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in Diary· Extra Skin

Abdominoplasty Healing Update- Week 1

Abdominoplasty Healing Update W1

This is my Abdominoplasty Healing Update – Week 1

I am officially one week post op today! I was so nervous leading up to surgery day. I wasn’t nervous about my decision but I was nervous about recovery. I did so much research about abdominoplasty with diastasis recti repair and read so many reviews. The majority of people claimed that recovery was awful. I was prepared for the worst and I was scared. 

If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you know that this recovery has been extremely easy on me! Which was totally unexpected! I was up and walking an hour after surgery. I was off heavy duty pain meds by day four and though I’m obviously still taking it easy and not running any marathons, I’m not bed bound or in pain either! 

Abdominoplasty Healing Update W1 instantloss.com

I’ve had c-sections (four) but I read of other’s experiences that this surgery can sometimes be more difficult to recover from. In my experience, however, this doesn’t even touch a cesarean recovery! During a c-section they cut through your skin, fat, muscle, and uterus. During an abdominoplasty, they only cut through the top two layers. Because of this, it makes sense that this would be a much easier recovery (for me at least).

In my case, I think there were several other contributing factors that made it easier as well. 

  1. I went drain-less. 
    After tons of research, I decided to find a doctor well skilled in drain-less abdominoplasties. I’ve never had drains after any of my other abdominal surgeries and quite frankly, the thought of having open wounds for several weeks freaks me out. They often seemed to cause more issues than they prevented. The research results are in. Drain-less procedures lead to lower infection rates, quicker healing times, AND they do not increase the chance of seromas forming (which is what the drains, in a non drain-less abdominoplasty, are supposed to prevent). 
  2. I researched my surgeon.
    I spent a lot of time interviewing, reviewing, and picking a surgeon. Even though it was more expensive, I went with someone who had a wonderful reputation and was a leader in his field as well. After all, this is the only body I have. This is not something you want to try to save pennies on (I’m not getting paid to say this but I know ya’ll are going to ask.) I decided to go with Dr. Grant Stevens and I am so glad that I did. His work is immaculate. His stitching is amazing and my scar is so straight and beautiful. Absolutely, 100% happy about my choice.
  3. I’m in a healthy weight range and eat a whole foods diet. 
    Most of you reading this know my story. I lost 125 pounds by changing my diet. I think that because I’m in the best physical shape of my life, my body is strong, and my diet is clean. I believe this contributed largely to my easier rebound. 
  4. I’m 28. 
    I’m still in my 20’s. Age always plays a big part when it comes to recuperating from things like surgery, which is why I wanted to do it sooner vs later. 

I am so glad I did this! I haven’t had an ounce of back pain since the surgery. I’m still swollen and my incision is tender but I know with time, that will heal and fade. I still have 7 weeks of recovering left to do before I can go back to exercising and about 6 months before I’m completely healed but I am well on my way! 

Abdominoplasty Healing Update W1 instantloss.com

Still slightly hunched, very swollen, but feeling fabulous!

I was terrified to share this part of my journey with you. I didn’t know what ya’ll would think about me electing to have this surgery (and I do care what you think). You have all become my friends. But I didn’t receive even one negative comment, only positive uplifting thoughts, words of encouragement and advice. I am so eternally grateful for that. I know that has helped me heal as well. 

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Comments

  1. Julie Schuhmacher says

    April 10, 2018 at 5:12 am

    Kudos to you! I had Lap Band 10 years ago and would love to have this down, however lack of endless funds is the issue. I have just learned to deal, plus I would like to do my arms and inner thighs too. You are still young and it would matter to me in my 20’s or 30’s but now it is what it is.

    I know I don’t you personally but I’m very proud of you and all of your success, keep up the great work!!!

