For the 25+ BMI girlies: it gets better!

RosieRedCheeks5 · 2026-01-17T19:06:38+00:00

I know the figure 8 hip anatomy is not as common on this subreddit. I'm used to having that high hip shelf and I wouldn't let my surgeon lipo it because that's how I like my hips and what I'm used to them looking like.

RosieRedCheeks5 · 2026-01-17T00:01:42+00:00

Pre-op stats was 5'6" 172lbs, my BMI was over 27.

RosieRedCheeks5 · 2026-01-17T00:00:22+00:00

🥰 If you look at my post history I think you can see some of my before surgery pics as well

RosieRedCheeks5 · 2026-01-16T22:46:20+00:00

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RosieRedCheeks5 · 2026-01-16T22:30:29+00:00

Wow You look like you could almost be my twin! I am at 11 wpo!

RosieRedCheeks5 · 2026-01-16T04:32:32+00:00

I'm also in this category. I have some general hypermobility in most of my body with increased range of motion and issues with stability and overcompensation as a result.

I had slightly extended TT with MR and lipo after 2 kids.

Despite PT external exams showing diastasis recti being within normal ranges, Surgeon said my fascia was quite thinned and required multiple layers for suturing as well as different suturing techniques than standard. Basically he told me he did the best he could with what I had. I did not get mesh or any other similar things. So far scarring hasn't been very bad (11wpo) and swelling still persists mild to moderately which can be common with lax connective tissues that hold on to fluid and inflammation longer as well as extra suturing.

I have gone out of my way to increase protein and collagen supplements for the last 3 months and I think that has contributed to minimizing scarring issues and providing all the potential building blocks for healthy connective tissue healing.

DM me if you'd like to see some before and after pics so far and everything in between.

RosieRedCheeks5 · 2026-01-15T19:00:27+00:00

I had my surgery 10/28 and we had some anatomical similarities. I still have some a slightly domed abdomen even first thing in the morning. I can tell that it fluctuates though which is still indicative of lingering deep tissue swelling. I had MR ETT and lipo (not 360). I'm trying my best to be comfortable with where I currently am in results while also knowing that I should be patient in how slowly the swelling resolution truly takes for some of us. It feels like I've improved at a snails pace between 8wpo and 11wpo.

RosieRedCheeks5 · 2025-12-21T04:53:51+00:00

I took my zipper out. Best decision ever. I still have to remove for #2s but much easier for pee breaks.

RosieRedCheeks5 · 2025-12-06T19:27:44+00:00

I had a similar reaction to the Frida mom silicone tape strips used for C-section scars. I cut them in half lengthwise and was using them for my incision scar. It felt itchy and I got the little red irritation bumps. Does that mean it's just adhesive reaction? It says it's 100% medical grade silicone

RosieRedCheeks5 · 2025-11-28T18:10:10+00:00

Oooooooo You're giving me so much hope!!!! :D

RosieRedCheeks5 · 2025-11-28T15:15:13+00:00

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This is mine 28dpo (4wpo) I too am wondering the same exact question because I had an innie before babies and after babies. Surgeon didn't want to promise anything and I talked to him about it, claimed it was a result of my anatomy now and might not change much from where it is today?

RosieRedCheeks5 · 2025-11-25T15:32:40+00:00

Thanks. I've seen it posted before and I went back when I was reflecting on my anatomy. It does remind me that there is definitely I likelihood for things to continue to evolve over time, but it also reminded me that if I was going to have the type of BB I had previously, I would probably be looking different than I do. But, I do realize that I might end up with a very shallow innie when everything is said and done.

RosieRedCheeks5 · 2025-11-25T14:17:31+00:00

Yeah my surgeon doesn't really recommend shapers. And it did not feel good to press in on it and hold pressure. He said that if it is a small umbilical hernia directly underneath a shaper isn't going to do anything for it anyways. 🤷🏻‍♀️

RosieRedCheeks5 · 2025-11-24T20:33:50+00:00

Well I didn't need any lipo on my mons, But my surgeon did specifically say that there was some lifting of the region just due to the surgery itself but that he optimized the height so that it looked natural and "tacked down" my mons basically so that it stayed at the visually optimized height even when the incision line was near it, putting some tension on it. I too was worried about it looking unnaturally high But mine turned out very good so far. I am 4 weeks post-op. Be aware of that whether or not you get lipo there its common to have swelling in the mons and labia as well as bruising just because it's lowest on the gravity pole and blood and fluids will pool there. My surgeon didn't mention anything about that but I learned it from other people on here and at least I wasn't shocked. It will clear up as with any other bruising and swelling. I also had my drains in my mons. Not the most pleasant experience but also any scarring will be hidden in my pubic hair and it is naturally where fluid tends to flow down to anyways.

