Diastasis Recti Repair. 2 Weeks Out and Happy - New York, NY

Hi All- I'm about 2 weeks post-op and feel pretty happy with my results thus far. My situation is a little unusual because I've always been a fairly slim girl (5'2, 115 lbs.) but I've had a flabby tummy since I can remember. One day while getting botox at my plastic surgeon's I asked him about my stomach and he examined me and said I looked like I have had a few kids- but I never had any! Apparently I was born with diastasis recti- the separation of the two sides of the abdominal muscles that women sometimes get from having been pregnant. I've always been really self-conscious about my stomach so I decided to get a full TT so that it would fit with the rest of my body. I haven't heard about anyone else having this though. I'd love to hear if anyone knows someone who's had this.

Anyway, my experience with the surgery (JULY 9th, 2012) was positive.

The difficult parts for me were throwing up a lot on the first day, despite taking the anti-nausea meds, the horrible constipation which for me lasted just over a week, despite taking stool softener three times a day for 8 days, and the gas pains that came along with that.

Things that surprised me about the surgery and recovery- after 1 week my doctor said don't walk hunched over any more, it's not necessary. This was strange to me because it was so hard to stand up straight but he said he was confident about the security of the stitching he had done (four layers!!) and that he knew it would be fine for me to stand up without hurting anything. Anyway- that's still a little hard because my tummy feels so tight, but I'm getting there.

Another surprise- I experienced VERY little pain. I was definitely sore and still am a bit, but nothing I'd really call pain, aside from gas pains on about the 6th night.

Pleasantly, I LOVE the great job on the incision my doctor did. It is neat, even, and LOW. I was really impressed with this and feel like he is quite skilled - an artist, even. I was so worried about that and now I am confident that I'll be happy with it after it begins to fade. It's definitely completely below my underwear line.

What I Wish I Knew Beforehand:

- Taking Colace three times a day was NOT enough to prevent constipation (for me), which was the worst part of this whole experience so far. I wish I would have tried Milk of Magnesia or something else earlier on.

-Coughing, sneezing, and laughing is no joke. Try to avoid at any cost!! :)

My doctor was really wonderful. He called me every day after my surgery, he swiftly responded to my text messages (!) mulitple times leading up to the surgery, and he never charged for any pre-op or post-op appointments. And I feel like the scar he left me with is better than I ever could have dreamed of. I spent so much time worrying about that scar and I think it looks amazing!!