The Backstory:
This post has been a long time coming, 16 years to be exact. When I had my twin girls in 2007 I was one big mama and it happened quickly. At 20 weeks pregnant with twins you could not tell I was even expecting without my lifting up my shirt, but by 25/26 weeks BOOM, I was huge. This quick growth caused rapid skin expansion and thus after giving birth by c-section left me with a lot of leftover skin + that lovely c-section “shelf”. My incision was about two times as wide as normal because one of the babies was stuck and they had a hard time getting her out. My stomach was also very lopsided so my incision was at an angle making my skin flap look like a smiley face that went up higher on one side than the other. No bueno.
For those of you who have known me long term you know that I am an avid exerciser as well as group x instructor. Although I got back into shape quickly after having my girls, the skin was still there, just hanging around, quite literally. My abdominal muscles were also very separated, otherwise known as diastasis recti, and I could fit 4 fingers in between my muscles from my pubic bone to my sternum. This contributed to low back issues because the balance of strength in my core from front to back was way off.
Why did I wait so long to have this procedure?
From the time that my girls were about 6 months old I wanted to have my excess skin removed and my muscles repaired. EVERY time I would sit down the skin would “rest” on my legs and it was very uncomfortable for me. I hated the feeling much more than how it looked, it bothered by every single day. I will say that I did this 100% for ME. I am not interested in wearing tiny bikinis, what other people think of how I look, trying to look younger than my age, or trying to impress anyone. My husband did not think that I needed this done but was supportive because he knows that this has bothered me for years. This is something that I did 100% for MYSELF to feel confidant and comfortable in my own skin and I think this is the best reason to have any kind of elective procedure.
Over the last 15 years I had no less than 10 consultations with different surgeons. I always found a reason not to move forward with the surgery. I could not be down and out for a few weeks with little kids, I could not afford it, I felt guilty spending the money when there was always something else that it could go to, I was embarrassed of what people would think, etc. It was always something or there was always a reason to put it off. With my girls now being 16 and able to drive, do laundry (kind of lol), get themselves off to school, and order door dash haha, I decided it was a good time to bite the bullet.
How did I choose a surgeon?
I was referred to Rochford Plastic Surgery (this is not sponsored) and when I went in for a consultation it was so different than the other 10+ consults that I had been to in the past. Dr. Rochford listened to exactly what I wanted, did not try to upsell me (most other surgeons suggested I get implants too which I was not interested in), and gave me realistic expectations. Her prices are very straight forward and reasonable and her surgical suite is in her offices. I liked the idea of everything being on site rather than having to go to a hospital. I had never left a consult in the past feeling confidant and comfortable but this was different – I felt 100% that this was the right surgeon for me.
The Procedure
I decided to have the procedure done in early September because the kids are back to school and we do not have any travel for a few months. I had a mini-abdominoplasty (meaning I only had skin removed below my belly button and was able to keep my belly button), muscle repair from the pubic bone to sternum, and some lipo around the hips and flanks to make things look contoured around the middle. This was the recommended “trifecta”. I had surgery on Sept. 6th at 8:30am and was home by late afternoon. I will not sugar coat it, the first 3 days are brutal and you will come home with 1 or 2 drains. Take all the meds that they will give you and stay ahead of the pain. Day 4 things begin to improve pain wise but plan on doing NOTHING the 1st week. I pre-recorded a lot of work and have spent a lot of time on my computer, watching tv, and napping.
Recovery
Today is Sept. 12th and I just had my drain remove today which feels so good, they are not as scary as they look or seem. I have very little swelling and bruising but the less you do, the faster and better that you will heal. I am icing my back and sides many hours per day which is SO necessary. You will NOT be able to do laundry, take care of small kids, cook, load and unload the dishwasher, or drive for about 2 weeks so make sure that you have help available.
Things you will need to have on hand
Here is a link to all of the things that I would recommend having on hand for after surgery + all of the presciption
I will follow up and add to this post with before and after photos soon!
