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POSTED UNDER Mommy Makeover REVIEWS

recovering from my drainless TT, BR and Lipo on my flanks - 3 months post op

ORIGINAL POST

Hello, I am a 33 year old Mum of 3. 6 year old and...

AussieMumof3June 28, 2012
WORTH IT$15,950

Hello, I am a 33 year old Mum of 3. 6 year old and 3 year old twins. I am 5 foot 5 and weigh 142 pounds. I have lost all of my pregnancy weight plus an additional 20 pounds. I still feel "fat". I think this is because of my stomach and large DD breasts because the rest of me is fine I guess. I exercise 4-5 days a week and eat healthy most of the time. I think that I would like to lose another 10-15 pounds prior to surgery but I'm not sure if I just feel that because of my gross stomach and large breasts. My first consultation is next week, I am excited and nervous. I feel terrible for spending such a chunk of our savings. My husband is supportive though. I think that I just want the reduction with no implants because I am scared to have something foreign in me. I also have quite a busy year ahead so I am confused as to when I can fit in the surgery - when will I feel "normal" again after it? We have no family in the country for support. Hoping the consultation will clear up a lot of this.

AussieMumof3's provider

Steven Vath, MD

Steven Vath, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.9 | 341 Reviews
PROFILE

AussieMumof3 rating for Dr. Vath:

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Replies (3)

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Angie_M
June 30, 2012

Welcome to RealSelf! The consultation will help, though I think some doctors downplay the recovery time. Give yourself at least 3 weeks before returning to work, if possible. Here's a good article from JenBob about what she wished she knew before her MM.

AussieMumof3
June 30, 2012
Thanks for that article link, it's a good read :) I am a stay at home Mum so I don't have to return to work as such. My hubby will work from home for 2 weeks (to begin with) and I am hoping that that is enough.
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Angie_M
July 2, 2012

Oh, good! Just make sure you're careful about not lifting your children until your surgeon gives the okay to do so.

UPDATED FROM AussieMumof3
3 months pre

Okay, I had my first consultation! I was nervous,...

AussieMumof3July 5, 2012
okay, I had my first consultation! I was nervous, my palms were so clammy in the car on the way to the appointment!! My husband came home from work early and we booked a sitter to look after our kids. The first thing that worried me was how far away this doctor's office was from my house. I knew the distance at the time of booking the appointment but I hadn't considered the terrible traffic around Cherry Creek Denver. All up it took 40 minutes and it made me wonder if I would be hating this distance when I am uncomfortable after the op.....So, once we arrived I was ushered in to have a quick initial chat with the patient co-ordinator, she explained how my consultation would run. Then the Doc came in and briefly introduced himself. Next they took photos......embarrassing.....After the photos the Doc came back in, they took a bunch of measurements mainly of my breasts and he explained wear the incisions would be for the TT. He also suggested for a better overall look that I have some lipo on my hips/waist. What annoyed me is that he offered no words of encouragement like "I think we will get a good result", "I think you are a good candidate", "well done on your weight loss" - NOTHING. Maybe I have unrealistic expectations of a doctor? After this I was presented the paperwork and the cost with lipo came in just over $17,000.....I was hoping for a price around $15,000. If I don't do the lipo it will be $15,000 so I need to decide.

Initially I was happy with the doctor but over the past two days I have been thinking more and more about it all and I have decided to go have another consultation with someone else, this doctor has great reviews, often doesn't use drains (that excites me!!) and he looks really nice in his photo :) ha ha They couldn't fit me in for a consult until August 3rd (a good sign I think!) The first doctor could do my surgery in 3 weeks time if I want it! It made me worried that he isn't as busy as perhaps he should be???

I will write more after my next consultation. In the meantime I am going to work really hard to lose as many pounds as possible :)

Replies (3)

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xsunshinex
July 7, 2012
Great job on your weight loss! I know how hard that is. Its good that you're looking at your options. When are you hoping to get your surgery? I know we had to plan my surgery carefully because of all the kiddos and since I'm a stay at home mom it requires my hubby to take time off...
AussieMumof3
July 7, 2012
Hello, thanks for the comment :) How long is your hubby taking off work? I am going to have to arrange the same thing. We have no family in the US so it is going to be difficult. At the moment we are thinking that he will need to take 2 weeks off - does that sound right? I'm hoping to have the surgery in October :) I see that your surgery is soon!!! How exciting!! I am new to this website, is there a way that I can follow your "story"? There has been a few reviews that I really related to but then I can't find them anymore :(
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xsunshinex
July 7, 2012
My hubby is only taking a week off :( but family friend will be helping the following week. Ive read a lot of reviews and 2 weeks seems to be a good amount of time... I mean at least for you to do little things although be super tired by the end of the day. Everyones different though. What are you doing to prepare yourself for... Everything? I have been preparing since march lol I had to wait 3 months before any consult cause I was breastfeeding. Im retty new to the site also... So im not sure how to follow someone... But when I commented on someones post the other day I was notified when she posted again... Lol probably not the right way to do it
UPDATED FROM AussieMumof3
3 months pre

I have decided to upload some pics of weight...

AussieMumof3July 10, 2012
I have decided to upload some pics of weight loss/fitness regime pre surgery - might help motivate me!

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