November 20, 2011

Lower body lift, post-op day 7 progress

I can't believe I'm already on Day 7 following my lower body lift surgery. Surprisingly, the week has flown by for me. I haven't been able to do much, but I've been recovering really well. And having my Dr. Oz Show air on Friday definitely took my mind off the surgery for a little bit.  For those of you that haven't seen the Nov. 18th episode that I was on, I still don't know whether I'll be able to post it to my blog. I'm hoping that the show posts it on the website or something!

Yep, I'm much prettier on TV! lol

I took a new progress photo of my belly today--it doesn't look much different than the last comparison pic, though. I still feel swollen and my stomach protrudes a little because of the swelling. The incision is healing really well, and my drains aren't draining much any more--which is good, because I'll probably get them removed at my post-op appointment on Tuesday. Here is the comparison pic--last Sunday vs. today:

Before lower body lift
Day 7 after lower body lift
My belly button is still very scabby, but I don't want to pull the scabs off. It looks like it hurts, but it doesn't. Actually, the weird thing about this surgery (that I wasn't expecting) is the numbness! My whole abdomen and lower back are completely numb. It's a very weird feeling when I touch it.

My belly button is starting to look more centered, thankfully. However, I read about off-centered belly buttons after tummy tucks, and it's very common--but not necessarily a fault of the surgeon. Your belly button "stalk" stays in the same place, but the surgeon makes an incision around it and then pulls the belly skin down around the stalk, and makes a new hole to sew to the stalk (hard to explain).

So if your belly button isn't centered before surgery, it's not going to be centered after surgery unless you request extra work to center it. Hard to explain, but chances are, my belly button was off center prior to surgery, and it will remain a little off-center. I don't think it looks too bad though, and I'm not going to be showing my belly off--too many stretch marks remain to wear a bikini!

Something that I really didn't think I would care much about before surgery was my butt lift (part of the lower body lift). My butt was just never something I really complained about, even though I knew it was very jiggly from the loose skin. I'm so shocked at how much perkier my butt is now! When I walk, I can actually put my hand there and feel my glutes really well--my butt feels firm for the first time ever.  I might post a comparison of that (in undies, of course!) soon, but I'm not brave enough yet.

I'm so excited to try on my jeans after I get these drains out! I used to have to tuck my skin into my jeans, so I hope that they go on much easier now.

I think my biggest complaint right now is how much my throat hurts. I don't think it's related to the surgery itself, because it was fine for a couple of days post-op. But I have that horrible lump in my throat and it's sooo hard to swallow or think of anything else. I've also had a headache on and off, which I discovered can be a little relieved with a cup of caffeinated tea. I hope I'm not getting sick, but those are the only bothersome symptoms I have.

Right now, I'm totally looking forward to my post-op appointment with my surgeon on Tuesday to (hopefully) get these drains removed!  I'll take more pictures then too.


25 comments:

  1. I had a lump in my throat last night and it made me think of you because I know you have this problem too. I'm not sure why I got it, it may be because I was a bit anxious. That's my guess anyways, but thankfully it didn't last overnight. You seem to be healing well, which is great! I still have about 30lbs to lose or so, already lost 50lbs, and I'm really worried about excess skin around my belly, arms and thighs since it seems to be very common.

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  2. I honestly do not think your stretch marks are that bad. I understand that maybe I don't get it, but if I were you, I would completely be in a bikini this summer! I think you look fabulous!

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  3. Your pre and post op photos are absolutely amazing, Katie. I'm sure you can find them on the Net but I've never seen a comparison before and I'm just....well, amazed. You had a great surgeon and it's hard to believe you look so good after only 7 days. You look much better rested in the face, too. More like your old self. So glad to hear that you're healing well. Must be all the protein (are you digging into tons of peanut butter, or what?) lol

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  4. Thanks for sharing you progress pics. I've lost 85lbs and your before pic looks just like my stomach. Your stomach looks great already, it's going to look fabulous once you are all healed. You really have me considering having surgery. I hate the excess skin so much. You look great. I agree you can totally rock a bikini in the summer!!!

