The good news is that my bad swelling is down pretty much all the way. I’ve been trying to take it a little bit easier (haha well.. ‘easy’ being relative- for instance, I’m about to head to the store…). I’m still sore though and I am not sure how long to just let that go. I probably should have called by now but I’m super stubborn so I haven’t- because I had surgery, right? And surgery hurts, you know.. that whole being cut open thing. Right? I don’t know. I should call probably.

In other news, I haven’t cooked anything lately. Boo, me! I did clip out a recipe for a crumb cake tonight though, so that’s on the agenda for tomorrow and as always, I will share the recipe if it comes out good.

And one final note: Hailey got an award for achievement in math today. I’m proud of her! But.. it’s kindergarten. I assume their math is just counting and recognizing shapes?  Well, anyway. Her picture should be in the newspaper next week holding her award. So cute!

Let me preface this by saying that I am still absolutely 100% thrilled that I got the tummy tuck. I love the results and I am happy to be rid of the belly flap.

But… the swelling. OH, the swelling. I read on a tummy tuck board that some people experience swelling later on and apparently I am one of those people. I had some minor swelling for the first few weeks but lately it’d been looking terrific and feeling great. Maybe feeling too great, leading me to overdo it a bit. I have been feeling so good that I’ve been working out fairly hard- after all, I am supposed to be cleared for ‘normal’ activities. For me, normal is hard workouts. Apparently the medical definition of normal is basically housework, office work, etc.

The swelling has been so bad! Today is probably the worst day I’ve had, swelling-wise, since surgery. And I’m almost eleven weeks out! Today, my belly looks almost like I’m pregnant. It’s seriously that bad. I’d take a picture and show you all but I have my wrap thing on and I’m not taking it off. I actually had to have Tim help me put it on so I could get it tight enough tonight. I haven’t worn it in weeks!

And on top of just looking gross, it is really uncomfortable. My abs are so sore that it hurts to take a deep breath and I can’t sit up from laying down, without rolling onto my side like I used to when I was pregnant. I’m back to feeling how I felt the first couple of weeks after surgery! And basically, I brought this on myself!

So I’ve done quite a bit of reading up on the subject and have learned from other people’s experiences. Probably some reading I should have done many weeks ago, but hey… better late than never, right?

Here is what I have learned:

• Basically, you’re going to want to avoid any ab work until six months after surgery. And some people can’t ever do normal ab exercises and must stick to transverse ab workouts only. (That’s things like planks and supermans and whatnot. Google it if you’re unsure)
• For the first four to six months, you need to keep your workouts light. If you were a runner, you’re going to be limited to walking with a small amount of JOGGING added in. If you worked out for long periods of time before, you’re going to want to shorten the duration now. If  you were an six-day-a-week-er, you’re probably going to have to cut back to four or five days a week.
• Exercise causes excess fluids to move around in the body. You just had your lymphatic system messed with big time. You’re probably gonna swell from exercise. Keep that in mind. If you exercise in the mornings, there’s a good chance you’re going to swell the rest of the day.
• Lean protein is your friend! Protein helps your body heal faster. Salt is not your friend. Salt makes you retain even more fluids. Don’t be a dumbass and eat hardly any protein but lots of salt in a day like me today.
• Things that can help: lemon water. LOTS of lemon water. Lots and lots and lots of water, period. Fresh fruit, especially pineapple as it contains bromelain, which is an anti-inflammatory. Fresh veggies. Rest. Time.

While I am thrilled with this surgery, the recovery is a bit more than I’d anticipated. I’m currently battling my mind.. I know that I WILL be looking and feeling excellent soon but it’s hard to look into the future when the present is being so irritating. Hopefully sleeping with my wrap on and drinking a TON of water before bed will help matters, and I can wake up with new perspective tomorrow.