5 1/2 month update
This post is sponsored by Embrace. If you have new or old scars you’ve been wanting to treat, check out their site here and enter the code GINA10 for 10% off!
It’s hard to believe that 5 1/2 months ago, I wasn’t able to get out of bed by myself, and now I’m doing [slightly-modified] HIIT intervals. The human body is such an amazing thing! A few readers have asked why my post-surgery updates have been sparse, which I totally get because it was an intense surgery, but thankfully, there hasn’t been a lot to report. My recovery has been fairly uneventful for the most part, and I’ve been slowly but steadily working my way back to *normal.*
I can confidently say I’m so, so glad I did it. My implants were coming out either way because they were causing me so much pain, but I was on the fence about the muscle repair and skin removal (a full abdominoplasty since my abs were separated above and below my belly button). I talked with a few close family members and friends about it, and let them know I was hesitant about doubling my recovery time, and the few people I spoke to about it to told me to go for it. They knew that I had regular physical therapy for 8 months (and my ab separation was at its best point, which was 3-fingers wide from my sternum all the way down) and I was unhappy with my loose skin.
After so much back-and-forth in my brain (and to be honest: a LOT of nightmares!), my heart was telling me to do it, so I called my surgeon and confirmed that I wanted to go for it. (I think it’s worth mentioning again that he’s been the best surgeon and doctor I’ve ever encountered. He’s extremely comforting and knowledgeable, and has the BEST bedside manner, which makes a huge difference because I’m a giant weenie.)
After the surgery, my muscles are back together (wahoo!), I don’t feel uncomfortably bloated and the loose skin is gone. (You can read more details about the whole surgery here and my recovery timeline here.)
The only thing I really have to show for it are my scars, which have been fading dramatically due to the Embrace Active Scar Defense line I’ve been using. I was so thankful when they offered to partner with me because I was genuinely interested in their product line and have heard so many great things about the company.
Using the strips has been a breeze and the results have been mind-blowing in just 9 short weeks of treatment. (I’m going to continue using them for at least 4 more weeks if not longer.) They’re very low maintenance: I just wear the dressings for about 10 days, remove them to let my skin breathe for a day or so and reapply.
My surgeon and I briefly discussed scar revision because my scar is fairly high and a little uneven. My skin was unevenly damaged, and my torso is very short, which made things a bit more challenging. There’s no way to really lower the scar since my skin is now tight, but he could repair a small area that was raised and kind of bumpy looking. After using embrace for 9 weeks, that area is completely smooth and flat. Now, I don’t think I’ll need a revision, which is excellent because I want to stay away from a scalpel for a long, long time.
As you can see in the pic, my biggest scar was very red and angry-looking when I first began treatment. They’ve faded noticeably and continue to fade each week. The biggest difference is in the texture of the scar! It feels like the rest of my skin now, instead of raised and bumpy.
I’m excited to see how they look (aka disappear!) over the next year. I only wish I would have started treatment sooner. If you know you have a surgery coming up or have an older scar you want to treat, check out the full product line here. You can also enter the code GINA10 to get 10% off.
Hope you have a great day and I’ll see you soon!
xoxo
Gina
Photos: Lindsay Colson
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Wow, your scar looks amazing! What a huge difference in such a small amount of time. I have old scars and am now tempted to try Embrace, I’ll definitely check out the product line. So, so glad that you continue feeling better and are ramping back up to your usual 150%!
thank you so much <3 <3
You look great! Congrats and thanks for sharing!
thank you, friend <3
I used scar away when I had my hip surgery last year. It really helped. Glad you’re recovering so well!
thank you!!
Gina, I just had an extensive bone repair, muscle removal and tendon repair on the outside of my foot. Scar is about 6 inches long and just ordered the Embrace Scar Defense. I was afraid the scar would prevent me from getting back to my strappy heels and sandals and we can’t have that now can we. I knew exactly what would help thanks to you!! Happy Thanksgiving!
hope you had a wonderful thanksgiving, too! sending you all of my love and great healing vibes. i hope you recover so well! <3
You look wonderful and the scar has faded a ton. Thank you for sharing your journey.
thank you, friend <3
Wow, you are looking great! Thanks for sharing your story. Does it hurt to pull the strip off after 10 days?
thank you! nope, not at all. i do it in the shower and use soap, and it feels like taking a band-aid off
Wow, that’s amazing! I am definitely ordering this for my upcoming shoulder surgery (thanks for the discount code!). Glad to hear you are doing well 🙂
it works SO WELL! thank you, friend. i hope your surgery is uneventful and you can heal and feel better
Thank you! How long is the code good for? I talked to someone on their website and they suggested holding off until after surgery to order, since the doc won’t know until I’m under if it will be arthroscopic only or arthoscopic + open.
i’ll ask my contact to make sure! when is your surgery again?
It’s on 2/23. Thank you so much 🙂
I’ve been reading your blog daily for a couple of years but when I had my first baby this July, I didn’t have time to keep up. I’m just getting back into it now and was so shocked to read about your surgery. The way you put yourself out there for the world to see is so courageous. You’re a beautiful person, inside and out. Thank you for sharing yourself with us.
thank you so much for reading for so long and for the sweet comment. congrats to you on your baby, too <3
Thanks for sharing this and the discount code. You’ve gotten amazing results.