I have had 9 babies and had extensive muscle damage. I worked out 5-6 days a week and could never get the stomach area to heal. Spent lots of money on physio, eating programs, workout programs etc-all failed the tummy area.
When I finally did some research into the benefits of a tummy tuck and understood how diastasis recti can impact my appearance, I booked a consult.
Dr Levine expressed that no amount of work or physiotherapy would correct my diastasis and that there was quite a bit of skin that could be removed-'about a foot' he said at my consult.
I was happy that he answered the list of questions I came in with, even if some were a little weird.
He seemed very invested in his result and his record of surgery was over 30 years.
The office was nice but small. The staff were very friendly and welcoming.
On surgery day I was #2. My assigned pre/post op nurse was amazing and realistic. She answered all of my last minute questions and did an amazing job looking after me in the recovery space. They called me the day after surgery to see how I was.
I was extremely sick from the anesthesia and vomited for hours afterwards. When I spoke with the nurse the next morning, she assured me that it was a normal thing and that I 'didn't wreck my tummy tuck'.
My recovery has been very good. I followed his orders not to remove the binder until I saw him at 5 days post op. He removed my drains on day 5 and day 7.
I saw him in office at day 5, 7, and week 3. I have had some swelling, but nothing I would consider major. My incision is healing nicely as is my belly button at almost 5 weeks post op.
Updated on 24 Nov 2020:
Before and weeks 3, 5 & 6 post op. Recovery has been fantastic. I've had moments of soreness, but I adjust what I am doing to help.
I've had consistent lymphatic massages and more recently started 'cupping' to break up the scar tissue.