Peggy J. Howrigan, MD (retired)

Dr. Howrigan did my Breast Reduction in 1990. I am still very happy with the results. I always said it was the best decision I made. I was 17 a few weeks from turning 18 years old. My teen years were tough for me physically but because of this surgery I was no longer physically limited. I wasn't able to nurse effectively or as much as I would have liked to. That's my only regret. But it was a personal decision and I was told I probably would not be able to. My children are very healthy and limited nursing did not have a negative effect on them. I spent 3 days in the hospital which was normal at that time. I don't think this should be an outpatient procedure.

I've had large breasts since middle school. I went from a C cup to an E cup almost overnight. I started trying to get a reduction when I was 15 but after frustrating doctors, difficulty matching schedules, and multiple changed in insurance, I was finally able to get the reduction at age 21. My surgery was scheduled for May 20th and it's been three days since. I absolutely love my results and I am so grateful to Dr.Howrigan for changing my life! Updated on 24 May 2016: Like I said before, I was 16 years old when I started the process of getting a breast reduction. Four other women in my family have had this procedure and the large breasts seem to come from my mom's side. Before the surgery my breasts were a 36 E cup with the right one being half a size bigger than the left. I decided I wanted a reduction after starting a summer job at a department store. After standing on my feet for 7+ hours a day, my back began to be really painful. I was frustrated that I had to double up on sports bras and would still have an embarrassing amount of sweat whenever I worried out. It was also hard keeping up with my friends when they decided to run somewhere. My family changed insurance many times over the years so it seemed like breast reduction wasn't an option. Finally, my mom found a good stable job and we decided to go for it! Ill post about the actually surgery and recovery in my next update. Updated on 24 May 2016: So I had my surgery on Friday and it was pretty simple went in, waited, saw my surgeon, got marked up, and the next thing I knew I was in the recovery room. I was admitted for a 23 hour stay after that. My pain was not bad, never more than a 4 on a 1-10 scale. It was annoying walking around with an IV but I managed. My surgeon called the hospital to make sure I was walking laps and taking care of myself. Right before I got discharged my surgeon came in and took out my drains. She said I would be around a C cup. She answered all my questions and wa very kind. The next few days of recovery weren't bad. I only took half a dose of pain killers on Saturday and Sunday but I have been off all pain medication since Monday. Not even Tylenol, I have a pretty high pain tolerance. My wounds have been super itchy which is annoying but other than that it's been smooth sailing. I have my first check up tomorrow and I'm excited to see how I'm healing. This surgery is 100% worth it to me. I got to take a shower yesterday and I like what up see, the only down side is I've been super constipated.

I lost significant breast volume after my third child. Pre babies I was a small D, at 5'3" 123 lbs, with a fit hourglass physique. I was looking to fill a C cup, gaining back the upper pole volume I lost. I was very concerned about needing a lift, but if needed would have gone through with it. I felt very unsexy and less of a woman the way my breasts looked post pregnancies. Updated on 2 Dec 2014: I am loving how they are looking at this stage. I should have posted pictures of the earlier progression prior to my first pictures at 6 weeks, but will try to do that with this post. Before settling, it seemed like I had lower pole sagging (first 4 weeks) when the implants were still riding high. It took patience and time, but the implant has slowly settled into the lower pole and looks natural. I know there is still some more settling to occur, but so far I am very pleased. More pictures to follow after my next appointment. Updated on 9 Dec 2014: I am 8 weeks post op today. Yesterday was my first "real" upper body workout following BA. I did not do any isolated chest exercises, focusing on biceps, back and shoulders. I've been doing legs since 3 weeks and isolated biceps at 6 weeks. Today I feel soreness and sharp pains that come and go, around the breast and towards my armpits. Mostly left side. The incisions also seem sore today. Wondering if anyone felt this way after first upper body workout and if I should be concerned. I lowered all the weights, so I'm doing a post injury/beginners workout. I took a day off at the gym today, wondering if I should shelf upper body a few more weeks. Updated on 29 Dec 2014: I just had my 11 week appointment. I got to see my before pictures, which I forgot to take. What a difference. I am so happy with the results and the natural look. I was cleared for all exercises today, including chest, but no underwire bra until my next appointment which is 6 months post op. I'd love some recommendations for good no wire bras, comfy but supportive. Updated on 6 Jan 2015: I am so upset and a little scared. I felt a pull on my left chest 3 days ago as if I had pulled a muscle. I thought maybe from pulling luggage out of the car. 2 days later the soreness continues and last night some red patches appeared on top and side of my breast. No fever or other symptom. Thanks to this site I knew I needed to call my doc asap. She's on vacation, but her back up quickly got me on keflex and saw me this morning. He thinks that the infection is not deep and only superficial. We will know the next few days as the antibiotic kicks in. Please keep me in your prayers. This is so rare at 3 months post op. Hoping all that is needed is antibiotic treatment. Updated on 7 Jan 2015: The antibiotics seem to be kicking in. The redness is gone, but the left side of my left breast is still very tender. It's tender to touch and tender/sore when I lean or bend over. Hoping it keeps getting better. I have a bad cold on top of the infection so I'm not sure what to attribute to what at this point. I'll try to post 3 day progression. Updated on 12 Mar 2015: Life got so busy I realized I never posted about my infection. It ended up being superficial contact dermatitis. I was sore but most likely attributed to going back to full upper body exercises at the gym. Talk about coincidences. I am very happy with my results. 6 months post op on a little over a week. I'll post new pictures then. Updated on 15 Mar 2015: I can't believe it has been 6 months. I finally feel like they belong to my body and are a full part of me. They feel soft and squishy. My right is still a little tighter then my left, but not by much. I am very happy with the result. The implants completely filled the extra breast tissue and I feel great. I bought 2 new bikinis and am ready to show them off in a few weeks when we travel to the beach. Updated on 8 Jan 2017: It's been 3 years since I got saline implants and I am still so happy I did it. After getting properly measure a few times, I am now a 32DD. I had plenty of breast tissue, having been a 34D before kids, so they look very natural. Updated on 24 Jan 2017: For some reason I could not fix the time frame on my 2 year post, while it looked like I corrected it on the app. It has been two year's and 3 months since BA and I am still so incredibly happy that I had it done. I am now a 32DD, still having plenty of breast tissue and they look and feel incredibly real, even though I have saline.

