Horrible TT experience

I underwent a TT procedure a year ago with Dr. Rady Rahban on 9/11/23 to address diastasis recti, an umbilical hernia, and the removal of excess skin.

Initially, I was impressed with Dr. Rahban's approach and the professionalism of his staff, which led me to move forward with the procedure. The day of the surgery went smoothly, with the medical team—from the anesthesiologist to the nurses—showing compassion and expertise, alleviating many of my pre-operative anxieties.

However, my optimism waned during subsequent check-ups. By the second week, significant issues emerged: my belly button was unnaturally contracted, and severe swelling persisted, contrary to the expected healing process. By the sixth week, the pronounced abdominal distention and the contracted belly button became more evident, prompting me to request a follow-up appointment.

After waiting for 1.5 hours, Dr. Rahban's demeanor was unexpectedly defensive. When I expressed my concerns about the unsatisfactory results, his response was self-justifying and dismissive. He attributed the physical shortcomings to my anatomy and implied that my dissatisfaction was due to my, and I quote, "A personality," which I found deeply offensive. His suggestion to exercise in order to mitigate the results also felt derisory, given the $20,000+ investment I had made.

When I pressed several times about the less-than-expected results, Dr. Rahban later commented, "You can't just tighten the abdomen as much as you want initially. You will run the risk of ripping out sutures and hence failure of the repair as well as increased intra-abdominal pressure." While this belated explanation clarified some aspects of the procedure, the lack of initial transparency and empathy was disappointing.

It took me a long time to post this, as the experience had a significant emotional toll. I also wanted to allow time for healing before weighing in publicly. Over the course of the year, I sought three second opinions from board-certified plastic surgeons, all of whom expressed shock and concern with the results, specifically pointing to inadequate diastasis recti repair. I have since shared these findings with Dr. Rahban. I also consulted multiple medical professionals to ensure my results weren’t due to any underlying medical issue. I underwent multiple pelvis transabdominal, abdominal, and pelvic scans with contrast, all of which came back normal.

Attached are before and after photos documenting my stomach throughout the healing journey and at the one-year mark. I feel even more insecure about my stomach now than I did before undergoing this procedure. My belly button is tiny and contracted, and my abdomen remains permanently distended and unnaturally hard.

Dr. Rahban's subpar procedural methods, dismissiveness, and lack of compassionate understanding highlight a concerning lapse in patient care. While I’m glad others have had positive experiences, mine was not, and I feel it is important to share my story so that feedback on care professionals remains balanced and equitable.