Back from 18hr trip..7.5 weeks out

It has been a couple of weeks since I posted. I will be 8 weeks post-op TT with muscles tightening 07-15-10. I left to go to my son's wedding in WV on 06-28 at 5.5 wks out. A lot of stops and walking but I did it. I would get out of the car and would be stiff and stomach would be hard and felt like knots in it (reminded me of being pregnant and an elbow or knee poking belly). Anyway I am home.

So, before leaving to go to WV I had the ultrasound done to help with swelling and lazer that was suppose to help with scar. I of course only had this done 4x so I did not see much improvement if any. I have not been home long enought to make another appointment. So, who at 8 weeks out is still swelling? I feel like I am bigger than I was a week out of surgery. When I sit down I have a bulge that I didnt have before. It seems to vary as to how I look. I am still wearing a size larger,previous are tight in waist.
Hoping someone can let me know if they are having or had the blues at two months out. I am still walking but still feel restricted with certain movements. So, is it ok to go ahead and work through the tight feeling when ecercising or what? I am so afraid that I am bulging from getting fat again instead of it being swollen. I hope it is just being paranoid!!!

Thanks for any help you can give!!!
Jenn

Hi Jenn...
I had my TT & upper arm life on 5-27-10 and I still swell in both places along with my upper legs, especially if I have an active day (like today 4 hrs of yard work).
I use my binder almost daily still along with some under armor compression shorts and shirts.

From what my PS told me I can expect some swelling for many months to come..Oh Joy!

I was in a 14 before plastics and now I am in a 12. I wont go smaller as I am wide ( I come from a long line of short wide big boned folks) and I am ok with that...I never thought I would see a 12 in my life again! so I am happy!

Hello, thanks for the reply and it sounds like you are doing great!! I started out on a 12 and am now in 14's. I had to go ahead and buy a few new clothes to have something to wear.
I do feel and look so much better so I shouldn't question the size but I truly thought I would be in a smaller size now.
Congrats on your surgeries and best of luck!!
Jenn

I am 3+ months post op and I still swell on a daily basis. My PS said it could last on and off for up to a year!!

I do, however, wear a smaller size; paritially due to the PS and partially due to a 10 pound weight loss. I used to wear 12; now the 8 I got is too big!

Be patient with yourself and remember.....transforming your body and your health is a process, not a race. As long as you are moving in the right direction, it's all good!

Thanks for the post. I realize it can take a while for the swelling but I really thought by now I would be in a smaller size. To be back in my 12's would be awesome now!!
Something I forgot to mention in the first post today is that when the swelling is down I have extreme dog ears. I called about this and the nurse said before the Dr will do anything I have to wait 6 months to a year. Mine are truly bad. They look like pointed cones sticking out on each side.
Thanks again and congrats on such success!!!
Jenn

My doctor also wants me to wait 6 months before any "corrections" are made. Mine is minor...a little extra skin above the umbilicus. It will be done under local anesthesia and he said "come in Friday afternoon, go back to work Monday morning"...so, truely minor.

Good luck.

What you are experiencing is normal so you're fine. Swelling can last 3 months to a year. For me the swelling got worse before it got better. And of course I was still swelling some at a year out of my LBL. Nothing horrible but swelling nonetheless.