David H. Slepyan, MD (retired)

I have a epigastric hernia and huge flap of skin that is hanging on my tummy! I look 4-5 months pregnant and I am a active strong woman! I have 2 beautiful girls 3, and 7. My husband is completely supportive and I realized this is so needed when my activities started declining and my body was in the way! I am planning on a mommy makeover as my breasts are a G and I am 5 feet tall...not sure my weight now maybe 155 I have a gymnast body as my mother always says!


I am having a TT SEPTEMBER 20! Then in a few weeks we will do the Breast Reduction. I think he is wanting the surgeries separate for healing the body one at a time deal?? I understand and am scared! I know this is the right thing to do and GOD will be with me and my family! I was feeling selfish and then angry for feeling selfish as it costs so much money and the insurance company is just arguing the necessity of the procedures even with several letters from Physical therapists and doctors agreeing to the needs of this surgery for my life and strength.


So we have skipped the arguing and are paying all out of pocket! I have family on the way for a month to stay and help with the kids! I am very excited to see results and get this over with! I am so worried my kids are going to jump on me! I do not want them to be worried I can do this! Thank you for all your posts and inspireing me to wrote about my experience! I have pre op Sept 19 then going in the next day!!


Updated on 9 Sep 2012:
OK is it really coming soon~ I am so nervous and excited and I am sure we will get through this! My mom just hung up on me cause I added a poodle puppy to the mix..I just want my kids to be happy and not focus on mommy...they are stoked and happy and the family is already worried about the cost and time and surgery and omg the guilt!! WHY! I am praying this will ease up...I think I need valium! NOW

Updated on 20 Sep 2012:
So here I am in hospital I was in for hernia and muscle repair Tt and they are making me stay the night cause the hernia was gigantic and crazy so I am here it's ok my man is here kids with bop bop and papa and inlaws all together!! I kept asking why not go home... And the hernia was just more than. They thought okdokee keep y'all posted love and prayers k

Updated on 22 Sep 2012:
Out of hospital keeping up on meds feeling my flatness through the cg is truly amazing pain is real walking to bathroom is like running a mile

Updated on 23 Sep 2012:
Feeling good walking only to bathroom and a little around the recliner! Being very on too of drugs cause it hurts! Ice packs are the best I love my family and hope I keep up healing well..,my only concern is the belly button valley that when I sit it looks like it is a valley to my pubis incision??? Any ideas? I go see doc in a couple day !!! Night night peace to you all

Updated on 23 Sep 2012:
Anyone have a dip right after surgery Tt from belly button to the pubiic incision!?? It's like a little valley swollen I know but not flat !!?? Help

Updated on 30 Sep 2012:
so i went out 10 days po!! park with kids walked around for 15 min then bench...course I had mom and dad and husband thank god....then APPLEBEES!!! AND MY NAILS....i feel pretty....i am now soo in my recliner with 3 advil and water.....i go in for check up tomorrow,,,hope he has some light on the way it all looks....wrinkled still...and line from belly button to pelvis incision....the pelvis incision looks amazing,,,but the crease from the bb to the pelvis incision is so upsetting...will see....thank you for your support and I know you are all there,,,,

Updated on 2 Oct 2012:
I am 12 days will post a pic still so swollen with a deep crease down the center but doc said it will go away as it was put together right and my swelling and hernia was intense! I am walking with some pain upright though and can only stand for sprits at a time my binder is loose I think I got it too big anyways but I am wishing I could do more to help the family my husband had to leave town and I am so blessed to have my parents here to help with the children and the dogs !! Love and peace to you all thank you for being there !! I am only taking Advil and a half Valium if burning in muscles but it really is not necessary to take anything else just trying to stay positive !! Thank you everyone we are in this together !!

Updated on 4 Oct 2012:
14 days tried to shave that was funny! back in recliner so tired...my mom is an angel from heaven!

Updated on 4 Oct 2012:
So I am the only one here with the center crease so bad! He said it would go away and I am still so swollen due to excessive surgery and hernia....sad but will be ok or he will fix right?? ANYONE had this crease>??

Updated on 17 Oct 2012:
I cannot believe a month has gone by! I feel so much better but still so tired after walking just a short ways! I cannot believe how much people's bodies are different! I feel pretty good NO advil today and swollen but I know I made the right choice! I really can feel actual stomach muscles now but I have a crease that looks pretty bad in the center below my belly button and it is so deep! I am so sad about this and my PS knows it but hopes it will resolve in months time but if it does not he will release skin under and it will fix he says...I have a follow up next monday and we will discuss this...happy healing everyone and thank you sooooooo much for the support and positive vibes! I will be glad to share more soon!

Updated on 20 Oct 2012:
My crease has been a shocking amazing flattening out in the mornings and then at night swell hell!! I did go out for the first time last night with family and friends !! I was done~ Now I am resting to go to parade early and be back in recliner around 4 ....
I finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.....

Updated on 23 Oct 2012:
So not sure to walk more or sleep ! I am so tired I am so swollen and I have a crease so huge under my belly button! I know I have to be thankful for the muscles that are repaired but darn....anyways I am spasming when i walk too much then if I chill all day with some walking the spasms subside...not been sleeping at all! trying to take a valium to sleep...hope this helps for spasms and sleep! love and peace everyone!

Updated on 31 Oct 2012:
OK HALLOWEEN morning kids already gaga all over seriously dancing to gaga! I am very surprised and glad to look in the mirror this morning.....I am feeling like this will be OK I am 5 1/2 weeks and only can see the good stuff in the morning..than at night woo weeeee bad swelling and icky! BUT I see the light I think...I also had a fever yesterday been feeling very very tired and low energy...trying to get out and walk but I think my body said otherwise!!! So listening to my body and will maybe get out for a walk with my 3 year old! In the rain!! Thank you everyone!!

Updated on 31 Oct 2012:
This morning I feel better! I took this picture and i think it will be ok! The PS was right....It is going down and the crease is subsiding....I want everyone's thoughts on this OK!

Updated on 12 Nov 2012:
It has been a wild ride....swollen and not and puffy and sore and 2 kids....wow! This is a journey! I am feeling better cause I put on my favorite jeans and they looked good but no way I can wear them yet as it hurt too much to keep buttoned soreness and I am puffy...But NO flap! So I have to be thankful for that and my family and my warm house...my healthy kids and the 6 inches of snow outside...oh boy....I am back in yoga pants and hoping for the gym this week! And I was told to eat more food as I was eating 1400 calories to loose some more pounds...Dr says 2000 minimum for healing! I am trying to make them all good calories! Turkey and spinach and almonds......wow...I put on some makeup and my boots and we will tromp in the snow to get some hot coco for the kids....

Updated on 29 Apr 2013:
SO my dog ears are like handles and my belly button is closing up...I am going for revision this next week,,,I am nervous but I know it will be ok and I will have a good summer with smooth flat stomach! I am very looking forward to him fixing this and making me so happy! Praying for excellent results and relaxing recovery,,,,love to you all out there!

Updated on 10 May 2013:
I am thankful for my family. I was able to do the revision 2 huge dog ears and belly button...I can already see amazing smooth awesomeness not even 24 hours after my magic surgeon worked! I was nervous and scared and now home in my chair family helping with kids and food and we are working on no sugar and white flour !! This summer will be flap free and healthy living!!! I am on pain meds and hoping to be on tylenol tomorrow...