POSTED UNDER Mommy Makeover REVIEWS
48 YO, 2 Kids, TT W/ MR and Lipo to Hips and BL
ORIGINAL POST
I went for a consult on 7/14/14 for what I guessed...
Fitbug1966August 3, 2014
WORTH IT$14,600
I went for a consult on 7/14/14 for what I guessed would be a BR. Everything has been moving very quickly since then.
First, some background. I've been married 24 years to my wonderful husband. He loves me for who I am, and tells me I'm perfect the way I am. He also supports my decisions. I also have two great boys, 19 and 15. The had them both vaginally. Well, the first one weighed 10 lb, 10 oz and the second one shot out and a mere 10 lbs. (haha). I also gained & lost about 50-60 lbs with each them.
So fast forwarding, I am left with very saggy breasts and a pooch for a tummy. I got serious about getting fit two years ago. I exercise with a trainer 3x/week (weight training & cardio) plus cardio or yoga an additional 2x/week. I'm 5'6" and 151. I am trying to eat clean and lose another 3 lbs before surgery. I'm working out more to get in better shape to make my surgeon's job and my recovery easier. I'm obsessed with reading everyone's stories, so I am prepared.
At my consult, the doctor told me a BL was more appropriate than a BR. Although I wear a 34DD bra now, most of my volume is excess skin! A BL would leave me small D cup, maybe even a full C cup. While I was there, I asked about my tummy (thinking it was hard-to-get-rid-of fat). He told me it was extra skin and it was quite obvious that I had muscle separation that could only be repaired through surgery. I've had chronic shoulder and lower back pain. My Dr. believes it will be resolved with the surgery (fixing abs & reducing breast volume/pulling). It took me a few days to think through the information & talk with a few friends who I knew had been through the surgery (one with the same doctor). The final decision is really about me being in "fix-it mode". I'm only 48, so why not make my body function properly and be happy with with how I look? So, my surgery is scheduled for 8/28.
First, some background. I've been married 24 years to my wonderful husband. He loves me for who I am, and tells me I'm perfect the way I am. He also supports my decisions. I also have two great boys, 19 and 15. The had them both vaginally. Well, the first one weighed 10 lb, 10 oz and the second one shot out and a mere 10 lbs. (haha). I also gained & lost about 50-60 lbs with each them.
So fast forwarding, I am left with very saggy breasts and a pooch for a tummy. I got serious about getting fit two years ago. I exercise with a trainer 3x/week (weight training & cardio) plus cardio or yoga an additional 2x/week. I'm 5'6" and 151. I am trying to eat clean and lose another 3 lbs before surgery. I'm working out more to get in better shape to make my surgeon's job and my recovery easier. I'm obsessed with reading everyone's stories, so I am prepared.
At my consult, the doctor told me a BL was more appropriate than a BR. Although I wear a 34DD bra now, most of my volume is excess skin! A BL would leave me small D cup, maybe even a full C cup. While I was there, I asked about my tummy (thinking it was hard-to-get-rid-of fat). He told me it was extra skin and it was quite obvious that I had muscle separation that could only be repaired through surgery. I've had chronic shoulder and lower back pain. My Dr. believes it will be resolved with the surgery (fixing abs & reducing breast volume/pulling). It took me a few days to think through the information & talk with a few friends who I knew had been through the surgery (one with the same doctor). The final decision is really about me being in "fix-it mode". I'm only 48, so why not make my body function properly and be happy with with how I look? So, my surgery is scheduled for 8/28.
Fitbug1966's provider
UPDATED FROM Fitbug1966
23 days pre
Looking forward to the little things...
Fitbug1966August 4, 2014
I'm looking forward to the little things:
- No more bra marks digging into my shoulders
- No more breast pain after running
- Not having to use talc under my breasts to avoid sweating
- Not having my underwear roll done below my tummy pooch
Geez, and that was just after the gym this morning! I'm so excited! Moving forward...
- No more bra marks digging into my shoulders
- No more breast pain after running
- Not having to use talc under my breasts to avoid sweating
- Not having my underwear roll done below my tummy pooch
Geez, and that was just after the gym this morning! I'm so excited! Moving forward...
Replies (20)
August 4, 2014
Congrats to you & your journey! Sounds like you have all your thoughts organized and are really ready for this! Thus site is so helpful & it has helped me tremendously! I two had bl & tt with muscle repair, it went really well , had surgery in July 15, 2014. It's amazing I'm three weeks tomorrow! I too hired a personal trainer for the past six months leading up to my date! Being strong & healthy was one of my main goals for recovery & healing just like you!
