Dr. Kochuba and the entire team at Austin-Weston exceeded the very high expectations I had going…read moreinto this process. After carrying 8-pound twins and a 9.5-pound baby, I was left with significant abdominal muscle separation. I lost the baby weight, went through several major life changes, and eventually got myself back into good shape, but there came a point when I had to acknowledge that there were things exercise simply wasn't going to fix. I even worked with two different pelvic floor therapists specifically to address the muscle separation before deciding that a surgical consultation was the right next step for me.
Once I made that decision, I did A LOT of research on clinics and providers in the area. Austin-Weston was the one I kept coming back to. I sought out Dr. Kochuba specifically because of his background and experience, and his consistently amazing reviews definitely played a part in getting me through the door. Now, being on the other side of surgery, I completely understand why his patients speak so highly of him.
From my first consultation, I felt comfortable with him. He listened to what bothered me and what I hoped to accomplish, pointed out things he noticed from his area of expertise, and was very straightforward about what surgery could and couldn't do. He helped manage my expectations in terms of my results, and I never felt like he was trying to sell me on more procedures or convince me to do something I didn't need. Most importantly, I needed relief from some of the secondary issues I was experiencing as a result of the muscle separation, and I wanted to feel like myself again, not like a completely different person. I felt like he understood that from the beginning. Ultimately, I chose to have a tummy tuck with muscle repair and liposuction.
The Austin-Weston team was also incredible from beginning to end. My surgical consultant was informative and helpful, the nurses were fantastic, and I always felt like I knew what was happening and who to contact if I needed something. I also opted to have an overnight nurse after surgery and to stay at the facility through my follow-up the next day. If you're debating whether it's worth it, do it. I cannot recommend that option enough. Those first hours after surgery are a lot, and having someone there who knew exactly what was normal, kept me comfortable, helped manage my medications, made sure I actually rested, and gave me peace of mind was worth every penny.
My recovery went very smoothly, and I credit a lot of that to how well the team at Austin-Weston prepared me beforehand. The patient and caregiver education made a huge difference. I knew what to expect, what was normal, what to watch for, and how best to manage those first days and weeks of recovery. I never felt like we were going into it blind.
I am thrilled with my results, especially now that I am 3 months out and back to my regular work out routine and daily life. My strength has improved tenfold and an unexpected benefit is that my posture has improved greatly. I remember sitting in bed a few days post op remarking I could actually sit up straight. The aesthetic transformation has been a huge bonus, and one I'm incredibly happy with, but feeling like my core is functional and connected again has been just as important to me as what I look like.
One thing I would add for anyone considering this: most people looking at me before surgery probably would have said I didn't "need" a tummy tuck. I was at a healthy weight, active, and in good shape. But they also weren't living in my body. They couldn't feel the muscle separation or the secondary issues it was causing, and they can't decide what would make me feel the most comfortable in my skin. There will always be people with opinions about whether you "need" plastic surgery, but ultimately this is such a personal decision. Do your research, understand the risks, have realistic expectations, and then make the decision that's right for you.
If I had to make the decision again, I would choose Dr. Kochuba and Austin-Weston without hesitation. I wish everyone could have this kind of experience with their care providers. I went into this having done a ton of research and with very high expectations, and somehow the experience and my results still exceeded them, my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner!
