POSTED UNDER Mommy Makeover Reviews
Tummy Tuck and Breast Lift Coming Soon for This Mommy... :) - Danvers, MA
UPDATED FROM ladyjay45
11 months post
Almost a year out!
WORTH IT$8,600
Wow, I can't believe that it's been almost a year since I underwent my mommy makeover. I've been a bit of a slacker with updating my blog, but there wasn't much new to report after my last update. The swelling continued on and off for several months, but I'm happy to say that in recent months I rarely experienced any notable swelling. The tightness in the belly is still there, but it's not painful or uncomfortable. At this point I am used to it and it actually makes me feel like I've had a good workout even if I didn't lol.
I did have a dog ear on each end of the incision and I discussed with my PS about having those revised. I also had few pockets of fat on my upper hip and flank areas that really annoyed me, so I decided to have some liposuction done to enhance the shape of my waist with the same PS.
I actually had the procedure done 3 days ago and have started a separate review documenting my experience with it to date (and included pictures).
I figured it might be beneficial update this review as well and include pictures of my results nearly a year post op and the dog ears. Once I'm further along with my recovery with the liposuction procedure and the steri strips come off the dog ear revision, I will post updated pics to show how they look. :)
I compare my recovery to my current procedure to that of the mommy makeover and wow, this is really a walk in the park! I think back about the first couple of weeks, having to deal with the drains, the discomfort of not being able to walk straight and the soreness in the belly area. I just can't believe I'm back to normal after going through all of that. But if I had to do it again, I would most definitely would because it has been oh so very worth it! Also, I would definitely choose Dr. Cooper, he is really an excellent physician!
Be well everyone, happy healing to those who are currently recovering!
I did have a dog ear on each end of the incision and I discussed with my PS about having those revised. I also had few pockets of fat on my upper hip and flank areas that really annoyed me, so I decided to have some liposuction done to enhance the shape of my waist with the same PS.
I actually had the procedure done 3 days ago and have started a separate review documenting my experience with it to date (and included pictures).
I figured it might be beneficial update this review as well and include pictures of my results nearly a year post op and the dog ears. Once I'm further along with my recovery with the liposuction procedure and the steri strips come off the dog ear revision, I will post updated pics to show how they look. :)
I compare my recovery to my current procedure to that of the mommy makeover and wow, this is really a walk in the park! I think back about the first couple of weeks, having to deal with the drains, the discomfort of not being able to walk straight and the soreness in the belly area. I just can't believe I'm back to normal after going through all of that. But if I had to do it again, I would most definitely would because it has been oh so very worth it! Also, I would definitely choose Dr. Cooper, he is really an excellent physician!
Be well everyone, happy healing to those who are currently recovering!
Replies (12)
Woo! Your transformation is incredible!
L
Thank you! I still can't believe it lol!
Looking great!!!! So happy for you!
Thank you, likewise! :) It's great to be on the flat side!
thanks for all your updates. they calm my nerves sooooo much you dont' even know!!!! I'm going in in a week, not this week but following week coming. NERVOUS.com
you look wonderful, I hope I have positive results like yourself. Continue to heal well hun.
Question: from day 1 post op, can you write how you 'cleaned' yourself and the wounds? thats another helpful tip I'd like please.
You're welcome. You'll be on the flat side before you know it! Post op I just showered with mild soap then dried the incisions and put clean gauze on them (they were covered in steri strips so I didn't have to use any ointment). He removed the steri strips 2 weeks post op, after that I didn't have to put anything on the scar. Ask your doctor what he/she recommends since some docs use different methods (mine used dissolvable sutures and surgical glue to keep the incicion sealed). Hope this helps!
Looking good! Will you share more about the lymphatic massages please? :)
I read alot of positive benefits that can come from the lymphatic massages, that they help with healing and reduce swelling. I started getting them 6 weeks post op, the massage therapist recommended 10 sessions. The first massage felt really strange because I wasn't used to feeling so much pressure on my belly and everything felt really foreign. But towards the end it felt really good and every session since has felt even better. I have not noticed a difference with the swelling but I have noticed my belly is more sensitive and now when I massage it or sleep on my belly I no longer feel uncomfortable. Let me know if you have any specific questions, I hope this help!
Ladyjay45... Did you have any knots before the massages? If you did, did they go away? My ps gave me the go on lymphatic massages but I'm scared because my sides hurt and I still can't feel most of my tummy. Any suggestions?
