Mom of 5 Gets a New Tummy! - Baltimore, MD

I am blessed to be the mother of 5 wonderful children. Included in that are a set of 19 year old twins weighing in at 6 lbs 15 oz and 7 lbs 13 oz. I delivered them at 37 1/2 weeks making them full term. In the process I gained 68 lbs and weight about 170 at the time of delivery. It was an uncomplicated vaginal delivery with the exception that one of the twins was breach.

Needless to say my stomach was HUGE. Equally I have stretch marks starting at my sides transversing my front. The skin was irreversibly stretched and I have a permanent pooch.

I have done all I can regarding reclaiming my figure. I do weight training, I run on a regular basis and completed my first 1/2 marathon. I also play tennis. I am back at my pregnancy weight of 115 lbs and stand at 5'4" tall. I train abs on average 4 times a week, however my stomach looks the same.

I did extensive research on both the abdominoplasty surgery and on the potential surgeon. My selection to perform the procedure was Dr. Michael Cohen of Belecara. I selected him for several reason:
1. Board certification in Plastic Surgery
2. Recommended by several people
3. Surgical units (2) at their center
4. Uses a board certified anesthesiologist
5. Several years of experience
6. Voted on several occasions as one of the top plastic surgeons in the area in the Baltimore magazine

Upon our first meeting, both he and his assistant spent quite a bit of time explaining the procedure and fielded ALL of my questions. Equally he was quite candid about what to expect in terms of results. One of my main concerns was the belly button which can develop a dark ring around it (a tell-tale sign of surgery) especially in African-American women. We discussed how that would be resolved. Also, he did not try to up-sell me on additional procedures. His before and after gallery is impressive and from there I was sold! His staff was very helpful as well.

As you can see in the images, I have a slight build. These pictures include me in my pajamas, i.e. late night tummy and pictures of me after training. I have definition in my upper abs, but the lower ab is obscured by the excess skin and distention.

After waiting for nearly 19 years to have this done, I can now check it off my bucket list.

The day of surgery went smoothly. We were up at 5:00am in order to arrive at the Belecara center by 6:45am. We were bumped up to be the first surgery that morning. I specifically chose Tuesday as Dr. Cohen operates on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, I believe. I want him fresh from the weekend. Probably doesn't make a difference as he is a seasoned professional, but it gave me some piece of mind.

In preparation for the surgery, the week prior I began showering with antibacterial soap, specifically Dial. I'm a fairly healthy eater, but there a few things I had to take off my usual diet such as Currants, berries, garlic, cucumbers, etc. All things the affect blood clotting. I don't smoke, but I did avoid second hand smoke. No alcohol allowed either. I showered with Dial soap the night before and the morning of surgery.

The day before I was way too busy! I cleaned a good portion of the house and prepared two meals so that my husband didn't have to cook. I was the consummate taxi driver for my son and his activities: school, fencing lessons, etc. And then I drove him to my mother-in-law to spend the night. I also prepped my recovery area at home. I dragged on old recliner into our master bedroom, along with my lab top, movies and books. Prescriptions were filled prior to surgery as well. Ativan for anxiety, Vicodin for pain, Phenergan for nausea and Cleocin, an antibiotic. I wish I had started preparing a day earlier so that I could have the day prior to surgery to completely rest. Oh, well that didn't happen, but I managed.

Once we arrived at the surgery center, our nurse came in and reviewed the procedure again, invited us to ask any questions and then she started my IV. The anesthesiologist came in shortly after and did he thing as well. He asked a slew of questions and assured us he would be with me the entire sugary. Finally Dr. Cohen came in and did markings on my belly as reference points for surgery. Again, this was an opportunity that he provided so that we could ask any additional questions, such a placement of the scar.

I then walked into the operating room and stretched out on a super comfortable operating table. I was then sedated. The next thing I knew I was sitting at home in my recliner. Thank God my husband was my transportation and he' was very diligent in getting instructions for my post-op care. During surgery I was given Exparel which numbs the surgery area and can last for up to 72 hours. IT WAS A GODSEND! My first 24 hrs have been virtually pain free.

I have done most of my resting in the recliner propped with pillows under my feet and behind my back. The effort in not to put stress on the incision. After a while my back began to hurt so I moved to the bed. I have managed to get up and go to the bathroom several times as was suggested to prevent blood clots. Unfortunately, my bowels have not moved yet as Vicodin can make you constipated. Taking a laxative to remedy that. I have two JP drains placed under my skin. In the last 30 hours, my drainage has been minimal.

As for the Dr.'s office, a nurse has already called me to check in on my progress. I will be meeting with a nurse in two days as a part of my post-operative follow up. Aside from being slightly sleepy, I'm feeling pretty darn good. My greatest fear, aside from good results, was post-op pain management. So far, so good!

As you can see from the images, I am bent over as instructed. The intent is not to challenge the muscles as of yet.

The Exparel is still working its magic and I have minor discomfort. The Vicodin works well too but unfortunately it makes you constipated. Because the pain in minimal, I have stopped taking the Vicodin and taken a laxative/stool softener. Thankfully it worked and have moved by bowels twice since taking the laxative. LOL. The less glamorous side of things.

Unfortunately, I'm a migraine sufferer and I have had a minor but persistent headache for the last two days. If the headache would ease up, I would have say I feel fairly well.

One of the things I read about tummy tuck surgery or any invasive cosmetic procedure is that some women tend to experience some depression or mood swings. So far I have not experienced that. I think it's due to the fact that I did my research on the procedure and thought long-and-hard on whether this was the right thing to do for me and for my family. I say for my family because they are a part of the recuperative process and their support is vital.