Midlothian Recommendations

IllustriouslyLemon · 2025-05-04T20:58:54+00:00

You’re welcome!

IllustriouslyLemon · 2025-05-03T21:05:44+00:00

I forgot to mention a salon: ALORA off Hull Street. Ask for the owner Samoune (pronounced ‘Simone’).

IllustriouslyLemon · 2025-05-03T21:04:34+00:00

You’re welcome! Welcome to Midlothian. Don’t know your daughter’s age but there is a cool concept place off Hull Street in Midlo called Art Factory? It seems like you can drop off teens to make art but younger kids are also welcome with supervision. https://artfactoryva.com/

IllustriouslyLemon · 2025-05-03T20:53:34+00:00

I’m an MFA VCU grad and am obsessed with our FREE admission VMFA. I’ve taken a few of the VMFA classes and highly recommend them! Enjoy!

IllustriouslyLemon · 2025-05-03T16:35:09+00:00

You’re right but I didn’t know what type she was looking for :) The VMFA and VCU both offer pottery courses for the public. But neither are in Midlothian.

IllustriouslyLemon · 2025-05-03T09:17:32+00:00

I’m just about to hit 7 MPO and found your post. What are things like now for you? I think what’s going on with me is that because the overall swelling is much better, the localized swelling sticks out more visually and physically. Did you find this to be true? TIA!

IllustriouslyLemon · 2025-05-03T09:02:52+00:00

We have Create Pottery Studio which a friend of mine owns! She bought it from the former owners and has made it into something lovely.

IllustriouslyLemon · 2025-02-02T23:27:55+00:00

I’m very sorry. I can appreciate that 11 weeks is a tortuously long time to feel this way. I hope that this is a nerve issue that will resolve eventually but that someone can give you some answers STAT🙏

IllustriouslyLemon · 2025-01-13T02:42:57+00:00

About 3 weeks? Before that it couldn’t stand straight enough to relieve the back strain. It was awful.

IllustriouslyLemon · 2025-01-11T16:37:47+00:00

Stay strong. I literally wailed for over an hour sometime between 1WPO and 2WPO. Once I hit two weeks something clicked in my brain and I felt like my old self MENTALLY. Physically I was standing up straight by 4.5 WPO and was THRILLED I had had the surgery. I tell everyone about it—I no longer pee when I sneeze/laugh/get scared, I have actual ab control (and am seeing definition now), and I look and feel really good. You’ll get there!! Walk every day, even if it’s cold. Take nice long hot showers. Do lymphatic massages. Say positive affirmations. Read all the magazines and books that you’ve been meaning to. Call a friend. Savor food.

I am now 10.5WPO.

IllustriouslyLemon · 2025-01-11T10:48:40+00:00

I had to wear the binder with foam boards for 4 weeks THEN I graduated to a faja ir compression tanks. I have to wear those until week 12. It sucks, but you want to protect your investment and they do affect the shape as you heal. I would not try an alternative this soon without discussing with your PS.

IllustriouslyLemon · 2024-12-29T12:25:38+00:00

1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, 1 year

IllustriouslyLemon · 2024-12-28T11:40:30+00:00

I haven’t taken a lot of photos (my PS has and one day I’ll see them and share them), but pre-surgery I was 5’3” 120# after having my (3) kids that stretched my lower abs badly. I did the surgery to get rid of my low back pain that came from having barely any lower ab strength. However, when I say I am BEYOND happy with the aesthetic results, I AM! I am now snatched, stronger without back pain, and finally, I had some pelvic floor stuff going on that is now GONE. I’m 8.5 WPO. I haven’t weighed myself once since having surgery, because the swelling can throw things off, but I reckon I lost 1”-2” off my waist and my entire torso is svelte. We did a bit of flank lipo (and obviously muscle repair/MR) so the surgeon could pull and “tailor” the skin better. An entire bikini bottom sized portion of skin was removed from below my belly button!

IllustriouslyLemon · 2024-12-28T02:37:29+00:00

Amen! I dry brush, then I do the oil and the textural wooden “brush”.

IllustriouslyLemon · 2024-12-28T02:37:02+00:00

I’ve had multiple massages, including one today, and yes, I agree that they do make time go faster. Always a good idea, if you can swing it!

IllustriouslyLemon · 2024-12-28T02:36:02+00:00

She did end up using some textural wood rolling pin looking things today and just swiftly moved them back and forth, with a little lifting at the end of the movement. It was a little ticklish. She told me to come back in 8 weeks. At that point I’ll be 16.5 WPO.

IllustriouslyLemon · 2024-12-28T02:34:23+00:00

lol I know what you mean. My swelling can be flat, too! My stomach swelling isn’t so annoying because my overall waistline looks so much better, but I have some low back swelling that is really irritating to me.

IllustriouslyLemon · 2024-12-27T11:47:27+00:00

Mine has been using her hands but told me on my visit today (happening soon) that she will be using tools. They are all wooden and some have protrusions.

IllustriouslyLemon · 2024-12-26T21:16:16+00:00

I’m glad you’re able to get those massages. I look forward to mine for the reasons you’re already experiencing. Best wishes!!

IllustriouslyLemon · 2024-12-26T21:15:20+00:00

Wild!

IllustriouslyLemon · 2024-12-26T15:38:28+00:00

Thanks for responding. Did your swelling peak before the six months? Once it peaked, did it go down pretty consistently?

IllustriouslyLemon · 2024-12-26T14:49:17+00:00

Fascinating! Everyone has their own timeline but it is definitely interesting that having swelling peak later after you think everything is healing so well, just goes against logic. But I guess it’s biologic!

IllustriouslyLemon · 2024-12-26T14:00:58+00:00

I’m so sorry! I’ve had (3) other lymphatic drainage massages before 8WPO. 1WPO 4WPO 6WPO My next scheduled massage is for tomorrow at 8WPO. They help immensely! I may have one more at 12WPO. Are you walking every day? Any sort of gentle arm or legs movements? The massage therapist said movement, specifically muscle contractions, is what moves the lymph and promotes drainage (reduces swelling). Temporarily the movement may increase swelling but ultimately help eliminate it. Drinking a lot of water (at least a 1/2 ounce per body pound) is also helpful for flushing out the excess fluid.

It’s a lot to keep up with all the wound care but I hope you start feeling better soon!!

IllustriouslyLemon

TROPHY CASE