Feb post update.

Hi friends - it's been a few weeks since I last posted. If you're here for the long haul, grab a coffee or some spark and snuggle in since I've got a lot to fill y'all in with :)

We've been so busy here at the house that I just simply haven't had a moment to sit and write clearly.
Anyhow - I am now 5 months out from my surgery now. Loving everything so far except for a couple of areas that are revealing some laxity around my scar (around my hipbones) that may need some revision. I'm not 100% sure what is going to happen yet, but it'll be addressed in the next week or so on what will happen and we will go from there.

I had a call from my surgeons nurse and they said it could either be a teeny touch up, or it could end up being where I need to have my whole incision brought to a 360 around my whole body. I've lost 8-10ish lbs since surgery and my skin by my flanks and hips can get kinda loose so we are going to address that soon.

So current update on weight: I'm 161-162 and hanging in. My goal to reach is 155.
6-7 more lbs to reach my goal, and only 3 to pass this threshold. I graduated at 167 I believe and I'm in a much better spot that before kids, thankfully. I'm also now in size medium tops and size 8 jeans. It feels great! :)

I'm sure by June I'll be in a 6, and that was never a possible thing for high school.
It does feel pretty cool though getting to look around at everything that I couldn't even just a year ago. Actually, I just flushed out my entire dresser and closet for the eleventybillionth time since September and I actually had an emotional break at one point.
Most of my 'tops' were maternity.
I relied on it and had accepted it for so long.
None of them fit.
Not the right way at least.
 I loved those tops in a way because back then I felt good, but looking at it now, I had just accepted where I was and made no effort to push forward. I fast forward to now and have a hard time believing that these left over pieces of my old wardrobe were what kept me mostly together.

And to be honest.
I'm kinda scared to go out and look for a whole new set of comfort clothes.
It's the unknown that kinda is shaking me if that makes sense.

"But Meg, this is a good problem."

Yes, I know that, but at the same time I'm totally starting over and have no idea how to shop for clothes for my body type now, and I have to do it slowly so I don't break our bank lol. I don't even own a bra that isn't for working out. My last bra I bought was a 40D.
I comes now where to fitting me now.. (I probably should go get fitted.)

Anyhow -- I started about a little over a week ago on a workout schedule again.
 Lifting 4x a week with 1 zumba in the middle.
It really does feel great to be doing this again - I missed it terribly.
My goal along with the weight, is to have myself down to an 18% body fat.
My love handle area and hip bones (from the skin loosening up some) and upper inner thighs are my trouble spots. Despite weight loss and skin removal, I still have spots to work on.
 My journey will never end I don't think, haha.
 But that's okay, it's good to have goals to always work on to better improve yourself.
After learning that I can push through anything, as hard headed and stubborn as I am, I think anyone can. You just have to focus on why you're doing it and keep reminding yourself to keep your eyes on the goal, even if you have times that you're slowly inching instead of leaping towards where you're going.
Never. Give. Up. Ever.

A couple of weeks ago I went to a body-building expo and learned quite bit of what it'll take to get myself ready for my first bikini competition. I thought I was close to being able to just cut a little and be ready quickly but that wasn't right at all. I have some diet tweaks to make as well as many hours of work in the gym ahead of me until I'm anywhere close. But I'm way closer than I was a year ago, which is encouraging.

I'm here are my before shots in a bikini. I still need to take the posing classes to get this down, but here I am at around 24/25% body fat.

Here is my current back shot. 

I feel like this was way more defined last summer when I was working out, even when I was heavier.

I've got a lot of muscle building to do, but I can finally put my stuff back up for progress photos. :)

Amongst the chaos, I'll have my husband shoot some professional ones on my next update :)

(And my first single digit pants, my size 8's) 

since moving to TX 9 years ago.

I hope to make these big on me by this summer. 

I'm really curious to see how far all of this will go this year.

In a non-workout realm, we have all survived the stomach flu this week, and are preparing for a birthday party (round one of three) this weekend. Next is in March, and Third is in April.

This little girl just turned 5.

I can't believe it. 

I love you Kaelyn. <3

My hubby and I are also celebrating our 11 year (dating) anniversary.

We've been married now for 6 years, and approaching 7 in July but, we are planing our wedding renewal. Back when we did get married we had a short courthouse one because we had a very low budget and timing with life wasn't where it needed to be to have the wedding we wanted. Well, now that we have our completed family and things are on the upswing, 

we are headed in that direction for next Spring to renew our vows and walk the isle after torturing

(... haha.. )

LOVING each other for 12 years and being married for 8! ;)

 8 is a special number for us that I'll spill on later, but it also represents the infinity symbol and I think it's kinda a cool thing to renew our vows on. 

