4 wk post TT pics

It let me upload the picture today, feel free to take a look ;).

So, I was excited to post my before and after picture and the first comment makes me wish I hadn't :(. 

To ask me if the pictures are two different people is kind of rude.  When you take a picture in a mirror, the image is reversed, thus my tattoo appears to be on 2 different arms.  And you see two different parts of my arm in the pictures so you can't see that it is the same tattoo.  I have a full sleeve and I try NOT to get much of it in pictures that are posted anywhere on the internet for the same reason that I chopped my head off in the photo's...I would hate to see my half naked pictures anywhere else on the internet and be able to be identified.  My artwork is very unique and has been published several times, it is very recognizable.  I felt safe posting those pictures here but am kind of rethinking it or at least making them private.

Bottom line is I wanted to brag about my new beautiful tummy.  Although I was pretty butt-hurt with that first comment, I am actually flattered that I look like 2 different people.  With all the money I spent and the pain I endured, I BETTER LOOK LIKE A DIFFERENT PERSON!

Back to being a lurker I guess :(.

That first comment was just from someone that seriously doesnt pay attention. anyone knows the second one was taken in a mirror so it would be reversed! duh!!!! You look great, especially 4weeks!

Thank you very much :).

I am so thankful that you posted the picture! You look great, I am in the middle of my appeal process.

So how are you feeling 4 weeks out? How long did you take off work?

What did you wish you knew before you had surgery???

Thank you!  I went all through the appeal process and was denied so we decided to pay for it.

I feel great, later in the day I get pretty tight and swollen and hunch over a bit more.   I only took 2 weeks off work and then felt good enough to go back half time (4/hrs a day) and am back to full time this week but my employer is wonderful and has made it clear that if at any time I feel like I've overdone it, I can go home.  And luckily I have plenty of sick leave so time off is still paid.  That is something I am super thankful for.

I had friends who have been through the TT and got a ton of information from them and of course, this forum.  I think the one thing I would do over is rent a recliner!  We have 2 houses (a small one we rent where my husband works and our real home) and our little rental was an hour closer to my surgeon's office so I went there to recover for a few days.  We have recliners there so it was a good thing.  But once we came home, it was pretty difficult without a recliner and mostly uncomfortable.  I made it work but didn't get much rest at all.  I was also lucky that my husband has a ton of sick leave too so he was able to stay home with me for the first 5 days, then my mom came over.  You really do need someone with you.  I thought people were kidding and I'm pretty tough, but it was definitely necessary.

Thank you again for the compliment, I am super happy!

You look amazing!  And forget the haters.........they are just jealous!

You look ab fab (absolutely fabulous)!!!!  Your waist in so small and your shape is beautiful! Do you wear your compression garment 24/7? I'm finding it hard to sleep with mine.