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Dr Richard Bloom is AMAZING!!! Please read on for...
Dr Richard Bloom is AMAZING!!! Please read on for anyone considering a body lift or corrective surgery.
I had lost 50kg vis lap band surgery approx 10 years ago and had maintained my weight at approx 75kg since then. Like most people I was thrilled with the weight loss after trying every diet under the sun, yet the sagging skin on my tummy and thighs remained, even though I am a totally gym junkie. I toyed with the concept of a body lift for the last 6 years but always felt guilt and shame for ever having gotten myself in the position of needing one. I wont delve too much into the emotional turmoil that comes with contemplating such a decision, as I am sure you are all too aware of what a toll it takes on you. All I can say is that after any weight loss, via medical intervention or not, you are worth it; complete your journey to look and feel the way you want to.
It took me 6 years, buckets of tears, loathing myself, horrible comments from partners and endless gym sessions to make up my mind. When I did I wanted the best surgeon possible. I have worked in the medical field for 15 years and are all too aware that the glossy cover of a doctors office or a lovely speaking manner can mean nothing if the result is not achieved. I set about on a mission to find a surgeon in Melbourne that would understand my journey. I googled, blogged and read every thing I could get my hands on about body lift surgery. I put my friends, who are nurses in theatres all around Melbourne, on a mission to ask who the best surgeons were. One name kept popping up, Dr Richard Bloom. Consequently, around the same time, he was featured in an article in NewIdea, as one of his patients was a contestant from the Biggest Loser. After asking a plastic surgeon at work who was the best at corrective surgery, he stated 'Don't waste your time with anybody else, go see Bloom'. High praise indeed I thought. I had at this stage seen another 2 surgeons, so I was quite eager to meet him.
So off I went, armed with everything I knew to meet him. I know this sounds like a clique but the moment I stepped into his suites in Hawthorn I knew this was the place that would help me achieve my goal. His staff were so incredibly friendly and sincere. From the initial handshake with Dr Bloom I knew I found my surgeon. He was, in a word, brilliant. He listened to my story and what I wanted to achieve, my turmoil in coming to the decision and the fear of scarring. I felt he just got where I was coming from. I never felt rushed as I did with the other doctors. Everything was state of the art, from the photos and computer software that showed exactly what he would do, to his detailed explanation of the procedure and what a realistic outcome was. Lets face it, If you am going to hand over your hard earned money and body to someone, you want to see that they have invested just as much in what they are doing and Dr Bloom has certainly done that. So I left, knowing 100% that I found the right surgeon and went home to finalise a date, approx 4 months time.
At this point I want to stress that, although I personally think Dr Bloom is a miracle worker, the onus is also on yourself to be as prepared as possible. I hit the gym hard and really concentrated on my diet. Just as it was with the lapband, you can cheat but what is the point? It is a mental change as much as it is physical. A body lift does not mean that you abandon to exercise or neglect diet. To be honest, all the women chatted to that were post surgery felt even more inspired to continue a healthier lifestyle.
The date approached....the day before the surgery was rather emotional. I had my last PT session at 7am, went home and burst into tears. The tears didn't stop all day. I think reality just hit me. I had spent the last 4 months so focused on my fitness that I didn't allow myself to think about the surgery. I had an appointment with Dr Bloom to get marked up. He and his staff were so lovely! They completely understood that it was very emotional time. Thank goodness they have alot of tissues about! I was so thrilled when, as Dr Bloom marked my skin, he commented on the difference in my body shape. It was then I knew this was truly the right thing for me. Any traces of doubt I had completely vanished. The personal trainer was worth every penny! We went through through the surgery details again and a few questions I had.
The next day I woke at 5am, due at the hospital at 6am. I get a lovely phone call from Dr Bloom making sure I was OK ( what an absolutely lovely thing to do!). Then I get a txt from my PT wishing me all the best! I was ready to go! Quick trip to the hospital and greeted by a smiling Dr Bloom. I was first on the list and a few hours later I wake up, on the slimmer, more toned side. I spent 4 days in hospital then went home.