So between reaching my body fat goal, and planning this wedding renewal...

 I have a lot on my plate for the next year. 

Also, Happy Chinese New Year! :)

There will be more updates very soon. 

XOXO

2 Months!

So two months has seemingly flown by. 

It's almost like I had a child where those early recovery days and learning how to adapt have taken over what the recovery process has been like. 

Actully, it's been easier. 

Not sure if it has anything to do with working out all the time before or not,

perhaps I was conditioned to handle the aches and pains following, but really this recovery was easier than any c-section delivery I ever had. 

And I'd do it again in a heart beat!

Remember this? 

This was 1 week post my 3rd c-section last April.

I actually looked like this for 4-5 months post my delivery. 

The photo on the right was JUST before I had my tube tie surgery in August.

I worked my ass off to get there and even then I still had a major separation and lots of skin to tuck and move around. I know there are thousands of moms out there who have it as well. 

YES you can reduce it by LEAGUES. 

It can tighten so much with lots of work and a clean diet.

Mine however, just didn't get past this point. I was getting some ab definition but even my surgeon stated that I had a 4 finger gap and that I had pretty much done what I could. 

Some may think it's a vain thing to do, but I'm so thankful for the opportunity and my decision.

I feel SO much better and all the work that I poured into that 17-18 months prior to is showing now.

I am not perfect by any means, and I still have lots of work to do, but this was the best decision for me and so far I've had nothing but support since announcing and going through with the procedure.

If you are thinking of going through this, PLEASE make sure your doctor is board certified.

Research, Research Research!

I looked for my Doctor for MONTHS before making a decision.

An experienced doctor, along with a great bedside manner can make or break your experience. 

This was just before my surgery. That skin just was easily stretched off my body with little effort. My back and core support suffered from both that and lack of muscle strength. I also had two small hernias along the sides of my hips from muscles trying to support areas that were weakened. 

I was torn up essentially lol.

Morning of! 

A few days post. The drains suck. Not going to lie. You'll feel like a MILLION BUCKS once they are removed though. I will post some hacks and tricks on how to stay comfortable while with them.

3 weeks post! Scar is low and still healing. Drain sites will have little holes that scar over and stay but since they are in your pubic mons, they stay hidden from everything else. Note: Your privates will swell after this if you choose to have this procedure done! DONT STRESS! It does go back down again. And you get a little lift which is nice after having extra skin above. :)

One month post! I found a bikini on sale at Old Navy and spent 2.50 on it total since it was off season. Not sure if it'll be too big or not next summer, but this was the first bikini I've managed to fit in since having kids. EVER. It's very alien still because I'm used to wearing all things maternity to hide my old skin pooch.

This is 2 months. 

(sorry I am always forgetting to crop my photos from screen caps hah. )

Same underwear too from where I was pulling my skin above. 

It's crazy how much has changed. 

This is me now. 

I do swell still but it's mostly when I'm very active. I can get pretty puffy but a binder, kicking back my feet, and drinking a LOT of water helps reduce this problem. 

You { have to } listen to your body after something like this. 

I also went in to get some BMI and health stuff checked this past week and I weighed in at 159! 

Not 100% how accurate that scale was but it registered twice! That's 10 lbs down since having surgery. :) My goal right now is to reach 150-155 and build muscle again since being out the past 3 months. I'm 75 lbs down since having our son last April, too. 

I'm still wrapping my head around that one.

WARNING: I'M ABOUT TO POST THE MEAT PHOTOS FROM WHAT THEY REMOVED.

This right here was 5 lbs of skin, and some fat. 

The only one they snapped for me but I still think it's kinda cool.

Meg Steaks hahah!

I hope no one was eating while reading this. x)

This was about a week a go when I returned to the gym to test things out for my first back Zumba class. (My IG account is on there so you can add me there too! )

Anyhow. 

This is what has been going on so far. 

I'm keeping it brief as we are on a business trip and I have desperately needed to post this for awhile now. Thank you again to everyone out there who has supported me during this crazy time and put up with all of my meaty photos hehe. 

Starting this upcoming week I am returning to the gym and will be posting some Q & A's 

About jump starting your fitness journey, some tips, and a few other goodies that may benefit you guys out there. 

We are all strong women who are capable! 

Let us finish 2014 strong and take 2015 head on.

(before you go, I need to show off my cute bitties that keep me on my toes)

xoxoxo

Stay tuned!

3 weeks post! :)

So here we are!

3 weeks have come and gone in what seems like a couple of days.

