Shanise Mulrain's journey began shortly after giving birth. During a routine postpartum visit, she mentioned to her doctor that her belly hadn't returned to its pre-pregnancy state as it had with her first pregnancy.
“When I was caring for my first baby, I was able to wear the carrier. With my second, my belly was so large that it was uncomfortable for the two of us to actually wear the carrier,” she explains. “I took off the compression band and they were in shock and said, 'I believe you have a hernia.' And I was like, 'Oh no,'" says Shanise.
Her doctor recommended a CT scan, and the scan confirmed it. The news of needing surgery to correct a hernia was daunting, especially after having two C-section births. Shanise met with several doctors over the next few months, but despite their recommendations, she didn't feel confident enough to proceed with any of them.
One evening, while at a gathering with fellow moms, a friend recommended she get an opinion from Dina Podolsky, MD, a hernia surgeon at Columbia. Heartened by the idea of a woman’s surgical perspective, Shanise decided to schedule an appointment. “It was a no-brainer for me,” recalls Shanise, “Just an expert in the field and specifically studying and practicing in hernia treatment.”
A New Kind of Consultation
Meeting Dr. Podolsky was a turning point. She reviewed Shanise's images and provided a frank assessment: her abdominal muscles were severely separated (a condition known as rectus diastasis), and she had a significant hernia. Dr. Podolsky outlined two options: a robotic hernia repair or a combination of hernia repair and abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). Given the severity of her condition, Dr. Podolsky recommended the combined approach to ensure the best outcome.
"Your diastasis was really large, nearly 12 centimeters across, and there's no way to fix a hernia if you're not also going to address the diastasis,” says Dr. Podolsky. “It just would've done a disservice to you, and I don't think you ever would've really regained that core function which is what you wanted to get back in the first place."
The decision was not easy, especially considering the financial implications and the emotional toll of another surgery. However, Dr. Podolsky’s honesty and the detailed explanation of the procedure reassured Shanise.
"You specifically looked at me and said, 'No, you're too wide and separated, so you do need to have this repaired,' and recommended the abdominoplasty in conjunction with the hernia repair," Shanise said. "From there, I spoke to my husband, and I said, 'I want to move forward with Dr. Podolsky and her team.'"
Surgery and a Tough Recovery
Dr. Podolsky and her team performed both the hernia repair and abdominoplasty, addressing the root causes of her discomfort. Surgery was a success, but the initial weeks of recovery were challenging. Shanise needed to take it slow, which was difficult with a seven-month-old baby at home.
"I underestimated the recovery process, but thankfully did read the materials that were given to me. Overall, the healing part... within the second towards the end of the second week and third week, I was feeling so much better compared to what I initially felt," shares Shanise.
Emotional and Physical Transformation
Gradually, she began to see and feel the changes. Her posture improved, her back pain diminished, and her belly no longer protruded. These physical changes had a profound impact on her emotional well-being. More confident and motivated to resume activities, Shanise’s ability to bond with her baby through physical closeness, without the discomfort of a hernia, was particularly rewarding.
"I'm just feeling better, not only the mental part, it's starting to exude where I'm looking for my summer outfits, I'm excited,” she says. “I'm keeping up with the baby now.”
Looking back, Shanise feels immense gratitude. The detailed attention from Dr. Podolsky and her team, including the emotional support and clear communication, made a significant difference.
"Like I owe you a million bucks if not more? I feel great. I feel amazing. I feel confident, mentally strong as I continue to go through this process,” says Shanise. “It feels amazing.”
"We're super happy to have been able to help you the way that we did,” says Dr. Podolsky. “And now you just get to enjoy your summer and the rest of your life with your new belly, your new core, fewer back issues, the whole nine."
Watch the full interview between Dr. Dina Podolsky and Shanise Mulrain.
Related:
- Standards of Care Are Changing, and Robotic Surgery Is an Anchor of Advancement
- A Delicate Dance: Alberto del Saz’s Journey Through Hernia Surgery and Recovery
- State of the Union: Hernia Care Today