have to pick them up out of my armpit when I'm laying down. No more tucking them into a bra and having a saggy mess looking back at me! I feel like I'm 14 all over lol!! I never in my life thought I would ever be content with a lift but my PS is truly magical! I just look at them and they are so happy looking lol!! I had to find a way to show her work without being too graphic so I did the best I could. I'm only doing this because I know there are a lot of you struggling with this same body issue. I want you to see that you are not alone! Everyone remarked about how I don't look like I had any loose skin, ect... I was good at hiding it in clothes. I don't have to do that anymore. I feel freed.

I've decided once I'm healed I'm going to hit the workouts and give Kim K a run for her money!!! Lol!

Day 3 before and after! I'm completely off the pain pills and in my own bed!! I'm extremely swollen all the way down my legs but the results are absolutely amazing to me! I still can't believe it. I have curves and definition already even with all the swelling. I wanted curvy! I took her a picture and told her I wanted curves not just flat. She did exactly what I asked for and made my curves!! Think belly dancer. I'm going to be working on those legs once I'm healed!

And as promised here is a before and after. One day difference. It's amazing!!! I can't wait for my 6 months when all the swelling is gone and I'm healed.

!!!! WARNING GRAPHIC PICTURE!!!!
Now that I have that out of the way, I went to my surgeons today and we took the bandages off. Here's my very first glimpse of my new belly! Amazingly enough she didn't have to repair my muscles, she said they were shocked that they were fine. That's why my pain hasn't been so bad!

Well it's 5am and still not in any pain. I am so incredibly thankful! I thought this was going to be horrific and stressed over it for a full month, every stinking day! It's almost scary how well it's going. I have a bit of a achy sensation but that's it. I've stayed on my Dilaudid only taking one instead of two every 4 hours. It's a miracle drug for sure. I didn't have any other pain methods such as the pain pump or exparel (the 3 day lasting lidocaine) what she did use was Maracaine a shot 3-ish hour acting numbing injections in the muscle repair. It's worn off by now and I'm still pain free for the most part. My c-sections were way worse as was the VSG surgery. We will see how today goes. I've read where people have more pain on day 2/3. I'm eating and drinking just fine. No problems there. No nausea. I eat graham crackers before I take my meds and push the fluids. It actually feels good to get up out of this chair and walk around my house. I do that every time I go to the bathroom for some "exercise'. My husband and daughter (15) have been the perfect nurses! My daughter took over the night shift and made sure I got up and took my pills ect... This last time my husband snuck in and held my hand and rubbed my cheek. He was checking on me I guess but I was awake so he helped me with everything and I shut my daughters alarm off so she could sleep. School for her tomorrow. Ok, well that's probably more than anyone cared to know but I'm updating while I'm awake. So far I couldn't ask for a better experience.

@@bayougirlmrsc Thank you for all your help! I bought the Kotex yesterday. I have a new leg prop pillow, gel butt cushion, fabulous back ball heater massager thing for the back pain, huge body pillow, prune juice and smooth move tea lol! Plus lots of other junk! Oh and my fancy walker! I will be pumping my breaks all the way to the bathroom in style!! Beep beep!!! Oh and a shower chair.

But I will share this with you! Everybody remarks that I don't look like I have any loose skin. Umm yes, yes I do. If I pull it all real tight you can see how small I really am under there. I will show you the real before later....stop looking at my nakedness Familiar!! I was never meant to be a big person. I'm praying she can get me flat!

This website is so refreshing! We have armpits disappearing and "jina's" reappearing!! It's like a WL magic show in here today!

@@stacyg1 I'm not even sure what's happening there! It looks all normal until I go to shave then BAM my armpit goes all MIA!

@@kimdlawson06 Ha!! Me too! I use to see those butt padded panties and immediate eye roll. Now I'm like "Where did I see those things?!" I'll take 2 in "double butt" or whatever they use to size them.

Ok these may just be mine but I've found two negatives from losing a large amount of weight. I've discovered both of these while taking a bath (figured I may as well set the scene) 1) My once plump butt is boney, and I'm talking sit down to shave my legs and it hurts boney. I feel like my skinny friends really dropped the ball on not telling me this! I'm going to have to seriously rethink my friendships since it's blatantly obviously they care nothing about my well being. 2) The weirdest one, shaving my underarms! It's like someone came and built the Grand Canyon under my arms! WTH happened under there?!! I swear if it were any deeper I would be shaving my lungs!! So odd! I have to literally pull contortionist moves to get everything shaved properly. Isn't November no shave month?! I think I'm going to join the men on that one because this shaving is for the birds!! I know you guys have some you could share too! Maybe give a girl a heads up before I forgo bathing all together. I would include pictures but Alex would probably frown on that so use your imagination

@@kblanc Yes it varies greatly, I had a Tummy Tuck and a full breatlift and it was $14,500 if your just looking for a number. That was for my Dr and the surgery center (everything included). It's not cheap (not to me anyway). I had to pay for everything up front. I was planning to have implants in November but I still love my "girls" small and perky so I'm not so sure yet.

@@Elode
ohhhhh, you were gone?
missed you bud
always nice to see "less and less" of you
huggggggs
kathy

@@Elode - LOL! I prefer to be whiny baby on my own too! That jaw surgery sounds really tough but I agree having too much knowledge is dangerous. I went I. To picking the best Dr for me and the rest I have been blissfully ignorant of. I have post-op appt tomorrow mor OMG and once he can look at me and declare all is normal, I sure will feel better! Keep me posted on your jaw surgery!
Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

@@Daisee68 I hope you start feeling good soon! It can only get better! I'm having double jaw surgery soon. I'm scared to death to have all that work don't and my mouth wired shut for 2-6 weeks. I'm to sure how I'm going to manage it all. I just know it always gets better as the days pass. Im not going to freak out of weeks about it like I did my plastics, they weren't even bad. I'll just go into dumb lol!! It is nice to be on your own once you're able. I like to whiny and be a baby alone! I don't need any wintnesses!

@@kblanc I wouldn't count on it. It's almost impossible to get insurance approval for anything considered "cosmetic". You better have some serious "under fat roll" infections for them to even considerate it and even at that it would only be skin removal. Not a Tummy Tuck.

@@Daisee68 I hope you start feeling good soon! It can only get better! I'm having double jaw surgery soon. I'm scared to death to have all that work don't and my mouth wired shut for 2-6 weeks. I'm to sure how I'm going to manage it all. I just know it always gets better as the days pass. Im not going to freak out of weeks about it like I did my plastics, they weren't even bad. I'll just go into dumb lol!! It is nice to be on your own once you're able. I like to whiny and be a baby alone! I don't need any wintnesses!

@@kblanc - People have had varying degrees of success for getting plastics covered by insurance. I did not even try. I just paid out of pocket. It is worth the hassle for some but the requirements are pretty strict to getting it covered and then sometimes it is only a small portion of the surgery.