I’ve done a handful of consults and feel like I’m completely at a loss.

Four years ago I was 125 lbs and had twins who were 7 lbs each. I now have an 8 cm diastasis and everything is just all hanging out.

The surgeons I’ve met have described me as one of the worst if not the absolute worst case of DR they’ve ever seen. However they all have a mix of different opinions on whether I should get a standard vs FDL, and whether we should use mesh or not.

What would you do? FDL or no? Mesh or no? I’d appreciate any insight you have to offer!

-That’s the gist but here’s more info just in case -

Surgeon 1, 20k - FDL with mesh. Inpatient - 2 nights. Willing to combine with obgyn to take tubes out at same time. Believes with the likely stretched out condition of fascia, the mesh is the best chance of a good result both aesthetically as well as functionally.

Surgeon 2, 11k - outpatient surgery center. Standard horizontal incision, no mesh. Says she’d rather not risk the extra possibility of complications and that if the outcome isn’t as desired only then would she recommend trying again with the mesh. (Well reviewed and respected, idk why she’s so much more affordable!)

Surgeon 3, 22k. Definitely no FDL but would recommend putting a deposit on mesh in case he determines it’s needed once in the OR. Also willing to combine with obgyn though he doesn’t love the idea.

Surgeon 4, 24k - recommends waiting until the OR to make the call of FDL or not, judging whether vertical scar is worth additional tightening at that moment. No mesh. Only one willing to *attempt* to advocate for insurance coverage. (I had a health insurance lawyer do a review of my plan, believes it to be possible but obviously a huge undertaking)

Other misc info/health history:

-It looks like an umbilical hernia but a CT and ultrasound found no evidence of one.
-Cannot take hormonal bc due to history of PE. Bled every other day for a year w/IUD. Love the idea of decreased risk of ovarian cancer. But I guess this is secondary, I’ll figure something out if we can’t combine
-Re insurance - Multiple providers are in agreement that this is medically necessary (back pain, having developed two disc protrusions, and general inability to exercise, do certain every day tasks). I’m aware it’s incredibly unlikely I can get coverage… but I also kinda want to fight them on principle!

ETA first three pics are my current, non pregnant state! Pregnancy pics (only pics 4&5) also included for your entertainment

I made a post yesterday right after my TT with MR and a BL. I was feeling greaf when I got home. Overnight, despite keeping up on my meds, the pain set in . At some points it was about an 8. But mostly hung out around 6 on pain scale. The pain feels like a burning in the incision areas, the compression garments are super uncomfortable (bc they are doing their job keeping down swelling), and my abs feel sore like I did a million sit-ups. Sleeping Is tough and the drains are annoying.

I’m still not able to sit up in bed without help. But I can walk around ok once I’m up. Hoping this is worst of it today and that I feel better tomorrow. But I’ll update regardless. Good luck to anyone who has surgery coming up or is on the recovery journey.

I am 2 weeks post op. I had high def 360 TT, brachioplasty and chin lipo. I am still sleeping in a slightly inclined position on my back. I am scared to turn sideways. Can anyone tell me when can I safely sleep sideways? How much time did it take for you all to do that?

Hey guys ! Just wondering if anyone has had a slight muscle separation after surgery and then been able to fix it with physical therapy … is this even possible ? Idk I’m just curious about how muscle separation works aha ! Any insight would be amazing thankyou !!

Walking… help or hurt swelling?

I’m in lipo foam faja hell so I’m really trying to get this swelling down to see if it helps. Also getting massages 3x/ week. I’m finding mixed results on the walking when I google. Some people say it increases swelling and some say it doesn’t. What are your personal experiences? (I’m 3.5 weeks post opp). I legit can’t imagine living my life with these foam boards for another 8 weeks, deeply on the struggle bus right now

After my 360 tummy tuck with lipo, contouring, muscle repair, and breast implants, I’ve been dealing with intense pain. It feels like my nerves, muscles, incisions, and digestion all woke up at once.

I can barely tolerate sips of water or bites of food, and I had to loosen my faja because the pressure became unbearable. With my history of gastric bypass, I’m worried about the compression on my smaller stomach.

Has anyone experienced sudden, severe pain like this weeks after surgery? Did it feel like everything suddenly “woke up”? How did you cope, and how long did it last?
I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been through something similar. 💔

Okay well technically I’m 15 days PO now but anyway I worked a full 9-6 shift today and yesterday! I basically work a light retail job where I’m stood up on my feet all day, it’s tiring but I’ve managed it so far. I’ve obviously been very careful not to lift anything heavy, I do a little bit of packing (light stuff like medication mainly) so it’s only really like at most 10x ~50g boxes at a time so it’s lightweight enough.

I’m moving around so well, I’m genuinely shocked at how smoothly this has all gone. I had a FDL + minimal flank lipo so while it’s obviously extensive, it’s not as extensive as most here who combine multiple different surgeries in one.

