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Scar update at 3+ months post-op
The tape is from a little stitch abscess I had dug out yesterday - ouch! Getting it removed was worthwhile, though, as I could feel the stitch poking into me from the inside.
Otherwise I don't need to use tape anymore, just scar gel.
3+ months post-op update
I'm so grateful to have been able to have my surgery; there's a whole set of frustrations and discomforts that are now lifted out of my life.
Dr Belt and his staff have been amazing.
My scar is thin and flat and is already pretty well smoothed out. Dr Belt was absolutely meticulous in placement and it shows; I've never seen a lower scar and it's very straight.
I've had a couple of little stitch abscesses, one of which had to be dug out yesterday but that's a tiny blip in a mostly smooth process.
My belly button is a good shape and healing well and once the redness dissipates will look fairly natural, I think.
I'm finally back fully exercising now and that's a huge relief - having my diastasis repaired has been life changing and my back pain is already better and improving steadily.
If you have kids you'll need plenty of support after this surgery, but it was worth the struggle through the first weeks. Good luck!
Scar woes at 4 weeks post-op
I peeled it back where it was lifting, trimmed the excess and covered the incision with the breathable sticky tape dressing we use for pretty much everything in this house from covering insect bites to mending books.
Anyway, that was all fine, and the bits of scar I saw mostly looked nice and thin and clean, but the right hand end is very raised and ropey, and it's pulling quite painfully, as though it's over tensioned somehow. Has anyone experienced this? I actually feels like a piece of cord under my skin in that spot.
I rang Dr Belt's rooms and they said to text him a photo, plus I've made an appointment to see the nurse tomorrow. Hopefully there's something we can do to soften and flatten it - it's definitely not pretty, as well as quite uncomfortable!
In other news, swell hell continues unabated, and watching all my muscle tone melt away is a bit disheartening. Bye bye, butt! It's certainly going to be great to get back to the gym in the next few weeks.
Nonetheless, this is just a little blip in the generally very good recovery I've enjoyed. I'm still grateful and pleased to have been able to have this surgery, happy with my results so far and confident they will continue to improve.
Provider Review
I've been very impressed with Dr Belt throughout the pre-surgery process and my hospital stay. Initially he was obviously extremely careful in patient selection and securing genuine informed consent, and I was especially reassured by his thorough approach to assessing and repairing my umbilical hernia as part of the abdominoplasty procedure. Another surgeon I saw wanted me to agree up front to sacrificing my belly button, saying that "nobody would ever notice"(!) but Dr Belt explained what he could do to hopefully avoid that outcome, and what steps he would take to create a neo-umbilicus if it did come to that. Dr Belt listened to my questions and concerns carefully and explained the procedure thoroughly. He also phoned me from his mobile several times ahead of the procedure to make sure I had all the information I needed. As at 5 days post-op my surgical results seem excellent - a nice straight scar and minimal bruising, along with a happy, living belly button. Dr Belt provides exceptional levels of follow up in hospital, visiting every morning to check my progress and wounds and sending a registrar to check each afternoon as well. He is absolutely meticulous about drains, dressings and post-operative care, to the extent that some nurses seemed a little bit nervous about ensuring every aspect of my care was exactly in line with his wishes. I am delighted so far and confident that Dr Belt's care will provide the best results my body is capable of producing. I cannot recommend him highly enough.