I have struggled with my weight pretty much my entire life. Diets, exercise, and the all too familiar, yo-yo loss & gain. At 5'4", I was precariously close to 190 lbs and knew, if I did not get some kind of handle on my weight, I would tip the 200 lb mark. I managed to lose 30 lbs on my own, but it was a terrible struggle. It was all "white knuckle" and restrictive and it made me plain old MEAN. Just the same, I managed to do it. I maintained this weight loss for about four years, thinking to myself...okay 160 is still too heavy but better than 190. Then I tried again, this time adding in the gym but going it alone. I did manage to lose an additional 10 lbs, got to 150 and again, here I sat for about 6 more years. Then I added a personal trainer, religiously went to see him and on off days, did cardio or two 30-minute walks as many days as I could. Instead of calories, I focused on carbs and guess what... I was not miserable or hungry! I dropped the remaining 20 lbs and never looked back. I have maintained this total weight loss going on four years now! I made a promise to myself, that if I was able to maintain the total weight loss for 3 or more years, I was going to get some help with the things that would never change, no matter how much weight I lost, or how hard I worked with my trainer. The stretched skin, scars from a myomectomy and hysterectomy and poochy parts - they all needed to disappear. As proud as I was of my loss and hard work, and as good as I looked, I could not wear a bathing suit, correctly fitting tight dress or shirt that did not cover the "pouches". I DESERVED to be able to wear the clothes I worked so hard to fit in. So I made up my mind, researched plastic surgeons in the area, got some recommendations and went to see Dr. Howrigan. I was not afraid. I did not doubt my decision. I planned for help at home. I planned my work schedule. I pre-cooked meals and froze them. I purchased Gatorade, prune juice (oh yes do get some of that), yogurt, got books from the library, trashy magazines, arranged for help with the dog walking; got someone to take out my trash, charged up the I-pad, pre purchased my prescriptions, packed loose clothing and a small bag to take to the hospital, arranged for rides back and forth to the hospital. I was READY. I went in at 6AM, Sept 30, 2014. I was not nervous. I was excited! I worked hard. I did this. I deserve this. It was a present to myself. The last thing I remember was the doctor drawing on my body with a marker and laying back down on the gurney. Some 4 hours later (or so they say), I recall being brought up in the elevator to my room. I was woozy and sore but happy just the same. I drifted in and out for several hours but was hooked up to an IV and pain pump (use it while you can! This was recommended to me by a lot of my friends as I have kind of a "wonder woman" attitude!). A friend came and sat with me for several hours and this helped distract me from the pain. Your legs have to be elevated (make sure to do this when you get home too...it really helps with both the pain and the recovery). The wonderful nurses brought me ice packs for my face and helped me out of bed to clear my lungs, get the blood flowing in my legs and to pee (repeatedly!. THIS IS IMPORTANT!!! Get up and walk...ok...shuffle as you will not be able to stand up straight, but do it!). I was able to get up and also sit down and get back up from the toilet on my own thanks to all the hard work for several years with my trainer. As many times as I groaned and whined about hating doing squats on an incline bench, it was what enabled me to engage my hamstrings and glutes when sitting and standing vs abs and back. It was a LIFE SAVER. Also pushing your but back and out helps take the pressure off your abs. To make a long story a tad shorter, here are some things I learned and things I found very helpful: 1. Prepare ahead of time. 2. Ask for help. 3. Do not be wonder woman. 4. During recovery do not eat salt. 5. Drink prune juice even if you think you do not need it (you will). 6. Stay away from gas producing foods (beans, broccoli, apples etc). 7. If your tub does not have a hand sprayer attachment, get one ahead of time! Bed Bath & Beyond has them pretty inexpensively and they are super easy to install (I did it on my own). 8. Get up as much as you can even if it hurts. Lungs can get "wet" pretty quickly. 9. Take the pain meds BEFORE you feel the pain (stay ahead of the pain). 10. Sleep sleep sleep. 11. The drains are icky but keep a good tally of the amount of fluid you expel. I wanted mine to be gone, but came to accept they are what they are. Eventually the doctor will remove them. 12. Get Netflix access or something similar for at least a month. 13. Make sure you have baggy soft clothes and old t-shirts. 14. If someone is helping you clear the drains for a few days, ask for some rubber gloves before you leave the hospital. 15. Wear that blasted compression garment. Yup I hate it but I am wearing it. My doctor promoted me to the next stage of garment and it is something like Spanx. It is called a Flexee and it is made by Maidenform. They sell them at Kohl's so need to spend a small fortune. But, I hate that garment worse than the uncomfortable hospital binder. It does however, fit better under real clothes. Few final words: a tummy tuck (in my mind) is not for someone who just got to their goal weight; it is not for weight loss purposes (although I did drop a few additional pounds). Be good to yourself during recovery. Expect some emotional swings (mine was about - when will I be recuperated.. as being still is not my strong suit!). You will have good days, bad days and GREAT DAYS! I am at 3 weeks out tomorrow and have some days where I am just so tired and other days I think i am ready for a half marathon ( I am not btw). Do not lift stuff, do not eat as much as you are used to eating (pressure against the swelling is very uncomfortable) and know your back my hurt a bit (both from the initial hunching and for me from having to sleep on my back all the time). Good luck if you have yet to start your journey. This was one of the best things I ever did for me (the other things being losing the weight and keeping it off)!! Updated on 23 Oct 2014: Well, I hit the three week mark last Tuesday. And just this Friday I feel like I really turned a corner in my healing process. I can stand up straight and I can get in and out of bed without feeling pain. I still have twinges every now and then, and little burning sensations where the drains were but that's about it. I still tire more easily than I'm used to and find back it's more comfortable for me if I eat A number of small meals during the day rather then three "regular"meals. Up until now, I didn't really experienced a lot of emotional swings. But I do find myself really just wanting to be back to being me again. And I find that a little frustrating and that makes me feel emotional. What I have to remember is that I had major surgery. And being me this time…is that version of me but his travel to the flat side. I have to admit I hate the compression garment NO I really hate the compression