Danielle Cabral is giving fans a behind-the-scenes look into her experience getting a tummy tuck.
The “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star posted a video to Instagram Sunday from her final consultation with her plastic surgeon, revealing that her mid-section has always been her “biggest insecurity.”
Despite being “in the best shape of [her] life,” the reality TV personality explained that she hasn’t been able to get rid of the “extra skin” around her stomach since having kids.
“I’m so self-conscious about it,” the 37-year-old explained in the video, which was taken on June 13.
“No matter what I do, I just can’t lose it,” Cabral told her doctor. “I just want to wear the cute crop tops and a bathing suit and not have to cover all this.”
After taking off her robe and exposing her stomach, the “RHONJ” star admitted that she was “dying inside” because she is “so insecure” about the excess skin.
In the caption, Cabral further explained her decision to go under the knife, asking fans to “be respectful” as she documented the journey online.
“I was a D2 bball athlete — ripped from my abs to my ass lol. Sick shape. I had two very traumatic c-sections, which left my stomach wrecked,” she wrote. “I could live with stretch marks, but it was the excess skin that tortured me. My kids would say, ‘Mommy, your belly is wrinkly.’ Oyy kill me now!”
The mother of two continued, “I have been tortured by my appearance for years. I hide it well. I’m sure if you’ve watched me this season on #rhonj, you would have no clue.”
Even though she wakes up everyday at 6 a.m. to workout and has tried “every” non-invasive procedure, Cabral said she still feels like she has to “hide behind [her] clothes.”
“So, I hope this normalizes this procedure,” she added. “You don’t have to be overweight to suffer from this. You are not alone!”
A tummy tuck — also known as abdominoplasty — is a surgical cosmetic procedure to improve the shape and appearance of the abdomen, according to the Mayo Clinic. During the procedure, excess fat and skin is removed and the remaining skin is repositioned to create a “toned” look.
Cabral went to Dr. John Paul Tutela, who also performed her breast augmentation and rhinoplasty, for the tummy tuck — which she got on July 6.
Despite not having seen her “new stomach” yet, Cabral admitted that she caught a glimpse of the results the day after her surgery and “cried” tears of joy.
The “RHONJ” newbie says she will be “documenting the entire post-op healing process” on her Instagram.
