1.09.2013

Post-Quadruplets Abdominoplasty Surgery

At last, the day is nearly here. Tomorrow morning at 7:30am, I'll be undergoing a tubal ligation (getting my tubes tied) followed by an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck. I'm completely terrified but also very anxious to get on the road to my true recovery! Having quadruplets was both the hardest and best thing I've done in my life, and I have absolutely no regrets about anything. I also want to have no regrets about myself! After consulting with several plastic surgeons, my husband and I chose the one we felt most comfortable with. They all offered similar procedure methods and a good outcome (hello bulge-less stomach and a normal belly button!), and all agreed that seven months post-quads was just a good a time as any.

It's crazy because I feel like I've been planning this forever. Pretty much as soon as we found out we were having quadruplets, the husband and I talked about the pregnancy risks, potential outcomes and the effect it would have on me. He immediately assured me we would do whatever it took to get me back in shape and feeling like myself again, no matter what happened between then and after the quads were born. That was nearly 15 months ago and here we are now, the day has come!

I was diagnosed with an umbilical hernia, severe diastasis (abdominal separation) and a panniculectomy (excess skin that hangs past the pubic bone). Because I grew so far out during the pregnancy, my skin stretched beyond recognition and no amount of muscle memory could repair the tear in my ab muscles. Now I have no core to hold everything in place so my organs slosh forward and backward when I stand up and sit down. My back is super tight from overcompensating for no abs and I've had various health issues plaguing me for the past seven months from indigestion and daily nausea to headaches and more. The surgeons all advised me that over time, the muscle separation could become worse. I also had all sorts of blood work and tests done to rule out any other infection or illness that could be causing such consistent ailments. Everything came up normal, so now the hope is that this surgery puts me back together, helps my body operate the way it should and gives me the energy and strength I need to keep up with growing quadruplets!

My crazy, wonderful crew!
There's no doubt that having such a major surgery is a huge undertaking—especially with four babies. I've got a huge stash of homemade dinners in the freezer for easy eating over the next couple weeks, tons of homemade baby food in the freezer, schedules printed so everyone knows what to do next and friends and family lined up for the next five to six weeks to help my husband and I continue caring for the quads while I recover and he goes back to work (after a few days off to help me, of course). We are so blessed to have my mom and step-dad living down here temporarily as they are able to be the quads main caretakers during the weekdays! And our nanny, April, graciously volunteered to help us for the first two weeks post-surgery while she finishes out a part-time day job with a nearby family. Then the husband's mom, my dad, and close friends of ours will be here over the weekends to help us as well.

Our daily schedule, posted to help everyone remember what's next!
Recovery time is projected to be six weeks and I'm hoping that with each passing week I begin feeling better and stronger. I can't wait until I can lift my babies without a sharp pain in my ribs or work out without feeling like my stomach is going to fall out! If you think about me tomorrow morning, say a prayer that all goes well and that I have a smooth recovery and start IMPROVING!! In a couple weeks, I'll post a before and after picture (no bare belly though) and am happy to answer any questions fellow moms might have that are considering the same procedure.

In the meantime, I've got some posts planned out for the next week or so, including the babies (overdue) seven month update, how we sleep trained the quads plus some guests posts from one of my BFF's on pregnancy (it's hilarious) and a fellow quad mom. Got any topics you want to hear more about? Want to volunteer a guest post on baby raising, home decor, cooking or other? Drop me a line via email or leave a note in the comments section!

22 comments:

  1. We will keep you and your recovery in prayer. I know the good Lord will take care of YOU and the babies. He has already provided so that you can go in confidence and be restored.