garment but I wear it faithfully. I didn't work this hard and come this far to mess up now. Some days I can see swelling and some days I don't see any swelling. That doesn't worry me I know it's all part of the process. No regrets. If you're Counting down the days till your surgery, or just in the process of making a decision… This is a great place to share and get information. Ciao for now. Updated on 24 Oct 2014: I am closing in on my fourth week and have to say, I have truly turned the corner on pain, standing straight, increased energy level, and (singing now)..."I've lost that pulling feeling, oh that pulling feeling, I've lost that pullling feeling, now it's gone, gone gone....". Ok maybe not totally, but close! I was having a weird tightness about a week ago in the place where my leg adjoins my torso very close to my crotch. It was NOT a good feeling. The burning and itching where the drains entered...that is gone too! I tried on some real clothes (vs sweatpants etc) and found that the $100 pair of Lucky jeans...are about one size too large...suck it up buttercup. I should not have bought them so close to my surgery anyway. One issue I have noticed is WOW do I have to pee about 10 times more a day than I used to...maybe even more. Is anyone else experiencing that? Also, during my first few weeks of recovery, I slept in my own bed bolstered with pillows etc and found a good way to get up was to rock back and forth and then wrap my arms around my calf and use upper body and arms to pull myself up and out vs using abs. Getting to the point now where I want to begin caring for the potential scar site and while I will ask the fantastic Dr. Howrigan when I see her Tuesday...any suggestions that worked for any of my "flat side" sisters? Thanks for any input. And have I mentioned I HATE THE COMPRESSION garment???! (Flexee by Maidenform). Updated on 27 Oct 2014: Very happy I did this. Actually, I did not waffle once I made up my mind. Like most things I do, I plow right in. The pain for the most part if gone. I get occasional twinges mostly where the drains went in but pretty much nothing when I get in and out of bed. Most of the scabbing is gone and there are only two spots where the scar looks red (the rest is barely noticeable) and I had full TT and flank Lipo and face fat grafting. Sneezing, coughing or hard laughing can cause a little pain but totally tolerable. I notice I pee a zillion times more than I used to and as the day goes on I swell a bit. Although I HATE the CG I wear it faithfully (24-7 actually)....the Maidenform Flexee in the day and the band from the hospital at night. What I hate about the Flexee is I am large chested and it pushes against the underwire in my bra and against by boobs so by the end of the day, I am miserable. But I will suck it up buttercup cause I have come waaaaaaaaaaaay too far. I see the wondeful Dr. Howrigan tomorrow and get the last stitches out and I am allowed to go back to my trainer (who btw is awesome and I credit him for helping me through this whole process - from weight loss to doing so well post-op. His name is Peter Helmes and he owns Vigot Transformations in Newton, MA). She said I can do cardio, arms, legs...just no ab work or deadlifting for now. I cannot wait until I am back full force. I do wish the swelling would go away and that I could ditch the Flexee but for now I have to do what I have to do. I am a happy woman! Updated on 28 Oct 2014: Was thrilled to be back with my trainer. As expected, I could not do everything I could do prior to TT. We had to severely limit any AB work (even secondary AB work) and I got tired faster than I am used to. Ok...to be expected but glad to be moving in the right direction. Today I see Dr. Howrigan and she will remove the last of the stitches and I will be asking her the best way to now begin treating the scar. I will let you all know what she suggests! Updated on 2 Nov 2014: So here I am one month and a couple of days. I have very little pain, more like tiny tweaks when I get in and out of bed, sneeze or cough (I do not fear the sneeze anymore!). I decided to start treating the scar though mine is very low, thin and mostly white. I do have 3 small areas that are red and one of them is one of the drain sites that I accidentally pulled in my sleep. I bought the Scar-guard MD and for the life of me cannot get it to stay put. It simply peels right off so I cannot tell you if it works or not. My doctor actually said vitamin E oil is an option but it is greasy so... I graduated to a new CG and hate this one equally. I just do not like the feeling. I wear it because Dr. H told me to and I want to do everything I can to increase my chances of success. I do not have to wear anything at night anymore though so for this I am happy! I have been back to see my trainer and he has been vigilant about not having me do anything that engages my abs even secondarily. I am glad to be back and working hard at not working too hard! I cannot wait until I can do everything again and go back to a full routine and 6 days but for now it is what it is. I do tire much quicker then before the surgery and while I find this frustrating, I have to accept that my body is still using a lot of energy to heal. In the mornings I smile with amazement when I see how flat my tummy is and how narrow my hips are - is this really me?? Then by about 4 in the afternoon the swelling becomes more noticeable to me and I can feel the pressure. I hate this but accept that swelling is all a part of the process. It does not discourage me or make me fear something is wrong. Although I was at my goal weight the day I went in, I have lost about 5lbs but think that is because I eat less to avoid the feeling of pressure and swelling. Here are some things I learned: The good: I was a size 8-6 when I went in depending on the brand. Now I am a 6-4 depending on the brand (and time of day for now). The scar line is very low and any residual scarring in the long run will still be less and better than the huge two finger width scar I had prior that ran from my belly button to the top of my pubic bone (from myomectomy and hysterectomy). I will be able to wear a bathing suit, proper sized tight dress and won't need blouses or shirts that are purposely long anymore! I will have the body I worked so hard to achieve. The bad: I hate the CG. HATE HATE HATE. The late day swelling is uncomfortable and I am impatient and would like it to stop now (although I accept it is the process). I miss full workouts with my amazing trainer Peter Helmes (Vigor Transformations in Newton MA), and the additional 3 days of cardio (but again it is about process). I hate that I tire more easily than I am used to. Misc: I still have some seriously numb areas across my tummy and I know this can take a year and that there may be some spots that never come back. I pee a lot more than I used to but that seems to be tapering off. I wonder if it had to do with the original compression belt I came home from the hospital with. Tips: Accept the swelling as process; wear the blasted CG; avoid salt and soda; don't over do it; eat multiple small meals vs large ones.

