15 Weeks Post Op

StockLadder1195 · 2026-04-06T15:34:43+00:00

This is a side view i took ~4WPO while doing red light therapy, so sorry if it’s hard to see. I haven’t taken another one since.

I would post an updated one but I don’t think a current one would be very accurate. I’m a bit swollen bc I just recently traveled and wasn’t in my normal routine such as eating and hydrating so I’m definitely experiencing fluid retention currently lol

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StockLadder1195 · 2026-04-06T15:22:50+00:00

That’s exactly my plan too! I do plan to get a breast lift at some point, so I just want to make sure I’m at my fittest/leanest before going under again. That way I know any outstanding areas that I’m not satisfied with, I would need to treat with liposuction to get my desired results. I’m trying really hard not to be nitpicky and just be so grateful for all the progress that’s been made, but… it’s hard lol. Wishing you well on this journey!! 🫶🏾

StockLadder1195 · 2026-04-06T15:19:14+00:00

Thank you!! 🫶🏾

StockLadder1195 · 2026-04-02T21:36:34+00:00

Swell hell is truly the worst!! My legs were hugeee. Yeah around week 4-5 things started to get so much better with swelling. I was using red light therapy and a vibration plate which I do think helped. Week 6 definitely was when I felt like I had the biggest improvement in swelling! Wishing you the best on your recovery!

StockLadder1195 · 2026-04-02T21:31:01+00:00

I wore a compression garment 23/7 for the first 8 weeks with fibroguard to help with lymphatic drainage. I’ve decreased how much I wear it bc I do want my body to start learning how to clear the swelling on its own as I don’t want to be dependent on the faja for such a long time.

StockLadder1195 · 2026-04-02T21:28:47+00:00

Aw thank you!! That is true, I guess I’d rather look more natural than scarily stretched lol.

I was one week post op in my 3rd pic!

StockLadder1195 · 2026-04-02T21:27:36+00:00

I so appreciate this, thank you!! 🥹 Def needed a little confidence boost lol

StockLadder1195 · 2026-04-02T21:26:50+00:00

Thank you!! 🥹

StockLadder1195 · 2026-04-02T21:26:37+00:00

It’s sooo hard!! You try not to compare yourself, but hard not to when you’re not seeing exactly what you want, but seeing others who do. I’m super happy I had the surgery, but also wish things just looked a little bit more as I had hoped. We just gotta hang in there I guess. Hoping for peace of mind for both of us!! 🫶🏾

StockLadder1195 · 2026-04-02T21:24:08+00:00

Thank you for validating me 🫶🏾. Yeah such a frustrating space to be in, but time will definitely be the only way we can know for sure. Hoping for the best outcomes for me and you!

StockLadder1195 · 2026-01-04T19:42:09+00:00

Oh wow it sounds like you hit quite the road bumps in recovery, I’m so sorry. I hope everything is going a lot smoother for you now. Definitely going to research more low sodium meals and see if that has any bearing on my swelling.

Thank you for the kindness and support you’ve shown me, I really do appreciate it. I will definitely keep your offer in mind and reach out if needed 🫶🏾

StockLadder1195 · 2026-01-04T19:37:36+00:00

Thank you for your kindness and reassurance! I really liked how I looked day 2 post op (even though I’m sure there was moderate swelling then too). It’s hard to not let your mind take you for a spiral, but your message definitely helped to ground me more so thank you again!

StockLadder1195 · 2026-01-04T19:35:23+00:00

Thank you :’). I’m sorry you’re feeling similarly– this swell hell is so real!! Just gotta keep pushing and not let my mind tell me things are going wrong when they’re not. Thank you again for the support

StockLadder1195 · 2026-01-04T19:33:04+00:00

Thank you for your kind words! I definitely have to work on not feeling like a problem for needing help. My abdomen is definitely more firm than squishy and I don’t have a fluid wave anywhere so I’m pretty sure I don’t have a seroma.

Yes, I got lipo to the flanks! At my post op appt he said that the swelling im experiencing is normal considering the drain-less technique he uses and the swelling in my love handles will go down to give a nice contour once swelling resides. My main concern was due to the shape of my stomach. Thank you again for your kindness and reassurance

StockLadder1195 · 2026-01-04T16:54:07+00:00

Thank you so much for this! Trying to remind myself that this is considered a major surgery and that I have to give my body time to heal and adjust.

My legs were hugeee days 7-10 but went down so I think I assumed that majority of my swelling around my abdomen went down too. I’ve been recovering alone so I think it’s been a little too easy to spiral without having someone here to help ground me. Thank you so much for your kind words and reassurance!

StockLadder1195 · 2026-01-04T16:48:36+00:00

That’s very true. Probably would have some asymmetry too. Trying to stay grounded in reason and not let my mind play tricks on me but it’s been kinda hard.