    Reply
  2. Melissa says

    April 10, 2018 at 5:14 am

    I love reading your updates! Ive only been following you for about 8 weeks, but man you’re so inspiring!! I’ve been checking for updates about your surgery almost everyday. I can say without hesitation that your meal plans are amazing and delicious, even my 4 yr old nephew and 6 yr old niece agree, they live with me and love when we cook dinner together and make great, healthy food. Thank you and prayers for amazing healing and recovery.

    Reply
  3. Shirley Gillespie says

    April 10, 2018 at 5:16 am

    What an amazing journey❤️ you are such an inspiration to many people out there. Great job keep it up! I did buy an instant pot. I really need to read your receipes for clean eating. Thank you

    Reply
  4. Barbara Lee says

    April 10, 2018 at 5:31 am

    I really appreciate hearing your story. Thanks so much for sharing it with us all!

    Reply
  5. Anne says

    April 10, 2018 at 5:35 am

    You worked so hard to lose the weight, why wouldn’t anyone do the surgery if they could? Good luck with the recovery!

    Reply
  6. Pam C says

    April 10, 2018 at 5:41 am

    You look amazing. Great job in having this done while you are young.

    Reply
  7. Tasha Mae says

    April 10, 2018 at 5:49 am

    Good morning Brittany! You are truly amazing and inspiring! I don’t think I personally could share all the details of my journey like you have but I am extremely grateful that you have. I am in my late 30’s and struggling to find balance in my daily life to get my health journey restarted but watching you and other bloggers make small changes with great results helps me remember that the small changes make a huge difference in the end. Keep up the great work you are empowering, educating, and encouraging so many of all age groups.

    Reply
  8. Verna Sanzo says

    April 10, 2018 at 5:51 am

    You look absolutely fabulous! I’m sure you’ve paved the way for many that have though about this surgery.

    Congratulations on your success and willingness to share with others.

    Reply
  9. Karen says

    April 10, 2018 at 6:02 am

    I am so very happy for you! While I totally supported your decision, i was worried that you would be in a lot of pain or that there might be complications. So very happy that your recovery has been good and exceptionally happy that your back pain has dissipated. You have given many of us with the loose skin from weight loss, hope that we can do something about it. I am hoping that one day I could have the money to do this, but very happy you could. You are a beautiful young lady and deserve to feel good about your body and feel good in your body!

    Reply
  10. Charlotte says

    April 10, 2018 at 6:53 am

    Congratulations on your continued healing progression. I too believe full heartedly that if you treat your body like a temple by way of clean eating, healing will with the proper rest do exactly what it’s designed to do. It’s amazing to witness, happy to celebrate in your success & motivated to continue with my own personal health journey of clean eating for quality of living. God is Good.❤️

    Reply
  11. Rachel says

    April 10, 2018 at 6:53 am

    You look fantastic and I am happy you are recovering well! Thanks for sharing 😊

    Reply
  12. Lisa says

    April 10, 2018 at 7:43 am

    Your postings have given me hope that maybe my recovery won’t be too bad, though I have to look more into the drain thing. I’m pretty sure I get that for a week. Thanks for your transparency, and I hope your healing continues to go well!

    Reply
  13. Darlene says

    April 10, 2018 at 8:12 am

    I am so happy for you! You deserve to live a life pain free. You had many people praying for you leading up to surgery, during surgery and for your recovery. It is amazing to see the community you have created and them to give back to you in support and prayers as you have given so much to us. I wish you all the best with your continued healing. The best is yet it come!! You look great!!

    Reply
  14. Jenny says

    April 10, 2018 at 8:18 am

    I think you have to do what is right for you. I have had c-sections, gall bladder removal, uterus removal and gastric bypass surgery. I heard judgments on my partial hysterectomy and the bypass (which is why I choose to not tell most people). We need to use the options and tools that we feel work best for us individually. I am do happy that this is turning out better than you expected. I have kept off all my weight (100 lbs) for 11 years. I love your website and say thank you for all of the information, encouragement and recipes. Be well !

