35y.o with Full Tummy Tuck and Muscle Repair with Lipo

I’ve had 2 cesareans with the second child weighing in at 9lbs 4oz. I started realizing within a year after that I had significant diastasis. Even though I had lost weight I still looked around 5 months pregnant. I also had some fat and the csection pooch but the protrusion and the pregnancy look bothered me most. I’m 5’3” and around 140lbs. A year ago I had a BA and loved the results but it made my tummy issues more obvious. I’ve dieted and exercised moderately but nothing helped the tummy area and I think many of these exercises were actually making the diastasis worse. I decided I was going to have a tummy tuck.

I went in for a consult with Dr Arbabzedeh in February. I chose her based on her incisions and attention to detail, the cost, and her belly buttons. Her office is beautiful and the staff is very friendly. Dr Arbabzedeh was extremely easy to talk to and has great bedside manner. I felt comfortable with her right away. She said my diastasis was pretty severe and gave me realistic expectations of my results. She said that because I’m fairly thin the diastasis is more apparent and that my muscles were in pretty bad shape. My belly button is also in poor shape so I was excited to be getting a new one.

My surgery was scheduled for March 31st but with all this Covid stuff, the surgery was postponed. I am so excited to have a new surgery date in a few days. I’ll post some before pictures soon.

Here are some before pics. I can’t wait to be rid of the bulge. Most people I know have no idea that my belly looks like this. I walk around most of the time sucking it all in. But I can’t wait to wear form fitting shirts and dresses without spanks and having to suck it in.
Surgery is in 2 days. The nerves are setting in but I can’t wait to get this surgery. I work as a nurse and am taking 5 weeks off to recover. My husband will be taking care of the kids and household so I can heal and recover.

I think I’m as prepared as possible. I have looked at a ton of reviews and tried to compile all the necessary supplies. I have an adjustable base bed so that should help me be somewhat comfortable. I plan on wearing a soft flowy button up sleep shirt to the surgery. Dr says I will have to go home with a Foley catheter for 24 hrs. I absolutely Cringe at the thought of it but I will try my best to be a good patient and hopefully I’ll be too sleepy to notice. I do plan of getting up every few hours for pneumonia and clot prevention so I’m sure I’ll have to deal with it even a little. Today is Cinco De Mayo and Taco Tuesday and I know should eat light but I do plan on having a taco to celebrate. Im posting a better picture of my abdomen and excited that as of tomorrow it will no longer hang and I will get some much needed core restoration.