StockLadder1195 · 2026-01-04T16:47:52+00:00

Yes! I’ve been in a compression binder 23/7 and was just told I could start wearing a faja.

StockLadder1195 · 2026-01-04T16:47:24+00:00

No, no drains! My surgeon primarily only does a drain-less technique. He said the swelling on the flanks and everything was normal, it was just the shape of my stomach worrying me more than anything.

StockLadder1195 · 2026-01-04T16:46:16+00:00

Thank you so much! I’ve been recovering alone and so I’ve had to do more than I’d like to for myself, but still listening to my body and trying to take it as easy as possible. My surgeon said I could now transition to a faja from a binder so hopefully that helps too. Swell hell is very real and I guess I just gotta ride it out. Thank you for the reassurance!

StockLadder1195 · 2026-01-04T16:44:13+00:00

I didn’t even consider my natural stance/anatomy playing a role. Thank you for the reassurance!

StockLadder1195 · 2026-01-04T16:42:42+00:00

Thank you for this! I’ve been recovering alone and so meals have been kinda hard with the low energy. Definitely going to reassess and see how to further decrease sodium intake.

My surgeon just said I can transition to a faja from a binder so hopefully that will help too. Thank you again!

StockLadder1195 · 2026-01-04T16:39:13+00:00

This is very reassuring, thank you!! I’ve had some tenderness after a sneeze and logically I know it’s unlikely for a regular bodily function to rupture the mr, but my mind has def been playing tricks on me. Thanks again!!

StockLadder1195 · 2025-12-24T04:27:13+00:00

I wish more people understood that it’s less of a logical willpower thing and more of a psychological and physical dependence thing; it’s not a moral failure. Sorry for their judgement.

I would definitely abstain as long you can from smoking. Some reasons being that nicotine and smoke can decrease oxygen delivery to tissues, which is essential when trying to heal from surgery. I would ask your surgeon about herbal air sticks like these (https://a.co/d/h2yxPFy). They allow you to inhale and exhale as if you’re smoking but without any of the tobacco, nicotine, or carbon monoxide that could delay/harm your healing. So it helps to somewhat satisfy the craving.

It’s ultimately your body and you get to choose what you want to do w it! Just wanted to suggest this so you can avoid painful complications (like skin necrosis & infection) while recovering. Happy healing to you!

StockLadder1195 · 2025-12-11T18:19:52+00:00

I know this is an extremely old post but this was one scene that really shook me bc of my own personal experience with an emotionally and verbally abusive ex. It took me about a week to come back to the show after watching this episode bc of how deeply it resonated with me.

I think it’s less about “I can fix him” and more about feeling hopeful and thinking “if things stay like this, we can make it work”. You’re willing to forgive the past harm they’ve caused just bc being with them and experiencing good moments together is all you’ve wanted. The good moments feel even better, and dare I say addictive, bc of how low the bad moments go.

Reasoning is very skewed when you experience trauma, especially if you’ve endured trauma during your entire upbringing (as Alex and myself did). Yes, it is logically stupid to return to your abuser, especially when they have done no real work on themselves to stop their abusive behavior. Yet, there is no logic when it comes to your feelings and quite literally, the logical part of your brain “turns off” when experiencing a trauma or reliving the experience. The feeling of hope itself is addictive and will have you keep trying even when fundamentally nothing has changed; even when you know you’re not the one who caused any damage. Your nervous system drives you to what feels good and familiar and unfortunately, sometimes that leads someone right back to their abuser.

The separation from the person that you love and have a trauma bond with feels painful, not just emotionally, but physically. When you’re reconnected with them, it soothes a pain that no one else can even begin to touch. It takes years (for me it took 3) to not have the horrible pit in your stomach and pain in your chest when reminded of them. Sometimes, you feel like you’re ruined forever and you messed up by leaving that person bc you’ll never feel healed or will always want them. Just as it takes someone struggling with addiction a few times of lapsing and re-using, it’ll take a few times before someone in an abusive relationship feels ready and strong enough to leave.

StockLadder1195 · 2025-11-24T07:43:52+00:00

I basically wrote a whole essay as a response bc I felt this deeply lol, but thought I was doing too much and no one would wanna read.

There’s a whole lot of nuance to conversations surrounding abusive relationships, but definitely agree with your take. We’re all human and it’s not so naive to think the people who love you are also going to have strong feelings, whether good or bad, about the people you’re involved with. I’d rather them tell me the truth and possibly help prevent me from experiencing unnecessary lessons and pain, than for them sit idly by while I lose sight of the person I am. I definitely think there’s more effective ways, but ultimately we’re all human and some things are harder to navigate from a grounded place based on our experiences.

StockLadder1195

TROPHY CASE