New pics added (7 weeks)

Hey everyone,

A few people have asked about my progress, so I have finally made an update on my profile.  I am back to work tomorrow after having the summer off, so things are quite crazy.  I have also updated my blog about my plastic surgery with Dr. Sauceda in Mexico, up to the point to the end of the surgery, but not the recovery at the clinic or at the hotel.  I promise, I will work on that soon!

I am still using the Kinesiotape, and although the Dr. said I only have to wear the compression garments for 6 weeks, I find that after a long day, I like to spend several hours of the day, or even an overnight in them.  It is definetely a love/hate relationship with these garments.  I have had virtually no swelling, absolutely no wound healing issues, and no pain, although I do have numbness and "zinging" sensations at my nerves are still healing.  I am cleared for exercise, although I still can not reach extremely high with my arms as they are nice and tight.  I am starting off with walking the neighborhood, and some Wii Fit.  I have lost a few pounds since the surgery, and so far have no trouble maintaining within 2 lbs of my current weight.  I am still in a size 10, but I don't have to cram my thighs into them, so they fit and feel a lot more comfortable. 

It is a pleasure to go out and wear a sleeveless top and shorts, and not be concerned about the way I look.  I can just enjoy whatever it is that I am doing.  My scars are so well placed, that it is difficult to see them, and if someone did, I think they would probably just wonder if I had knee surgery, or some type of other medical procedure. 

I have absolutely no regrets.  For me the scars are so worth the trade off of how I looked and felt before I had plastic surgery. 

Thanks, everyone for your concern, and best wishes to those anticipating their surgeries.

Congrats. Thank you for writing about your journey and sharing pictures. You look wonderful.

Thanks for sharing an update.
You look FANTASTIC!!!!!!

Can you tell me more about the Kinesiotape?  Do you have to put it on in any special pattern or do you just run it along the incision?

Congrats on a great surgery and recovery!!
Ruth

Diane, 

You look so amazing, and I want your belly!!!  I love how natural it looks, and I want abs like that! You breasts are beautiful too, but really all of his work he did is beautiful.  I can see why you feel so good about yourself.  Dr Sauceda did such a remarkable job, and you also did a fantastic job taking care of yourself after surgery!  I found someone that does Kinesiotape, and I am hoping they will tape me up when I get home.  When did you start using the tape?  

Woo! Woo! You look amazing!

What fantastic results, you look wonderful for 6 weeks.  I am jealous! 

Can't wait to read about your recovery, I am really considering Dr. S and hope to have some work  done this in January.

You look wonderful.... enjoy... Debbie...

You look so fantastic. Your scars are really thin. How are you keeping them protected with that great tan you have?

Thanks for all your positive comments.  O.K. first the tan thing.  I knew b4 surgery that I wasn't supposed to tan for a year due to the scars, so being the sun worshiper that I am, I was tan (we have a pool & I don't work during the summer) before the surgery.  When I arrived in Mexico, Dr. Sauceda let me know that I shouldn't have done that.  I may have consequences from that, so remember, no tanning b4 or after your plastic surgery.  Second, since I had to watch my kids in the pool, I would take off my CG for about 30 minutes at a time, and get some sun on my face & shoulders& tops of my legs.  My scars have been taped so they are covered, and when I am sitting in a lounge chair, the scars are under, and not touched by the sun.  Being Italian helps!

I started using the Kinesiotape as soon as the wounds closed.  It was applied in a criss/cross pattern, and helped to stay on by wearing the CG's.  I still massage daily, through the garment and on top of the tape,  and still wear the tape now just going down the scars to keep them flattened. My friend who is the rehab specialist thinks the tape works better than the silicone scar sheets.   I posted a few weeks ago about the Kinesiotape, so you may want to check my old posts, or www.kinesiotape.com for more information.  Thanks!

Wow, you look great. I love the way your arms look too, they are hardly notable on scarring.  He sure did an awesome job on you.