August 4, 2014
Thank you! I actually have already read your story because of the MR! Ha! You look great! RS has helped me immensely with a list of follow-up questions for my PS. At my consult, I was more consumed with recovery than anything else. Did you need your best friend for the full 2 weeks or do you think you could have managed on your own before then?
August 5, 2014
I did need her for two weeks, it's hard to ask my teenagers to help at first, because I needed complete focus on myself! I find that they "squirrel" a lot lol! Now they can help much more, and it's better & I can wait for them now rather than a few weeks ago! My husband has had to work through all of this, so it was very helpful with my friend being here! Do you have help? If so? How long? Recovery is the hardest thing, much more than the healing? It's the mental vs. physical . One day you feel great & next day you need more help! I'm on week three today & I am still walking slower! Went to work again for 2 hours seemed to be ok, but still needed to rest once done! I think you will be so surprised on how you will be able to get up and move! Everyone is telling me I'm ok & there so surprised how I'm coping! You will be just fine!
August 5, 2014
I'm excited FOR you. You have worked hard to get to this point and you deserve this. Here's a list of supplies for recovery that you might find helpful.
Not much longer now!
Not much longer now!
August 5, 2014
Hi fitbug1966, wow reading your post was actually quite amazing. Apart from the fact I had 4 big kids, and have been married to the same lovely man for 27 years, we could be twins.
August 6, 2014
Cass, if you birthed FOUR big kids, you can do anything! What kind of surgery are you considering or have already had it?
August 6, 2014
Hi fitbug1966, I actually wrote a longer post but for some reason only the first sentence posted. Sorry about that. I'm having full TT with MR, Donut lift with BA, lipo to flanks, and because if 4'big babies I'm also going to get vaginoplasty. (Tmi sorry) I'm getting it all at same time so hopefully it will all go ok. I'm like you I've been avidly reading every post and story on hear as I want to be prepared for anything.
I'm actually frantically working out on my legs at the moment as they will be the only part of me I'll be able to use after sx. I just can't wait for the day I can put on my clothes without tucking various parts of me in. Oh and to be able to laugh and sneeze without worrying.
August 6, 2014
What size do you want to be with the BA? I had never heard of a vaginoplasty (I had to look it up). Cool! So, how exactly big were your kiddos?
I can't imagine all the new styles I'll be able to wear: lower waistbands, slimmer shirts, botton up shirts, belts! I may actually begin to enjoy shopping.
August 6, 2014
Well my first was 9lb'3 second 9lb'9 then 9'1 and the ballerina as we called her 8'12. All between 21yrs -29yrs. Then I spent my 30s in a state of constant stress, working cleaning and feeling guilty about never being enough and then all of a sudden I'm in my 40s and I'm a wreck. I've always been somewhat vain, not that I think I'm great looking but vain as in I always have to look my best. Probably because of all the flaws I'm hiding under my clothes. People just don't understand. They only see what you want them to see. I like to call it women's magic or smoke and mirrors. I can't wait to be able to just jump up throw on some clothes and not worry about what bulge is showing or how saggy my boobs look. Sorry you had to look up vaginoplasty. Lol I did for informations sake and it was a bit confronting, all the visuals. I don't care what mine looks like before or after, I just want to feel normal. Not that there's anything wrong with showing it (as sienfield would say) just felt like a weirdo perve as I was at work and all these vijay jays popped up on my iPad. Very awkward.
August 6, 2014
So annoying only half my replies are being posted. I just said it was nice to hear from other older women who understand why at almost 50 I would put my body through that much pain. One woman said "you already have a husband" like the only reason I would improve myself would be to snag a man. 'Really people, get a grip' I just want to feel like me. Not a sack of mismatched clothes in a second hand shop. Look forward to hearing more of your story. Cheers cass.
August 6, 2014
Argh just realised I didn't answer your question. Sorry. I'm not sure about size, I think it depends on how big I can go with the donut lift. I think I'll be limited and I don't want the lollipop scars. Mine are already quite big, well, one is a DD the other is a modest D. The only thing is when I look at my wish boobs they are all quite big. I don't want to look like a silly old lady with huge jugs but I want them to match my body. What about you? It's so stressful and yet it's all I'm thinking about. My husband says I'm obsessing but I don't want any surprises, I want to know what to expect and do everything right. I really don't want any 'I told you so's'.
August 6, 2014
FYI, your're making me laugh and that will be unacceptable in just 3 weeks!! You hoy the nail on the head... Smoke and mirrors. I'm a fairly "natural" person (I.e. minimal make-up, casual clothes); however, I feel like I have to do so much to avoid frumpiness. I long to be proportional and fit into cute clothes! The sx is seriously going to motivate me for a those killer abs. Finally, all things will be possible!