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  2. Hi Amber! Hi Amber! Fellow quad mommy here :) I am the blessed mother of 8-year-old twins, a 6-year-old son, and 4-year-old G/B/B/G quadruplets. Anyways, if you're in need of a post or two I'd be happy to post my birth story and recovery story. Just let me know! I don't have a blog, but if you're interested go ahead and shoot me an email at kbear987@hotmail.com I'll be hoping and praying for a smooth surgery and recovery! -Katherine

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  3. Amber..The only posts I would like to read from you or your Dear Mom is that you came thru the surgery great and each day you regain your strength and your health.
    Many prayers and hugs are being sent your way from one of your older avid readers;)

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  4. I am embarassed to ask/suggest this at such a late date but you might consider having your uterus (spelling?) removed too. Keep the ovaries as they still provide a useful function but w/o a uterus, won't you avoid the fibroid tumors women get as they get older? Feel free to ignore this as I am sure you don't owe your readers any explanations, I don't want to second-guess anything, and it is absolutely none of my business anyway. Good luck and I will be praying for you. I hope your mother/husband or someone will let us know when you are safely out of surgery. God bless!

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  5. You are so organized, the ship will sail smoothly while you recover. I will be praying for you tomorrow and as you recover. I will especially pray for you to relax and let others do the baby and house care (I know how very difficult it is to have other people be in charge for a bit!)

    Your crew is getting so big and cuter by the day.They are getting almost too big to cram in one crib!

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  6. Paul and I will be praying for you tomorrow. You will do great. This should be a walk in the park compared to weeks of bed rest, magnesium and endless nights of no sleep. I agree with Amber that the tough part is going to be not over doing it. I can't wait to hear that you are feeling well and also thrilled for the before and after pics!!

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  7. You have everything under control at home. Praying for a successful surgery and a quick recovery. I imagine the hard part was going through your quad pregnancy. You are a rock star with all that you accomplish! Know that someone in Boston is praying for you.
    Mary

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  8. Praying for you Amber along with my whole Tuesday morning Bible study. We began praying for you when you were pregnant and pray for you and your family each week. I know God will see you through this. I'll be looking forward to seeing your new posts and the seven month pictures. Much love being sent to you from Philadelphia.

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  9. Praying for you this morning! Also praying for your family and friends helping take care of the babies. May everything go smoothly and be event-free!

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  10. It's 7:30 Thursday morning. You and your family are in my prayers today. You are blessed to have such a supportive family pitching in to nurse you through your recovery...especially your mom and step-dad. God has blessed you in so many ways.
    And, his blessings will be on you today and the days that follow.

    MaryLou/Texas

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  11. I'm a blogging friend of your Mom's.

    Best of wishes for all of this!

    Gentle hugs,
    "Auntie"

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  12. Yes, we are praying for you, Amber, and expecting excellent results for you. Though I knew that this pregnancy had been rough on you, I had no idea all the physical challenges you have endured. May God continue to work in your life as a wife and as a mother to your beautiful children. You continue to do great things for them! Blessings!!

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  13. Hoping it all goes well for you. I simply cannot imagine how you find time to blog, with all else you have going on.
    blessings to you and your family.

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  14. Best wishes for your surgery and recovery!

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  15. Good for you! I see many women after pregnancy for either mommy makeovers or tummy tucks. The tummy tuck will ultimately strengthen your abdominal muscles too. Congrats on the quads (what a handful!) and please remember to pamper yourself during recovery!

    Dr Rhys Branman
    Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery Center

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  16. You are really lucky to have quadruplets .
    I wish your quick recovery from this surgery.

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  17. The good news is that women who have had a cesarean procedure abdominoplasty absolutely can not win a second scar. The fact is that the abdominoplasty will be cut and tuck will be done through this new cut. From there abdominoplasty is well known techniques of the procedure which will be performed as better.

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  18. Awesome post! Do the research. I know you research well, but make the right decision on which surgery you want. Because you want to do it right the first time and not have any regrets.
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  19. I really appreciate your post and you explain each and every point very well. Thanks for sharing this information. It definitely helps people for taking right decision about surgery.
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  20. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  21. I just dropped in here while checking some articles related to TummyTuck and I read your post. You would'nt believe, I just fell in love with your crew ..they are really cute.. Hope happiness surround you all the time :)

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  22. Your quadruplets are really goodlooking bunch! Thanks for sharing their photos. Many people believe that a tummy tuck is an easy procedure. It's not. It’s important for patients to realize that it is still a major operation. Tummy Tuck Philippines

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