The recovery period is tough. I pretty much spent the time in hospital in bed, scared that the moment I moved, everything would fall apart. Not so, but I was very cautious whenever I moved. I was a bit hesitant to go home on my last day as I live by myself. The staff were so understanding and I stayed another day which made all the difference. Dr Bloom came to see me and he was really happy with how it all went. I really couldn't tell how anything looked then and I as quite swollen, so I took his word for it!
6 weeks later, I was back at work, moving slowly but surely. The scarring was amazing! My worst fear was laid to rest! The incisions were like a thin straight line around my abdomen and down my inner thigh. They were red and swollen but this subsides with time. I was walking slowly around the block as exercise initially and was back at the gym about 9 weeks after the surgery. My advice it to take your recovery period as seriously as the surgery. Rest is very important, as is a high protein diet and lots and lots of water!
It is now 2015 and I am so happy with the result. I know that I will never have supermodel legs, but then again, mine aren't that bad! The scarring is fading and I have dropped another dress size. The real achievement is my shape. Clothes fit so much better and I have great proportions. No more flabby skin that I always used to hate when I ran.
This whole journey has been so incredibly hard and so rewarding at the same time. it is as much a mental change as it was physical. I am slowly learning to love myself, and it feels pretty good. I did this for myself, to be the best person I can be. I wanted to look the way I felt and now I do.
I really can't praise Dr Bloom and his staff enough. If anyone is contemplating any type or body sculpting surgery, let me assure you, you couldn't be in better hands. Thank you to all the staff at ARC for a new improved me! Watch out world.. I am here!!
(I always was, just got a better bum now!)
I had lost 50kg vis lap band surgery approx 10 years ago and had maintained my weight at approx 75kg since then. Like most people I was thrilled with the weight loss after trying every diet under the sun, yet the sagging skin on my tummy and thighs remained, even though I am a totally gym junkie. I toyed with the concept of a body lift for the last 6 years but always felt guilt and shame for ever having gotten myself in the position of needing one. I wont delve too much into the emotional turmoil that comes with contemplating such a decision, as I am sure you are all too aware of what a toll it takes on you. All I can say is that after any weight loss, via medical intervention or not, you are worth it; complete your journey to look and feel the way you want to.
It took me 6 years, buckets of tears, loathing myself, horrible comments from partners and endless gym sessions to make up my mind. When I did I wanted the best surgeon possible. I have worked in the medical field for 15 years and are all too aware that the glossy cover of a doctors office or a lovely speaking manner can mean nothing if the result is not achieved. I set about on a mission to find a surgeon in Melbourne that would understand my journey. I googled, blogged and read every thing I could get my hands on about body lift surgery. I put my friends, who are nurses in theatres all around Melbourne, on a mission to ask who the best surgeons were. One name kept popping up, Dr Richard Bloom. Consequently, around the same time, he was featured in an article in NewIdea, as one of his patients was a contestant from the Biggest Loser. After asking a plastic surgeon at work who was the best at corrective surgery, he stated 'Don't waste your time with anybody else, go see Bloom'. High praise indeed I thought. I had at this stage seen another 2 surgeons, so I was quite eager to meet him.
So off I went, armed with everything I knew to meet him. I know this sounds like a clique but the moment I stepped into his suites in Hawthorn I knew this was the place that would help me achieve my goal. His staff were so incredibly friendly and sincere. From the initial handshake with Dr Bloom I knew I found my surgeon. He was, in a word, brilliant. He listened to my story and what I wanted to achieve, my turmoil in coming to the decision and the fear of scarring. I felt he just got where I was coming from. I never felt rushed as I did with the other doctors. Everything was state of the art, from the photos and computer software that showed exactly what he would do, to his detailed explanation of the procedure and what a realistic outcome was. Lets face it, If you am going to hand over your hard earned money and body to someone, you want to see that they have invested just as much in what they are doing and Dr Bloom has certainly done that. So I left, knowing 100% that I found the right surgeon and went home to finalise a date, approx 4 months time.
