POSTED UNDER Diastasis Recti Repair REVIEWS
42yr old diastasis recti fix, tummy tuck, history of hernia, 136lbs, 5ft 6, 3 kids, London
ORIGINAL POST
42yr old diastasis recti fix, tummy tuck, history of hernia, 136lbs, 5ft 6, 3 kids, London
Gdom123September 30, 2021
WORTH IT$12,000
Since my first child 10 yes ago I've had abdominal split and done everything to fix it. Tipper technique, MuTu, one to one reformer Pilates, Tummy Tribe - all of it works but temporarily. As soon as I return to weight training, even in a limited way, avoiding planks and sit ups, it returns. I am doing the surgery to fix this and I also have a lot of skin laxity. I have read Real Self for 5+ years and found it so helpful and so sharing here in the hope that my experience helps someone else on the fence. I've literally agonised over this! A huge decision to make.
Gdom123's provider
UPDATED FROM Gdom123
5 days post
Day before op
Gdom123October 3, 2021
Posting a few pix of what I looked like the day before surgery. The skin hangs down when I am bent over and puddles when I am sitting. It’s uncomfortable in jeans in particular. But my main motivation for the op was the feeling when eating, by whole tummy would expand like a balloon. I’d look pregnant at the end of the day. I’ll post a pic with this update to try to illustrate. You can see my diastasis is worst at my belly button, just above it, where I previously had two hernia ops when I was 17 and 18. Here are some shots of the skin hang/ puddle/ and of me in a bikini aged 29, also of me pregnant with number three. Each time I had a child I was HUGE!! People asked if I was havIng twins, but my babies were just 9+ pounders!
Replies (0)
UPDATED FROM Gdom123
5 days post
Day of op
Gdom123October 3, 2021
My day of op was Sept 28th 2021. Not going to lie I was terrified and second guessing whether I was really going to do this or not. But the actual experience was very good and I would do it again tomorrow. This was my fifth general but I was still scared. It was ok. A lot of people say that, and it didn’t stop me stressing, but if you have the op coming up, try not to worry! You will be ok. My doctor came in in the morning and drew on me, then I had a long 5 hour wait which was unlucky but I used it to stretch and also did some meditation music. Fasting wasn’t an issue as I wasn’t hungry!
Replies (8)
October 4, 2021
I hope you’re feeling ok! Looking forward to hearing your updates! What you wrote about returning to weight training really reminds me of my same issues with DR.
October 4, 2021
@stuckincali you are my first comment, thank you!! :) :) So thrilled someone is actually reading these! Yes I had a preconception initially that I would be judged for having 'cosmetic surgery' - that still may happen - when i'm a sporty, positive kind of person, but actually I've discovered many, many people doing this op do it for functionality as main goal not aesthetics. The latter is a great by product but I did literally volumes of research on function and the data is really hard to find. In the end I made my decision by calling up previous patients of my surgeon to talk to them in detail about what it feels like 1year + on from this surgery and what their body can now do that it couldn't. My diastasis was 8+ fingers at one point post babies and 2.5-3 fingers pre op, after a lot of hard work. I could get it to 2 fingers wearing a corset and doing core Tupler exercises for a month. But stop the belt and the exercises it would reopen. Having it closed surgically feels awesome, even before I'm fully healed.
October 4, 2021
Awesome, thank you so much for sharing! I can’t wait to read your updates! How did the patients respond to your questions? How did it feel a year down the line?
October 4, 2021
Hi @migigam ! I spoke to two ladies both who did this op 5+ years ago with my surgeon. They both have fantastic results, one was sporty and the other less so but young and active. Both said they have no limitations at all, and in particular I asked about yoga back bends - as though I rarely do this kind of move I love somersaulting off diving boards, climbing ropes, rock climbing, cartwheeling snd generally acting a lot younger than I am!! The patient I asked said she has no pulling no pain no tightness now and yes can fully back bend! She said she wouldn't have felt comfortable doing this in the first 9 months but in time, yes it's all possible. I get that, from my hip operations I know it takes 1.5 hrs at least for the body to totally settle and stop improving. On weight training itself I will have to let you know how I get on! I literally cannot wait to get back on the peleton and weight training again in 5-6 weeks time!!
October 5, 2021
So happy you’re safely through your operation! I am praying for speedy healing for you.
October 8, 2021
Thank you so much! The first three days were the worst but manageable. After that it's just tightness and sore back and trying not to sneeze etc!
Replies (2)