After asking many questions through this forum, and consulting with 3 plastic surgeons in Massachusetts, my surgery has been approved by my insurance company and is scheduled for May 15. I will not miss my 34FF breast size, and I will not miss the gigantic indentations in my shoulders from my bra straps. I am not nervous. I contemplated this surgery 20 years ago and chickened out. Boy, I wish I had done it back then. I weigh 135 pounds and can't wait for my breast size to match my body size. Updated on 3 Jun 2014: I am 2 1/2 weeks post op and extremely pleased with my results. I had the anchor incisions with a drain placed within the suture line, under each breast. My surgeon keeps her patients overnight in the hospital so I took full advantage of the night's stay. My drains were removed the following morning. It did not hurt one bit when they were removed! I was sent home in a surgical bra but was not comfortable wearing it because the velcro closure in between my breasts was wide and dug into my skin. I am still wearing the sports bras which were on my surgeon's list of recommended bras. The bras I purchased were the Bali Revolution Sports Bra and the Fruit of the Loom Fit For Me Seamless Wire-free Bra. The Fruit of the Loom bra was purchased at WalMart and it's the best $9.95 I have EVER spent...very comfortable & very supportive. The surgeon said for me to use my own judgement as to how long to wear sports bras for. I still wear a bra to bed and will probably do so until I am 4 weeks post op. I do not have anything negative to say about the surgery and the results. I am healing nicely. I have extreme sensitivity in my right nipple which is very bothersome, especially in the shower and wearing a seat belt in the car if the strap is crossing over my chest from left shoulder to right hip area. My left nipple has almost a total loss of sensation. I was worried about this but the surgeon said it's completely normal and it may take months for the super sensitivity on the right & numbness on the left to go away. I love my new size! I have gone from a 34FF to a 34C. I have posted some pictures of me. Some were taken pre op. Others are 3-4 days post op and 1 1/2 weeks post op. I have really enjoyed reading the stories of other ladies on this website. Reading them solidified my courage to have this done. If you are thinking about having a breast reduction I recommend that you consult with more than one PS and choose the one you feel most comfortable with. Good luck...and I hope you are as happy with your results as I am with mine!

I am a mother of 2 children and ever since the birth of my daughter (now 6) I have been longing to have this extra skin REMOVED! I have been on this website so many times but never got the courage to move forward. One question I have that I can't seem to find the answer to, is how important is it or is it worth it to have an overnight hospital stay following your tummy tuck? I really feel like this time I am going to do it. I work hard, eat right and it is just not paying off! Updated on 13 Feb 2013: I have been to one consultation 2 hours away and I have another consultation in a few weeks. My question is how do I pick? The man I had the consult with seemed nice enough and definitely gave me good hope on how much change I will see. The price was right too. The negative is he is 2 hours away and the surgery is not in the nicest town. My consult in a few weeks is with a woman who has a lot of the same positive reviews as the man, is an hour closer and from what I understand the the facility is beautiful. The price will probably be an extra 2-3 thousand from what they said over the phone. I don't know how to decide?! Do I go with the woman who is closer, in a better part of town yet more expensive or to the man who is farther away, not the nicest facility yet 2-3 thousand cheaper... Updated on 19 Mar 2013: So, I finally paid for and booked my surgery with a surgeon who I like very much! She had so many pictures pulled of past patients who had similar body types so I could get an idea of what to expect. I am getting lipo done on my flanks, parts of my stomach and inner and outer thighs. My surgery is 10 days away!! I am not staying overnight but my best friend happens to be a nurse in a post surgery unit in a hospital and will be staying over with me on my first night. I am just so nervous because I have never had surgery of any kind nor have I been under general anesthesia. BUT I am so excited to put this behind me. Updated on 27 Mar 2013: Surgery tomorrow!! Here are my before pics. I cannot believe I am actually posting these but here they are! Yikes!!? Not as nervous as I thought I would be but I have amazing support and I am so grateful for wonderful friends. I am having a TT with no MR. Also lipo to flanks, hips and thighs. Now I just hope everything goes well. Fingers crossed! Updated on 28 Mar 2013: I a not even 12 hours PO but home and resting. I have a wonderful friend, who is an rn and works Ina post surf unit , staing with me a few days. I a,m in such great hands! As far as pain goes, I won't lie. It hurts. It hurts to start walking but easier as I move, I am laying on an ice pack and that is helpful. I have no new pics to post. I have no idea what it looks like there still! Updated on 29 Mar 2013: P/o Day 2. this has been an interestinf jouney thus far . I am about 12 hours post op and feel lik I was beatn with a baseball bat. The percs are doing their job not 100%. Once I get hlp out of mny seat I can successfully go to the bathoom and walk around by myself so I feel my recovry is coning along nicely. I thank goodness for my friends, the fabulous reclinr, ice pack and pain meds! Last night was a long one and I ended up vomiting bn with the nausa patch on. Oh wll. I was just glad to get that over with. I expect to see the po results Monday but for now I amn afaid to take off the compression garmnt. I feel lik it is holding m together!! Updated on 30 Mar 2013: Heading into PO day 2. Really happy with my progress although I have nothing to compare it to. Once I get help up from the chair I can walk on my own. No more nausea so I may take the nausea patch off tomorrow. Also did anyone out there experience headaches? They com between Percocet doses and are very mild but still. Annoying. I am drinking a lot since bathroom trips are frequent. So looking forward to another day of healing. They say I can stand up on my own and feel