At this point I want to stress that, although I personally think Dr Bloom is a miracle worker, the onus is also on yourself to be as prepared as possible. I hit the gym hard and really concentrated on my diet. Just as it was with the lapband, you can cheat but what is the point? It is a mental change as much as it is physical. A body lift does not mean that you abandon to exercise or neglect diet. To be honest, all the women chatted to that were post surgery felt even more inspired to continue a healthier lifestyle.
The date approached....the day before the surgery was rather emotional. I had my last PT session at 7am, went home and burst into tears. The tears didn't stop all day. I think reality just hit me. I had spent the last 4 months so focused on my fitness that I didn't allow myself to think about the surgery. I had an appointment with Dr Bloom to get marked up. He and his staff were so lovely! They completely understood that it was very emotional time. Thank goodness they have alot of tissues about! I was so thrilled when, as Dr Bloom marked my skin, he commented on the difference in my body shape. It was then I knew this was truly the right thing for me. Any traces of doubt I had completely vanished. The personal trainer was worth every penny! We went through through the surgery details again and a few questions I had.
The next day I woke at 5am, due at the hospital at 6am. I get a lovely phone call from Dr Bloom making sure I was OK ( what an absolutely lovely thing to do!). Then I get a txt from my PT wishing me all the best! I was ready to go! Quick trip to the hospital and greeted by a smiling Dr Bloom. I was first on the list and a few hours later I wake up, on the slimmer, more toned side. I spent 4 days in hospital then went home.
The recovery period is tough. I pretty much spent the time in hospital in bed, scared that the moment I moved, everything would fall apart. Not so, but I was very cautious whenever I moved. I was a bit hesitant to go home on my last day as I live by myself. The staff were so understanding and I stayed another day which made all the difference. Dr Bloom came to see me and he was really happy with how it all went. I really couldn't tell how anything looked then and I as quite swollen, so I took his word for it!
6 weeks later, I was back at work, moving slowly but surely. The scarring was amazing! My worst fear was laid to rest! The incisions were like a thin straight line around my abdomen and down my inner thigh. They were red and swollen but this subsides with time. I was walking slowly around the block as exercise initially and was back at the gym about 9 weeks after the surgery. My advice it to take your recovery period as seriously as the surgery. Rest is very important, as is a high protein diet and lots and lots of water!
It is now 2015 and I am so happy with the result. I know that I will never have supermodel legs, but then again, mine aren't that bad! The scarring is fading and I have dropped another dress size. The real achievement is my shape. Clothes fit so much better and I have great proportions. No more flabby skin that I always used to hate when I ran.
This whole journey has been so incredibly hard and so rewarding at the same time. it is as much a mental change as it was physical. I am slowly learning to love myself, and it feels pretty good. I did this for myself, to be the best person I can be. I wanted to look the way I felt and now I do.
I really can't praise Dr Bloom and his staff enough. If anyone is contemplating any type or body sculpting surgery, let me assure you, you couldn't be in better hands. Thank you to all the staff at ARC for a new improved me! Watch out world.. I am here!!
(I always was, just got a better bum now!)
Provider Review
As mentioned above, Dr Bloom is nothing short of a miracle worker. Besides the overall result, which I am absolutely thrilled about, It was more the time and patience he had. I never felt rushed and never felt that he was just going through the motions with me. All my questions were answered and I was encourage to contact him and the staff with any issues or worries at any time. All my follow up appointments have been great, I really can't praise his staff enough. Although they see the same issues over and over again, I have always been made to feel that I am an individual with my own story, not just another patient. Thank you, thank you thank you... to Dr Bloom and everyone at ARC for a new lease on life!!