u/MaleficentFront7960

So, wasn't sure when to remove my tape but decided to do it today and get fresh tape so I don't have to worry about infection. I had a couple places where the scar had started to grow over the tape or the tape was stuck inside the incision, not sure which. I'm glad I decided not to wait because man that hurt! I'm 13 dpo from a Belt Lipectomy (360 lbl) I think it looks great! The dark is mostly the INK that he used to mark my body lol

49 yr old Officially 1 week post op yesterday. Belt lipectomy (360 LBL), MR and lipo. Recovery was rough the first 3 days. By day 4, I was walking upright and was off pain meds. Still have some pain but it's SO much ɓetter than what I had anticipated! I do have a high pain tolerance and I know everyone is different.

So, far its still surreal! I can't look at myself or the photo and reconcile that it's me. It just doesn't compute. I think that being covered with compression garments 24/7 doesn't help with that. I'm dumbfounded that I'm still swollen and look this good lol 😆 Not being vain but I knew no matter what my surgery ended up like, I'd never hate it as much as I hated my body for 30 YEARS! To all of you waiting or on the fence. Don't waste your youth or anymore time. Do it!

EDIT* It's a big bruise next to my belly button that wasn't there after day 4, then just showed up. My guess is I overdid it 🤷‍♀️

So, as many of you have seen I've been posting my pictures in different segments: before & after, diastsis repair and now the belt lipectomy. I figured that way, it'll show up when people are specifically looking for information about a certain subject. I was originally scheduled for an ETT with MR and lipo. I lost another 20 lbs after I sent in my pictures though, so when I went into my pre-op, the day before surgery, the Dr. said I'd be a better candidate for the belt lipectomy. (I flew to Miami from Nebraska I'm 3dpo). I was actually surprised because the most I've ever lost was 45 lbs. But I did have a giant baby with excess amniotic fluid. I measured 4 ½ feet around by my 9th month, so maybe that's why. I always thought that this surgery was for MASSIVE weight loss. 🤷‍♀️ I was proven wrong lol I can say that I feel the ETT would have been an easier recovery, because my a** hurts to lay on! Here's some graphic images of the belt lipectomy.

Just wanted to share these amazing pictures of my diastasis recti. I had actually seen a physical therapist 2 days before surgery that said I didn't have hardly any seperation 😲 I can not believe how bad it actually was. Makes me question going back to the physical therapist lol

I'm hoping with this repair I'll have less back pain!

Well all, I posted on here several times that I was going to Miami to see Dr.Kaufman at Miami Life Cosmetics. I had originally been scheduled for an ETT with lipo and MR for $6k. I had sent in pictures in January but lost 20 lbs before my pre-op, so once I got there the surgeon told me, he'd be happy to do the ETT but I'd be a better candidate for a belt Lipectomy. It was $12k.. which put me in a bad position with my already non supportive husband lol I had a choice, but I also felt I had no choice. I didn't want to go in for surgery and come out and still not be happy with my body. My surgery was the 30th and it was rough. My experience with the so called chop shop is this:

The service you get from the office staff is horrible. They put you off for sometimes weeks before responding to your texts or emails. You call the office and get hung up on after 30 min, or sit on hold for an hour. It's infuriating. I'm sure it's because they are so busy, but no less infuriating. Also, recovery was wake up still shaking from shock, put into your car and send you on your way. BUT the Dr was awesome and so is his work. So it's a trade off of personal care vs cost. For me this surgery was 30 years of wishing and dreaming of having this surgery, and not being able to afford it. Do I wish they would have been better with communication and coordination, of course, but I'm glad I did it!!

Recovery has been rough, I'm 3dpo and the second day I had 3 episodes of nearly passing out, the 3rd time i actually did pass out. Luckily I was at the post op visit, when I did. I had to pay $250 to get an IV bag with Iron and vitamins. I felt so much better afterwards.