normal again will be huge. Ps I stillmhavent seen anything yet. I can tell that my lower back is still really swollen from the lipo. Updated on 30 Mar 2013: So I am PO2 days. I have still not take my CG off yet as I was told to try and wait until Monday when I can also shower! Did any of you fear the results of your TT? I am scared that she didnt take enough skin or that it won't look much different. More so I have pretty significant swelling so I am afraid if I take the garment off I won't get it on again That being said, I have such great girlfriends and a wonderful husband who have taken such great care of me so far. Even my kids are being helpful. I am definitely pretty sore but not as bad as yesterday. Each day gets better even though the swelling seems to be getting worse. Pics to come Monday! Updated on 30 Mar 2013: I did have lipo on my tummy, flanks, inner and outer thighs. Hence why I feel like I have been attached by a baseball bat. Lol! But I am already moving around so much better. Super swollen still but I have been keeping up with ice and pain meds. I have been taking only 1 oxy every 4 hours but will take 2 at night. I have a lot of funny tingling around my belly and thighs but all feels good. I am happy with the progression and everyone around me making my healing process that much easier to go through. And I love this website too! It's so amazing to talk to people who relate to what I am going through. Updated on 30 Mar 2013: Need thoughts! I had lipo done on abdomen, flank inner and outer thigh. I am super swollen especially my rear end. It is such a bazaar feeling! I am vigilant about taking arnica and pain meds. Is all this swelling normal? Updated on 1 Apr 2013: The past four days have been such a blur that I didn't realize how stinky I must be. Lol. My friend came of this am to help me in the shower and with my garment. Good thing too because I came close to passing out. Not sure if it is because I haven't eaten much, of the odd sensation when the CG came off, but my shower was more of a rinse. When I got everything back on she helped me degrease my hair in the kitchen sink. Hairy armpits will just have to wait. I also got my first glimpse of my tummy. I love it! I was expecting a vertical suture, but I was thinking it would be much bigger. She did an amazing job! My tattoo is gone, my belly button that had piercing holes is gone and has been replaced by a cute little one. I am so impressed. Still too early to have any idea what the lipo will look like with all the swelling, but I am a very happy girl! Updated on 2 Apr 2013: I definitely did far too much yesterday! On top of it I tried ditching the percocets and going to only Tylenol. I eventually caved and took a perc. This morning I stood up and felt so much better. I was able to help my kids get breakfast and make their school lunches and I also made myself a coffee and oatmeal. Now that I am sitting I can feel that I maybe did too much. But still. I am so so much better. I had a friend come over last night and I took my garment off for her to see my new tummy. Upon its removal, I got immediately lightheaded. Has anyone else experienced this? Am I ever going to be able to survive without it? Jk.. Tomorrow I see my PS and I am hoping the drain will come out. There has been minimal draining so fingers crossed! Updated on 3 Apr 2013: I just got back from my PS. She said everything looks amazing. I am more swollen than I was when I took my last pics, but I am not surprised or worried as I am more active every day. She took my one drain out which felt WEIRD and told me I could start driving in a few days and stand up straighter which is really the most uncomfortable part of this whole thing. My back needs my core to kick in! I hope all of you TT ladies out there are healing well and quickly! Updated on 4 Apr 2013: Physically it has been a very good day. My incision and healing is going better than expected. I am so happy with the results... I guess I am really feeling depressed about having so many people going out of their way for me. Helping with my kids, driving me to my doctor, tidying up my house, I am never good asking for help and people are just giving it to me. I feel so useless and my kids are so off schedule. My daughter, who has some emotional problems began a new new compulsive behavior and I feel so helpless. Even if I were well I often feel helpless with her challenges, but now where I am so immobile and useless I feel even worse. Ahh! I feel odd dumping this onto this forum but I am in need of venting to someone who I haven't burnt out this week. My husband is wonderful but he has his own business and went for not having much work to now working 12 hour days 6-7 days a week and this process has been lonely without him. But let's face it. We need the income especially now to pay for what I have done. Plea dont feel the need to respond, it just feels good to out it out there and pray that I can find solace. Updated on 5 Apr 2013: Had a great day today.. Every day walking and standing seems easier. I have kept up with taking arnica 3x a day and today I put some arnica lotion on my body. I am still very sore from my lipo and found a hard lump at the very top of my abdomen under my rib cage. I have read that hard lumps are normal but I worry by nature so my ps will be getting a call. I wear my CG 24-7 and have a foam piece that goes between the CG and my abdomen. All in all, I am doing really well but man, this is a long healing process. Having never had surgery of any kind I underestimated how much I could do at this point, but I am doing it and continue to have great support. Take care all my TT friends! Updated on 7 Apr 2013: Post op day 10! Every day gets easier and easier. I have been more swollen since having my drain out last Wednesday but I know it's all temporary. I had a long day and was very sore, took a shower and I feel like a new person. I don't know if it is because I took a break from the GC, or just feeling normal or what, but it was good stuff. Question - My incision is high. Does it lower a lot after everything is healed? I know that my pubic area has been raised more than anything because of the public hair line, but I am hoping it will lower a bit more. Thoughts? Updated on 13 Apr 2013: Today I am 16 days post op. I am so tired of not having the energy I used to and I am still having trouble with everyday simple tasks (Like tying my shoe). I am very swollen (I hope this is swelling!) in some places and then not much at all in others. I am so tired by noon and I get winded walking upstairs. My body from my ribs to my knees feels numb and I after trying on my bikini, my scar is higher that I imagined it would be..... OK! Sorry, friends, I had to vent. There is a rational part of my brain that knows everything is still new and raw and I need to be patient, but that part of my brain is TIRED! I think the hardest part of this process is to allow the healing and recovery to happen without judgement as things look different not only day to day, but hour to hour. I am so excited yet nervous to see what my outcome will be. Will my scar fade to a faint line, will it drop at all? Is the fullness in my flanks swelling or fat? Am I gaining weight while I am sitting around doing only a fraction of what I used to prior to surgery? And when will my pre-op jeans fit me?! Most moments of my day I am positive and happy with my choice. I am sure that 6 months from now, I will be very happy with everything. The emotional roller coaster I have been riding will be a faded memory along with my scars... I hope... ;-) Happy recovering ladies! Updated on 14 Apr 2013: Here are my 2 week pics. I am happy with the looks of my scar. The swelling is a neusence. I just hope it is swelling and not some crazy weight gain. I am trying to keep a positive outlook. Life gets easier everyday. Tonight is my CG cleaning time so I am trying to massage some of the areas while not compressed. Hs anyone else had any good success with swelling? Updated on 19 Apr 2013: I can't believe how much better I have felt this week. I have been able to resume my normal day to day activities (which unfortunately includes dishes and laundry). I am sore and wiped by the end of the day but every day I feel better. I am still really sore on my lipo areas. I feel it in my thighs more often as that's where pressure is when I sit. I am very happy with the flatness of my tummy and my scar is healing beautifully! I am most frustrated with the swelling in my flanks. There is a ridge on the top of my scar, especially on my left side. I am staying positive though as it has only been 22 days. I am thinking (praying) that it will all settle done and look normal. Does anyone recommend one make of spanx over another? I need one from my knees all the way up. The reviews are so mixed and there are so many choices! Updated on 9 Feb 2018: Almost 5 years ago I made the leap to have my abdominoplasty and I have never regretted my decision. I still get frustrated at the height of my scar, being above my panty-line, but the it has faded significantly making it less noticeable. This picture you can hardly see it but under different lighting it is more noticeable but the scar has significantly faded and thinned out. I have decided this year to not care about people noticing the scar as I have worked so hard to get stronger and fitter and want to show off my body a bit. It took me a few years to get the courage to have this surgery done but, 5 years later, I am so glad I did.

I am a mother of 3 and after the birth of my first child I was left with a sagging stomach full of stretch marks. I had my daughter 11 years ago and now at the age of 33 I am divorced and the thought of another man seeing my body creeps me out. So... I am regaining my self confidence and my body and I couldn't be more excited about it. In one week from today I will be having a full tummy tuck, but no muscle repair, and a breast lift with the insertion of 300 cc silicone implants as well. I am nervous but more excited than anything. I just can't wait to get it over with!!! Updated on 9 Oct 2011: I can't believe that in 48 hrs I am going to be laying on a surgery table. I have been so so excited but now the nerves are starting to come. There are so many questions going through my head. Am I doing the right thing? What if the scar is super high?? Am I going to be happy with only 300 ccs? What if I can't go back to work in 2 weeks? Are the scars going to be horrendous? And a million other questions. I am trying to focus on wearing a bikini next summer but I am really anxious today. I bought bomelain, arnica montana, scar away strips, stool softner, and actipatch's as well. I am hoping that I am prepared. I just need to start hydrating myself today and tomorrow to be ready!! Updated on 12 Oct 2011: So, today I am one day post op. Yesterday went so well. They called yesterday morning and said that my Dr. was running early and that if I could make it they would move the surgery up from 11 to 1030. That worked for me because of course I was very anxious to get it over with! When I get to the hospital there was very very minimal waiting. They took me right back and had me change, took vitals, and had me try to go to the bathroom. After that I met with the anesthesiologist who was great (I am highly allergic to Naproxen-like I go into anaphylactic shock- and am not supposed to take any NSAIDs at all) and he put my mind at ease as far as medication and anesthesia was concerned. He actually did my iv for me which I was so thankful for because I have tiny veins and so many people have missed them in the past. After that my Dr arrives and begins drawing all over me with a blue marker. It was kind of funny watching her....she was like an artist the way she was concentrating! At the last minute I was having boob greed and asked her if we could go up to 325 cc as opposed to 300. She had no problem and just borrowed the 325 cc silicone moderate plus profiles from the hospital supply. I was so happy that I asked because I was under the impression that she wouldn't be able to change it because she had to order them for me. So I ended up going with 325 instead :) After the Dr was done with me they put versed into my iv to relax me and I remember very little after that. My surgery was done around 3 and I remember waking up briefly around 3:20 or so. I left the hospital around 6 to go home. Last night was good. We had alarms set so I could take my medication on schedule and I slept on my recliner in the living room. I actually haven't really left my recliner! HA! I am in pain but have decided to just take 2 percocet every 4 hours today to keep it at bay. I am in less pain but I sure do itch...ugh.... I still have no idea what my incisions look like. It is going to be like christmas morning come Monday! I will update pics as soon as I can see