Abdominoplasty and lipo

I am a mother of 4 (ages 4-8). I was very fit before having kids. Caring twins full term did a number on my body. I had severe diastasis recti and umbilical hernia. No matter how much I exercised my belly would never go away. I researched doctors for years. Kept going back and forth on whether or not to have the surgery. I found Dr Reish in RS last summer of 2018. I live in NJ so want sure I wanted to do the drive. I put it off a year and a half and decided to meet with him in October 2019. He happened to have an opening on Dec 12. Since I am a teacher and in graduate school the date worked well since Winter break is coming up. I had abdominoplasty and lipo done. I had to be there at 6 am and surgery was scheduled for 7. The whole staff was amazing. Nurse Colleen was awesome as was the anesthesiologist. Dr Reish is very gentle, caring, and great bed side manners. He has already text me last night and today to check on me. I chose to have the Exporel which I recommend because the pain is manageable. I am all wrapped up so I haven't seen my belly yet but based on the work Dr Reish has done I cannot wait! If you have been debating, I recommend going for it! I'm on day 2 which is supposed to be one of the most painful but it's very manageable. Dr Reish and staff are great!

After 4 kids (full term twins and 2 singletons) I had severe diastasis recti and a large umbilical hernia.

Today is one week po. It has been a way easier and better experience than expected. I had some discomfort but never pain. I have been very comfortable relaxing and sleeping on my electric recliner. Yesterday I only took Tylenol once, more for a headache than anything. I am able to do little things around the house like help my kids with lunch or drinks. After standing too long my back starts to hurt. I had a good appetite from the beginning but have been trying to eat smaller meals. Dr prescribed stool softeners but I ended up taking milk of magnesia 4 dpo. That with a cup of coffee worked well. I have been taking Arnica, Bromelain and Tumeric (all were approved by the nurse) to help with swelling and bruising. I have been all wrapped up so I haven’t seen anything yet but I don’t feel swollen. Today I go for my first po visit. Hoping to get my drains taken out. Although they don’t hurt, they are in the way.