46 YO, Mother of Six, Tummy Tuck, Hernia and Diastasis Repair - Round Rock, TX

During my yearly physical, my doctor noted that my diastasis recti was severe and told me that it was probably affecting me in more ways than I knew. She recommended that I get a consultation for repair. The PS measured the diastasis as 4" and told me that I have a hernia as well. For financial reasons, I will have a general surgeon fix the hernia (covered by insurance), and the PS do the diastasis repair and tummy tuck (not covered by insurance) at the same time. I don't have much loose skin and I don't have stretch marks. That is amazing, considering I am only 5' tall and I have had more than one baby weighing in at 9.5 lb. I had my last baby at 44 years of age.

I have been busy getting ready for my surgery. I have six children ranging in age from 1 -19 living here. That means I have lots of help, but it also means that I have lots to do. I am putting my babies (ages 1 & 3) in daycare for a month. So, I have to go to the doctor and get a health statement, etc. for them. I have made lists for my family that include my morning and evening routine, as well as my weekly chore list. I am fine with them not doing things as I have written them, but I want to give them an idea of what gets done and when, as a guide/reminder.

Yesterday, I finished shopping for my basket of essentials which includes gauze, tape, cough drops, Gas-X, stool softener, acetaminophen, an extra set of binders, and my prescriptions. I also got some Slim Fast and frozen fruit for immediately after the surgery.

I was really proud of myself because yesterday I made 20 meals for the freezer. I have two excellent cookbooks for this: Fix, Freeze, Feast and Don't Worry, Dinner's In The Freezer. I have people assigned to help me, and do the cooking, for the first two weeks. The meals are for after that when I am trying to get back to my normal routine, but may be too tired to make a healthy dinner.

I am attaching two more before photos, sitting down - yuk!