90 Days Post Op: For the First Time Since Surgery, I Finally Feel Like Myself Again

This past Monday marked 3 months since my surgery, and honestly…for the first time since surgery, I finally feel like myself again. I’m not 100% healed yet, and I know my body is still recovering, but mentally and physically I finally feel like I’m turning a corner.

I still have swelling, mostly near my bikini line, and still experience some internal numbness in that area too. Not on the skin itself, but deeper inside. From everything I’ve read and from other women I’ve talked to, that all seems pretty normal. I’ve seen many women say swelling can take anywhere from 6 months to even a year to fully go away, so I just keep reminding myself that healing takes time and that I need to continue taking care of myself.

I also noticed I felt more swollen during my menstrual cycle, although honestly I don’t know if it was swelling or bloating. This was actually my first normal period since surgery. The first two were almost nonexistent and more like spotting, so this one definitely felt different.

Recently I traveled out of town for a business trip and while I was there, I felt great. I had energy, stayed busy, and honestly felt pretty normal. But the second I got home, my body let me know real quick that I had overdone it. I was exhausted and definitely needed a couple naps to recover.

That’s one thing I’ve really learned through this process: listen to your body.

If I feel like something is becoming too much, I stop. I take breaks. I rest when I need to, and yes… I take naps.

A month ago I started walking again consistently, and at the end of April I finally returned to Pilates.

I’m not going to lie, I was nervous walking into that first class back. I was honestly scared about overdoing it or hurting myself. Thank goodness my cousin Dani was there with me because she helped me so much.

For some reason, lying flat on my back still makes me nervous. I get this fear that if I try to sit straight up, I’m going to rip something internally. Dani helped me up when I needed it, and with the help of both her and my instructor, I was able to modify some of the core exercises so it wouldn’t be too much on my body all at once.

The biggest thing I’ve done throughout this recovery is listen to my body while still trying to slowly push myself forward.

I’ve noticed this week I was able to do more than I could last week, and that honestly felt really encouraging. As for my legs and arms, those I challenge a little more because I’m able to handle it better right now. My legs were definitely sore after this last Pilates class, but it was soreness, not pain. If you’ve worked out before, you know there’s a difference.

And then there’s the faja…

Whew. That thing has probably been one of the hardest parts for me mentally. I know it helps. I know it serves a purpose. But some days I literally want to rip it off and never look at it again. Some days I’m completely over it.

But overall, I’m grateful.

Grateful to my Doctors, Dr. Kaufman & Dr Beardsley.

Grateful my body is healing.
Grateful I’m getting stronger.
Grateful I’m moving again.
And grateful that after 3 months, I finally feel like me again.

Of course, everyone heals differently, and this has simply been my personal experience. Always listen to your doctor and your own body throughout recovery.