Mommy of 3 Full Tummy Tuck with Hernia and Muscle Repair (no lipo) - Burglengenfeld, DE

I had an umbilical hernia and needed it surgically repaired. At the consult, I discussed with the surgeon my abdominal muscle separation and pain at my c-section scar. I am in the Army and when I did sit-ups, my stomach would form a tent instead of a board... not good! I also had excessive skin from 3 pregnancies which brought me from 160 to 220lbs... He was concerned that my umbilicus may have been damaged due to lack of oxygen from the hernia and said I would probably need an abdominalplasty. I was thrilled by this and my surgery was scheduled for 1 month later. Today, I am 9 days post-op and thrilled with my results! I will post a few before and after pics and try to update as my unexpected journey continues. By the way I have no idea what this will cost me yet. Because it was a medical procedure, I have to wait for a bill and insurance response. I just put an estimate because it would not allow me to say I was not sure.

So, I looked Amazing the day after surgery. I got my drains out 2 days after. Then I began to swell. I have the text book waterbed seroma on top and below my bb. My doc does not want to drain for fear of introducing infection. It is however getting bigger. I have an appt on Wednesday with my actual surgeon. We will address it again. It probably does not help that I have to care for my kiddos 5, 4 and 10 mo. I also woke up very startled this morning. I shot right up using ALL of my abs. It burned for a good portion of the morning. Ouch! I can say that other than the swelling, I am healing very well. My scar looks nice but is a little sensitive. I am very mobile and will go back to work on Monday, 1 day shy of 2. Weeks. I am a little nervous but my boss said I can work half days until I feel up to it.

I am a little uneasy about my belly button. I don't necessarily think it looks terrible, but I have not seen ANY others shaped like this. I am also adding a pic of the swelling today. I don't know why I care so much. I keep having to reassure myself it will go down and I am not going to look fat. Silly me, look at the day 1 pic...