41 Yr Old Mom of 4, Massive Diastasis Recti and Umbilical Hernia. Drainless TT and 300 cc BA

I am a busy mother who also happens to be a full time physician. I never thought I would be one to get plastic surgery. It's not my style. But, I was so tired of my patients asking me if I was pregnant. Every. Single. Day. I lost 20 pounds and still my stomach just stuck way out there. To make matters worse, the umbilical hernia I developed with my first child got worse with every pregnancy. I had a repair after the second, another repair after the third and that all tore through with the fourth.
I had to push my finger into my umbilicus when I had a bowel movement to avoid the pain from my intestines pushing out.
My first goal was to get my abdomen reconstructed. I never dreamed this would result in a tummy tuck! I didn't have much extra skin and no stretch marks and I was at my goal weight. Well, after a few consultations I realized that a plastic surgeon was the only type of surgeon that knows how to repair a large diastasis recti and umbilical hernia. I landed at Dr. Angela Keen's office and knew she was the surgeon for me.
Dr. Keen focused on how to restore my body to how it was before. I knew I would have scars. Heck I already had lots of then. I wanted my abdomen to be stronger and my core strength to support my back. I wanted the hernia repaired. The breast augmentation was an after thought. Dr. Keen is the consumate professional, really a master at her craft and I felt very safe in her capable hands. Not the cheapest, but the best.
Some of the things that swayed me to choose her were the use of the drainless technique. It takes more skill and longer in the OR, but was worth every penny. I also liked her use of Exparel because I wanted to do anything to reduce post op narcotic use. I also wanted the surgery done in a hospital with a real anesthesiologist, not a surgical center with a CNA and she did that too. Because of my busy schedule I booked the surgery over 6 months in advance. She talked me through all of the steps and her staff was available for any questions right up until the day of the operation. Another factor she told me is that she sews her patients lying flat. Many other surgeons sew their patients in a "beach chair" position. This horrified me! I didn't want to be stooped over for weeks!
I was warned that because the blood supply was cut off from my belly button by one of the general surgeons it was quite possible that I would lose the belly button and it would have to be re-created later after it died and healed by secondary intention. This made me nervous, but I accepted the risk and we discussed how that would be dealt with if it came up. It didn't! After 4 C sections and 2 hernia repairs there was a LOT of scar tissue to deal with. I was in the OR for 5 hours.
I prepared for the surgery by taking Miralax twice daily for a week prior. I knew the last thing I needed was bloating and constipation. Of course I continued the Miralax and also stool softeners post op and my plan worked beautifully and I was never constipated and minimally bloated.
The first night I was remarkably comfortable. But I definitely had pain and the first 24 hours was the hardest. I needed my husband to help count pills, hours, doses and help with moving around. After that I progressively improved. I had to take 2.5 weeks off work, but there were no complications.
My umbilicus healed without any problems. As you can see from the pictures I had to have a T shaped scar because there wasn't enough skin to pull all the way down. And because of the previous surgeries and scarring. I was able to sleep lying flat from the very first night and I was standing straight up and walking around the house cooking by the first week. I was back in the gym in a month and doing full exercising, including upperbody by month 2-3.
My breast augmentation was to repair what nursing 4 kids for 2 years each can do to an already small breasted woman. I am happy no one has noticed my boob job. They look so natural and proportionate that I can just wear normal bras and clothes and people say, "wow you look great!" and "wow did you lose weight". But they don't just stare at my boobs and think "what in the hell happened there!?"
My husband and close friends were extremely supportive. I didn't tell my family much about it.
I am interested in getting the word out to people that plastic surgery like this can restore your body and make you feel more healthy and strong. If someone like me could do this - so could you!