Tummy tuck and diastasis repair

[lastapache]

I am booked for surgery next Thursday, to get my split abdominal muscles repaired. I have had diastasis recti since having my first child 14 years ago and it only got worse with two more pregnancies and a vertical c-section. The surgery is basically an extended tummy tuck, with an incision from hip to hip.

I really want this, while at the same time being terribly nervous. I've never had a general anaesthetic before and I'm nervous about pain and recovery. On the other hand I'm sick of paying for physio for the chronic back pain, and having no balance because my core muscles don't work properly.

It's not covered by insurance, so I'm paying €13,500 (about £11k) myself, after saving for two years. I live in Ireland - we don't have an equivalent of the NHS and most people pay for additional health insurance. I'm a bit mad that insurance don't cover it. I pay €100 a month for private insurance and have done since I was 18. I can't help but think that because this condition only happens to women, insurance companies fob it off as "oh it's just about looks, you don't actually need the surgery" when it is a condition that can affect your mobility and in the vast majority of cases is an injury suffered as a result of pregnancy. Anyway, I'm probably never going to get anywhere with this.

All the above said, it is about looks too. For 14 years I have looked five months pregnant (apart from the times I actually was pregnant). I get seats on public transport, and after a while I just took them rather than embarrass everyone by saying "oh no, I'm not pregnant". I'm looking forward to buying the right size clothes, instead of buying something that will fit my waist but looks like boat sails on my legs. Or only buying dresses that are empire line so that they don't cling around the waist.

I'm only staying one night in the hospital and then coming home. I might update here how it all goes, as it's very difficult to find any real life stories online that aren't based in the US. They also mostly only seem to do diastasis repair with mech and have drains afterwards, which seems like a fairly outdated method now and can have complications and longer recovery.

Has anyone had an extended tummy tuck done before? Any tips for me?

My daughter had this done 10years ago when she was 40, her kids were 6 and 4.
She was fed up with being quite slim but having a large abdomen despite diet and exercise.
It took a bit of saving as the operation was only available privately and at that time it cost just over £5000.
She had it done on the private wing of our large inner city NHS hospital.
As she's a teacher she had to schedule the procedure during the summer holidays as about 3 weeks convalescence was advised.
The whole thing went well and she's never regretted it.
As a strong supporter of our NHS I was rather unsure about it being private but she really needed it doing and so me and her dad supported her and were even able to contribute financially and were there for lots of child care.
Take all help offered post operatively and rest well.
Hope it goes well.
Best wishes
Mx