Mom of Two Energetic Boys -Chicago, IL

I'm a 37yr old mom of two energetic boys ages 2 and 4. They are my everything. So for me, this was not so much about cosmetic (although a bonus) as it was about my feeling normal again. After 15 hours of labor with rare "coupling" contractions (unlike normal contractions where the body gets a needed "rest" period before the next one, mine were 'back to back' NO rest periods in between. I had opted for a natural birth and once the docs realized what was happening, they had to give me the epidural at the last minute because I was literally jerking the whole hospital bed. 15 hours later, I had a beautiful 9lb baby boy and a hernia and giant diastasis recti as well. I got the 3 for 1 package. However, the doc never told me...I found out a year later during an exam with a new doc. He told me that my hernia could one day require emergency surgery or I could plan it.

I was soooo afraid of surgery that I was determined to come up with a miracle cure. I tried a personal trainer at the gym and made it worse. Then I bought the Tupler book and even paid a tupler trainer to help me for several months (expensive at $120 a session). It worked for a while but I cant do those "elevator" excercises every waking moment for the rest of my life and wear the binder. As soon as I skipped a day, my belly was back out and back killing me.

Finally, after two years of looking for a PS, I decided to look into hospitals instead of PS specialty places. Also, I found that the specialty places ALL told me that insurance will NOT cover any aspect of the surgery. WRONG!!! When I went to Northwestern, they have two surgeons that work on you and the HERNIA WAS covered. Considering my previous quotes at other places were around $12,000, the insurance saved me $6,000. Plus, I thought I'd just give it try and ask the PS to write me a scrip for the walker, toilet riser and shower seat and insurance covered that as well!

A MONTH BEFORE:
Now comes the hard part. I had scheduled the surgery for Feb 27 and I had to prepare myself mentally for it. I won't lie, all I could think about was dying and leaving my two boys. I told myself that I should wait until they were older and my PS said, no do it while you are younger and HEALTHY. Now is the time!

THREE WEEKS BEFORE:
Time is flying by but instead of feeling excited, I realize that I am counting down the end of my life. I'm trying to order new car seats for my boys, give daddy all their doctor and dentist schedules (because I am the one who keeps up with that stuff) and smothering the boys with kisses (almost to the point of worrying them). I have to STOP this so I decided to change my thoughts.

TWO WEEKS TIL TT
I just got my book and CD in the mail. Its call Prepare for Surgery and HEAL FASTER. I LOVE IT. It is so positive and taught me that it takes "more" effort to thing negatively as it does to think positively. I read the book and listen to the relaxation CD in the morn and at night. It has really calmed me down.

ONE WEEK till TT
So I am still scared but way more positive. I dont watch any more shows on Plastic surgery gone wrong or google the bad stuff. I am debating on whether to write my family a letter just in case...but that would be claiming a negative outcome so I DONT.

Day of TT
I wake up and do some Yoga and listen to the CD. Off to the hospital I go. My 4 yr old is mad at me this morning and refuses to kiss me back as I leave. So of course, I ask my hubby to turn the car around and take me back home. He refuses. LOL. As soon as I get to the hospital and sign in, I just start crying. I get in my gown and ask to call my kids. They are now in a great mood and tell me to make sure I am home before they go to sleep. I found so much comfort in that! I decide to play my CD to relax one last time before surgery. The anesthiologist comes in and injects some relaxers into my IV and that is the last thing I remember. Next thing I am dosing off while looking at my hubby in the recovery room. The anesthesia is so strong that I was falling asleep while eating the crackers the nurse gave me. She did not want me to puck...and I didnt. Thank GOD!

Speaking of GOD, boy did I do a lot of praying!

HOME the night of surgery:
Best thing ever was seeing my sleepy kids smile at me before drifting off to sleep.

DAY ONE of RECOVERY
So far so good. No vomiting and I can resume my multi-vitamins. I had been told to stop ALL two weeks prior. Tired and tight. I was suprised to not get a binder right away, but every doc is different and I have complete trust in mine. He said that this way will keep me from needed a blood thinner bacause the binder actually can restrict blood flow so instead I will get it in one week. I also have no covering on my scar. He stitched me internally and used glue on the outside. So looks a little gory but its a nice, even and low cut.

PO DAY 2
Good but more sore than Day 1. Only painful part was pooping or lack thereof. Finally, after gas pains, I was able to go in the middle of the night. I feel soooo much better.

PO DAY 3
Feel awesome today. I am down to one tylenol instead of two. I have yet to need to valium! Looking out the window and typing this. I think I will order myself a cute summer dress. I am so happy that this is over and the start of a better me for my boys! I cant wait to join a dance class and rebuild my back and stomach muscles. Hmmmm, I think I will take Salsa Lessons.