39 years old, 4 kids...I Got my Life Back After my Tummy Tuck - Baltimore, MD

I was always pretty skinny, with a killer metabolism and firm abdominal muscles. When I got pregnant with my first child, I gained over 50 pounds. My first child was born via emergency c section. I only lost about 35 pounds before becoming pregnant with my second child a year later. That time, my previous innie belly button turned outward and became painful. I went on to have two more children, four c sections total.
I eventually returned to my pre pregnancy weight but I still looked 6 months pregnant. I hated shopping for clothing because nothing looked right. I lived in yoga pants and hoodies. People would stop and ask me when I was due. I would always say, “Oh, I’m not pregnant. These are the leftovers.” I tried exercising. I ordered diastasis recti exercise programs and splints. I used abdominal binders I ordered on the internet. I would spend hours at night lying in bed working my transverse abdominal muscles in hopes that they would just move back together. I was careful in my workouts to not do any type of exercise that would make my diastasis worse. Regardless of my hard work, I still had a large football on my abdomen.
Over the summer, I went on vacation with my family. We walked and stood for 12 hours or so each day. My youngest wanted me to carry him most of the time. My abdomen ached and my umbilical hernia, which used to only hurt during pregnancy, began to sting. My back, which already ached all the time, hurt even more. Around the same time, a woman I work with congratulated me, rubbed my belly, and asked what I was having. I insisted that I was not pregnant but she did not believe me. We literally argued over the fact that I was not pregnant. Those two events prompted me to turn my dreams of an abdominoplasty into reality.
I began researching plastic surgeons and narrowed my list down to three. My first consultation was scheduled with Dr. Alyson Wells. I met with her nurse, Mary, who photographed my abdomen and discussed the procedure in some detail. As soon as Dr. Wells came into the examination room, I knew this would be my only consultation. She was so warm and when personable. She then examined me and declared that my diastasis was “profound,” and said that she felt very confident that she could repair it.
Dr. Wells spent a great amount of time explaining the procedure from the moment I would arrive at the hospital. Since I was having a hernia repaired, I had to have the surgery at the hospital. She explained that I would have a warming blanket placed on me to raise my core temperature as studies have shown that it reduces infection and promotes healing. She explained in meticulous detail every step she takes to avoid infections and seromas. She drew diagrams of the surgery and explained the hows and whys of each step. We discussed the recovery and how important it was to prevent blood clots and to get up and move as much as possible. After I left her office, I felt so confident in her abilities that I cancelled my other consultations.
My surgery was Wednesday, September 23. As my pre-op nurse was preparing the warming blanket, she remarked that Dr. Wells is the only doctor she knows who uses this and that it was obvious that she kept up with the latest research. She called Dr. Wells "one sharp lady." It was obvious that she had a lot of respect for her. After surgery, I recovered from the anesthesia quickly. Dr. Wells met with me in recovery and said that my diastasis was over 8 cm and it was the largest she had ever seen. She said that I would be absolutely thrilled with my results.
I was horribly nauseous that first night but never vomited. I had some pain but not nearly what I was expecting. I expected it to be on par with my c sections but it was not even close. After my second c section, my spinal wore off before I had any type of pain management and that was the worst pain I had ever felt. The first night post abdominoplasty was nothing compared to that. I was pleasantly surprised. I stayed on top of my narcotics and ibuprofen that night and the next day. The next morning, I got up from the couch and spent a large portion of the day walking around the house. I felt better walking around than I did lying down. By Friday, I felt well enough to stop taking the narcotic during the day, though I still used it at night for a few more days. By Sunday, I realized that I didn’t need to take off two weeks of work and decided to go back to work the next weekend (I work part time on the weekends).
One week after my surgery, I volunteered in my daughter’s classroom and went out for dinner that night. The next day I had my first of two drains removed. I wore a tunic style blouse and leggings with boots and walked into Dr. Wells’ office as though I hadn’t had surgery the week before. Her staff was amazed that I was walking upright and that I was dressed in normal clothes. My recovery continued to go smoothly. I went back to work that weekend without any difficulty. Around the two week mark I felt overwhelmingly exhausted, so I listened to my body and slowed down a little bit and slept a lot.
After I got my second drain out two weeks post op, I went shopping for the first time. I wanted to cry big ugly happy tears. It was overwhelming because I was so used to not buying clothes for myself that I had no concept of what would even look good on me. I explained to the lady at that shop that I had surgery and that I needed help finding clothes. She brought me back a bunch of outfits and I could not believe how good everything looked on me.
My husband and I had a preplanned trip to Florida four weeks after my surgery. I had been concerned that it was too close to my surgery and that I would not be recovered enough to truly enjoy it. I was amazed. I walked around for two nonstop days and not once did my back ache. I had no pain at all. I felt good and confident for the first time in over 11 years. I walked with my arms at my sides, not clasped in front of me to hide my belly. We spent a day at the pool and for the first time in years, I was not embarrassed to wear a bathing suit. Had it not been for my belly button still healing, I would have bought a bikini to wear! I danced all night at a wedding in a gorgeous dress and didn’t give my appearance a single thought, though in retrospect, I should have as I have horrible dance moves!
It is hard to describe what Dr. Wells has given me. I can’t believe that this is my body. I am constantly amazed at my reflection in the mirror. My confidence has soared. I really care about my appearance now and I finally want to look as good as I feel.