I am SO happy right now! Still have pain in my belly on the side where I had surgery (right hemicolectomy for a cecal bascule, for those who don't know) so I went to the surgeon to get it looked at (I'm two months out, so they wanted bring me in to chat and check me out.) I was SO nervous that they'd have me back in the hospital. Ick. BUT here's what he said: Pain in that area is normal for months, or more. What I have is a whole lot of normal adhesions from the surgical site to my abdomen. They will loosen and there will be less, and less pain, over time. The best way to think of it is that I have a patched tire. It will never be a strong as a new tire, but will be 85-90% strength. This is a lifelong condition, get good with it. My digestive life will alway be an adventure. Discomfort is just a lesson in what is tolerable and what isn't for the time being (or always) and nothing to worry about. I am always at a 70% risk of hernia. Nothing I do will make that better or worse (including lifting.) Just keep an eye on it. And the BEST part: He said the best thing to do is get back into FULL workouts - including ab work! Obviously building back up to where I was before, but "because I was already so fit" it should be quick, and that a bit of pain is fine. Rule is: if it's a lot, then take ibuprofen once and if it gets better - keep going. Have to take two doses? Back off for a few days, then get build back. Eventually I will be back at lifting what I was and can keep progressing beyond that! I am SO relieved and excited to get started climbing my ladder back to this kind of fitness (seen in pic before surgery) - and beyond! This is my life now, and I'm SO GRATEFUL to have it, patched tire and all!! <3 #VIPLOVE #VIPLIFE #VIPSTRONG