I am 20 months postpartum. I have diastasis recti, pelvic floor issues, chronic low pain and an umbilical hernia. I've suffered since I became single very early, and my baby overwhelmed me.
I'd like to know who successfully got a tummy tuck on NHS to fix the ab separation. I know it's not routinely commissioned, but I believe my condition is quite severe and caused the hernia, which I noticed several months after birth.
GP referred me to a general surgeon for hernia repair only. She was unphased by the diastasis recti, and I only got a visual diagnosis. Mine is a very obvious, firm, pregnant-looking belly. It's like I had my baby, but it never went down (at all). They say it's cosmetic, but I find it traumatic and stuck in unhealed limbo. I'm not vain; I've looked like total trash for 2 years straight, which is OK because my baby is healthy. It's the weakness in my body that gets me down.
Please can anyone share under what circumstances they had surgery through NHS? What steps did you take? Was there a point you weren't taken seriously? I want to get a complaint together. I asked the consultant to apply for funding but foolishly didn't realise he couldn't do it. I need a referral to a cosmetic surgeon. My GP gave me a leaflet for back exercises, and they were the ones you don't do for this condition. I went to physio myself. Please share advice. I need this surgery. I feel like a cripple old lady, whatever that feels like.
I tried to exercise, but I am in so much pain, it's useless. I think I'm in a real state because I left things so long. Physio was reluctant to help and said I need women's health physio, but it's unavailable through NHS (The Midlands). I'm 39; I'm not having any more children. Please tell me what I should do. I also wrote to the local Integrated Care Board, and they told me funding is available. I just need a professional to apply for it.