I was going to do it.
I was tired of the little bulge of a stomach I had been left with, after having two kids.
I deserved to do it! I homed the babies, I stretched my skin for them, I was left with.. with... well....whatever this little belly bump/pooch was..and I was sure I wasn't having any more kids- so it seemed like the fair next step to get a tummy tuck.
I should mention I live in Hawaii where "just beach" is THE way of life.
So, I poured over others "before and afters.".
I stared at my stomach in the mirror, I grilled my husband endlessly and determined I would need the mini tummy tuck, because I just had this little bitty pooch that rather annoyingly wouldn't abandon me...regardless of how much I exercised.
The one thing holding me back (aside from my fear of anesthesia), was the scar.
Even with the mini tummy tuck, it can range from 3-6 inches.
On a complete whim, while getting a facial, I asked my gal if she had any recommendations for lymphatic drainage massage.
Admittedly, I had been instagram scrolling earlier and saw Tinx (@itsmetinx) getting one , she's not a mom (but we seem to have a similar body type)...and she was raving how it just "sculpted her".. I thought to myself, "I should try that."
My facialist immediately recommended Sasha, who mostly worked on post-procedure patients at the medical spa, but she raved was AMAZING.
Since I was already on a tangent of "I need this" I booked an appointment for the following week. I don't say this lightly but, that appointment completely changed my life... and how I looked (IN JUST ONE SESSION).
Liposuction, Gas, & Digestion:
I by no means was expecting the 'miracle of results' that I went home with when walking into my 1 hour massage appointment.
I was told Sasha was part Russian and European and don't ask me why, but going into the appointment I imagined a big strong older Russian woman kneading my body relentlessly.
Well, Sasha was gorgeous, tall and strong looking and much younger than the woman I had conjured up in my imagination.
She immediately asked me what my concern was and I showed her my little pooch.
She looked me over and firstly said, "well your so small but that little pooch is interesting- you know you might just need a little liposuction to take care of it- but.. let's take a look."
I honestly had never considered liposuction. I could only reason it was a common suggestion because I was in a plastic surgery med-spa?
I hopped onto the table and she immediately began pressing down on my stomach.
Sasha asked me if she could really work it, and told me she was so excited to work on me because usually she gets post-procedure patients who are already in so much pain she can barely touch them.
Here I was with my little postpartum pouch telling her to really "go for it."
Within 5 minutes Sasha gave me the biggest shock ever. She firmly stated "oh my goodness, DO NOT GET LIPSUCTION- THIS IS ALL GAS."
HUH? Just Gas? She began pushing down more and you could hear this almost popping/crackling sound.
Apparently I had shocked Sasha, because she said she had NEVER seen anything like it.
She asked me about my diet, and bloating... and sure I ate a lot of vegetables I told her, but how could this all be gas?
As she worked, Sasha told me she was going to recommend some digestive enzymes for me to take with meals along with a few other secret weapons she had.
All the while, my stomach was going down.
Next, Sasha got out a ultrasound machine and asked me if I could hear a high pitch sound (which I really couldn't until about 2 minutes in, although she said some people hear it so loud she has to turn it off).
Using ultrasound waves along with the massage helps reduce swelling and release drainage and built up fluids.
The machine is also recommended with the massage because the waves form bubbles around any fat deposits under the skin. The bubbles then burst, and break the fat deposits into the lymphatic system where with further massage they are drained.
Flat Stomach + Recommendations To Keep It:
I kid you not I left the appointment with a COMPLETELY flat stomach. I no longer had this pocket of what I had chalked up to "remnants of a baby bump". I didn't recognize myself.
My husband was shocked.
Sasha said not to drink or eat for 2 hours and that the results would be even better the next day.
She also said, to expect to be releasing gas for the next 24 hours and a regimen to keep the results which I promise not to gate-keep:
Baby Blues Probiotics: A must, most will tell you consistency is key so pick a time when you will remember to take them (it doesn't have to be the morning) but- for me that's the am.
The Baby Blues probiotics were made with postpartum moms (but anyone can take them) in mind because they go through SO MANY digestive and hormonal changes. They have a clinically tested strain DE111 (Bacillus Subtilis), that is effective in improving gut health, protecting the body from pathogens, and boosting immune activity.
Most importantly, they taste amazing so you don't forget to take them.
Digestive Enzymes: Sasha recommended these pills with meals to help relieve gas or bloating that comes from any food and digestion intolerances. I've had no adverse side-effects since taking them and my bloating has completely reduced- even if I eat veggies or dairy.
Baby Blues Apple Cider Vinegar with "the Mother':
Those with poor digestion and fluctuating stomach acids can benefit from ACV. This was an easy add on to my daily routine and while I have many friends who take them to slow down digestion and make them feel full longer, for me they have kept the bloating at bay and give me a bit of an energy kick, which is why I'm obsessed with them.
The confidence I have from one lymphatic drainage massage with a focus on my stomach has blown my mind. I went down a rabbit hole of how other countries do this for postpartum moms shortly after delivery and throughout the first year of postpartum.
I wish someone had told me to try massage, when I was in the thick of really disliking how I looked and felt.
I'm still in awestruck that my stomach pooch hasn't really returned and with my second appointment only a few days away, I can actually say I don't even need it yet!
