Two 11 Pound Babies Later...

I am exactly 3 weeks post op today. I can't believe how fast I am recovering. To give you an idea - I went to a wedding 4 days ago and even danced a little. I would say that it breaks down like this (at least for me):

- 1st week: terrible, terrible pain and discomfort. You are completely out of commission.

- 2nd week: recovery mode (tired, sleeping upright, walking hunched over, not doing any of your normal stuff, not being able to be a good mom, TIRED - even just standing up for a few hours)

- 3rd week: 75% - doing almost everything you used to do. Kids don't notice you're different. walking like a normal person again. Super happy about your new figure - leading to giddy dress up montage.

- 4th week: I'll let you know. Hopefully this week will bring swimming :/ (my belly button hasn't completely healed).

I feel very certain that this was a GREAT decision. I feel like myself again - not better than I used to be (aka: bikini body, a lot lighter, etc... but ME... just ME) - but just normal - the way my stomach should be if it hadn't of stretched out of proportion and separated my muscles to ridiculous distances. I'm fitting into MY clothes - but the clothes are fitting the way they were intended to fit - and I don't have to SUCK IN!

People aren't even noticing that I look different, which is great. I was hoping I wouldn't have to explain myself to people, make excuses, or deal with peoples hang ups - and I haven't.

I'm back to hanging out with my kids, which was one of my main concerns. I feel totally fine being with them by myself.


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Some pro's and con's this week:

Pro's:
- bulging diastasis mummy tummy - GONE.
- Clothes (especially tops) are fitting so nicely over my new smooth, flat tummy.
- I do not have to suck in - EVER.
- I haven't worried even for a second if someone is looking at me wondering if I'm pregnant
- The recovery is faster than I was expecting
- My stomach muscles are engaging (even though they're still sore) in a way that I haven't felt since before children - I actually have functioning ABS!!

Cons:
- Numbness from my groin to my belly button in the center of my body.
- My belly button has not healed over, making for a delicate washing/dressing routine.
- Still hurts to sneeze.
- Intimacy of the sexual variety is not 100%
- The scar is big, and serves as a constant reminder that I only have this new, flatter tummy because I paid for it (don't even get me started on how this procedure should so obviously be covered by insurance for people with herniated diastasis)


Don't hesitate to ask any questions - I'll check and get back to you.

Whew. I made it through that first week. It was rough, but now I'm doing so much better. I went in for my post-op visit and everything is healing up nicely. My belly button is basically an open cavity - gross. The doctor said that was normal and that it would heal over within a week. I have a lot of sticky glue on my skin left over from the tape they used on my bandages. I also have a lot of nasty bruising. I don't feel that it's worth posting more pictures at this point, because it looks so bad and things are bound to settle in and fade, etc. I suppose it would be nice for people to see the progression, but at this point I prefer to keep my spanx on and try not to think of the gnarly scene beneath.

My entire abdomen feels really tight when I try to walk (or pretty much all the time). Soooo, I'm still walking bent over like an old lady. People can definitely tell that something is up with me when they see me. I'm explaining that I had my diastasis and hernia repaired.

I'm completely off of pain meds, even tylenol. I'm up and about with my family, which lifts my spirits a lot. I move a lot slower than usual, and bending down is hard, but I can hang out with my kids now. My youngest is 3 years old and pretty independent, so I can do most parenting. However, my husband is always close by to help out if needed. I would not recommend being alone with kids one week out, but you can definitely be a mom again, which I was missing so much.

Four days post op. Whew. I am hunched over quite a bit. I'm walking to the bathroom and kitchen several times per day, but I get really tired from even that amount of exercise. I moved downstairs today to be around my kids, which felt good. The pain is manageable, but I'm still taking tylenol. I was very awake today - only took 2 short naps, which is a major change from the days prior. My post-op visit is scheduled for Wednesday, June 25th. I'll post more after pictures then. I'm feeling good about my decision, but crossing my fingers for a relatively tame scar :/