Luvmy3js,
Yes the first time it felt like I had some knots when she started massaging the belly. I also didn't really massage it with pressure during the first few weeks since I was still healing and didn't want to put pressure on the incision. The first massage felt strange because I felt the pressure from the strokes but my belly was really numb. As the session progresed it felt much better. I still feel a little numb in some parts of the belly but overall since I started the massages it feels softer and I am also able to sleep face down, something I couldn't do before. I'm attributing it to the massages but maybe it's just the healing process. Hope this helps, let me know if you have any questions.
You look absolutely incredible! I am thinking about scheduling a consult with Dr. Cooper for myself! May I ask how you were able to get insurance to pay for some of the procedures? From my understanding, they usually will not because it is considered 'cosmetic'?
Lindsay,
Thank you!! I recommend you schedule a consult so you can talk about what you envision and he can give you his input. The day I went for my consult I was a nervous wreck but my gut told me to go with him and I'm so glad I did!
With regards to the insurance, I had a lot of hanging skin and tissue from excessive weight loss and carrying twins, so the insurance covered the panniculectomy portion of the surgery, the cosmetic part I paid out of pocket.
Let me know if you have specific questions or feel free to send me a PM. If you decide to have your surgery with Dr. Cooper, if your experience is anything like mine, you'll be in great hands. :-)
UPDATED FROM ladyjay45
1 month post
Just a little over 8 wks post op...
This summer is flying by! I've been so busy with my new job and taking advantage of the warm weather that I haven't had much time to update.
It's hard to believe that it's been over 8 wks since my procedure and I feel wonderful! The small wounds I had (I posted pics a few weeks ago) finally healed and everything is looking really good. I still swell up into the phantom pregnancy stage, but that won't be forever (I hope not!). I haven't been wearing my cg religiously anymore, I'm feeling more comfortable without it. I wonder if the lymphatic drainage massages have anything to do with that (I have had about 6 or 7 out of 10 already)? Even though the massages have not done anything to reduce the swelling, I really enjoy and look forward to getting them. I find that since getting the massages I am able to touch my belly and not have that weird numb sensation, also I find that I don't have much need from the cg support.
I was using mederma scar gel for about a week and stopped because it was making my skin really itchy and it kept flaking off (it made me look like I had dandruff when I wore black clothes :( ). A fellow member recommended kelo-cote scar gel so I have been using that for 1 week so far and it's much better. It doesn't flake off or make my skin itch.
I started doing some light exercises, especially power walking. I tried jogging for a little while but felt this strange vibrating sensation in my belly that lasted for almost an hour (freaked me out a bit) before it went away. I've been reluctant to try again and wanted to wait some more time. I wasn't wearing a cg so the next time I will wear one to see if that makes a difference.
I keep reading how plastic surgery is addicting and boy is that statement accurate. I am so pleased with my results, but now I want to get a booty lift to complement my new belly and boobs lol!
I will post some pics, I took them first thing in the morning when my belly was nice and flat. :-)
Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer, I will probably update in a few weeks when I am 10 - 12 weeks post op.
It's hard to believe that it's been over 8 wks since my procedure and I feel wonderful! The small wounds I had (I posted pics a few weeks ago) finally healed and everything is looking really good. I still swell up into the phantom pregnancy stage, but that won't be forever (I hope not!). I haven't been wearing my cg religiously anymore, I'm feeling more comfortable without it. I wonder if the lymphatic drainage massages have anything to do with that (I have had about 6 or 7 out of 10 already)? Even though the massages have not done anything to reduce the swelling, I really enjoy and look forward to getting them. I find that since getting the massages I am able to touch my belly and not have that weird numb sensation, also I find that I don't have much need from the cg support.
I was using mederma scar gel for about a week and stopped because it was making my skin really itchy and it kept flaking off (it made me look like I had dandruff when I wore black clothes :( ). A fellow member recommended kelo-cote scar gel so I have been using that for 1 week so far and it's much better. It doesn't flake off or make my skin itch.
I started doing some light exercises, especially power walking. I tried jogging for a little while but felt this strange vibrating sensation in my belly that lasted for almost an hour (freaked me out a bit) before it went away. I've been reluctant to try again and wanted to wait some more time. I wasn't wearing a cg so the next time I will wear one to see if that makes a difference.
I keep reading how plastic surgery is addicting and boy is that statement accurate. I am so pleased with my results, but now I want to get a booty lift to complement my new belly and boobs lol!
I will post some pics, I took them first thing in the morning when my belly was nice and flat. :-)
Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer, I will probably update in a few weeks when I am 10 - 12 weeks post op.
Replies (0)