August 6, 2014
Me too. My husband thinks I'm going off the deep end, because during my normal insomnia periods, I'll be reading RS at 3 am! I've got my "big girl" panties to put on, as I take my baby back to college next week, but this is a nice distraction. When we visit him in Fall, I'll be stinkin' cute and on the flat side! Yippee! I'm currently a DD and I thought I wanted to be smaller to avoid sagging again. I think that's unlikely and with the removal of excess skin with a BL I prob will be a D. I have broad shoulders, so I guess I'm good with that.
August 6, 2014
My surgery is on a Thursday and I am spending the first night in the surgery center. My best friend insists on staying overnight there with me. My husband will be home thru Monday (PO day 5) since it's Labor Day weekend and my bestie in & out as needed. He travels a lot, so I'm not sure past that. If he isn't in town, I was thinking of arranging home care, as a precaution. I'm trying to get a realistic understanding of my limitations & capabilities. Thoughts?
August 6, 2014
Hi, Fitbug1966, first, congratulations. I hope it goes really well. Five said post op is not along time, but I believe with enough preparation, you can do it. By preparation, I mean start with the worst that can happen and work backwards from there. Will you be totally alone? If you have EVERYTHING you need... from phone and charger to enough meds, it can be done. Remember to get a picker upper (a "grabber" like old people use -- because you never drop anything until the very last person who can pick it up has left the room! I stayed alone, with someone popping in, maybe 1-1/2 weeks post op. The drains were a pain in the arse but I muddled through. Good luck!!
August 6, 2014
Oh how I wish these posts could be edited!! I'm so sorry for the "auto corrects" that aren't.
August 6, 2014
Good luck. Like you, I was in pretty good shape, hardly ever eat fat or even meat, but just couldn't pull myself together. I had a full TT, lipo, and BL/BA on Apr 8 -- and I could not be happier. I am grateful to God literally every single day -- so pleased to have been able to do this. So best of luck to you -- I'm going to keep tabs on you! Let me know of you have any questions and be sure to check out my review.
August 6, 2014
Thank you for your support! You look FANTASTIC! I am very optimistic of the surgery benefits and I hope my spirit remains as positive as yours! My pre-op is tomorrow afternoon. I have a list of questions, thanks to RS. I'm sure I'll have some for you soon too!
August 6, 2014
Thank you. I looked almost exactly like you and that's what caught my eye. You're going to have great results. And your timing is perfect -- back in business by Thanksgiving! Well done.
UPDATED FROM Fitbug1966
22 days pre
Life is Good
Fitbug1966August 6, 2014
So the new recliner was delivered (see pic). My husband has always wanted one. I always envisioned the the one my MIL had. Ick. No way. Not in my house. So... When I read RS suggestions about getting one on Craigslist, I thought that was the perfect, TEMPORARY solution. Then I could sell it later. haha. Well, marital compromise had us shopping away that weekend. Win-Win.
So, as I was working out yesterday, I was annoyed with the jiggly roll under my arm that was above my bra. I'm going to ask my PS to lipo it. My back is pretty buff, but what's with that hideous flab roll? Moo.
So, as I was working out yesterday, I was annoyed with the jiggly roll under my arm that was above my bra. I'm going to ask my PS to lipo it. My back is pretty buff, but what's with that hideous flab roll? Moo.
Replies (5)
August 6, 2014
Jctmnbes, I had actually forgotten about the okay one day, worse for two days, then better again. I think that is important for people to know. Just when I really didn't feel well and was pretty bummed about it, I'd feel great the next day! My right breast was pretty angry for a while there and gave me a real fit and just when I thought the surgery might actually fail, zap, it was better. So we mustn't ever ever give up! Something else that took me by surprised was how down in the dumps I was a couple of times just after surgery. I had been warned about the possibility so recognized it when it happened but I was still unprepared for the intensity. I am four months post op on Friday, which is truly amazing! My muscle repair is my favorite part, I think. I really LOVE having no rolls! What a gift.
August 6, 2014
Thanks so much, I know that this is the hardest. I too, was aware of this but wasn't sure I would ever get there. But I am.
August 6, 2014
Haha.., its so funny. I used powder under my boobs too. And tucked , y little belly in my underwear. Its almost your time! I am one day post op and my boobs havent looked this perky without a bra since I was a teen!Im following your journey! :)
August 6, 2014
I'm giddy! You made it, congratulations! Wishing you a speedy and comfortable recovery.
Replies (0)