POSTED UNDER Diastasis Recti Repair REVIEWS
Strongest I’ve Ever Been!
ORIGINAL POST
Strongest I’ve Ever Been!
Kdonohue23June 29, 2023
WORTH IT
I’ve struggled with significant diastasis recti since I had my second child. She was a whopping 9lbs 12oz and 22in long and TWO WEEKS EARLY! (For reference, I’m 5’9” and was maybe 160lbs at full term with her- so not much space!) Instead of an emergency c-section, they had me deliver naturally and she had shoulder dystocia and bilateral clavicle fractures from the procedures to remove her (that’s a story for another day).
Since then, I knew something was off. I did the self-check and determined diastasis recti. Instead of running to surgery, I ended up doing PT and modifying my workouts. I tend to work out at least 5 days a week, do intermittent fasting, and eat a healthy macro diet but I just couldn’t get my stomach where I wanted it. I always looked bloated. Not only that, but trying to do most core work was painful for me and my lower back was always hurting.
I had seen a general surgeon before and told him about my pain I was concerned about a hernia because of it and the way I bulged out. He briefly felt around and told me I have no hernia and plastic surgery was my only option.
Enter Dr. Fuller. I’ve known him for about 4 years now and he’s seen me for other issues (if you need a hand guy, he’s it, too!) and knew he was the right fit. We talked about my concerns and he affirmed that surgery was a good option for me. The difference for me vs most others he sees, though, is I chose to do this more for function and strength. He laid out a full plan, gave me a ton of info to help with healing after, and made sure I was comfortable in my decision. The full procedure was rectal plication with drainless, mini tummy tuck.
After surgery, he called to check in and confirmed he found a small hernia while doing the repair (shocking, right?). The first two weeks are rough - I won’t sugar coat it. The first time I sneezed afterward was like watching my soul leave my body. But if you follow his post-care instructions and make sure you have someone there to help you for those weeks, you’ll make it through. By 4 weeks, I traveled back to AZ for a week-long work conference. By 8 weeks, I was able to lift weight restrictions and get back in the gym. At 10 weeks (photo with the parrot) I was in a bikini in Punta Mita, swimming with dolphins and hitting the gym every day.
I’m now almost 7 months out and have never felt better. My core strength is the best it’s ever been, my back feels amazing, and I’ve gained a lot of confidence back, which wasn’t something I thought I was searching for.
For anyone considering this procedure, I wouldn’t recommend anyone other than Dr. Fuller. He’s the absolute best and I was almost sad not to have regular post-ops anymore. He’s not rid of me, though! I still see him every 4 months or so for natural results with Jueveau (which I also recommend)!
Since then, I knew something was off. I did the self-check and determined diastasis recti. Instead of running to surgery, I ended up doing PT and modifying my workouts. I tend to work out at least 5 days a week, do intermittent fasting, and eat a healthy macro diet but I just couldn’t get my stomach where I wanted it. I always looked bloated. Not only that, but trying to do most core work was painful for me and my lower back was always hurting.
I had seen a general surgeon before and told him about my pain I was concerned about a hernia because of it and the way I bulged out. He briefly felt around and told me I have no hernia and plastic surgery was my only option.
Enter Dr. Fuller. I’ve known him for about 4 years now and he’s seen me for other issues (if you need a hand guy, he’s it, too!) and knew he was the right fit. We talked about my concerns and he affirmed that surgery was a good option for me. The difference for me vs most others he sees, though, is I chose to do this more for function and strength. He laid out a full plan, gave me a ton of info to help with healing after, and made sure I was comfortable in my decision. The full procedure was rectal plication with drainless, mini tummy tuck.
After surgery, he called to check in and confirmed he found a small hernia while doing the repair (shocking, right?). The first two weeks are rough - I won’t sugar coat it. The first time I sneezed afterward was like watching my soul leave my body. But if you follow his post-care instructions and make sure you have someone there to help you for those weeks, you’ll make it through. By 4 weeks, I traveled back to AZ for a week-long work conference. By 8 weeks, I was able to lift weight restrictions and get back in the gym. At 10 weeks (photo with the parrot) I was in a bikini in Punta Mita, swimming with dolphins and hitting the gym every day.
I’m now almost 7 months out and have never felt better. My core strength is the best it’s ever been, my back feels amazing, and I’ve gained a lot of confidence back, which wasn’t something I thought I was searching for.
For anyone considering this procedure, I wouldn’t recommend anyone other than Dr. Fuller. He’s the absolute best and I was almost sad not to have regular post-ops anymore. He’s not rid of me, though! I still see him every 4 months or so for natural results with Jueveau (which I also recommend)!
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