Great Experience with Dr. Thomas Pane, Miami, but a few SCARES

I did so much research before settling on Dr. Pane. Consulted with 3 doctors before choosing. What made me choose him was a combination of his work on African American women, his natural looking results, the low cost and overall reviews from other patients. The reason why I needed this surgery: A severe abdominal muscle separation after 2 child births. I NEVER worked out prior to children, so I had no muscle memory and no snap back. I didn't even bind my belly after pregnancy. No one told me I needed to. I had to clue how impossible pre-natal care for MY body was. I had a massive "trench" in my belly when laying down and I looked 5 months pregnant, 4 years after my second child. I knew something was wrong so I began to research. I had never heard of "diastasis recti" or DR in my life, but thats what I had. Really bad. I am 5'9 and slim but my belly was extended and huge. Total confidence breaker for a 30 year old. I researched and went back and forth on whether I should do this, for 4-5 years.

Heres my brief story.
I got a loan. The procedure was under $5000. I called to book my date. I had not 1 virtual or phone consultation. Instead I had to fill out a questionnaire via email. I had a strict schedule when all my labs, covid test results, medical records and physical exam paperwork had to be turned in. My hemoglobin was low so i had to change my surgery date once. Dr. Pane would not approve surgery if your hemoglobin is below 11. I got mine up from 10.4 to 11.4. Had to be out of pocket for ALL LABS (over $200 for the ones they wanted me to test for) plus $130 for the "used to be free" Covid PCR test. Once all paperwork was turned in (uploaded to their patient portal which was so simple and amazing to use), I was good to go and locked it. Unique Aesthetic Center always answered the phone and everyone was always nice and professional. My surgery date came. We traveled 4 hours to Miami. Met Dr Pane the day of surgery. I could only stay 4 days in Miami because hotels were so expensive but they suggested at-least 6,m days, maximum 10 days. Made sure I got a ground room for easier access. My journey began on October 25th 2022.

The next two months were both smooth, and challenging. About a week after surgery, I noticed a dark thick black substance that was draining into my drains. Later confirmed that it was old blood. Normally it should be clear fluid but apparently I had a blood collection under my skin. The drains stop draining about 2 weeks after so I removed them myself (which was ok by mr Dr Pane since I lived 4 hours away). That’s when the issue started. I didn’t have an issue with the actual surgery and how it was done. I did however, feel like I was quite lopsided in my waist, like one of my sides were less liposuctioned than the other, but the nurses confirm that this will change later, and even out, and it did.
But a few days after I took the drains out, I noticed a big hard swollen mass under my skin, which was a hematoma confirmed by mri. It was only because the drains were removed too soon, and some of the blood didnt get a chance to drain out, because it was in the position were was not draining everything. So when my drains were removed, the blood that was still inside was oozing out of my drain holes. In about 4 weeks, my drain holes completely closed. The right one closed first. The one on my left side remained open because it was a stitch left in there that I did not take out all the way. My body refused to heal around the stitch. I had to go to the ER to get the stitch removed and take 2 MRIs to make sure the hematoma was going down, and it was. Warm compresses and Massages REALLY helped heal the hematoma.
For some reason the left drain hole got a weird fluid filled bubble on it, as well as a fluid filled mass under my belly button. I think that one came from me wearing scar tape too early. When id I take the scar tape off, some of my skin and scabs came off along with it.
But I just kept keeping the area clean with dial antibacterial soap and eventually everything looked good by the end of December 2022.

11 weeks out and I’m feeling great. Still looking quite lopsided at my waist, but I found out as more of my own body/anatomy, like one of my hip bones are higher than the other. It has nothing to do with the doctors work. Overall, I am satisfied. My waist is smaller. My belly is gone.
I’m finally able to wear jeans comfortably after 11 weeks, without it hurting because of swelling. The swelling has gone down so much. Im able to wear crop tops again. Dr. Thomas Pane did an amazing job especially for the price I paid. I will definitely go back to him if I decide to have a breast lift in the future. I Still have to wear my compression garment for 12 hours a day. When I hit the six month mark, I think I’ll be good to go to not have to wear compression. The doctors office still calls to check on me even this far after the surgery. I had a great experience with Dr. Pane and Unique Aesthetic Center. Would recommend.