My incision is doing great, drain sites have scabbed over and closed, I just have a couple of teeny spots left that are holding onto the scabs that I'm not sure are just ready to fall off yet. But it's only two ore three dot sized areas. I think one is part of a suture that needs to be snipped but I'll check it in a few days.

My next Dr. appointment is on the 30th, but I'm going to try to get it moved up just a hair for the early part of the week and try to obtain the surgery photos as well.

 I have my tubal litigation photos (from inside the camera scope) I haven't posted yet (cool stuff) and then this surgery they took a handful from what I understand.

 I don't remember much from that day though after the surgery until I got home.

---

So before I post more recent photos, my current measurements in short are:

38 bust (36c finally!)

32 under (on rib)

31 waist (and I suspect this will shrink too in the next couple of weeks)

32.75 on belly

and 38 hip.

I weighed in today too at 166/167.

My new current goals are to be:

36/38 bust (this is okay to stay if it does)

27/28 waist. I'm teetering on a 8-10 pant size but it varies with brands. I was a 10-12 before surgery.

and 36/37 hip, but I need to fluff my cakes so to speak. I've lost muscle since being absent from the gym these past 2 months from both surgeries.  My weight I'd like to be 150-155 and I'll be in my zone. Smaller than high school, or any other time since Ive moved to TX. The healthiest and fittest I've ever been. I want my body fat to be between 18-21%. Not sure what it is now, but I will get it checked in a few weeks. :)

Here's my scar. Any time in the next week or two I will begin scar therapy to fade and strengthen it so it won't widen or darken any. I have a good history of any previous scars going totally flesh colored, so I'm feeling pretty optimistic about this. And after researching the therapy itself, it looks like it's pretty effective. :)

I love too that he made it where it can be easily covered up by undies, or a bathing suit bottom. No more "mommy" jeans! And these shorts I have in this pic are the ones I fought for a year to get into.. my highschool/middle school ones Ive had forever. Size 10. Now they are just about too big and would require a belt to keep on. I'm constantly pulling them up, even with the compression binder.

(I hate and love that binder by the way. It's like a big stretchy hug I wear all day, LOL, but then I wanna wear thinner tops and clothes but it shows through where the Velcro meets the binder, but only about 3 more weeks. Sometimes I pair it up with a spankx if I'm having any swelling issues, but so far this recovery has been crazy smooth. 

Here's my side view. Love that my lower abdomen smoothly goes into my upper pubic area and there is NO SKIN FLAP! :D

I still do have that mark from my binder though from wearing it too tight the first week. Kinda like a burn or really bad garment hickey as what the doctor described. Hopefully it'll fade soon.

Seriously. I went from a 35/36 belly button to a 33 and with swelling currently. 

*squeak!*

It's crazy. 

Here are some old pics to reflect back on where I've come. 

(One week post partum from baby #3/c-section #3 - and I think this was 14-15 months post partum)

I'll be 18 months officially on the 20th!

They removed 5 lbs of skin and detached places of fat. I had a 4 finger gap around my belly button (umbilical hernia, as well as diastasis recti from 3 pregnancies that ran from sternum to pubic bone)

(day of surgery 9/17/14)

So anyhow, I am super pleased with the results so far. It doesn't even feel real right now. I still over compensate when I put pants on and pull them up too high to cover something that's not there any more. 

I wanted to also thank everyone who has supported me through this journey with the surgery and the decision to go forward with it. I'm extremely happy with everything!!

Every message and note I've had, thank you so much!

This opportunity was a blessing <3

My next post will be in a couple of days with a Q&A for pre and post surgery stuff. What to expect, little hacks to make it easier, things too look for in a good doctor, and a few things to request if you do go forward with an abdominal plasty that will make your recovery SO much more comfortable than what you might read out on the inter webs. 

I have 3 more weeks until I'm cleared for regular activities and they can't come soon enough.

I'm back on using my body media band, and trying to get myself disciplined enough to track and tighten up my meal plans so I can lose the rest of my water weight and swelling.

Also - a huge huge huge thankful to my husband, Eric. For waiting on me and our children hand and foot during my surgery recovery and my MIL for driving me to and from appointments and staying with me to help with the kids in the early days of the recovery, and my parents for keeping me sane over the phone and supporting my decision to do this as they know how much of a drama queen I can be when I'm stressed out, and my PT Joe for helping me get healthy enough to make it to the point where I could do the surgery and not have all the extra weight to carry in the end.

Bye bye 68 lbs in 18 months. I have 10-15 more to go which will place me at 78-83ish once all is achieved and done.

In 3 more weeks I'm also doing a photoshoot for myself for making it my first goal: reach the 160's by the end of the year. I will post these once shot :)

That's all for now, stay tuned! 

XOXO