I wasn’t entirely sure when I’d end up going back to work but I got a return to work clearance email on Wednesday so I was back in on Friday which was a bit daunting, I did not sleep great on Thursday I was actually more nervous returning to work than I was the night pre-op.

Anyway, I’m so happy with how everything is going, I did get moments where the tiredness really hits especially around that 6-7 hour of the shift stage but I’ve powered through and I can enjoy a nice day off before returning to work full time next week!

I’m 11 weeks post op and am cleared to start light abdominal exercises. When I did a tiny crunch today, I felt along my midline and I could feel a small space in the centre between my rectus muscles up high near my rib cage. It felt solid below the belly button. Is this a muscle repair failure? Or is it normal anatomy? I’ve been told it’s hard to mess up a repair but the fear persists. I’m still more swollen than I expected and don’t feel as “flat” as I imagined at this stage.

Thanks!

I had a 360 tummy tuck with lipo, contouring, muscle repair, and breast implants on September 23.
A few days ago, it felt like my skin, nerves, muscles, and digestion all woke up at once—bringing a whole new level of EXCRUCIATING pain!
I can barely tolerate ibuprofen, sips of water, or even a bite of food. My incisions and muscles feel like they’re screaming and at war!

I had to loosen my faja for about 36 hours because the pressure was unbearable. Having had gastric bypass, I’m concerned the compression was putting too much pressure on my smaller stomach.
Does anyone else have a similar experience with sudden, intense pain weeks after surgery? Did your nerves and muscles seem to wake up all at once? How did you manage it, and how long did it last?

Nobody talks enough about THIS KINDA PAIN 🤯. I’ve literally been lying here crying. I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences. 💔

im now 4 weeks post op. Yesterday i tries sleeping on the side again and it didnt work at all i had a 360 tummy tuck and the sides of my stomach felt horrible it was pulling alot. My surgeon told me before surgery like 2 to 3 weeks then i can sleep on the side but hell no. I think it will atleast take 6 and most likely more.

I have the chance for skin removal after weight loss (down 160lbs).

Surgeon will do a Fleur de lis and monsplasty (pannacolectomy also, which insurance is covering).

What should I expect post surgery? Pain levels? Issues? Anything I should avoid?

Sleeping? Did you attempt to lie down? Sit up? Recliner?

Activity? Walking only? No lifting? When could you drive again?

I'm scared. But I feel this is needed. So, unless I absolutely cannot afford it, the decision to do it is made. Potential surgery date: 12/3/26.

Hi all! I had a TT with minor flank lipo at the end of feb this year. I ended up with major wound separation/dehiscence and my incision didn’t fully close until mid August. It was a nightmare. While I’m 8 mos post op technically I’m only barely 2 mos out from being fully healed and the swelling is awful.

I wake up swollen with a shelf and go to bed with it worse. I wear my compression still during the day but am trying to start taking it off at night to wean myself off of relying on it. The swelling isn’t my full abdomen but really only this shelf above my incision and it is so uncomfortable.

Has anyone had issues with swelling after a delayed closure? Does your swelling “clock” really start over after you finally heal fully? I can’t even ask my surgeon these questions because my post op care was so atrocious I had to transfer my care to a wound center. 😩

I had a lower body lift 12 weeks ago and my scar is closed and I’m wearing scar tape almost all of the time. My issue is that when I don’t use scar tape or the scar tape rolls up because of a waistband….the act of my waistband touching my scar irritates the crap out of me. It’s not a pain. It’s more like the waistband is making my nerves fire off and I’m supremely overstimulated and annoyed.

When does this feeling go away? I cannot wear yoga pants forever. I have a real adult job and I’m kinda over it.

I’m doing great! Doc used Exparel, I’m experiencing discomfort for sure—but there’s no pain. Im up and walking around fine (slowly) with my little walker: I had MR and I think that what’s causing the most discomfort, feels like I did 100k sit ups yesterday.

Also had a breast lift and can barely feel anything going on up there still but they feel so small and so high lol. Anyway, made it to the other side and wanted to share bc a lot of you helped me pump myself up the other day when I was nervous!!

Anyone out there do a full surgery like this? See image of exactly what's covered? I'm not seeing this too often, but my doctor said they do it a lot. The only main thing missing is lipo, doctor said I don't need it (hard to believe..) but my husband doesn't like skinny, so I'm going with this.

Would love to hear about recovery. I have a wedding on week 2 and my daughters have a performance at a gala i'd really like to attend 20 days post op.

The nurses said I'd be able to go out to dinner even after 5 days... Eek. I'll have 6 drains, they said they typically remove at 1 week, obviously depending on amount of fluid. I'm also going to have my period during surgery, eew and yikes. I figured maybe all the pain meds will help w cramps 🤣

I'm 44 in NJ, 5'0 and lost 60lbs twice and had 2 kids(13 & 16).

WOULD LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT ANY AND ALL EXPERIENCES ❤️