    Reply
  15. Sue says

    April 10, 2018 at 8:34 am

    I feel a huge sense of relief to keep reading that you are recovering well! I could not stand up straight for four weeks due to being rock-hard-tight after surgery. You have totally got this and I am so very glad!

    Reply
  16. Tarah says

    April 10, 2018 at 9:34 am

    Thank you SO MUCH for sharing! I will take your advice to heart when I start researching my doctor!

    Reply
  17. Robin says

    April 10, 2018 at 12:10 pm

    I’m so glad that your recovery is continuing to go so well. You look amazing! Thanks for sharing your journey with us.

    Reply
  18. Becky says

    April 10, 2018 at 2:08 pm

    I’m so jealous. In a good way. Your going to rock in your bikini.👙

    Reply
    • Carol Lacey says

      April 10, 2018 at 7:04 pm

      You look wonderful! I’ve been following your story and am so happy to hear about and see your wonderful results. What a caring person to share your positive results and what you did to get there. It takes persistence, research, and follow through to get to where you want to be! Congratulations and best wishes for your continued health and success! And thank you for what you’ve done for so many others by sharing you amazing story and recipes!

      Reply
  19. Jane says

    April 10, 2018 at 5:58 pm

    Your transformation is incredible and you deserve the body you worked so hard to attain! Congratulations on taking this final brave step and sharing your story. Hope your healing and recovery continues smoothly. 💕

    Reply
  20. Laura says

    April 11, 2018 at 4:03 pm

    Personally, I feel like we all deserve the best body we can have, regardless of how that comes to fruition. You’ve worked hard to build your family and then again to get yourself back…you deserve this! The fact that your recovery is going so well is simply a sign that this was the right thing for you. You look great and obviously feel great so many kudos to you!

    Reply
  21. Gina says

    April 11, 2018 at 7:52 pm

    Brittany, You look fabulous. I am so glad that the surgery went so well for you. I am struggling with the shape progression that you have conquered!
    Thank you for your bold reveal of the improvements that you have made on your health and body. You inspire me and so many. I pray that all continues to go well for you.
    I do have a question. Can you show the band that you used during exercising / running?
    thank you again for sharing your AMAZING journey.

    Reply
  22. Mary Jo says

    April 12, 2018 at 7:26 am

    Brittany…….Great people do things before they are ready. They do things before they know they can do it. You have proven yourself to be a woman with an incredible desire to be successful in whatever you do. Thank you for the inspiration you offer to those of us who follow your website and learn from you how to focus on living a happy, healthy lifestyle. You have taught me that I can do it too! Thank you so much.

    Reply
    • Brittany says

      June 13, 2018 at 7:26 pm

      Mary Jo, What a beautiful thing to say. Thank you so much for your kindness.

      Reply
  23. Sharon Davey says

    April 24, 2018 at 11:38 pm

    Thank you for sharing yourself, with us. You are truly an inspiration! ❤️

    Reply
  24. Wendy says

    August 29, 2018 at 12:28 pm

    I am new to Instant Loss, so forgive me if I’m asking stupid questions. You say you had severe back pain and that this surgery helped. I am curious about the connection between the two – and would like your opinion regarding whether the surgery might help me. I am much older than you, 62, and I have 20-30 lbs to lose. I have the identical stomach (sagging pouch) that you show in the photo of you in the blue shorts. I have had two children (when I was 32 and 34). I have a significant amount of back pain – had a bulging disc and was told I have “significant” spinal stenosis.. Nobody has ever told me about “diastasis recti” before. I am wondering if I have it, and if fixing it might help my back. (Of course I would first try to lose 20-30 pounds.) Thank you!

    Reply
  25. Sally says

    August 18, 2019 at 6:58 pm

    You are amazing! I had gastric bypass about 15 years ago and have wanted this surgery since I lost the weight! I am also a 2 year breast cancer survivor. I was supposed to go in on Monday for an implant exchange and a scar revision on my appendix scar! Hospital decided I had to have 2 separate surgeries! I was told this was a business decision! Anyhow my surgeon felt bad for all I had been thru and surprised me with a tummy tuck! I am now in the road to recovery with you!

