34 Yo, 2 Kids, Diastasis Recti Full TT, Lipo on back Bra line - Wellesley, MA

I have always carried my extra weight in my stomach. After the first kid 4 years ago, the stretch marks were awful but my stomach seemed to go close to normal. I exercise and eat well for the most part . 10 months ago I had baby #2 and got back to prevent weight of 167 and the weight never seemed to budge from there despite exercise and calorie counting. Researched and met with 2 docs , one my mom went to 5 years ago and 1 my mil went to 30 years ago. Both were excellent. My mil's doc is now chief of ps at his hospital and has a great bedside manner and I went with him. The plan was to do tt, muscle repair with 3 rows if stitching, and lipo under braline on my back. Surgery was scheduled for 1pm, it lasted exactly 3.5 hrs just as doc said, have a pain pump over muscle repair area which is wonderful. Compression garment is starting to feel itchy this morning. Pain meds with out of surgery were many doses of dilaudid for the burning incision pain, 2 Percocet, and few doses of zofran. Dilaudid really made me nauseous. That took care of 90% of the pain but there was one spot on the incision where it felt like I was getting stabbed and that alone had me in tears. They expect you to get up and walk as soon as your comfortably possible for blood clot prevention. I finally did it 6 hours post op, went to bathroom, got dressed and went home. Slept on recliner with pillows under my knees and head and feeling good. Will update going forward

Been drinking tons of water , about 160oz yesterday. I heard it helps with swelling and healing plus it gets me up every 3 hours to pee. Still no bm even with colace and senokot twice daily. Feel the stomach muscles more today, taking Vicodin every 3-4 hrs but maybe that's why I feel so great. I can walk around no problem it's just the standing up that's challenging. Appetite is good. Bought no rinse body wipes to sponge bath myself today so that was great.

Yesterday I inly had to take my narcotic pain med 3 times compared to the 8 the day before. Finally had a bm after taking colace 3x day, senokot 3tabs per day and MOM once daily x2days. And it wasn't even loose. Trying to eat light low sodium foods such as kind bars with protein, berry protein shakes, plums, strawberries. Honestly I eat a fraction of what I used to because I don't want my stomach to bloat. The cg is so itchy and tight on the edges that I don't want to worsen it. I can slip my fingers underneath so it's not too tight. Hubby has been great, he's got his hands full with me, our 10 month old and 3 year old. My 3 year old has been spending most of his time with his grandparents whom he LOVES so he's happy. On my table next to me I have my iPhone, iPad, all my meds, Chapstick, a snack bar in case I need to take a med that requires food in my stomach like my antibiotic, my back scratcher, remotes, and water bottle. I went outside yesterday to enjoy some sunshine which was great. It's been a long winter here in Boston. I get to remove my pain buster today. Should be interesting since we have to donut ourselves. The doc said it doesn't hurt at all. It's just 2 tiny tubes in my upper stomach area( somewhere , but I haven't removed my garment yet so I don't know where exactly) I would tell anyone getting a tt to make sure your doc uses a pin pump. It allows you to use less narcotic pain meds and walk sooner and feel better. I can't imagaine my first 4 days without it. It's like a fanny pack that goes around your waist and it releases a small amount of marcaine over the stiched muscles. Doc said it was like a tube with little holes all down it to numb the area. As it comes to an end this morning, I'm starting to feel the pain a little more but it's not bad. Like a 3 on the pain scale. I also coughed accidentally yesterday and thought I was going to die. It felt like a blow torch was applied to my inside. I will NEVER do that again. Hopefully
Some pics to follow.