Only 2.5 Weeks out and Already SO Happy! -Minneapolis, MN

I went to see Dr. Gervais in the fall of 2012 for a Mommy Makeover consultation. He spent a great deal of time answering all of my questions and concerns. His staff was exceptional as well! The day of the surgery each staff member (Dr, nurses, Anesthesia) all took a great deal of time going through each part of the process with me and even comforted my mother (she's a worry wart).

My first two days were truly nothing like I was preparing for. I was prepared to be in a great deal of pain but in all honesty I only took pain medication for two days. The part that hurt the most was when they pulled the JP drains out on day 8 post op. That hurt terribly bad. I still have swelling so I don't know what my final look will be but I can tell you that after having 4 kids (1 set of twins) my tummy BEFORE was horrible. I got tears in my eyes when I saw my tummy for the first time post operatively. I am so incredibly pleased (already) with my results and cannot wait to see the final outcome!

3 weeks post op tomorrow. I know things are going well...but I have hit a slump. I have read many people hit a "slump" in week three. I wonder if it's because I am soooo tired of the abdominal binder. I feel like I am doing exactly what they asked, keeping it on 24/7 (except when I shower) but I cannot seem to get comfortable. I had a bad back prior to surgery (twins will do that to you) and the binder causes me to have to sleep directly on my back---ouch! I slept in my recliner chair the first 10 days....then switched to my bed for a few...but I'm back in the recliner again, I just seem to be able to sleep better there (the extra back support helps. I have a little "pouch" above my belly button and the nurse said it was just swelling...I HOPE so! I will ask Dr. G on Tuesday when I see him again. Crossing fingers and toes that it is swelling and not a torn stitch in my rectis abdominal muscle fascia. I had pretty bad diastasis of the rectis muscle from the twins and he had to stitch the fascia back together. I will update again soon.

Saw Dr. G today. I was SO encouraged! He greeted me with a nice smile and told me how happy he was with my recovery. I got to ditch the abdominal binder too! YAY! Now it's control top/granny panties for a few weeks. He said I could go bra shopping this week too! YAY! The "pouch" the appeared above my belly button is nearly gone and it is indeed just swelling. I will update again in a week or so.

4 weeks post op today! Can't believe how fast it went! I swear waiting FOR the surgery took longer! I had my 3rd massage therapy for my scar today. I am always a little more sore afterwards but nothing bad at all. I updated with a 4 week post op photo so people could see. There is a bit more swelling in my abdomen this week and this is due to the fact that I got to ditch the abdominal binder and am now wearing control top underwear. These aren't quite as compressing as the binder and thus a little more swelling occurs. Doctor G says I am doing great, I think so too! I hope and pray that my story will encourage any of you who are "on the fence" about this. I was SO nervous but now I am SO happy and feel good in my own skin again. I bought my first two piece swim suit the other day (the first one in 7 years!!!) I think, I know, I will be self conscious at first out of habit and want to cover my tummy. Then, I will look down and see the amazing results that Dr. G gave me and I will be happy! The 4 week post op photo is of my swim suit (CUTE!)