u/anonymouslealea

Does anyone else look “lumpy”? I’m 9wpo, and I feel like I don’t look great like everyone else….. I did go into this looking to look good in clothes, and not to be a Barbie, but sometimes I wonder if all of the discomfort and $ was worth it! Maybe it’s just a bad case of PMS or something, but my arms (brachioplasty) are so damned swollen, tight, and uncomfortable, and my belly is tight, possibly swollen (?), and cock-eyed 🥴. Maybe it’s just my mood. I’ve been back to work for 2 weeks and it’s SO taxing and stressful (ER nurse), and this fucking heatwave we’re having in NH is killing me😭😭. Someone give me words of encouragement 😜 Was it worth it, or did I just go from looking “melted” to looking deformed?

From lap band, to gastric bypass, to GLP-1, to plastic surgery 🥴. It’s been a wild ride. Only 7 weeks post-op!

I’m a simple gal, and I went into this looking for improvement, and not perfection. I am 47, and a married mama to 5 kids. I just wanted to not have a constant muffin top, not have a “front butt” in tight pants, and be able to wear a tank top without my wings slapping someone in the face. Presently 6.5wpo brachioplasty and tummy tuck. Recovery hasn’t been awesome, and the arms were/are a much more difficult recovery than the TT, in my opinion. But, here I am. Not perfect, but so improved!! I’ve lost 125lbs, my kangaroo pouch, and my wings!! 😬

Why is my belly button so ugly? I hate how it’s darker pigmentation in the middle, and I hate the little dots surrounding it from the sutures. I’m no plastic surgeon, I’m an RN, and I really think he left my stitches in too long!! He took some of them off around 18dpo, and the rest around 25dpo. Isn’t that a LONG time for stitches?? I’m currently 6wpo. It’s so ugly looking!! Like a cat’s butthole!! Anyone that had similar and is how further out that is willing to share pics??

Hello, All!! I’m new here, and have an incredibly long abs boring road to where I am now!! In short form, I’ve been overweight since age 8. I’ve done every diet you can possibly think of, starting “Slim Fast” shakes and Weight Watchers at age 13!! In addition, I had the lap-band for 13 years, which was equivalent to a human torture device, and eventually in 2018 had that removed and proceeded with gastric bypass. Even the bypass only did so much. I got from 297lbs down to 179.9lbs in one year with the bypass, but by 2024, I was back up to around 245 lbs, give or take. I then discovered Semaglutide, and religiously counting calories using My Fitness Pal app. Calories in-Calories out has been the only thing that seems to work for me long term, because I don’t really pay too close of attention to macros, really just focus on calories, and of course the med helps with portion control. This way I never feel deprived, because I eat whatever I want in moderation. I am SO close to goal weight, now weighing 153lbs at 5’7”. I am 6 weeks post-op brachioplasty and abdominoplasty!! What a road it has been!! This pic is of me about 1 month after gastric bypass, so appx 245lbs, to now, at 153lbs! Thanks for reading!! I’ve been combing through posts while recovering from surgery, and there are so many helpful tips!!

I know I post frequently, but when I tell you, the body I see in the mirror, and the body I see in my mind are two completely different things. I literally can not believe this is MY body. I’ve struggled with obesity my whole life. I was a preemie born at 28 weeks’ gestation with chronic lung problems and Asthma. I was grossly underweight until age 7. Then I was on steroids constantly to keep my Asthma under control. The steroids, mixed with genetics, and growing up with very poor eating habits helped me get up to 297 lbs!! I have had a LONG journey of dealing with a failed lap band for 13 years, followed by gastric bypass, which worked initially but most of the weight eventually found me again. Somewhere in the mix of all of this, I had 4 pregnancies, one set of twins, so 5 children in a span of 6 years. In July 2024 I started Semaglutide. That, with mild exercise, worked better than any surgery, and I got to my lowest adult weight of 153lbs @ 5’7”. And now I’m 4 weeks post-op tummy tuck and brachioplasty, and it doesn’t feel real!! If you made it through, thanks for reading my novel!!

Aside from the swelling which feels never ending, and the damned seromas that I keep getting, I’m starting to feel that it was worth it. I honestly went into it not looking for perfection, just improvement, and I think I’m well on my way. I had brachioplasty as well, and my arm incisions look amazing, like you’d think my surgery was 6 months ago. The belly is being a bit more stubborn.

So I posted a before/after pic the other day, 3 weeks post tummy tuck and brachioplasty. I had a tank top on, because my belly button still looks crazy with stitches, that are hopefully coming out tomorrow!! Some folks had asked for a tummy photo, so, here it is, 25 days post op! Still swelling around incision, which is why I have my undies over the incision. I was SO swollen and boxy that I couldn’t even look in the mirror. I had agonizing regret. I am FINALLY starting to see some progress and feel excited!! Any input?

Also adding, I’m a 47 year old mom of 5 who has lost 125lbs. I’m not looking to be a swimsuit model, I just want to feel comfortable in my own skin. I wanted to not have bat wings flopping in the breeze, or have a “front butt” whenever my pants had a seam up the middle!

Okayyyyy! It’s been a bumpy ride these 3 weeks, but, for the first time, I’m seeing a little light at the end of the tunnel! I’m a simple gal, my lifelong dream has been to comfortably wear a tank top and jeans, but due to flabby excess skin on tummy after 125lb weight loss and carrying 5 babies, one set of twins, and horrible bat wings since my teens, I was never able. 3 weeks post-op TT and brachioplasty. Arms are still pretty swollen, and I’m carrying excess swelling in hips/thighs, but I think I’m FINALLY on the up swing!! Day of surgery vs this morning!

Ignore the disgusting swelling. 17DPO. Drain yanked today. Surgeon thinks it’s a contact dermatitis and prescribed oral and topical steroids. After my appointment, about 3 hours liter, I was out to lunch with my mom and developed shaking chills and a pounding headache. Temp 100.6. Called the office, but got answering machine. I guess I’m just worried that this is cellulitis and not dermatitis. For reference it is ITCHY, BURNING, as rough as sandpaper, and weeping serous fluid. Anyone have similar or work in medicine? I’m an RN, but dermatology is not my specialty. TIA!!

I’m 12 DPO, and sitting here all bloated, when I go to rest my arm on my belly, it feels as though I’m expecting my “tire” to be there, but it’s not 🤣. Like phantom limb, I guess. Does that make sense. Like I feel like if you were looking g at me, I’d still have my big over the belly button roll, but it’s gone….
Day of surgery vs 8DPO. Also, is anyone else’s incision super uneven like this? Do you think it’s just swelling difference or truly this asymmetrical?🥴