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  5. You're looking FAB! I'm glad it isn't hurting since the last time I was online! So, I wanted to tell you my whole family watched your episode and was soooo proud of you! They all thought you were so mellow, and I told them you were shaking and nervouse they didn't believe me! Also, we were all saying how BEAUTIFUL you are!!!! That red lipstick was really pretty! Yay Katie!

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  6. Your photos are amazing to me! I have never in my lifetime had a flat stomach. :) It is also impressive how much tinier your waist looks. Now all you need is to win a $3,000 shopping spree or something.

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  7. Cute panties! I need to get rid of my size 8 granny underwears finally!

    You could just feel crappy from inactivity. You're so used to burning off stress and whatever, that sitting around makes you feel blah. The cold, rainy weather doesn't help. What's your plans for Thanksgiving?

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  8. Wow! Katie you could totally rock a bikini, don't let the stretch marks stop you cause you look great :). I am glad the healing is going well and hope it continues to do so.

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  9. Wow, it really looks good!!

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  10. Looking good! I hope your jeans fit better now too. I was curious about the belly button thing, thanks for talking about that. Your surgeon should give you a refund for the free advertising you are doing ;-)

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  11. Look at that itty bitty tummy! You definitely aren't going to have to tuck anything in, those jeans are going to slide right on. Don't worry about the button, my sis had a tummy tuck a few years ago. It looked weird for a little while and now it totally looks totally normal. So happy for you, you look amazing and I can't wait for you to be able to "test drive" the new tummy in some jeans!

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  12. Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog. It was the first real comment so it was neat! I know it must be hard for you to share such personal pictures so thanks for having the courage to do that. You look AWESOME! I can't wait to see how your jeans fit when your all healed up!

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  13. The before and after is so stunning.

    That numbness is a blessing for now. Most likely, it will last long term. I had tummy tuck in 2005 and I'm still numb around my belly button and just above the incision.

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  14. So thankful that you're progressing so nicely! Been praying for you and will continue to do so. The pictures are amazing! I'm wondering if you will go down a size now that you don't have all that extra skin? I bet your clothes will fit you so different now! Keep us posted! Hope your post-op appointment goes well. =)

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  15. Wow it looks better and better as you are healing. You look so great! I'm happy that you like your results!

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  16. So glad you are feeling better, hope you're not getting sick!! Love the pics!! I bet it will be so nice to slip on a pair of jeans after it all heals some more!! :) So happy for u!!

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  17. Saw the Dr. Oz show on Friday . . . Katie you looked amazing! I just started following your blog about 4 months ago. I check in daily to see what's going on and have enjoyed watching your journey. Thank for putting yourself out there . . .you are an inspiration

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  18. looking good!!! i like that you have a cat to keep you company (my cat lilly lays on top of rob any time he is sick. like it is her job).
    lessoff

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  19. It looks like you're healing really nicely! It looks like your abdomen already has an awesome shape so if that's what it looks like swollen I can't imagine how fabulous you're going to look once the swelling goes down!

    I think you could totally rock a bikini, even with the few stretch marks you have left. Seriously, you look great.

    I'm beyond sad that I missed your show on Friday. I had planned on being home to watch it but ended up going out of town and being gone longer than I had planned and we don't have a DVR or anything. I've scoured the internet for it and can't find it anywhere, so if you find it posted somewhere please let us know, or post it yourself if you can!

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  20. Ooh scratch that, I found your clip!!

    http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/amazing-transformations-pt-3

    You did so well and you looked amazing!

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  21. AMAZING, worth every freakin' penny!!

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  22. Hello, gorgeous! Are you allowed to have such a bright smile while recovering from surgery?

    I cried watching you on Dr. Oz. I am really so proud of and amazed by you, Katie.

    Your tummy looks FANTASTIC.

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  23. I think you look fantastic and you are healing pretty well, and if I were you I would def wear a bikini next summer I think you can rock a two piece....
    DESYACV2)

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  24. Your stomach looks FREAKING AMAZING!!!! It is so flat!!!!!! And I think your belly button looks fine. If you don't want to wear a bikini you could wear one of those cute bathing suits with the side(s) cut out. I have a friend who has one. It's so cute and trendy. :-)

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  25. So bummed that people suck!! I would have loved seeing your before/after pics from surgery! But still, it's so fun to read about your journey :)

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I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

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