something :) Updated on 12 Oct 2011: So, I finally got my actipatches in the mail, so when I was undoing the compression garments to place them in I couldn't help but peek really quickly. Ugh....I really wish I didn't have so many stretch marks on my stomach, but oh well. It still looks so much better! Updated on 13 Oct 2011: So today I am 2 days out and already feel much better than I did yesterday. I am walking around so much better and I am not talking like I just woke up! I am still trying to take it easy. I don't want to think I am okay then overdo it and pop a stitch or something. I was able to scramble eggs for myself and make tea with relative ease. Although last night I did take a sip of something and it went down the wrong pipe.....not fun. The coughing from that was SOOOO painful. I would suggest using straws the first few days just to help to prevent that from happening. I called my PS for more pain meds and to ask a few questions about the itchiness and icing. I was pleased that they got back to me in a reasonable amount of time. She called in vicodin (i was taking percs before) and she also told me I could put a thin shirt under the binder to help with the itching. Updated on 14 Oct 2011: Day 3...I washed my hair and took a sponge bath this morning. Feels so good to be somewhat clean. Can't wait to shower! So I have been using the actipatch's and I took them off a bit ago. The metal taste in my mouth is to strong and I wonder if they are the cause. I will probably put them back on later, but for now they were freaking me out a bit. Has anyone else used these before? Updated on 14 Oct 2011: Also, wanted to mention that I can really tell that having no muscle repair is going to speed my recovery a lot. I am starting to use my abs a lot to get up and down without any pain. So that makes me happy to realize that I will probably be able to get back into working out sooner rather than later. Still afraid to weigh myself. I am 5'5" pre-op weight - 144 (morning of) My highest weight during pregnancy was 210, non pregnant peak was 170. Been between 135-145 since March '10. My ideal weight is 130 and my goal is to be there by next May. My thighs need help. The cellulite is out of control. I actually have a Velashape consult scheduled for next month.... Updated on 15 Oct 2011: 4 days post op and I am feeling better than yesterday. Made my own scrambled eggs this morning. Even chopped the avocado and tomatoes that I put in it. So far I am feeling great. I think I can start to come off of the pain medication but not sure if I will until Monday when I have some work to get done. I am hardly draining anything today. In the past 18 hrs I have only had like 15 cc. I am hoping that at my appt on Monday she will feel comfortable removing it altogether. Yesterday I had my PS call in an order of diflucan for me. I think the antibiotics gave me a yeast infection. Hopefully I caught it early enough and that combined with probiotics that I bought yesterday will clear it up and prevent another one. I haven't had a yeast infection in years. I forgot how much they sucked! Now my list of daily medications is out of control!! I feel ridiculous taking all of this stuff. Right now this is what I am taking daily- -robaxin (muscle relaxer) -cephalaxin (antibiotic) -vicodin -daily multi-vitamin -emergen C packets -stool softner -arnica montana -bromelain -pribiotics The actipatches were freaking me out and so I asked my brother to try it out and see if it was just in my head. He has some stiffening of his hands from working construction and so he figured he would see if they helped and also if they gave him the metallic taste in his mouth. Well....they worked. He was amazed this morning at how much better the hand that he treated felt vs the one he didn't treat. He was so impressed that he promptly began treating the other hand! He also confirmed the metallic taste and told me I wasn't crazy. It is like putting a dying 9 volt battery to your tongue. Anyway....since the battery taste seemed normal I have resumed with the actipatches. Especially since he was so impressed with how much better they made his hand feel. My hopes are that they will help me heal faster. Got my little ones (2 & 4) back today. I for some silly reason tried to pick my 2 year old up. Not a good idea and it hurt. Hurt my breast more than my tt though. Breast still itch but not as much as yesterday. Still sleeping in the recliner and I got a really good night's sleep last night. Can't believe its been 4 days already.... Updated on 16 Oct 2011: Today I am 5 days post op and what a difference a day can make!! I feel so much better today. I wasn't able to come off the pain meds entirely but I did cut it down to half of a vicodin. Too chicken to try just aspirin and I am allergic to NSAIDs...so no ibuprofen for me. But I managed to get around so well today. I almost felt normal...almost....you know, except for bloody bulbs coming out of my hip and a binder that is driving me mad. But, enough about that. The highlight of my day was being brave enough to try on some shirts from my closet. OMG!!! I LOVE my new boobs! I fit cup wise into an old 36 D bra from pregnancy....which means that right now I would be wearing a 34 DD. Bigger than what I originally wanted but man they looked awesome in clothes! I think I am going to have a new obsession with V necks..... They are still high and have lots of dropping and fluffing to do but I am so happy being just 5 days out. The lift incisions also seems to be in the perfect spot to be hidden. I am really happy with my PS so far. Can't wait for my first post op tomorrow!! Updated on 17 Oct 2011: 6 days post op today and I am drain free! YAY! It was so nice to get all of the bandages off and to have the drain removed. I feel like a new woman! But I still feel kinda yucky.....just bloated and worn out....just blah. The pain is mostly gone. Just kind of aches I would say at this point. I did almost everything I would normally do today. Probably too much but I am going to take it a little easier tomorrow. Just put around the house and catch up on laundry. I think my tummy tuck looks great! I am anxious to see what it will really look like. It is pretty swollen right now and my belly button is more closed than it should be because of the swelling but overall I am feeling better at this point than I had originally expected to. Updated on 19 Oct 2011: 8 days post op and I feel so