41 Yrs Old, Fit Mom of 2 Getting Tummy Tuck, Umbilical Hernia Repair, and Breast Lift - Atlanta, GA

I had 3 consultations with 3 board certified plastic surgeons in Atlanta. Desperate for an answer as to why my belly was bulging out after the birth of my 2 kids after rigorous 4x/week exercise and cleanish eating habits, I decided to try and get answers from the plastic surgeon.

I noticed after my first childbirth 3 years ago (C-section) that a mysterious bump was all-of-a-sudden right above my belly button but my body generally returned back to its original shape. After my 2nd child (natural VBAC) 11 months ago, the bump over my belly button was bigger and even though I had worked out all the way up to 40 weeks and was back to working out 3 weeks later, my belly had retracted most of the way down and then was seemingly bulging out more after 6 months or so. But it doesn't feel like fat!

So after my consultations, I chose Dr. Carmen Kavali (who was my original pick) as I've gone to her for years for injectables and she has a strong solid reputation for mommy makeovers. Her recommendation was more aggressive (tummy tuck vs. mini tummy tuck which wouldn't address the hernia or above the belly button separation) than the other consultations I had but after she carefully explained the physics and showed me on my body, I think her solution would give me the very best result. So full tummy tuck, no lipo, ventral hernia removal, and breast lift. I'm actually fine with my breasts in clothes but underneath, they are fairly jacked up after nursing 2 babes. So Dr. K will pick the girls up while she's binding everything below my breasts down. :)

I can't wait to lose this obsession with how my body looks and feels. By no means do I think I am overweight, but it feels like a monkey on my back that my belly is poking out of everything I wear and I don't feel comfortable or as confident as I had before my babies. As soon as I put my deposit down for the surgery, I feel like a weight has already been lifted from my mental psyche so I can focus on what really matters: my family.

I had surgery this morning at 7:30am and everything was a success! When I came to, I could feel how tight the incision is but the pain meds kicked in nicely.

I'm at home resting now with the prescribed pain meds and I felt like Dr Kavali has SUCH a good bedside manner. I felt 100% comfortable and her support team was kind, efficient, and helpful in pre and post opp. I'm so excited!

It was such a cool feeling to look down and see my flat stomach even though they are bound in compression garments right now. I'll post after pics in a day or so.

I think Dr Kavali did a beautiful job. Especially with my breast lift. I can't wait for the healing to speed up. My pain is managed pretty well but the drains and the pain pump catheter are really annoying. I find that I'm much more comfortable walking around then I am lying down simply because it's tough to get up. I just took a shower and unwrapped my compression garments for the first time. I had to shower with one hand as the other hand was holding the drains and pain pump. Today is better than yesterday so I'm hoping for a good trend and get these gross drains out of here! Otherwise, I'm so excited to see the final result. It was so amazing to see a flat belly again.