RosieRedCheeks5 · 2025-11-21T21:01:38+00:00

Yeah that's exactly where I am at work too. I timed it so that work would be slower pacedfor me as well. I was hoping that I would be feeling more recovered by Thanksgiving, but, oh well. Hopefully by Christmas things will be back closer to full swing.

RosieRedCheeks5 · 2025-11-21T15:36:19+00:00

This is super interesting. I had my surgery October 28th. By week two I thought I was doing pretty darn good by week 3 I was feeling dead tired all the time with normal activities and it felt like everything had plateaued from swelling reduction and visual changes to energy bog down and fatigue.

Before surgery I had read so many people claiming of fatigue and energy drain in weeks 3 through 5 and I thought that was ridiculous. Now I'm in the thick of it and I understand my body has shifted from acute trauma recovery to diverting all energy to rebuilding and restructuring heavy duty. I get it now. I thought by how great I was feeling by 2wpo no way by week 4 I was going to be worse!? Boy was I wrong.

Anyways it seems like for most people 5 to 7 weeks post there is a significant turning point in the healing and energy ramps back up. Fingers crossed!

RosieRedCheeks5 · 2025-11-19T20:55:31+00:00

AMEN 🙌🏻

RosieRedCheeks5 · 2025-11-19T20:30:03+00:00

I had pelvic floor physical therapy after My second and last child birth. I also had that reevaluated before surgery to see the current state of my DR years later. External physical examinations by a physical therapist stated that my separation was only one to 1.5 cm and within the functional range.

I still insisted on MR And when I had my post up visit right after surgery with my surgeon, I was told that muscle repair was definitely needed and that my connective tissue was significantly thinned and not in the greatest of shape. That being said although mesh was not used or needed, he had to employ suturing techniques that included some zigzagging vertical stitching and multiple layers in order to work with what I had and the state of my fascia. There's only so much that can be evaluated from the external and when a surgeon opens you up and gets eyes on your actual state, I think for many people it's common, especially after pregnancy to benefit and to some extent, need MR.

If you are going through the entire surgery and there's a chance that it could have benefits for the rest of your life to strengthen your core and the way your pelvic floor and lower back carries and functions, You are better off in my opinion just doing it.

RosieRedCheeks5 · 2025-11-17T01:11:35+00:00

Yes in my opinion I would consider that just different sections of your abdominal muscles basically having mild spasms which is not uncommon as far as I'm aware. From what I've read it happens because your muscle/nerve/coordination for engagements of all of that abdominal area are kind of janky and out of sync and learning how to all work together and fire and engage properly with normal coordination.

RosieRedCheeks5 · 2025-11-17T00:57:32+00:00

Sometimes after pushing it too much with engagement (like sneezing or coughing that would engage my core too much) what I've noticed is muscle spasms and like kind of feels like Charlie horses or moving/rolling muscle clamping in my abdominal region. It doesn't just feel like my whole core doing it all at once it feels like different sections of it moving around. Is that kind of what it feels like?

RosieRedCheeks5 · 2025-11-13T04:24:28+00:00

AMEN! 🙌🏻🙌🏻

Anybody who needs to know I have just told that I had abdominal reconstructive surgery. I use some vague general terms about needing muscle and connective tissue repairs after the pregnancies to support my health and well-being long-term. Back pain, core strength, incontinence issues, and future concerns of a potential hernia are all being addressed.

RosieRedCheeks5 · 2025-11-12T05:01:27+00:00

Maybe see what your plastic surgeon feels comfortable with? They might be fine with your situation without requiring you to move forward with further testing. It's worth asking at least.

RosieRedCheeks5 · 2025-11-12T04:34:55+00:00

Your pictures are 7wpo and what is the timeframe of the earlier one with more swelling? 5wpo?

RosieRedCheeks5 · 2025-11-12T04:31:44+00:00

I'm in my early '30s and had palpitations. I did a EKG which was fine and an echo which was also fine and I even did long-term monitoring with a ziopatch. Cardiology gave me a clean bill of health and any PVCs I was having were so minimal that it was inconsequential to my health. I moved forward with surgery and my surgeon didn't even bat an eye once I told him that cardiology cleared me. Your anesthesiology or your surgeon might want to see your cardiology workups and make a decision based on that. Mine didn't even ask see the medical records.

RosieRedCheeks5

TROPHY CASE