    Reply
  26. Magnolia Brisette says

    September 29, 2020 at 7:10 am

    It’s an inspiring story. I was reluctant to have a tummy tuck, but now I’m going to do it for sure.

    Reply

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Your group has come at such a good time for me. I just want to say thanks! I might not have lost any weight (yet) but you ‘live’ in our house. Mini muffins, lentil chili, those almond strawberry cookies… When my husband tells me how delicious these new recipes are the response is always, “Britt’s recipe!” I talk about you like we just went out for coffee Hahaha. I appreciate all the work you’re putting into your website and the fb group. I feel better about myself just being a part of it.

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Your story and success is very motivational and inspiring. I am looking forward to following your motivation. -Christie
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I haven’t had a lot of words lately. My creativi I haven’t had a lot of words lately. My creativity is being used in other areas right now, I’m sure the words will find me again soon.⁣
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In the meantime, for #transformationtuesday I want to honor the woman on the left who  took risks, followed her gut, and evolved through trial and fire into the woman on the right. ⁣
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We are the same. ⁣
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We are so very different.⁣
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And I look forward to the day where the photo on the right becomes the photo on the left and I can step back and say, “look at all that we’ve become and have yet to become.”
My sister got married last weekend and I was final My sister got married last weekend and I was finally able to wear the dress I bought on clearance right before quarantine. 

It felt nice to get dressed up again. 💗
I posted this in stories last night but felt like I posted this in stories last night but felt like it should probably live on the feed too. ⁣
Growing up I thought the only reason someone would eat “healthy” was to lose weight. The way I thought about food evolved as an adult as I began to learn more about how important nutrition is.⁣
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Eating well isn’t exclusive for weight loss. @syattfitness did a YouTube series where he ate a Big Mac every day for a month and lost 7 pounds because he stayed in a calorie deficit. You can literally eat anything and lose weight if the amount you’re eating keeps you in a deficit. But you cannot eat anything and be well.⁣
⁣
When I was a kid I would get these bumpy red spots on my upper arms, my doctor said it was keratosis pilaris, a common kid thing and that I would grow out of it. She wrote a prescription for a steroid cream and that was it.⁣
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The steroid cream ran out but the bumps stayed. After my first pregnancy they began to spread, little bumps began to show up on my forearms, my upper thighs, then my bottom, and eventually my shins. I was super self conscious about it, I always wore sleeves and pants. Shorts were a major no-go, I don’t think I owned a single pair.⁣
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Eventually I stopped hopping from fad diet to fad diet and I started to listen to my body and how it felt after I consumed certain foods. I began to experiment with food elimination and go-figure, not only did my over all health improve but things like those pesky bumps began to fade.⁣
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My KP was a direct result of dietary choices I’d been making for years. These photos were captured only 30 days apart. As you can see my KP was aggravated after several months of indulgent eating. ⁣The photo on the right was taken after 30 days of eating mindfully and eliminating dairy and gluten again. 
⁣
Food matters. ⁣
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I don’t care if you’re 500 pounds or 100– Our entire bodies are literally made up of and exist off what we consume, to think that the only thing food would affect is our weight is crazy. These bumps were a signal that my body was sending me to let me know that something wasn’t right, I spent 27 years of my life ignoring her. ⁣
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It’s high time I choose to listen.
#fashun ⁣ ⁣ —> I finally created a LikeToKno #fashun ⁣
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—> I finally created a LikeToKnowIt account. It’s an app where you can find clothes and products that people online wear. I’m always getting asked, about sunglasses, clothing, and products— I figured this might be easier. 🙂 You can find me over there @instantloss ⁣
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I don’t know how I’d describe my fashion choices. Must be: comfortable, breathable, and cute. Probably a little boho, little surfer, little California girl. I like to show a little skin, so if my arms and legs are covered you’ll see a little tummy because I’m 31, not dead, and I told Brady that when I do die, he better bury me in a crop top. 💛✌️☀️⁣
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ISO a tailor because GF is way too short for 99% of the things she buys. Rocks it anyway. Like mini trains everywhere I go.
WEEK 4 UPDATE!⁣ ⁣ Start measurements: ⁣ Uppe WEEK 4 UPDATE!⁣
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Start measurements: ⁣
Upper right thigh: 25⁣
Upper left thigh: 24 1/4⁣
Hips: 41 1/2 inches⁣
Bust: 36 1/2 inches⁣
Waist: 31 3/4 plus a little⁣
Left arm: 11 1/4⁣
Right arm: 11 3/4⁣
Neck: between 12 1/4 and 1/2⁣
Above Left knee: 18 1/2⁣
Above Right knee: 19 1/2⁣
⁣
End measurements: ⁣
Upper right thigh: 23 1/2⁣
Upper left thigh: 22 3/4⁣
Hips: 38⁣
Bust: 34 1/2⁣
Waist: 29⁣
Left arm: 11 ⁣
Right arm: 11 1/4⁣
Neck: between 12 ⁣
Above Left knee: 16 1/2⁣
Above Right knee: 18⁣
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Start weight: 151.8⁣
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End weight: 140.6⁣
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Result: I lost almost 16 inches overall and 11.2 pounds. ⁣
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What did I do?⁣
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I ate real, whole, minimally or non-processed food. I drank 80 ounces of water a day. I tried to get 7k to 10k steps a day. I implemented an earlier bedtime so I could begin getting 8 hours of sleep every night. ⁣
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No magic pill.⁣
No detox tea.⁣
No BS.⁣
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For recipes visit InstantLoss.com/Recipes
I have tried a lot of gluten-free cookies recipes I have tried a lot of gluten-free cookies recipes over the years. I’ve developed them, tried ones written by other bloggers— but this recipe. This one takes the cookie cake as hands down the best gluten-free chocolate chip cookie I’ve ever had! 

