NOW I am starting to see the results I am looking for!!! Definitely seeing a flatter abdomen. I do still have some occasional swelling in the lower part of my abdomen (below my belly button), but usually at the end of a long day on my feet....it goes down noticeably after a good night's sleep. I also feel some occasional tightness in this same area by the evening...nothing too terrible. I still like to use a little light compression with my abdominal binder while I sleep. And I wear my compression garment to work just because I can haha.
My slow return to core workouts has also been going well! I can feel my abs getting stronger again. Per my surgeon, I should now be officially healed enough to do more traditional exercises such as full crunches and situps.
Check out the progress!