How a Surgeon Fixed This Woman’s ‘Mommy Pouch’

A woman’s body goes through a series of drastic changes during and after pregnancy. Some of these are emotional such as mood swings, while others manifest physically such as weight gain and the appearance of stretch marks. Renee Shirfrin, a mother of three, is an example of a woman who went through all these radical developments. But hers was a different story, and one marked with constant agony even after her pregnancy was over.

Renee suffered from a condition called diastasis recti, or what is also known as “abdominal separation”. It occurs when the abdominal muscles split during pregnancy, causing one’s stomach to stick out. Renee’s belly sagged forward because the muscles that would typically hold it in became dysfunctional.

But the issue is or more than just about vanity. Diastasis recti can cause severe back pain that it could make moving nearly impossible.

“I’m reminded of this in every way, from the moment I get up to the moment I go to bed,” Renee told Inside Edition. “It’s mostly pain.”

To manage her sagging belly, she had to wear a corset and support belt to help her go about her daily activities.

Renee was a former competitive ice skater, and she longed to regain the normal life she had before this condition changed everything for her “to know that I can be the mom that I want to be and spend time with my kids the way that I want to,” Renee said.

So she sought the help of Rady Rahban, a plastic surgeon based in Los Angeles.

“The diastasis is quite large,” Dr. Rady said, pointing it out to Renee. “You can see there is the edge of your muscle.”

Naturally, Renee was nervous to go under the knife, but she was excited at the thought that this surgery will bring her body back to the way it was.

Dr. Rady stitched Renee’s muscles together and created a sort of internal corset. With that, he also cut away more than a foot of excess skin. He finished the grueling six-hour surgery by creating a brand new belly-button for Renee.

Two months later, Inside Edition paid a visit to see Renee’s progress. It was indeed a shocker! Her belly appeared lean and fit, with no trace of the sagging skin that was in there before. The incredible transformation changed Renee’s life. Now, she can do household chores easily and play with her kids again.

“I can’t believe that my abs are working again,” she said. “My body is functioning the way it’s supposed to.”

The successful surgery also enabled her to make a triumphant return on ice.

Congratulations to Renee for the successful surgery!

Watch the video below from Inside Edition to see Renee’s incredible transformation.