Click the link in my bio for the recipe! 😋😘
Our monthly challenge is coming to a close today s Our monthly challenge is coming to a close today so make sure you submit your final weigh-in by midnight on the 29th! ⁣
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Don’t mind the toothpaste splatter on my full length mirror, this is where my kids brush and floss 🤣. I lost 10.2 pounds during this months challenge. The scale doesn’t reflect one of those pounds because the day after my first weigh-in was the day that Brady and I decided to have our pizza veg day. 🎉 ⁣
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Better than losing 10 pounds is the way I feel. I feel energized, excited to take on the day, less bloated and inflamed, slower to frustration, and I haven’t had an anxiety attack in 26 days! I am also much stronger! A hike that took Brady and I over an hour on day 1 took us 48 minutes yesterday and we still had energy for more!⁣
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The benefits of a whole food diet extend far beyond weight loss. 💪 Join us for our next accountability challenge, it begins today, you can read more on DietBet.com/instantloss
We bought a farmhouse! 💗⁣ ⁣ Brady and I hav We bought a farmhouse! 💗⁣
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Brady and I have talked about buying a house in another state for years. Before Instant Loss we were landlords and we’ve always been fixers. ⁣
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This farmhouse was built in the 1970’s. It had some major reno work done in 2010 but unfortunately is going to need some foundation help. We’ll need to move a few walls, remodel the bathrooms and kitchen, add a master bedroom (because it doesn’t have one)— it’s going to be a whole house makeover. We’re on the job, and we’ll be hanging out in Texas this Summer as we get it all started!⁣
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I’ll post photos of the house soon. Should I post here or start a new Instagram for our projects?
The new recipe of the week is up on the blog! Clic The new recipe of the week is up on the blog! Click the link in my bio for written instructions and make this super quick and easy salmon and potatoes for lunch today!
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1 Corinthians 6:19-20

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