much better. I have been doing pretty much everything the past few days. I am even walking completely normal and I slept in my bed last night! My stomach numbness is such an odd feeling! As I am slowly regaining feeling it is becoming more evident that it is numb in most places. I'm also pretty anxious to heal enough to work out....for some reason I am not one of the lucky people who lost their appetite during this process....go figure ;) Updated on 25 Oct 2011: I was just getting home from surgery 2 weeks ago today. So weird how time flies. I feel so much better now. Still have a few stitches that will be taken out tomorrow. Then home free..... I am pretty much using all of my muscle at this point. Picking up my children, standing up using abs, etc. Hopefully I will be able to start working out sooner rather than later. I am so so happy with my incision site. It is so low. I couldn't have asked for it to be in a better place. I do still have some loose skin above my belly button. I am hoping that it is just not healed all the way yet, or swelling, and that it will resolve itself. Tomorrow is my first day back to work. Wish me luck!! Updated on 1 Nov 2011: 3 Weeks!! Wow, can't believe that! I am feeling great now. Although still pretty tired. I am thinking that is all the lazing around catching up to me though. I am one of those that needs to workout or I get all screwed up and lazy. So this surgery is def setting me back. But soon enough!! I took the kids trick or treating yesterday and had to carry my 2 year old for 2.5 miles. Literally. I had him in my ergo and we went 2.5 miles round trip. So I would say I am healing up okay :) Going back to work was a breeze. I def did not need anymore time off than what I had. I also started applying rosehip oil to my scars yesterday. I will do this for the next week or so and then start with my silicone strips. My breasts feels funny. They are certainly not settled where they need to be yet and it is a little annoying to have them at different positions. But I am not concerned. I know eventually they will fall into place! I need to be better about massaging them. Updated on 1 Nov 2011: I am just looking at my photos and I am so glad that I am documenting this for myself and for everyone else. I am amazed at my before and after pictures. And I can't believe how well my scar is progressing in only 3 weeks! I can only imagine in a year! You won't be able to see it!!!! (fingers crossed!) Updated on 11 Mar 2013: It has been a long time since I have been to this site. First let me say that I am still so, so happy with my results. There is NOTHING that I could imagine spending this kind of money of that would give me more satisfaction. That might sound vain to some...but I was so self conscious before. Now I am so confident, I even wore a bikini all last summer....and didn't give a crap if anyone saw my stretch marks!! I did wind up having to go back into my surgeon's office around nine months later to have lipo done above the belly button. There was just this small pooch there that wasn't going away. It is fine now though. My breast no longer look like they belong of the bride of frankenstein thankfully! They are AMAZING! I catch people staring ALL OF THE TIME!! It's comical actually...women and men alike. Anyway, if you are questioning whether or not this surgery is worth I say absolutely. Just ensure that you choose a good surgeon. Don't go for the cheapest and do your homework.

I needed an umbilical hernia repair and have always hated my large abdomen, especially after 3 c-sections, so decided to have a TT with hernia repair. The cost would have been $10,700, but insurance covered fees related to hernia, including one overnight in the hospital. Thank goodness for that! I never would have been able to make it home. If staying over is an option for you, I highly recommend it!! Although my sx was compounded with hernia, and I received narcotics for pain after sx which caused me to breathe very slowly to the point that I needed oxygen and constant monitoring by an RN. And then I vomited a couple times. So, if you have a straightforward TT and no aversion to narcotics, you will be good! My PS also did lipo of my flanks and they were very bruised after, but that went away in about a week. I had a pain pump which consists of 2 thin catheters going into the upper belly and they are attached to a button and plastic pump holding the med (marcaine). The pump was wonderful!! It does run out after a few days and you have to pull the tubes out yourself, but it didn't hurt at all as they are VERY skinny. I had one Jackson Pratt drain which is a tube inside your body that comes out of your incision and is sutured in place. It's a plastic thingy that collects blood and fluid and you have to empty it. The doctor removed this one when I was putting out less than 30cc's a day which was at 2 weeks. Some days I put out 200cc's. I read the range of times to have it in is a few days to 3 weeks and some people have more than one drain. My incision is 12 inches long and very thin. My PS closes with inside dissolving stitches which work great! The only incisional pain I've had is the first couple times I got out of bed there was a lot of burning and pain. Now it feels great and I rub vit e oil on it every day and wear oleeva clear on it 23 hours per day. I have minimal swelling below my waist, but my upper belly is very swollen and there is a grapefruit size bulge right in the middle that causes me a lot of pain. My muscles were very separated so perhaps it was a struggle to bring them back together, I just really hope the swelling goes down, and I no longer have a bulging belly! I was cleared to sleep without my binder on, but find I am more comfortable in the am if I sleep with it on. Mornings are best, and the swelling and pain increase as the day goes on. The only pain med I take is one demoral at night to sleep. Tylenol and motrin have zero effect on this type of pain for me. I did not have a new belly button made, mine is just lower from the ps pulling the skin tighter. I'm hoping it looks better after all is said and done, or that it's easily fixed. My PS said it was very challenging bc the hernia had thinned the skin so much it was like tissue. I am only 2.4 weeks and my lower belly is great, but only time will tell if this was all worth it. Updated on 31 Jan 2011: Surgery was Jan 12, 2011 Updated on 13 Feb 2011: Updated on 25 Apr 2011: